No gracias

For months I have been trying to get the girls to learn a little Spanish.  Alex has been especially resistant -- "I don't speak Spanish.  I don't want to speak Spanish!"  Over the last couple weeks, I have watched her "resolve" soften.  Today we walked and walked around San Cristobal.  After lunch we started to climb to a church perched above the edge of the city.  We stopped to rest and check the map, sitting on a low wall.  A young Mayan girl, one of the omni-present street vendors, approached us with beaded necklaces and other handicrafts.  Before I could say anything, I saw/heard Alex wave her hand and say, "No, gracias!"  

Later today she asked the waiter for "la cuenta" and told him she needed "cambio". 

She is learning.