Time to do a little research! Spanish is a living language, spoken in a very diverse group of countries. What we call "Spanish" in English is officially called "castellano" in Spanish. Although many people now use the term "español" because of the influence of other language speakers, that is not a very specific term. "Español" technically refers to anything from Spain, and Spain has six officially recognized languages and several unofficial ones--many of which do not share a common root and have little to nothing in common. Castellano comes from the region of Castilla, and is the language that is primarily used for official business in Spain. It is also the language that Spain exported to America and Africa. Also remember that in Spanish the names of languages are not capitalized. In other Spanish-speaking countries, just like in Spain, "castellano" is not the only language spoken and for many people in those countries it is a second or third language. In Mexico there are sixty-eight indigenous languages, among which the top ones are Nahuatl, Maya, and Mixtec. In several countries of Central America the Garifuna people, descendents of African slaves, keep alive their language and culture with great pride. In the Andes, Quechua is spoken by almost ten million people, Aymara by more than two million, and Mapuche by a fewer than 800,000. The majority of the people of Paraguay are bilingual, speaking Spanish and Guaraní, while the indigenous language of the Caribbean, Taíno, has almost entirely disappeared. In Equatorial Guinea, where Spanish is the official language, they also speak the languages of two other colonizers--France and Portugal. 
      The diversity in the Spanish-speaking world is tremendous. This is beautifully illustrated by the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera in the mural shown, which I photographed in the Palacio de Gobierno in Mexico City. The painting shows the beautiful city of Tenochtitlán, now Mexico City, just before the arrival of the Spanish. The noun "Spanish" refers to the language "castellano," frequently and incorrectly called "español," and the adjective "Spanish" refers to people and things from Spain. So be careful when you ask someone "Are you Spanish?" The question can only be answered in the affirmative by people from Spain, and could be offensive or at the very least rude to Spanish speakers from other countries. So...educate yourself! Learn which ones are the countries in which Spanish is spoken, what other languages are spoken there, what the origin of those countries might be. Learning verbs and vocabulary is not enough--to be a proficient speaker of a language you must also understand the culture, and in the case of Spanish the most important element is diversity.

     Almost every community in the United States has businesses that cater to the Hispanic population--go explore a few. You've probably been to Mexican restaurants, but have you been to the Cuban restaurant? The Guatemalan one? The Peruvian or Chilean or Colombian or Spanish restaurant? All Spanish-speaking countries have their own unique cuisine--try it out!
     Another important place is the local Hispanic grocery. It may be very small, but I can guarantee you'll find things you've never seen before. Read the labels and talk to the people who work there. Many times this is the heart of a Hispanic community. Not only will you discover new products, but you'll also make a connection with the people there. I recommend trying the breads and sweets if they have a bakery.
     Also find out if there are flea markets or other places where large numbers of Hispanic people shop. In some communities the weekly flea market ("La Pulga") is also a big social event. People meet, chat, eat, kids play, and this could be a good place to practice your Spanish. Sometimes churches have events, as well. One church where we used to attend has a monthly sale of Mexican food, where the local ladies cook and bring their delicious home-made foods. It's not what you'll find in a restaurant--it's what people actually eat in their homes. This is called a "Kermés" and it's a Mexican tradition.
     Most importantly, don't be shy. Try to reach out to the community and get to know people. As long as you're respectful and sincere about learning about their culture, you'll be welcomed.