Octopus in the garage

I like speaking Spanish - I'm not sure anyone else enjoys me speaking it, but I like it. I never really got the hang of the Castilian lisp - perhaps people thought I was from South America...and perhaps not.

Words I particularly like:

• Llave, billete, sencillo - not because I'm fond of keys, tickets or one-way streets, I just like the sound of the double l.



• Quisiera la cuenta por favor - this has such a lovely rhythm, and everyone knows what it means.



• Helardos, cerveza, tostados - because very good things happen when you say these words!

My favourite phrase, for when you feel out of place, is encontrarse como un pulpo en un garaje - like an octopus in the garage. Unfortunately I couldn't work it into casual conversation.