titulo

Well,

I have officially started transferring all of my accounts over to Spanish (should've done that a LONG time ago). Now when I type in English, everything is underlined in red signifying I've spelled it wrong because it is not in Spanish.

Before I came I really had no idea what to anticipate with the language. People who had already traveled abroad gave me ambiguos answers like, "you'll pick it up" ..but it is alot more complex than that. I kept on trying to apply English grammar rules to my sentences (of course a huge fail haha) and even when I read something, I would translate it to English. It doesn't work like that. Instead, you have to read the whole sentence and not translate...but rather absorb it. Like soak in the meaning.

I came here with the very basics of the language. Like the outline of the puzzle I could see the shape and boundaries to which it would be contained, but I could in no way tell what the picture was. This explains why although I could pick out words in a text or conversation, I could not understand the general meaning. Everyday it feels like I get more puzzle pieces and the picture becomes more clear. It is incredible how you miss words like "even" "although" "neither" "still" ...simple words that are not VITAL, but yet are extremely important for understanding the meaning of a sentence.

Lately people have been telling me that my Spanish has skyrocketed compared to what I started with. I've heard alot of "No offense...but you were HORRIBLE when you first got here" ...and I was. I could communicate and survive linguistically, but it was absolutely atrocious. When I tell Uruguayos that I need to practice my Spanish, they tell me that I already know it well and that they want to practice their English...what a relief that is to hear!!! I feel like I have so much more to learn, but at least I am getting somewhere!!

Learning a foreign language is definitely one of the most frustrating things I've ever done. I think what makes it so hard for me is that I am such a talker/writer/communicator in English, but that was completely stripped of me when I got here. Its like getting your biggest strength/hobby taken away....definitely very humbling. I can only think of what it is like to be an immigrant in the US...and not have ANY base of English. I've at least been exposed to Spanish and have been in a warm and friendly learning environment. I am finally starting to realize the INCREDIBLE amount of courage it would take to live somewhere where you literally cannot communicate anything. At least here people are bilingual to help me, in the States that is usually not the case. I'm learning more than ever that patience is a virtue, and I've been so blessed to be around amazingly patient Uruguayo citizens.

This weekend my friends and I went to "Cartas a Julieta" (Letters to Juliet)...it was horrible. Imagine the WORST romantic movie you've watched...and times it by ten. It was so cheesy, but I'm glad we went because I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Marina was literally crying when the credits rolled. We had a girls night in and baked cookies (more like burned half and ate the rest of the dough)...they don't have chocolate chips here so we had to smash up chocolate bars with a meat tenderizer. Also the oven didn't have temp settings just top burner, bottom burner and both...so it was a delicate art of balancing the burners (which we failed at haha).

I met an Uruguayo who studied at MN for a semester last year and visited Oshkosh...this kid loved Wisconsin. "YOU'RE FROM WISCONSIN??? I LOVE IT!!!! SO MUCH BEER! GO PABST BLUE RIBBON!!" haha!! I didn't really know what to say besides..thanks? He could not say enough about how friendly and trustworthy the people are..."I could talk to anyone and I felt safe everywhere!!" That is definitely true, and I'm glad he got to experience the MidWest!

Here they do not let you fill up your own gas tank, someone has to do it for you because otherwise they have too much theft of gasoline.

I did not go to Argentina this past weekend (presenations and class stuff got in the way of our group going) but I'm sure we will go there in the future. Things here are VERY last minute, so travel plans change often!

CIAOO

QUICK!

I don't have time to write up something nice and coherent so here goes:

Noche de nostalgia was incredible! We went to a mansion and it was amazing!

Here, they only put salt on the table...no one (not even restaurants) have black pepper.

Yesterday, my cat Aron was hit by a car and died...it was really sad, and I'm really going to miss him!...horrible!!!!

Love

Olvide...

I forgot to add these few notes to my last post!

A few people have asked about the bracelets and when I talked to Kate we decided the best way was to have some shipped home for me (from North Carolina) and so I will be able to sell them when I get home in December! Remember to ask me about them then! Here is the website for the organization if you want some more info: http://www.helpinghands-bolivia.org/

Also,

I uploaded more pics onto picasa--so make sure to check them out!

http://picasaweb.google.com/102816793100596881033/Uruguay#

And, this morning I went to my community service site...incredible! I am working at a school with 5 year olds doing art projects and things like such as a way of creative expression and/or therapy. The kids (about 24 of them) are from a very low economic class and have alot of problems with attention deficit among other things.

