Cultural Notes
Conozca a Minnie – short version
Meet Minnie
- Remember, expect this to be challenging.
- First, read the English version.
- Next, read the Spanish version.
- Click the control to hear the audio.
- Listen several times, following along on the transcript.
- Finally, listen without looking at the transcript.
- See how many words and phrases you can pick out.
- Then try the long version.
Short Version
Meet Minnie
Minnie was born and raised in a small, quiet fishing village and grew up in a world where people made their living fishing for shrimp and growing coconut, banana and mango. As a teenager, she wanted to experience the world beyond her village. She moved to Matzatlan and then Mexico City. She tried to go to school but found it was hard just to support herself. Eventually she tired of the noise, crowds and alienation of city life. She returned home and has made a simple, but fulfilling life growing flowering trees and plants, as well as corn, squash, bananas and mango. She cooks for visiting groups who come to study the area’s ecology and cleans houses for local expatriates. She radiates serenity.
Conozca a Minnie
Minnie nació y se crió en un pequeño y tranquilo pueblo de pescadores y creció en un mundo donde las personas se ganaban la vida pescando camarones y sembrando cocos, plátanos y mangos. De adolescente quiso conocer el mundo más allá de su pueblo. Se mudó a Mazatlán y después a Ciudad México. Intentó ir a la escuela, pero encontró que era difícil mantenerse. Eventualmente se cansó del ruido, las muchedumbres y la alienación de la vida en la ciudad. Regresó a casa y allí ha creado una vida sencilla pero satisfactoria sembrando árboles florecientes y otras plantas además de maíz, calabaza, plátano y mango. Cocina para grupos de visitantes que vienen a estudiar la ecología de la región, y limpia casas para residentes extranjeros. Minnie rebosa de serenidad.
