Hey Thelma! What an excellent piece and you hit the nail right on the head with it. From 1981 to 2009, we've been stationed in FL five different times and also during that time we've been stationed in Panama once and TX twice. Now, unfortunately, we live here permanently (the sons and the grandkids are here). What you've said here is absolutely true , I've experienced -- ALL OF IT!!

Like you I studied Spanish in high school and minored in it in college (majored in French), and the husband was a Spanish linguist in the Navy. I feel pretty comfortable using it and I'm really glad I learned!