An interesting note about the school systems here is that EVERY child has a laptop, provided by the government. This is cool, in theory, but many of the children go without food and electricity and proper clothing...yet they have a laptop. Silvia said it was so the gov't could boast "every child with a computer"...but they fail to acknowledge the basic needs of these children. She said, how sad that a child has a computer, but no light, no breakfast, no jacket...

Needless to say, it is going to be an amazing experience, and I look forward to working with them--they are so precious!!

Hace calor!

First, I have been here a month from yesterday…WOW!!

Second, I am wishing Janna Yost a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! and Jamie Ende will be joining the 20 year olds pretty soon as well!!! I'm sad I'm missing your birthdays :( LOVE YOU BOTH!!

Third, I hope Quinn is enjoying Edgewood!! BEST wishes!!!

Here they laugh at North Americans for using plastic cups at parties, social gatherings, family functions…etc. They think that plastic cups are for little kids, and wonder why adults would ever think about drinking out of them…I told Silvia it was for easy clean up!!

The other day, my friends and I went to Mercado del Puerto—an extremely touristy/restaurant area in Ciudad Vieja. We got lunch at a typical tourist restaurant and paid too much for the asado…but it was absolutely lovely!! And we figured we had to do the tourist thing at some point! We at lunch outside…and a few of the girls were sunburned after an hour—it is pretty strong rays here! After, we walked about 45 minutes to Palacio Legislativo where we had another class tour. On the walk there we passed a construction zone which was a few blocks in length. There were 5 girls (all relatively “blonde” here) and our friend Rob (red head)…the WHOLE time ALL of the construction workers were yelling at us (Hello! Hola strangers! Hello beautiful! Look at these blondes! Oh my gosh!!)…no exaggeration..it was pretty funny. Even after we had left the zone we could hear them whistling and yelling for at least another block. People can tell we are foreign, so when we are in a group, they immediately switch to English and say the funniest things. The other day some old man shouted “Cheers to the foreigners!!” hahaha.

I was at Rachel, Kate, Anna, Rob & Tylie’s house the other day and we had a tea party with their host father’s colleague. He was a really funny guy and it was a really good time. Eduardo (the host father) told him that me, Rob, Rachel and Tylie could all sing so they made us go into the living room and play guitar and sing for him. It was actually a really good time and he sang us some songs too—very lovely!! Rachel (AMAZING SINGER!!) and I did a duet of “Wish you were here” by Pink Floyd, and I realized how much I miss singing!!!!! (I try not to listen to English music here, but I don’t know the words to any Spanish songs yet!).

Speaking of Eduardo and Laura (their host mom), I have officially been adopted into their family. I am over there all of the time, because it is a very easy busride and a lot of my good friends live there. Eduardo (affectionately called Dudu) is absolutely hilarious, and an extreme intellectual. Laura is so sweet and is always cooking and cleaning for her 5 exchange students and 2 sons who live at home (plus the 30 year old whose laundry she still does!). This morning, Laura told me that I had to remember 2 things as a woman. 1) I am ALWAYS a princes…doesn’t matter if I’m old or wearing rags. I am a princess. 2) I have secrets. Women always have to have secrets. Basically I love that family and between them and Silvia…I get taken very good care of!!

I had a tiny cough the other day, which Silvia of course noticed right away. “Tienes tos??” (Do you have a cough??)… I said yes a small one, to which she promptly replied, “Miel y limon” (honey and lemon). That night after dinner she made me a homemade hot drink involving boiling lemon rinds and pulp, then adding the juice and some honey and making me drink “TODO” (all!!) of it. At first it is bearable, but by the last drink your throat BURNS. However, after 2 nights of doing that, my cough was almost completely gone and my cold was a million times better. I have learned to just trust Silvia’s advice… not matter how random it may seem! The other day she looked at the moon and told me it was going to rain tomorrow…apparently the shape of the moon told her that. I didn’t believe her of course, because it wasn’t in the forecast. The next day when I left for school she reminded me to take my umbrella…which I almost didn’t because I didn’t feel like carrying it if I didn’t need it! However, after I left my friends’ house I realized the ground was wet. I asked my friend, and apparently it had rained AND hailed while I was inside. Right once again Silvia!

