Language Comprehension

Being stuck in our capital due to unrest at our home has made for yet another loooooong stay here. But with it have come a few perks. One is that there are actual, legitimate restaurants here. Yes, please, I'll enjoy that while it's available.

Another is that, for the most part, Matt and I have been pleasantly surprised by our language abilities, even after not studying it for 2 months (one month for vacation and baby check-ups, and the second month due to being unsettled and stressed). But within the last week alone, about 3 different people have commented on how good my language is. Do I think they're mostly just being kind? Most definitely. But for someone who likes words of encouragement, I'll take any that come along!

The fun part of learning another language, and being in an area where it's spoken widely, is being able to pick up on what people are saying when they aren't even talking to you. The other day we went to get a vehicle from the office to go around town, and the gate was blocked by a car parked just outside of it. There probably was enough room to fit our vehicle through, but Matt wasn't positive, so the guard went to find someone who could move the car.

He returned with several men. A few of them got into one car that was parked in front of the gate and drove away, but it wasn't the one that was making the driving space tight. I stayed out by the gate (yep, call me nosy) trying to see who was going to drive the blocking car away, when I could have sworn that one man kept saying the verb "to throw." But since this didn't make sense in the context, I figured that my understanding was just off.

After realizing (probably a little late) that I was the only gal around there and that my husband wasn't there, I went over to Matt to get in our vehicle, quickly making a glance over my shoulder.

"Matt! Turn around! You've just GOT to see this!"

Sure enough, about 5 men were bouncing the car that was in the way so that they could lift it and move it over a few inches! Oh, the times to have had a video camera on hand...

And guess what...I heard correctly. They were planning on "throwing" the car...hooray for comprehension!