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This morning while having coffee at La Esquinita (click here), we had a great visit with one of the staff. Her name is Marina. She’s one of those special people whose smile, warmth, and energy make any day better.
La Esquinita is in the process of decorating for Christmas. I didn’t know the Spanish word for garland, so I asked Marina. She said, “Guirlanda.” I told her it was “garland” in English and she said she liked the sound of the English word better. She said guirlanda was difficult to pronounce and she exaggerated the pronunciation. “Guirl-land-da.”
However, a moment later, a mildly puzzled and pensive expression appeared on Marina’s beautiful face.
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| I ASKED MARINA IF I COULD TAKE HER PICTURE FOR MY BLOG. SHE SAID OF COURSE, BUT PULLED OUT HER LIPSTICK FOR A TOUCH-UP (SHE DIDN’T NEED IT). |
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| PERFECT WITH OR WITHOUT THE LIPSTICK. |
Pointing at the garland, she called across (in Spanish) to the bartender, “Gonzalo, what’s the word for this? Guirlanda, correct?”
Gonzalo burst out laughing, shook his head at Marina, and said, “Guirnalda! Guir-NAL-da!”
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| GONZALO IN BACKGROUND. “GUIRNALDA! GUIR-NAL-DA!” |
I told Marina her Spanish appeared to be similar to San Geraldo’s English.