| |
|
|
Tuesdays With Queen Ruby
|
I had a long flight and the muscles
around my neck were stressed out and tired. I needed a massage-
fast. I inquired around a bit and thought it over. Then as I was
walking to Claro com café, I noticed a beauty parlor which
advertised for massages. It looked like a nice joint so I jumped
on the opportunity. I went in and saw several people sitting
around and chatting. I went up to the woman sitting behind the
counter. I said nervously “Massages?”
She introduced herself at Ruby, but she rolled her r so much I
thought her name was droopy. I thought that was a very odd name
for any woman but I didn’t ask questions. That’s what I called
her for the next week until she corrected me. Her real name was
Ruby.
At that time I knew less Spanish than I do now which means I
spoke hardly any at all. Her English wasn’t great but she could
at least communicate what she wanted and I understood her. We
agreed on a massage. She took me back and both of our sense of
humors clicked. She asked me what I was doing here and for how
long I would stay. I asked her if she knew anyone who needed any
English lessons. She said that she would teach me Spanish if I
would help her with her English. I jumped on the opportunity and
we would start the next Monday. Her massage soothed me, I walked
out and the rest is history.
Monday rolled around and I showed up at her salon. I was ready
to learn Spanish. We sat down at a table near the window where
they do nails. I had my notebook and she had hers. She mainly
teaches me Spanish for about an hour, sometimes more and I
answer any English questions she has. There is a whole crew of
characters at the salon. There’s Marjorie the nail specialist.
She’s always winking and smiling at me even though she’s
married. I laugh just laugh. Then there is Lucretia, one of
Ruby’s hair stylists. She’s got a heart of gold. Lastly, there
is the flamboyant hairdresser Carlos. He’s relatively new to the
scene since he just returned to Panama from the U.S. He speaks
fluent English and I work with him a lot when Ruby has a client.
The greatest part of the whole deal is that I meet new people
there all the time. Ruby likes to play matchmaker by seeing who
she knows is single, then giving me their phone numbers. She
also introduces me to a lot people random people who come into
her salon. My Spanish has been improving little by little. I
would highly recommend setting up some type of language exchange
if you are staying a country for a while and don’t know the
language.
# # #
Articles reprinted with permission
from
www.ThePanamaReport.com
<< Return To
Panama Articles Home or
Real Estate in
Panama Home >>
|
|
|
