Sara Garcia's Post #2

I have really wanted to post a blog about a certain experience I had
last week but I have not had the chance since my connectivity is
limited.
Last Thursday, we went to an industrial park here in Osnabruck. In
addition, the children from Balu un Du and their mentors (Balus) came
along to have an afternoon full of excitement. It was a pretty fun
afternoon since we all got to go into a mine and had the chance to be
it in complete darkness.
However, this is not what really made my afternoon the most special I
have had since in Osnabruck. While we were all waiting for the bus to
pick us up from the mine, we all were interacting with some of the
Balus and their Mowglis. Tucker and Billy were trying to get the
attention of some of the children. However, since there is the
language barrier, it becomes a rather difficult task. There was one
boy whom they called but he did not answer. We thought it might have
been shyness or something of the sort.
When we got on the bus, the boy and his Balu sat in front of me. All
of the sudden I saw that both were moving their hands rapidly. Then I
realized that they were signing!
My excitement level rose so high since I know American Sign Language.
Bt then again, I realized that he probably did not know ASL but German
Sign Language.
When we got to the school, I went up to him and his Balu and told them
that I knew some sign language. I quickly realized that in the German
version, they use the same fingerspelling alphabet than American
except for a few formations that are different. I was able to finger
spell my name and read his name.
The one thing that I will never forget is the light that I saw in his
eyes when he saw me sign! It's something difficult to explain because
it was a moment were two people knowing a completely different
language were able to communicate.
I will never forget the change in demeanor that I was able to notice
when I started interacting with him.
This experience made me realize how important it is to keep on
learning this beautiful language (ASL).