Bruh, I know exactly how you feel. I went to Medellin thinking "I got this" and quickly got humbled at McDonalds no less. I had no idea what anyone was saying. After a few days I adapted to the accent and was able to have conversations but I quickly realized I was still just a beginner in this Spanish game. First thing I did when I got home was subscribe to CZcams channels where the host speaks normally. It helped tremendously. Six months later when I was in Bogota, I saw a tremendous difference. Good luck on the journey. It's an awesome thing!
Gracias por esto! Estoy aprendiendo espanol ahora y quiero visitar Colombia en el proximo ano. Ademas, me encanta tu voz LOL. (Forgive the lack of accents)
You're so right about colloquial speech and understanding spoken Spanish. It's really about getting used to the "tune" of the words like a song rather than the ACTUAL words because in most real life speaking situations outside of tutors, I couldn't tell you word for word AT ALL what was said. I may catch 2-3 words total but its all about getting the "jist" which is so frustrating. I've given up now on thinking I should be able to get more than the jist and just stay grateful for being able to get anything at all 🤣. It's an insane process, I nerd out to myself about it all the time. I really think one day it just all comes together like magic you just have to keep pushing ahead
I had the same experience when i first visited Colombia back in 2003, specifically Medellin. The worst part of the trip is the last day. Planning on retiring there when I can. Great video!!
Great video man, digging the voiceover style! I’m looking forward to realising how rudimentary my Spanish actually is when I finally get the chance to visit Spain. Looking forward to seeing more progress after reevaluating where you’re at
Excellent self-discovery. I have been studying a little Spanish each day in preparation of moving to Colombia in mid-2021 and have those same concerns. However, I will be taking Spanish classes as soon as I get there to help with my transition. I heard that Medellin is the best place to learn Spanish because the dialect there is the most neutral of all the cities in Colombia. I heard that the coast is the least neutral. Nice video btw. Enjoyed your voiceover. 👍
Thanks JB, I can tell from being there just a few days that you’re going to improve a lot being immersed. I learned here in the states so it’s much slower. Good luck with your move
Man, I think you nailed it. I've been getting more into one on one conversation online on language apps.. and realize that's where I need to be putting time in now.
I’m a gringo in Spanish too I’ll love to have a conversation with you and share some tips and receive them as well I took a trip to Mexico last week and you’re rights it’s nothing like being in a different country. I love it.
This one was done a year ago so I know your skills have increased sense then.But what you said about people treating you nicer and being different there I felt that one. I do feel like people in other countries do tend to be nicer and in many cases tend to treat Americans nicer. I think being able to communicate with them in their language really bridges that gap. As always this is motivating as an African American learning spanish what it's like to land in these countries and start trying to have a conversation with people from day to day. Also someone who doesn't have all the time to practice spanish but still is learning it I find your language journey inspiring.
Im glad this is relatable and yes I have discovered that the treatment is a little better once they find out you’re American. Speaking the language makes all the difference though
Good work man, I love this style of integrating your voice with the video! I can totally relate with that 2-3 second delay, with english I can do it because I don't really understand it in words but I can process it in whole sentences. In spanish, I still have to think about each word and how they tie with each other. It's like each sentence is a puzzle, and Im still trying to figure it out, and I hope you figure it out too man :) Where do you plan to go next? Or what do you plan to do next?
Yea it’s a frustrating experience at first but I know that will time we will get it. My next stop will either be Mexico, Uruguay, or Colombia again in 2021
Bro, I feel you 100%, I just got back from Bogotá yesterday, I thought my confidence and level of Spanish would carry me through early on.. but I only got in the groove after about 4 days of being there.. and still it was a very good learning experience, but humbling at the same time..
Qué bonita es Cartagena! Ojalá algún día pueda ir. Y, tienes razón, hay cosas más importantes y que te hacen sentir mejor, y a veces las encontramos en cosas simples de la vida o, como en este caso, en lugares que creemos más modestos.
Mike, you accomplish more than anyone I know in 1 year. I have been married to El Salvadorian for 30 years. I begged for her to teach our kids. My wife's reasoning is that I could not understand. I think it was her insecurities thinking I would take off & move to Colombia.
