I walk through the sliding doors and search for my driver, who I spot right away.
#Ispeak spanish how to
A pang of shame slams my gut, and I can’t help but think that I should know how to communicate with her. She spews out more Spanish, none of which registers with my lowly American brain. “Tengo otro bolso que voy a obtener…allá,” I say, pointing toward the area behind her. For some reason, I think repeating exactly what I just said will make a difference. She responds in rapid-fire Spanish and I comprehend nothing. “Si…tengo otro bolso que voy a obtener en…baggage claim.” I stare blankly at my phone, in a total state of disbelief that I don’t know how to say what I need to say. I try to cobble the words together to explain. Something about my bag? Another bag? On my form, I list that I have three bags, two of which I’m carrying and the other of which I’ll retrieve at baggage claim. When I hand her my customs form, she says something in Spanish that I don’t understand. I follow the herd and wind up in a line with an officer who doesn’t speak English. I head toward a long, wide corridor where I see roped-off queues, baggage scanners, and a sea of blue uniforms.
![ispeak spanish ispeak spanish](http://www.quickmeme.com/img/b0/b0d3b0d32d691f51ce859992f9aca36f40873544cdcb71ea27ca842cb6d887a4.jpg)
I walk past the duty-free shops and the black-haired women saying “Hola, señorita” in unison.
![ispeak spanish ispeak spanish](https://images.genius.com/234230f06b43b67de0b91c7502ba9564.600x600x1.jpg)
I guess he’s no longer interested in my life story. “Gracias,” I respond with a smile, but the officer has already motioned for the woman behind me to step forward. He asks the basics - how long I’ll be in Mexico, the purpose of my trip, etc. When it’s my turn to meet with the officer, I’m relieved that he speaks English.
![ispeak spanish ispeak spanish](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7d/95/0e/7d950ea2b34cab0539f1bc6c7eaf61b3.jpg)
The line at immigration is, unsurprisingly, long.