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Tales of the Strange

Tales of the Strange

This week however is my last in Leon so I decided to brave the lunch one last time. “Sí, quiero comer con ustedes” I reply and she looks at me with surprise and delight

Melen Yemane

Martes, 16 de mayo 2017, 14:56

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¿Quieres que te compre algo en el mercado? My host mom Carmen asks me as we go through our Sunday ritual. Tengo, gracias, I reply as we eat our breakfast and she tells me what time all of her friends will be over and if Id like to join them for lunch. Honestly? Most of the time my response is Yo voy a gimnasio a las dos para no encontrarme con la gente aquí.

The same response Ive been giving the past month and the most believable excuse. How do I tell her ten Spaniards in a small room all speaking (yelling) at the same time, over and under each other, makes me run in the opposite direction? I cant.

This week however is my last in Leon so I decided to brave the lunch one last time. Sí, quiero comer con ustedes I reply and she looks at me with surprise and delight. As Carmen goes off to the butcher to buy whatever meat was on the menu I proceed to make my salad and set it in the refrigerator for later.

Twelve thirty hits and the first of the guests arrive, Vicky a spunky Nigerian woman who never fails to arrive early and help with setup and stay late to do the dishes. Hola, Que tal? she asks me and I reply Im good, Carmen just went to the market, shell be back soon. Thirty minutes pass and I hear the familiar wobble of Carmens steps and come out of my room to help her put away the groceries.

¿Preparas la comida? she asks me, knowing I wont be eating what everyone else will, I say yes and we share a knowing smile. As more and more guests arrive Vicky stands at command in the kitchen speaking with the spatula and I cant help but sneak a little picture of her dominating the scene.

Around two o clock is when I starting regretting my decision, everyone had arrived and their conversations were loud and quick, instead of trying to keep up or participate (usually leading to a headache) I tune them out and help Carmen set the table.

The countdown begins, tminus six hours until Ill be able to hear myself think. Im seated next to Vicky and Josephine not surprisingly the only two who speak a little English, a smart move made by Carmen. I get up to grab my salad from the fridge and smile to myself seeing the mix hadnt become soggy. As the conversation moves toward politics and voices rise I smile and nod pretending to follow along.

The conversation pauses for a moment while I continue smiling and nodding but at this point everyone looks to me. Ive been caught! Turning a little red I look to Carmen who appears a tad nervous. Kevin, a loud Ghanaian man turns to me and says Ahh no recuerdo, tú no comes sólo 'verde', como los animales? and laughs as the rest of the group joins him some hiding their smiles, others outright laughing.

I feel Carmen gazing at me in worry wondering how Ill react but I simply reply no solo cesped yo como carne tambien! making light of the jab. Carmen is the first to laugh and everyone follows suit, Josephine jokingly pushing my arm. I go back to eating my grass and adding to the conversation whenever I can and soon enough people begin grabbing their coats and departing with kisses.

As I say the last hasta luego and thank everyone for the well wishes I find myself smiling. No, I probably couldnt tell you what we were talking about or remember all of their names, but my time was nearing in Spain and I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, even if headaches were to follow.

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