Great vid, i enjoyed your perspective about both your spanish (spanish learning in general) and living in Latin America vs US. I know the other vids where you speak in Spanish only make sense to you and what you want to do and I support that, but I am lost in those as a real beginner. One day... Thanks for sharing.
You may want to link up with "Spanishland school" and "why not Spanish" on CZcams. They moved to Columbia and post CZcams Spanish lessons. On your next visit
hey bro love your show!!! can you talk about if you traveled your experiences with girls from different countries you been to and what's the easiest countries to hookup and what races do good in these countries on your next video thanks!!!
Ohhh dude. 100% I had that same experience down to the tooth and nail. Totally takes a week or so to first really switch on your Spanish listening, translating, and responding POV. Book learning will almost always only get you 20% or so of the way there. Even tutoring they speak very proper Spanish, slower etc. Real Spanish is lightning fast, and full of slang and short cuts. English is no different... For example, we say Whassup. Someone learning English just needs to know it and what it means, but to them it makes no sense. What's up? The sky? When I first went to Cartagena I learned quickly people there simply say Buenas. So same experience 100%. People understood me, but my challenge was understanding them. Immersion is definitely a key to learning Spanish. By the end of a 1 month stay, I was wheeling and dealing on a basic level. I can't wait for a period where I can go for many months. Go ahead and romanticize Colombia. Cartagena particularly have a special place in my heart. Pre pandemic I went there yearly. Did you notice how much of a weight lifted being able to blend in (until you spoke). I loved just being another person. Not singled out being black. The sense of family there. You see people just sitting out enjoying each other's time. It is definitely a different environment. I will say this however, once you are there for an extended period of time you see things you love, but you also see things that will drive you nuts. BIG adjustments there. The noise? Oh my goodness. Colombia is a LOUD LOUD country. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I hate it. Other things as well. But overall Cartagena has been my most favorite place in the world. Good video.
I agree 100% and I enjoyed Cartagena as well. I think that’s why I enjoyed Colombia a lot in general is because it’s easy for me to blend in versus in some other countries it’s obvious that I’m a foreigner. I’m glad we share those experiences and I agree as well with “on the ground” Spanish is much different than the way we are normally taught.
One show i can recommend where they mix a healthy mix of slang with proper Spanish is (Always a witch or siempre bruja) its on Netflix. It has English and Spanish
I understand my girlfriend when she speaks naturally but her mom makes no sense to me. I can usually follow their conversations just based on what she said but with her mom I'm always "lo puede repetir?" Also when a lot of people are talking at once my brain burns out.
Cómo has mejorado con comprehendo espanol cuando una persona hablar?.. yo se mucho palablars y la mejor parte de tiempo puedo entender, especialmente cuando alquilen habla despacio pero cuando alguien hablar rápido olvido la significa de las palabras, tomas mi mente segundos a recordarlos o No puedo Identificar cada palabra.. es como “holacomoestasminombreesjuan”🤔🧠and by the time I’m trying to translate in my brain they are already on the next sentence
The thing is Colombia does seem like a cool place but visiting a place is not the same as living there. But that being said me living in Long Island New York I too one day want to live In another country at least for a short amount of time. Been thinking Mexico or Colombia, maybe Ecuador 🤷🏾♂️
Nice visual, but why did you talk over the video instead of letting us hear the sounds and the conversations that were taking place as you were walking and venturing around Medellin?
Learning Spanish and going to Cartagena to speak it, is as hard as learning English and do your "debut" in Dublin.. kinda hard... even for Colombians, Cartagena´s accent is hard
Primo tu español es óptimo, pero sal pa la calle vivela no te cierres en los podcasts,hitt dos roads bruh dont get stucked,even the sketchy ones you black bruh, be latin talk to ppl,your accent its great in comparison with some ignorant youtubers in latin america that refuse turnin dem spanish skills PRO as you they been loosin so much content ,this why you'll have a great future,if half our ppl played this way we been in other issues now,in way to monetize make 15/20 min vlogs these are too short,you won't get any cash,when you acquire some good odience 20/30 min would bee good,cualquier cosa escríbeme que hablamos yo te sigo de todas maneras.
