Word of the Day

Ahorita
Literal Definition: right now
Actual Meaning: now-ish


People here use the word "ahorita" all the time.  When's dinner?  Ahorita.  Is this community far?  We'll be there ahorita.  When is she going to be here for our meeting?  Ahorita.

This last question was one we kept asking this week when we were trying to meet with the director of DIF.  We were supposed to have a meeting around 2 o'clock.  When we arrived at the office, her secretary told us that the director would be there "ahorita."  Turns out that day "ahorita" meant 1 hour later.

But the story doesn't stop there.  After our meeting with the director, we went to grab something to eat up the street.  Everyone got their food fairly quickly (which was good since it was now 3:30 pm and we were all starving) except for Jamie.  Poor girl.  All she wanted was a gordita (similar to a pita stuffed with potatoes, meat, or vegetables).  The waitress told her not to worry though.  It would be there "ahorita."  Or ten minutes later.

I've experienced this cultural difference in the perception of time when I studied abroad in Spain.  Once again, I'm having to suppress my American punctuality and impatience and just relax.  Not everywhere in the world is as conscientious of time, and things seem to run smoothly.   Now I know that ahorita has a flexible definition, and I won't be holding my breath anytime soon waiting on any gorditas.