Never a dull – even when you’ve lived in a foreign country more than a decade.
Sorry, “solo horizontal, Señora”
Still adoring my adopted home here in Cuenca, Ecuador (especially my sweet digs overlooking the gurgling Rio Tomebamba). And while you’d think that after 11+ years of wandering these charming cobbled streets and noodling out where to unearth most every common household item, food, etc. (e.g. a simple safety pin, vertical file organizer – no such thing, “Solo horizontal, Señora”, etc.), I’d have put such cultural/language barriers behind me.
Nosiree. Even w/ my ever “mejor” Spanish, there’s still plenty of elusive words for common objects, foods, etc. that lead to furtive searches (often involving comical miming).
Case In Point: Tracking down a simple RUBBER BAND!
The truth is, I like nothing better than the daily challenges that living in a foreign country guarantees. Indeed, for this life-long wanderlust, having a home-base in a foreign land to use as a springboard for traveling to ever new near and far-away countries – is the very best of all worlds.
Furthermore, it is precisely the many little challenges that I actually THRIVE on. Since moving permanently abroad more than a decade ago (um, may I direct your eyeballs to that ticking clock ↑ above that’s poised to turn over to “14” years in a matter of days?), I’ve often said that I’d be bored silly within a week, should I ever find myself back in my old U.S. hood in Seattle. Everything would be far too easy there. Same language, same culture, same Target, same Walmart, same Home Depot, same-same everything that I’ve known all my life. Though plenty modern and comfy (no Virginia, we’re not all living in thatched, dirt-floored huts here in Ecuador), even as a veteran “gringa” here in Cuenca, there’s still plenty of surprises around every corner.
So here’s the thing… I’d run out of my small stash of rubber bands. Clearly a “first-world problem” but nonetheless, a PITA when I want to secure the cord to my food processor, hair straightener, etc. What to do?
Now I know that the Spanish word “cinturón” translates to “belt” in English. But I’ve learned that it likewise works well as “tape” when seeking a simple roll of masking tape. And “elastico” is as you’d expect – elastic. So perhaps “cinturón elastico” might at least get me in the ballpark.
Nonetheless, to be on the safe side, I dutifully Google for the Spanish word for “rubber band” and get “bandas de goma” (i.e. apparently “goma” means “rubber” – who knew?)
Btw, I could have simply dropped a photo of rubber bands on my phone (a method that’s worked great for “safety pins”, “bamboo steamer”, et al in the past) but I’m trying to learn a foreign language here people – so such image-crutches aren’t going to up my Spanish vocabulary game, now are they?
Anyway… so off I skip to the local “Target” (a.k.a. “Coral” here in Cuenca), intercept a stray worker, and politely ask: “Disculpe Señor, buenas tardes, ¿Cómo estás?” – the ubiquitous preface to every blessed social and/or commercial interaction here in Cuenca. And only THEN do I presume to ask: “¿Venden bandas de goma?”
Blank stare. Followed swiftly by a desperate look of misery as Cuencanos are nothing, if not exceedingly polite, uber-eager to please, and near-mortally wounded should they not be able to help a total stranger.
“Tal vez… ¿Las cosas para la escuela???” (school supplies, perhaps?)
Another energetic skip to the pencils, rulers, and crayons department and…
Woa – wazzat???
By golly – packages of colorful RUBBER BANDS!!!
Turns out (as evidenced on the package), here in Ecuador they’re called “ligas”. Apparently it’s slang, and “caucho” is another name for “rubber”. Go figure. 🤪
Then again… an “elastico” garter does make a smidge of sense, and “ligar” is the verb “to tie” after all (as in “to tie together” a series of fútbol teams, I suppose). So I guess it’s just another example of the gazillion nuances in learning a foreign language.
In any case, clearly Google’s literal “bandas” this and “goma” that didn’t cut it with my dear shop helper. And you can bet that I added a new bit of slang to my never-ending adventure of living here in Ecuador.
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About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