Bruh, I know exactly how you feel. I went to Medellin thinking "I got this" and quickly got humbled at McDonalds no less. I had no idea what anyone was saying. After a few days I adapted to the accent and was able to have conversations but I quickly realized I was still just a beginner in this Spanish game. First thing I did when I got home was subscribe to CZcams channels where the host speaks normally. It helped tremendously. Six months later when I was in Bogota, I saw a tremendous difference. Good luck on the journey. It's an awesome thing!
Its definitely humbling but I hope my next trip goes like yours did in Bogota. Muchas gracias hermano!
".....at McDonald's no less." ROFLROFLROFLROFL....
Gracias por esto! Estoy aprendiendo espanol ahora y quiero visitar Colombia en el proximo ano. Ademas, me encanta tu voz LOL. (Forgive the lack of accents)
Me alegra que te haya ayudado! And thank you!
You're so right about colloquial speech and understanding spoken Spanish. It's really about getting used to the "tune" of the words like a song rather than the ACTUAL words because in most real life speaking situations outside of tutors, I couldn't tell you word for word AT ALL what was said. I may catch 2-3 words total but its all about getting the "jist" which is so frustrating. I've given up now on thinking I should be able to get more than the jist and just stay grateful for being able to get anything at all 🤣. It's an insane process, I nerd out to myself about it all the time. I really think one day it just all comes together like magic you just have to keep pushing ahead
I completely agree, it definitely makes me want to move to a Spanish speaking country for a few years or really get the full experience
I had the same experience when i first visited Colombia back in 2003, specifically Medellin. The worst part of the trip is the last day. Planning on retiring there when I can. Great video!!
Agreed, the last day is the worst, Thanks!
Great video man, digging the voiceover style! I’m looking forward to realising how rudimentary my Spanish actually is when I finally get the chance to visit Spain. Looking forward to seeing more progress after reevaluating where you’re at
Thanks as always Shane, be sure to take us with you when you visit Spain. I’ll be looking forward to those videos
@@MikeBen bro you should check out spain as well
I feel you man, I had the same experiences. My Spanish will get better when I actually live in Colombia 🇨🇴 I plan on moving there in mid 2021.
Good Luck Marshon, I plan on doing the same once I get everything in order
What classes did u take
I have been planning the move for a while, but I'm waiting to see what happening with the virus.. I totally enjoyed Bogotá.. I cant wait to go back.
Wait is your plan. I have been thinking about this, do have a source of income going over there?
@@jaysonemile6633 No plan as of right now, I do work online though so that is always an option if I decide to spend some time out of the US
qué lindo. espero que puedo viajar a columbia un día tambien.
lo harás hermano!
Colombia is very diverse and every region has a different accent and words.
Very True, I was shocked, it’s a mix of so many cultures. I enjoyed it and will be back soon
Excellent self-discovery. I have been studying a little Spanish each day in preparation of moving to Colombia in mid-2021 and have those same concerns. However, I will be taking Spanish classes as soon as I get there to help with my transition. I heard that Medellin is the best place to learn Spanish because the dialect there is the most neutral of all the cities in Colombia. I heard that the coast is the least neutral.
Nice video btw. Enjoyed your voiceover. 👍
Thanks JB, I can tell from being there just a few days that you’re going to improve a lot being immersed. I learned here in the states so it’s much slower. Good luck with your move
Man, I think you nailed it. I've been getting more into one on one conversation online on language apps.. and realize that's where I need to be putting time in now.
Most definitely, being there really woke me up
Good video bruh.
Subbed!
Thanks!
I’m a gringo in Spanish too I’ll love to have a conversation with you and share some tips and receive them as well I took a trip to Mexico last week and you’re rights it’s nothing like being in a different country. I love it.
I'm curious to know what Mexico is like. I plan on heading there next. Please email me
This one was done a year ago so I know your skills have increased sense then.But what you said about people treating you nicer and being different there I felt that one. I do feel like people in other countries do tend to be nicer and in many cases tend to treat Americans nicer. I think being able to communicate with them in their language really bridges that gap. As always this is motivating as an African American learning spanish what it's like to land in these countries and start trying to have a conversation with people from day to day. Also someone who doesn't have all the time to practice spanish but still is learning it I find your language journey inspiring.
