Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Abbaroterias and Meat Shops

Dave tends to practice "hack-Spanish", which was pioneered by Stan. This means that you string together random words (rightly or wrongly) until you get the general idea across to the other person.  Usually this works fine, and you end up saying "Need they pounds two tomatoes". 

Three days ago, Dave was riding in a tuc-tuc driven by our friend Abel.  In a moment of brilliant discovery, Dave noticed a shop called "Abbaroteria". Of course, this comes from the same Latin root as "abbatoir", meaning "meat shop".  Dave promptly shared this cultural connection with Abel, who nodded politely, then repeated several times "abbaroteria...meat shop....abarroteria...meat shop". 

Yesterday, Dave was reading signs again on the street, and noticed "Carniceria".  Surprisingly, this shop seemed to be selling meat too.  In another moment of discovery, Dave realized that "carne" (meat) is probably the root of "carniceria"...which must be "meat shop".  So if "meat shop" is really "carniceria", what is...Dave looked at the shop next door, marked "abbaroteria", and realized it's a liquor store.

He plans to explain his mistake to Abel as soon as possible, before Abel proudly points out the "meat shops" to the next tourists.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I just discovered your blog and took a quick look at the last few entries. Quite the adventures you guys seem to be having! I really laughed at this last one...a "meat shop" is just what some tourists would like I bet:)

God bless you as you serve Him!!
Jacky