> > How's this for cool?
> > I finally carried on a conversation in Spanish.
> > Howard
>
> First, let me say that having a conversation in a foreign language IS cool. I, too, would like to be able to speak Spanish. But what got me answering to your message is that here in Finland carrying a conversation in a foreign language is not so uncommon. Especially here, in the west coast of Finland, where about 20% of people are Swedish-speaking. Almost every day I carry a conversation in a language that is foreign to one of us. Usually that is the Swedish-speaking person speaking Finnish, but sometimes it's me speaking Swedish. A conversation in English or German can also happen right in the middle of the street in the middle of the day (though I'm not really good in German, and luckily that's more rare).

I'm certainly impressed by your English! Unfortunately, I live in a part of the U.S. where hardly anybody speaks more than one language. Recently, a large number of Mexicans have moved into the area, although we are 1000 miles from Mexico. Now, police and fireman are having to study Spanish. Businesses are looking for people who speak English and Spanish.

I'm impressed by the Mexicans. They have no fear of hard work. They come here without anything and in a short time they are buying cars and even homes. All the time they are sending money home to relatives in Mexico. They also learn English quickly. Kids learn it faster than their parents!

I have always felt that being bilingual is a gift.
I suppose that is because I like to travel.

One more thing, Juho. The first time I saw your name I wondered if you were Hispanic, since their names often end in "o." They would have pronounced it "Who ho!" But you answered that question.
Howard