Im glad this is relatable and yes I have discovered that the treatment is a little better once they find out you’re American. Speaking the language makes all the difference though
Really enjoyed hearing about some of your experiences. Very much enjoyed!
Thanks!
Good work man, I love this style of integrating your voice with the video! I can totally relate with that 2-3 second delay, with english I can do it because I don't really understand it in words but I can process it in whole sentences. In spanish, I still have to think about each word and how they tie with each other. It's like each sentence is a puzzle, and Im still trying to figure it out, and I hope you figure it out too man :)
Where do you plan to go next? Or what do you plan to do next?
Yea it’s a frustrating experience at first but I know that will time we will get it. My next stop will either be Mexico, Uruguay, or Colombia again in 2021
Bro, I feel you 100%, I just got back from Bogotá yesterday, I thought my confidence and level of Spanish would carry me through early on.. but I only got in the groove after about 4 days of being there.. and still it was a very good learning experience, but humbling at the same time..
Yea its a humbling experience. Can't wait to get back once I improve at home for a few months
@@MikeBen it's a great feeling though.. knowing that pretty soon we can say we are fluent.. even though the learning never stops.. 🙏🏾
Most definitely
i think because we have a terrible pandemic at the moment, its a great time for people to learn a language.
Agreed, using that time productively
Qué bonita es Cartagena! Ojalá algún día pueda ir.
Y, tienes razón, hay cosas más importantes y que te hacen sentir mejor, y a veces las encontramos en cosas simples de la vida o, como en este caso, en lugares que creemos más modestos.
Eso es, no me di cuenta hasta que tomé ese viaje
I experienced the same thing in Costa Rica. We in America only know we they want us to know.
Very true, everywhere has its pros and cons but I never even considered life outside of the US until I started learning to be honest...
Mike, you accomplish more than anyone I know in 1 year. I have been married to El Salvadorian for 30 years. I begged for her to teach our kids. My wife's reasoning is that I could not understand. I think it was her insecurities thinking I would take off & move to Colombia.
Jaja understandable on her part and it’s never too late
Haha what you said about arrogance and going to Colombia is so true! I felt the same way when I went and was humbled as well.
It’s a super humbling experience!
A fair assessment, Mike.
🙏🏾
Great vid, i enjoyed your perspective about both your spanish (spanish learning in general) and living in Latin America vs US. I know the other vids where you speak in Spanish only make sense to you and what you want to do and I support that, but I am lost in those as a real beginner. One day... Thanks for sharing.
You will definitely get to a point in which you understand those videos. I’ll be doing more videos in English soon!
Vi tu canal y me parece muy buenp tu contenido soy seguido tuyo de aca de colombia 🇨🇴
Muchísimas gracias!
You may want to link up with "Spanishland school" and "why not Spanish" on CZcams. They moved to Columbia and post CZcams Spanish lessons. On your next visit
I'll be sure to check them out!
hey bro love your show!!! can you talk about if you traveled your experiences with girls from different countries you been to and what's the easiest countries to hookup and what races do good in these countries on your next video thanks!!!
I don't have too much info on that to be honest but I know that there are other channels that can guide you on that brother
Cartagena...❤
Agreed
Yah man. Have to learn it in the streets.
Most definitely
@@venturebeats7224 Si su acento es tan distanta a lo que estoy acustumbrado. Cuando regreso me gustaria ir a Medillin para concer el acento paisa
Ohhh dude. 100% I had that same experience down to the tooth and nail. Totally takes a week or so to first really switch on your Spanish listening, translating, and responding POV. Book learning will almost always only get you 20% or so of the way there. Even tutoring they speak very proper Spanish, slower etc. Real Spanish is lightning fast, and full of slang and short cuts. English is no different... For example, we say Whassup. Someone learning English just needs to know it and what it means, but to them it makes no sense. What's up? The sky? When I first went to Cartagena I learned quickly people there simply say Buenas. So same experience 100%. People understood me, but my challenge was understanding them. Immersion is definitely a key to learning Spanish. By the end of a 1 month stay, I was wheeling and dealing on a basic level. I can't wait for a period where I can go for many months. Go ahead and romanticize Colombia. Cartagena particularly have a special place in my heart. Pre pandemic I went there yearly. Did you notice how much of a weight lifted being able to blend in (until you spoke). I loved just being another person. Not singled out being black. The sense of family there. You see people just sitting out enjoying each other's time. It is definitely a different environment. I will say this however, once you are there for an extended period of time you see things you love, but you also see things that will drive you nuts. BIG adjustments there. The noise? Oh my goodness. Colombia is a LOUD LOUD country. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I hate it. Other things as well. But overall Cartagena has been my most favorite place in the world. Good video.
