Moving to Espanola! -YIKES! Any Advice!? (Taos: fit in, homes, live in)

[bradly]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

It is not a joke or a slam. It is practical advice. There are a lot of hispanic people in Espanola and it would be very wise to learn some Spanish in case it would come in handy. Gee Bradly, oversensitive much?

20yrsinBranson

Well i grew up in Espanola, and everyone now a days tends to bash the poor little town, I would always hear stuff about "learning spanish" and it got me angry because its just like any other little town we all know english well maybe not the illegals. But when ever someone talks about Espanola i like to give em a converstaion.. becuase regardless what people say about espanola, you dont need a gun or a lowrider or none of that.. It was a great town I always felt safe and no one ever bothered me when i lived there and today it still is a great place. Sorry i kinda took it serious.. Its my hometown what do you expect!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by bradly

Well i grew up in Espanola, and everyone now a days tends to bash the poor little town, I would always hear stuff about "learning spanish" and it got me angry because its just like any other little town we all know english well maybe not the illegals. But when ever someone talks about Espanola i like to give em a converstaion.. becuase regardless what people say about espanola, you dont need a gun or a lowrider or none of that.. It was a great town I always felt safe and no one ever bothered me when i lived there and today it still is a great place. Sorry i kinda took it serious.. Its my hometown what do you expect!

My cousin has lived in Espanola for many years (she delivers Lays potato chips, maybe you know her). Anyway, I have been through there many times and I really like it. Especially the old pueblo there. It is so historical and so very charming.

You know, there are a lot of Latino people everywhere these days (even Missouri and Arkansas), and even though most Latinos can speak English it is still nice, I think, to say "gracias" or "buenos dias" to them out of respect. I have not yet seen anyone take offense to it and usually I get a big smile.

Just for the record, if I see someone who is OBVIOUSLY German or French I say hello to them in their native language also, just my way of saying "I love that you are a little different than me!!!!".

20yrsinBranson

[loborick]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

My cousin has lived in Espanola for many years (she delivers Lays potato chips, maybe you know her). Anyway, I have been through there many times and I really like it. Especially the old pueblo there. It is so historical and so very charming.

You know, there are a lot of Latino people everywhere these days (even Missouri and Arkansas), and even though most Latinos can speak English it is still nice, I think, to say "gracias" or "buenos dias" to them out of respect. I have not yet seen anyone take offense to it and usually I get a big smile.

Just for the record, if I see someone who is OBVIOUSLY German or French I say hello to them in their native language also, just my way of saying "I love that you are a little different than me!!!!".

20yrsinBranson

That is so condescencing it is ridiculous! That's like getting campaign calls during election time in spanish because I have a hispanic name. I am an American and I speak English. no one is obviously anything! I am constantly asked if I'm from NY...they say I look Jewish!

Speak to people in English unless they are from another country. If they're from the US, speak English.

You've been in Branson too damn long. Get out in the real world.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by loborick

That is so condescencing it is ridiculous! That's like getting campaign calls during election time in spanish because I have a hispanic name. I am an American and I speak English. no one is obviously anything! I am constantly asked if I'm from NY...they say I look Jewish!

Speak to people in English unless they are from another country. If they're from the US, speak English.

You've been in Branson too damn long. Get out in the real world.

I see. And when you are walking down the sidewalk and get one of those "yo - compadre" nods from other Hispanic males (assuming that they think you are Hispanic and not Jewish), I suppose you run right over there and accuse them of being condescending too. There in beautiful Santa Fe are you trying to tell me that *NOBODY* starts speaking Spanish to you assuming that it is your native tongue? Having been there, that is VERY, VERY hard to believe. Perhaps you hang out with the yuppie wannabe trendy types who don't even WANT to acknowledge their heritage, lest they be considered somehow "inferior". Is that why you have a problem with this? Because you believe that recognizing someone's heritage is an insult? I always consider it a sign of respect. Go figure.

20yrsinBranson

[sandiaman]

Espanola is refered to on the Channel Four weather casts,as the beautiful Espanola Valley,and it is quite pretty especially in the late spring / summer. The people are friendly there and it was known as the low rider capital of the Southwest. Angelina's is know for serving lamb as the featured meat in its Mexican food. However, you should be aware that Rio Arriba County (Espanola) has the highest number of heroin users in the entire US. (per capita). That is probably not something you are used to in ND. It might not effect you directly, but you should be aware and be careful to lock everything (car and apartment). There are signs warning about theft in Chimayo and El Parasol Restaraunt. Enjoy, but be on your toes.

[bradly]

Originally Posted by sandiaman

Espanola is refered to on the Channel Four weather casts,as the beautiful Espanola Valley,and it is quite pretty especially in the late spring / summer. The people are friendly there and it was known as the low rider capital of the Southwest. Angelina's is know for serving lamb as the featured meat in its Mexican food. However, you should be aware that Rio Arriba County (Espanola) has the highest number of heroin users in the entire US. (per capita). That is probably not something you are used to in ND. It might not effect you directly, but you should be aware and be careful to lock everything (car and apartment). There are signs warning about theft in Chimayo and El Parasol Restaraunt. Enjoy, but be on your toes.

