(Just for fun, I’m embracing my Spanglish for this one.)
Last Friday la familia y yo took a trip up to San Francisco for an event hosted by the Ecuadorian Consulate.
Mi suegro recently published a book se llama “Las Gracias De Dona Diabla.” It has been very well received in my father-in-law’s native Ecuador, and the country wanted to recognize his work here in the states.
Juan, like most artists I know, was a bit nervous about presenting his work. There was to be a musical performance, a speech by the consulate, and then he was to do a reading. He said that if 40 people showed he’d be thrilled. So it was muy emocionante to see the space absolutely packed. If I had to guess it was more like 150 people.
The event was followed by a book signing in which they completely sold out the 75 copies they brought for the occasion. (That’s a photo of Juan signing books there a la derecha, con la prima de mi esposo.)
The success of the evening has only stood to reinforce how frustrating it is that I have not yet read the book, and will likely not be able to any time in el futuro pronto. Conversationally, my Spanish is barely passable, and I struggle to read or write the most basic bits.
Juan, on the other hand, has a better vocabulary in English, his second language, than most Americans. I can only imagine that in Spanish, his prose are layered and nuanced in a way I will likely never be able to appreciate.
Fue el mismo con la presentacion. The entire night was in Spanish. Not that it mattered much, as I was busy chasing our little guy around behind the scenes so that his complete disregard for formal occasions wouldn’t interrupt the festivities.
I have already begun my campaign for a translation.
In the meantime, sí puedes leer en Espanol, you should find a copy.
Muchos muchos felicidades a mi suegro.
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