I agree 100% and I enjoyed Cartagena as well. I think that’s why I enjoyed Colombia a lot in general is because it’s easy for me to blend in versus in some other countries it’s obvious that I’m a foreigner. I’m glad we share those experiences and I agree as well with “on the ground” Spanish is much different than the way we are normally taught.
One show i can recommend where they mix a healthy mix of slang with proper Spanish is (Always a witch or siempre bruja) its on Netflix. It has English and Spanish
I’ll definitely check it out!
I understand my girlfriend when she speaks naturally but her mom makes no sense to me. I can usually follow their conversations just based on what she said but with her mom I'm always "lo puede repetir?"
Also when a lot of people are talking at once my brain burns out.
I think its only a matter of time. You definitely have an advantage seeing that your girlfriend can practice with you all the time
Thanks for sharing
De nada!
Cómo has mejorado con comprehendo espanol cuando una persona hablar?.. yo se mucho palablars y la mejor parte de tiempo puedo entender, especialmente cuando alquilen habla despacio pero cuando alguien hablar rápido olvido la significa de las palabras, tomas mi mente segundos a recordarlos o No puedo Identificar cada palabra.. es como “holacomoestasminombreesjuan”🤔🧠and by the time I’m trying to translate in my brain they are already on the next sentence
Check out my video titled "How to Improve Your Spanish Listening Skills". It will explain everything step by step
The thing is Colombia does seem like a cool place but visiting a place is not the same as living there. But that being said me living in Long Island New York I too one day want to live In another country at least for a short amount of time. Been thinking Mexico or Colombia, maybe Ecuador 🤷🏾♂️
I agree, talking more with others I realize that I was speaking from the perspective of a tourist. I plan on doing 2-3 month stays in the future
Nice tour
Thanks
7:29 I met a woman from Columbia who replied with si si si si si. Is that a thing 🤔 there?
Not that I know of
The ground......Hablas español? Cut to black....odd opening?
Very true
Nice visual, but why did you talk over the video instead of letting us hear the sounds and the conversations that were taking place as you were walking and venturing around Medellin?
Gracias, check out some of my other videos in Cartagena, a lot of conversations and sounds, muchas gracias de nuevo por ver!
What classes did u take?? When u plan to move to colombia? Where?
check out my video "How I Learned Spanish in Less Than A Year - A Step by Step Guide"
I haven't made a decision on a move, I need to visit more when I can
Learning Spanish and going to Cartagena to speak it, is as hard as learning English and do your "debut" in Dublin.. kinda hard... even for Colombians, Cartagena´s accent is hard
I've heard that but it helped a lot, it should help for my visit to Peru soon
Did you take a class here?
I did take one class, unfortunately she taught me a lot of things that I already knew 😔
@@MikeBen Ok, I'm thinking about moving here but I looking at your videos and I may go the self-study route like you and do Italki and youtube
Primo tu español es óptimo, pero sal pa la calle vivela no te cierres en los podcasts,hitt dos roads bruh dont get stucked,even the sketchy ones you black bruh, be latin talk to ppl,your accent its great in comparison with some ignorant youtubers in latin america that refuse turnin dem spanish skills PRO as you they been loosin so much content ,this why you'll have a great future,if half our ppl played this way we been in other issues now,in way to monetize make 15/20 min vlogs these are too short,you won't get any cash,when you acquire some good odience 20/30 min would bee good,cualquier cosa escríbeme que hablamos yo te sigo de todas maneras.
Muchas Gracias hermano