Some things stay the same all around the world when communicating in another language. In my early years of studying Spanish, I found that adding sound effects such as imitating a race car brought about more vibrant and interesting conversations. Gestures too typically help get the point across like rubbing your stomach to emphasize hunger even though it can sometimes be confused with the game of "pat your head and rub your tummy". My personal opinion, though, is that you can never go wrong with a pure and simple smile.
It is clear when a smile is sincere and when it is not. And when you encounter a true sincere smile away from home and away from your known world, it is a moment to treasure for a lifetime. So this year moving away from my protected shield of Wisconsin and venturing into Spain has taught me to truly pay attention to the smiles that I have been granted with. These smiles have encouraged me and have made me hang on a little tighter for a little bit longer.
As my time in Spain is drawing to an end and I become more and more aware of my departure, I would like to give thanks to some moments that I cherish and that I always will due to the smiles that I was given in moments that I needed them most.
Take for example the first couple I met in Spain on the airplane and later in the Madrid bus station who offered me not only their phone number but their kindness and hospitality to meet for coffee several afternoons during my first week in the country.
Or imagine me arriving to my town alone in the small bus station waiting to be picked up by a fellow teacher from my school. Worried and doubtful, I will never forget Silvia's voice from behind me as she asked if my name was Hannah. Her smile and confidence found a place in my dear heart as she became not just my mentor at the school but a close friend as well.
What about when I met my current roommate Guadalupe and we began our first "official" English class by sharing and practicing swearwords. It was quite the class on vocabulary and pronunciation, let me tell you. Take also for example when she invited me to her family's house and her nieces kept peeking around the corner to grin at the weird americana in the room.
And what about my first few SKYPE chats with my family and friends back in the states? Or how about when I met up with my other American girlfriends in Europe for the first time and only realize together that we had all truly made it back to Europe for a second time? Or the man in the German airport reassuring me that I was going in the right direction on the metro and then to tell me all about German culture of Christmas? And I cannot ever forget the smile of relief as Christina saw me get off the train to spend Christmas with her. Nor can I forget the joy and determination on the girls' faces with whom I walked the Camino de Santiago with as I arrived to the city and they were sprawled on the benches with their sleeping bags after a night bus. How could I ever forget conversing first with the Austrians in English and then in Spanish with the Spaniards over good food and wine along the Camino?
The answer is: I cannot forget. Nor will I ever forget. These moments are painted forever in my memory. The bright and cheerful smiles have brought me far and all I need to do is choose one of them to re-energize my spirit and body. And although this is my last week in my school and there will be fewer smiles and more tears as the hard truth sets in as I leave, I will never forget the times spent here in this warm and friendly country. A smile is after all a treasure. And a treasure is never to be forgotten.
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