We're two weeks into our trip, and my stumbling words have turned into broken sentences. Some grammar conventions coming back and, dare I say, even being expanded. It's been a painful and awkward journey, for sure.

Most people are super patient and supportive though. Hardly anybody responds negatively to a proper attempt, however broken it may be. You can feel a small but potent social contract being signed by both parties: "I'm trying man, I really am," I'm signalling, "I am a guest here, like so many others, but I come with good intentions. If I'm conveying that badly it's because I am bad at that, not because I am a bad person. " It's gotten to the point where I could feel their English was miles ahead of my Spanish, but it not being just me whom decided to 'just stick with it.' The ineffective communication being a worthy trade-off for both of us.

If anything, the issue I currently experience is not knowing enough words to make my simple sentences slightly longer. Or more readily available in a multitude of situations. So, for now, out comes the Translate app before 'new type of scenario' kind of conversations. If privy to the topic about to be discussed at hand (ordering a new kind food, asking the phone number of a taxi driver at the hotel reception so we can reserve ahead, replacement tips for AirPods Pro, etc.) I have found that tiny bit of preparation turns an almost impossible conversation into an awkward but successful one. Kinda like a 'if you understand each other and you're not being super rude on accident, you're good' type of thing.

There's two more weeks to go. I'm not sure I'm able to claim that 'Spanish is my third language' but I do feel like I just might at some point in the future. And then AI live translations will become a thing, probably.