I’m Megan! Two generations ago, my biological family (father’s side) immigrated to the United States from Mexico. You would think there is a good chance I speak Spanish… but no. I was adopted at birth and raised by a Caucasian family, first in Los Angeles, then in Montana. I was always curious about my racial heritage, but the most exposure I had to Hispanic culture growing up was Taco Bell.
I’ve tried to learn Spanish on my own. Maybe someday I will feel like I really have…
I spent my early 20’s immersing myself in as much Latin culture as I possibly could, and it was an incredible experience. I learned to play guitar from the melodies of the Catholic Mass. I was taught how to make tamales by a group of women who cooked only by sound and taste. I was taught cumbia by a boy from Mexico City. I’ve hosted posadas and I’ve served as a padrina on more than one occasion…
I reconnected with my birth family in my mid 20’s. It felt like my worldview doubled. As I integrated my birthfamily into my life, I became more aware of how my two cultures’ needs were being met, and the differences surprised me. I had always known that Google Translate was insufficient to translate a paper in full for Spanish classes at uni… but only after spending time immersed in the language with family did I become aware of how very much of the soul of the language was stripped out by software. I am closest to my Nana - my grandmother on my biological father’s side. She is one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. The more we talked, the more I learned how completely different my life could have been. The services and acceptance of the Latin community in the US has been a work-in-progress for quite some time. Although it is my biological heritage, my upbringing had totally isolated from a lot of experiences that would have been formative if I had lived them out firsthand.
I was blessed to have Nana opt-in for the #TeamSequioa trip in October of last year. @AnuradhaP , @SoniaK , @XanderO , and @rubenlicera can all testify to what a miracle of adventure she is! We told her everything we could about Local Guides, and she was amazed by the program and the immense good it was doing around the world. However, as we encountered language barriers on our own trip, Nana was quick to point out the difficulties with inaccurate and inconsistent automatic translation.
Later, when talking with @BeatrizfhSF about everything Local Guides, she wanted to get involved. It didn’t take us long to find a causeclose to both our hearts. And that is how I got involved in #Hablo!
Does anyone else have any comments or input on these topics? I am the only one I know with this bi-cultural upbringing and I’d love to hear about anyone else’s journey of discovery and appreciation for their heritage!
Your story is thrilling and quite its interesting read indeed.
Edit: Yea, Nana is a really strong lady she spiced up the #TeamSequioa road trip and added lots of fun. For the pics, now you want her to chastise me again right? :))))))))
Thank you @Kwiksatik (Megan) for sharing your story. I deeply believe that this multicultural aspect of your life is enriching you a lot. Well, I personally know a lot of local guides that are having, for different reasons, a story of multicultural life. Funny that some of them is a Connect Moderator, do you think is just a coincidence. I am tagging @KarenVChin . Karen, next tag is yours
Thank you @ErmesT ! Life is a never-ending series of discoveries, but finding these little blind spots which were previously overlooked brings me special joy. Local Guides seems to be built on sharing those secrets we didn’t know we were keeping in plain sight - a neverending source of smiles and excitement. Can’t wait to see what Karen has to share!
que hermosa historia @Kwiksatik , en argentina como en EEUU, existen muchos habitantes multilenguaes, mi caso sin ir mas lejos por un lado mi abuelo materno Sirio, por el otro lado mi abuelo paterno Italiano, mi abuela materna hija de españoles y mi abuela por parte de padre criolla y yo nací en argentina jajaja tengo varias cosas de esas cuatro culturas en especial en los sabores de la comida, lamentablemente no hablo Italiano ni árabe, pero todos ellos me dan mi lo hoy soy una persona muy abierta culturalmente.
Poder reconciliar nuestros orígenes es muy importante, me pone contento que tu puedas disfrutar todo eso que tiene la cultura latina, para mi una de las mas divertidas y sociables, con un bagaje de sabores ritmos palabras he historias que nos hacen muy interesantes como persona.
Pero lo mas importante de todo es lo que nos une desde la hispanidad hasta nuestros días el yo #hablo Castellano/Español en un solo sonido de mas de 572 millones hispano hablantes y 477 millones son hablantes nativos, esto da fe de que que esta muy vivo y creciendo con a un buen ritmo.
I really enjoyed reading your story and I like your story telling talent @Kwiksatik !
I believe by combining more than one culture within your hertiage is a great experience to get more knowledge and skills to shape life, and I can see this great influenceon on your personality and life enegements!
@Kwiksatik , ahhh! @ErmesT is right I do have have a story or two or three to share about your topic, but it will definitely be too long to pen a novella here.
What I can say, I am very fortunate to have been raised biculturally (Chinese / American) compared to my friends at my age that I have a unique perspective on the two cultures separately and how they mix together.
I am currently raising my wee ones to this and also now Japanese (hubby’s side) and Spanish because we live in California. My kiddos can count to 10 easily in now 4 languages! The goal is is raise them quad lingual - fortunate all 4 languages are taught in my area.
What you are doing is an awesome Local Guides project with @BeatrizfhSF . Count me in!
@Kwiksatik I have been adding the #hablo tag to my reviews because I believe that language accessibility is just as important as physical accessibility.
My reasons are this:
We have a basic human right to have our needs met in the least restrictive
manner.
It helps individuals and their self worth, businesses, by increasing a solid customer base, and the overall economy by stimulating return business from satisfied consumers.
We as Local Guides can help fulfill all of these important objectives! By adding the #hablo tag to our reviews, we can help people utilize Google Maps to connect with each other! Let’s Guide!
I think for the #hablo tag to be truly meaningful, we need to use it across a variety of business types. For instance I have used it when reviewing an excellent tire shop with fair prices. This type of service is so necessary to be able to converse in your native tongue! Additionally I have added #hablo to a spanish grocery/diner. Finding the ingredients for your cultural dishes, again a wonderful service we can contribute as Local Guides
The application that would seem most obvious, actually is not. The Mexican restaurant. I have added 5 reviews and the #hablo tag to some wonderful Mexican restaurants in different price ranges, all with excellent service and wait staff that all speak Spanish, but I found countless others where no one at the restaurant spoke any Spanish at all!
Do you feel using the #hablo tag would help visitors to, and residents of your community? I’d love to here all about it, any any feedback as well! I can’t wait to hear more from @Kwiksatik and @KarenVChin !
I love how you define language as a human right. It truly is that simple, but is so often re-cast in a political role.
I am so glad you are tagging #hablo too! Your enthusiasm for everything Local Guides has been incredible since we first touched bases on International Women’s Day in March. Your eagerness and willingness to better the world in every way,from seeking out the “dressy man” to helping track things that aren’t even going to benefit you personally, amazes me. I hope someday I get the chance to come practice my broken Spanish while you observe (and giggle) at one of your #hablo locations!
And a last thought that I forgot to respond to - I believe that marking locations which allow people to use their native languages are crucial. For locals, it is a happy service, but for travelers and tourists - something Local Guides is very devoted to, it can provide a much-needed oasis or moment of calm during otherwise exciting, but potentially stressful situations. My own friends who speak more Spanish than English have difficulty using their second language when they are stressed, upset, or even just tired. More than once I’ve heard someone struggling with language and stopped to offer a moment of help or a redirect. Keep an eye on #hablo - Beatriz and I have a few more articles planned on the importance, impact, and practical applications of this topic.
she spiced up the 
