Contemporary Haibun Online
Autumn 2006

Muy Bueno

In Mexico I enrolled into a language school; a whole month of verb conjugations, spelling tests, and a slew of Spanish-only dialogue sessions disguised itself as vacation. I didn't understand half of what my host family said, but they understood me when I nibbled my food and belted "muy bueno!"

I waited all month for Mexican food. I got stuck eating Ramen noodles every day, the ten cent meal I grew up on. The first week I grabbed a bite on the way to school at the local taco stands, but after constant stomach problems I settled for convenient store junk food and coke. "Muy bueno," I would tell the store owner after each purchase. I somehow managed to survive the long month of malnutrition and lack of English conversation.

rainy airport—
pretzel crumbs
shower into the aisle