Yesterday it was 72 Fahrenheit…HOT. However, Silvia would not let me leave without a “bufandita” (little scarf) haha. I went to the beach with my friends and it was absolutely gorgeous out…that is practically summer weather in Wisconsin!! But it is crazy, because it is still winter here and everyone is in boots and hats!!

I saw the movie “Inception” last night….INSANE. I highly recommend it!!!!

I am pretty sure that I am going to Mendoza next weekend. I have to book the bus ticket, but it will be about a 20 hour busride from Montevideo. Mendoza is in Argentina, and apparently it is absolutely gorgeous. This is the REAL wine country, and Silvia told me she has always wanted to live there. We’ll get there Friday and rent a hostel (there is a group of like 7 of us) and rent bikes and ride around the vineyards and go to wine tasting. I don’t really like wine, but this is supposed to be the BEST OF THE BEST, so I at least have to try it!

This Wednesday is “Dia de Nostalgia” (Day of Nostalgia/Memory) so we have off of school. Tuesday night Silvia told me “todo el mundo” (the whole world) goes out dancing.

Here the moon is much larger and out all day…I can almost always see it. Beautiful!!

Bufanda

I know I’ve blogged a bit about the culture of sharing…but this is a legit deal here. People share EVERYTHING. One American said that they eat cough drops like candy here, so when she had a cold (and NEEDED them), she would take them out during class and EVERYONE would want one. I too have noticed that it is not rare to get offered the food off of someone else’s plate. They love sharing, and love to be shared with.

Mate (pronounced Mah-tay) is probably the most popular of the sharing tradition. I know I’ve talked about this also…but the Uruguayos LOVE them some mate. ALL of my professors have talked about mate…at least once. It is an extreme phenomenon here. An exchange student said she’s seen Mate passed around the ENTIRE class…including the professor. These people must have incredible immune systems!! Mate is meant to be shared…even my taxi driver offered me some of his…However, up until this morning at Kate, Rachel, Rob, Anna and Tylie’s house, I had not tried it. I got to share some of Rob’s (he is out of the hospital and doing great by the way), which I think was actually Kate’s…this stuff is like green tea x 1,000,000. It’s packed with B vitamins so there is no crash…just a lot of energy. That said, it is VERY strong and bitter and takes a bit to get used to. I think if I start drinking it, I’ll use sugar water in my thermos…or else I’ve heard people use juices also.

I went to the movies with some kids, we saw El Escritor Oculto (the ghost writer)…I thought it was pretty good! The movie was in English with Spanish subtitles…so I felt like I was giving myself quite the luxury! We showed up about 15 minutes late…the previews hadn’t even started yet, so typical haha. Food in movie theatres here is just as expensive….FYI.

I took a bus to the barrio Pocitios to meet up with my friends. I’ve taken the bus before and know I have to get off at a giant famous tree called El Ombu. It was dark, probably around 9:30 pm and I wasn’t really paying attention (surprise) so when I looked and thought I saw El Ombu, I immediately got off the bus. I turned around…nope, it was a building…haha oops. Well, of course I thought I could just walk the rest of the way. So I start walking…no sign of El Ombu…keep walking…I have no idea where I am. Luckily, Pocitos is a very safe and populated neighborhood (if it were dangerous I would’ve flagged a cab pronto) so I could wander a bit. I stopped and ask a woman and she doesn’t even know what El Ombu is. I walked some more (I had called my friends, so they knew I was going to be late) and asked another woman who said I was in the right barrio, but it was far enough away that I should take a cab. GREAT. So I flagged down a cab and 50 pesos later (roughly 2.50$...which means kind of far) arrived at El Ombu. I promptly started walking the wrong direction for a block or so, until I realized my error and turned around and FINALLY (1 hour trip instead of 30 mins!) made it to their house. People here sing ALL the time. On the bus, in line for things, on the street…it is very common for random people to burst into song. I love it, especially because it is mostly the older generation or very young men…so random.

The cigarette packs here have horrid pictures on them to try to deter smoking (dead babies, rotten teeth, symbols of sterility…etc.). I know this because almost every European smokes as well as some Americans and tons of Uruguayos—they are pretty cheap, like 3$ a pack or something.

