We stopped in a small shop because I needed an umbrella. Forecasts predicted the potential for a little rain. I looked up the word for umbrella in the dictionary – paragua. I asked the vendor if he had a para – gua, pronouncing it two different ways: Para gua, emphasizing the gee sound; and para – hua. He had no idea what I was talking about but then said “parapluie?” Annie who understands French said “Yes.” And so we made our purchase.

 

Later when we were in Sevilla, street vendors were hawking umbrellas, yelling “Par-agua, Par-agua” Ahhhhhhhhhh! For water -- Paragua.

 

In Spain they simply stared when I spoke to them in Spanish; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.                                                                         Mark Twain