After over two months in Peru, I have expanded my Spanish vocabulary ten-fold, thanks in part to Duolingo, but largely by experiencing the triumphs and trials of daily life.
This is a contextual & situational list of words I have collected so far:
cabello (hair): firmly noted after accidentally complimenting a woman on her "fur" instead
pare (stop): don't at a party (I attribute this one to Pitbull.)
gringa (female foreigner): a word often paired with a blank stare or creepy grin
billetera (wallet): searching fervently for my cash and cardsafter this was stollen
altura (altitude): because Peru's mountain landscapes are unmatched
enferma (sick): no one is immune to at least one bout of food poisoning
falso (false): unknowingly attempting to spend a counterfeit bill
respirar (breathe): when you're on a train so tight that you just can't even
camote (sweet potato): I need another order, obviously
costo (cost): negotiating for just one more alpaca sweater
no te preocupes (don't worry): running late? No worries! We're on a Peruvian timetable
pastilla (pill / chewable tablet): after the phrase "a pill for to eat" did not translate well at the pharmacy
This list is extensive but not exclusive. I'm certain that my subconscious retains more words cada dia (everyday). But in the learning process, I've come to value even more the stories that help me remember them.