Really like this Spanish-Mexican language diversion on this thread, but it rankles me a bit because I failed to become a proficient Spanish speaker. My aunt and uncle had a housekeeper who emigrated from Cuba before Batista was overthrown. This lady was a joy. She was brilliant. She spoke four languages, French, Portuguese, Spanish (Castilian and Cuban dialect) and English. She was a great housekeeper who, with her family, went on to develop two sub-divisions. And for the longest time, she still continued to keep house for a select number of clients who helped her when she first came to the states. What rankles me is that she often spoke Spanish to the children, alternating from English, and many of us took to it. But our parents and family frowned on that, so she spoke English. I took rudimentary Spanish in high school and didn't apply myself because the teacher lacked the joy and warmth of my aunt's housekeeper. That's on me, really. Still, in my limited knowledge of Spanish, I know a few choice commands, directives, verb forms and terms of affection thanks in large measure not to my high school teacher, but to this charming and talented woman who treated our family so kindly. Oh, and BTW, her brand of preference was Coke. Dark rum optional, but never at work. Even as a kid, I knew what a "Cuba Libre" was... and stood for.
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