Rio Arriba County has 41,190.. and they say It has the most Heroin Overdoses and users haha my ass! The counties population is that of the City of Farmington. So dont you dare come on this thread and say we have the most users.. You need to look at your facts and those of Los Angeles and larger cities! We have the most per capita based on our population, the city-proper of Espanola doesnt have a large user heroine what so ever it is the communites outside of the city! And oh yes please be careful in Espanola but you make it sound like you are going to get robbed there. That is ubsured! I like the fact you like Espanola but you make it seem more creepy than good. NOT TRUE!

[Fischer_girl]

Kiids kiiids.
I have looked at alll kinda of rental prices. I'm just not used to all the additional things one has to pay when renting in the south. Such as water, sewer and trash...its just not something we see here. Annnd..when the rent DOES seem reasonable..either you have all those nasty add ons or you risk being in a craphole area (thats merely an assumption).
The other thing I ran across...I found a good looking place and did google directions for milage and drive time to Espanola.... it told me 25 minutes. BUT..when I called the facility they actually told me an hour. Huuuge difference when you're looking at driving back and forth every single day. Part of me wonders if we shouldnt just come down and THAN find a place. But its a stressful thought of being "homeless" for a few weeks. lol. I can't wait til we actually GET there and we don't have to be sittin on this blog lol! Have a great week guys (and gals :P)

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by bradly

Rio Arriba County has 41,190.. and they say It has the most Heroin Overdoses and users haha my ass! The counties population is that of the City of Farmington. So dont you dare come on this thread and say we have the most users.. You need to look at your facts and those of Los Angeles and larger cities! We have the most per capita based on our population, the city-proper of Espanola doesnt have a large user heroine what so ever it is the communites outside of the city! And oh yes please be careful in Espanola but you make it sound like you are going to get robbed there. That is ubsured! I like the fact you like Espanola but you make it seem more creepy than good. NOT TRUE!

Per capita, as a %. It has the most overdoses, per capita. This is a true statement, a fact. I've been around Rio Arriba County, and I believe it. I was absolutely shocked by the level of poverty I witnessed in that county. It's even more pronounced the further north from Espanola you go.

[loborick]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

I see. And when you are walking down the sidewalk and get one of those "yo - compadre" nods from other Hispanic males (assuming that they think you are Hispanic and not Jewish), I suppose you run right over there and accuse them of being condescending too. There in beautiful Santa Fe are you trying to tell me that *NOBODY* starts speaking Spanish to you assuming that it is your native tongue? Having been there, that is VERY, VERY hard to believe. Perhaps you hang out with the yuppie wannabe trendy types who don't even WANT to acknowledge their heritage, lest they be considered somehow "inferior". Is that why you have a problem with this? Because you believe that recognizing someone's heritage is an insult? I always consider it a sign of respect. Go figure.

20yrsinBranson

If a native walks by and greets me in Spanish, I will respond. But if a tourist walks by and says "Hola" from Spanish 101, I am offended. I will walk away and laugh. If a native talks to me like that it is two people of similar backgrounds and heritage using a greeting that has been used for ages. When a tourist does it, it's like a tourist walking through Compton and saying, "hey, homie!" to the residents there. I would never walk up to a Native American here and say "ya-ta-he" (sp).

I'm sorry if you don't understand. I don't know what your ethnicity is, but would you think it is a sign of respect if someone learns a few words of your native language just so they could pretend they know it?

I don't know how to explain this, but this is the best I can do.

[Fischer_girl]

Originally Posted by loborick

If a native walks by and greets me in Spanish, I will respond. But if a tourist walks by and says "Hola" from Spanish 101, I am offended. I will walk away and laugh. If a native talks to me like that it is two people of similar backgrounds and heritage using a greeting that has been used for ages. When a tourist does it, it's like a tourist walking through Compton and saying, "hey, homie!" to the residents there. I would never walk up to a Native American here and say "ya-ta-he" (sp).

I'm sorry if you don't understand. I don't know what your ethnicity is, but would you think it is a sign of respect if someone learns a few words of your native language just so they could pretend they know it?

I don't know how to explain this, but this is the best I can do.

WOW! Exactly! I was thinking the same thing before I read your post. See..that is just what I was thinking! I am as freaking white as the day is long..and never really thought it would be respectful for me to try to utter something in Spanish when I never spoken a full sentence in Spanish in my entire LIFE! I guess..for example... if I was doing my thing and someone..be it Chinese, Japanese, Philippean, ANYHTING...tried to speak to me in English and completely slaughtered it..I don't know that I would be flattered. I guess its different depending on if we were here or in their homeland. AW. Confusing... I just never really KNEW if me risking slaughtering the hispanic lingo is a good thing?! Only someone of hispanic heritage can answer that, I guess.
As for what was stated above..I respect and appreciate anyones comments of the area. Of course hearing these things kinda freaks me out..but really..its better prepare for the worst than get blindsided!