Spanish in Miami Part Two (Kendall, Weston: living, restaurants, shopping center)

[induhvidual]

Originally Posted by unixpilot

I'm a little confused by your post...If you really wanted to learn another language why not just sign up for Berlitz or take class at a Community College or something?

Expecting to learn a language based upon chatting it up with the neighbors, or in the line at the Kendall Publix sounds a little naive.

Not meant to be disrepectful, just an observation.

The best way to learn a language (and the culture that goes with it) is to immerse yourself in it by talking to actual people. No amount of book knowledge can substitute for this one on one interaction. Besides, isn't that more fun than sitting in a boring classroom. Of course, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong

[unixpilot]

Originally Posted by induhvidual

The best way to learn a language (and the culture that goes with it) is to immerse yourself in it by talking to actual people. No amount of book knowledge can substitute for this one on one interaction. Besides, isn't that more fun than sitting in a boring classroom. Of course, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong

So applying this logic, the best way for all the hispanics to learn English is to live in Miami!

Just kidding, of course your statement is true, but my point was her situation seems different than the college student who does a 1 yr intern in Spain, or lives in another country for employment reasons.

Just because she moved to a very isolated hispanic neighborhood doesn't mean she's getting the immersion effect.

Does little havana feel like Cuba? No. Does Chinatown feel like China? No.

Heck I can just go to Las Vegas and experience the world! Pyramids? No problem...Luxor has rooms for $89/night , Look kids! Eiffel Tower! Who needs Venice, we have the Venetian!

Ok, that was a little exaggerated, but regardless it was a heartfelt post by beanblossom.


Good luck to you in Miami, beanblossom

[tao777]

I really enjoyed your post beanblossom. How open-minded. If my husband and I do move there I hope we meet people like you! ( & we're learning Chinese...)

(Is there a 'Part One' because I'd love to read it!)

[induhvidual]

Originally Posted by tao777

I really enjoyed your post beanblossom. How open-minded. If my husband and I do move there I hope we meet people like you! ( & we're learning Chinese...)

(Is there a 'Part One' because I'd love to read it!)

I second that. Hopefully we, too meet people like you when we move--

[vpcats]

Chinese!! That's the way to go. It's the "up & coming" language to know I think.
Please make sure you learn it well so you can help the rest of us. :-))

[tao777]

Actually it's alot more fun (and digestible) to eat chinese food than to speak the language...I hear there are great Chinese restaurants in So Florida, "PT -something" I think. But you don't hear about people who speak the language there do you?
Sorry, I don't mean to get away from beanblossom's wonderful post...

[vpcats]

Tao77...that would be PF Changs.
I don't know how good the chinese food here is, really. It's good enough I think, although better in some restaurants than others, but then again I have never been to China or Asia where they have the real stuff so I can't compare. I have eaten in Chinatown in NY and San Francisco. To me, the best part about any food is that it is FOOD! (I like food). lol.... :-))

[CiXeL]

according to chowhound. mr cho's in miami beach and tropical chinese are both good but i havent tried either YET.
the indian guys at work tell me a place called imlee is good for indian food and also one called palace off 595 exit 2.
i really miss the large variety of asian cuisine in LA. ive tried to have the stuff here but even when it looks alright it tastes ALL WRONG. i didnt think you could have bad tasting shoyu (soy sauce).
whats even more puzzling is how these asian restaurants are staffed by asians but they dont know how to make their own food. the only thing i can think of is that theyre catering to local tastes because from what ive seen every latin person i know of dislikes the taste of ginger.

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by CiXeL

according to chowhound. mr cho's in miami beach and tropical chinese are both good but i havent tried either YET.
the indian guys at work tell me a place called imlee is good for indian food and also one called palace off 595 exit 2.
i really miss the large variety of asian cuisine in LA. ive tried to have the stuff here but even when it looks alright it tastes ALL WRONG. i didnt think you could have bad tasting shoyu (soy sauce).
whats even more puzzling is how these asian restaurants are staffed by asians but they dont know how to make their own food. the only thing i can think of is that theyre catering to local tastes because from what ive seen every latin person i know of dislikes the taste of ginger.

LOL... That's cause you haven't met me. I happen to like ginger. I even use it at home when I can figure out something to put it on.

[Migsly]

Originally Posted by induhvidual

The best way to learn a language (and the culture that goes with it) is to immerse yourself in it by talking to actual people. No amount of book knowledge can substitute for this one on one interaction. Besides, isn't that more fun than sitting in a boring classroom. Of course, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong

That's probably right. But I'm not around Spanish folks up here in the panhandle. So I just ordered a Spanish Lessons CD. It's pretty good. I haven't gotten it yet but I did the free sample lessons and they were quite good. I think I can learn it from the CD.