Silvia’s son-in-law (husband of Micaela) works at an ice cream place—apparently it’s the richest and best ice cream place in MVD. The other night he brought over leftover waffle cone…we ate it with Dulce de Leche…I told Silvia it was dangerous. SO DELICIOUS. When it gets warmer, they are going to take me to get ice cream…Silvia constantly raves about how delicious the ice cream is here!! (Good thing Gpa K does not live here! J)

There are signs on the buses that prohibit smoking…and spitting.

Uruguayos are so friendly. I cannot count the times that I have not understood something, and people are so patient with me. I am really glad because, as a USA citizen, I was expecting to be hated on, but they are so polite and welcoming here. Usually we just end up laughing it off, and speaking some type of Spanglish to figure things out.

I was called blonde twice in one day just because my hair isn’t black.

Classes are pretty laid back here. Professors answer their phones during lectures sometimes, and they don’t care if your phone rings during class...they just ignore it. You can bring food, mate, your computer…basically do whatever, as long as you are engaged in the discussion.

When I talked about the men with horse and carts that dig in the dumpsters, I spoke too soon. Yes, there are people here that dig through the trash for food. However, most of these people actually make up a type of profession (more or less). No, this isn’t a salary, or even hourly-paid job, rather they are paid through the recyclables they collect. I noticed that everywhere I go they recycle paper, but not glass or plastic. This is so that the collectors have a way to make a living. You see these people at ALL hours of the day/night rummaging through bags in the trash looking for bottles as they get pesos for what they find. The government does not have to fund a separate recycling program, and people have a way of making money…quite ingenious, and definitely explains why they forage so diligently.

Also, I’m thinking about flying to Bolivia for 5 days. The tickets are a bit costly (350$ round trip+150$ visa), but once we get there, we have a place to stay and most meals for free. This is because Kate from North Carolina went to Bolivia in 2006 and worked in an orphanage there. The children make and sell bracelets to raise money for expenses, and to try to go to college. Kate had the idea to bring these back to the states and sell them for 5$ each (they sell for 35 cents in Bolivia because everything is so cheap there) and she sends all the money back to Bolivia. So far, she has sent 200 kids to college…incredible!! (**If anyone wants a bracelet…mail 5 bucks, I’ll bring some back!!) The woman that heads up the orphanage offered her a place to stay for her and friends if she ever wanted to come back. If I decide to go I have to get a yellow fever shot, but that is really easy with the hospital systems here. Bolivia is the poorest country in all of the America’s, so traveling there is cheap, but I don’t know when else in my life I’ll have the opportunity for free lodging and with a group of other students!!

Oh, and Silvia said the address for here is actually:

Bailey Kaiser

Nancy 4287 BIS

11412 Montevideo

Uruguay

If you’ve already mailed something it will still get here, but the “BIS” apparently makes it simpler for the mail carrier (just for you Pops!! Haha)

comoooo

I had to write my first paper today :(

Luckily it was only 100 words long, but I'm sure the length will only increase from here on out! In about a half hour I'm going to walk with some of my classmates to a museum next to the beach for class. I took the bus to Pocitos this morning so I could use their wifi and finish my paper before class! Silvia said I'm turning into a Montevideana because I ride the bus all the time wherever/whenever. Apparently some of the other girls shyed away from riding the bus after dark, but I'll take it up until 10 pm, because the streets are still pretty busy then, and it is safe (as long as you're careful!).

I'm glad to hear my family had fun sweating in STL...here it is still pretty chilly...but it is going to be gorgeous this week!!!

Sites

Yo no se manana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FadzTIxXZfY

We listen to this song nonstop in salsa class...and it is constantly in my head. I love it. The main line in it basically means, "I won't know tomorrow if we will be together"...I think it is so beautiful!

I also uploaded a bunch of my pics to picasa site so you guys can access them from there!

Here is the site...

http://picasaweb.google.com/102816793100596881033

I'm going dancing with a bunch of girls tonight because one of their Uruguayan brothers is having a soccer team get together...bring on the salsa!!

Llovando

My friend Rob is in the hospital (staff infection on his leg!) so Rachel and I went to visit him after class yesterday. He is being really tough and the hospital is the nicest one in Montevideo (more like a hotel), but he has to be there for 3-4 days minimum...crazy! Send him your prayers!

I was supposed to go to salsa class and then a salsa club, but then the rain started...and I don't think I can do 4am on a school night! It rained all night...(100% humidity happens pretty often here) and this morning I finally had to break down and buy a paragua (umbrella) for 99 pesos (roughly 5 bucks) for the walk to school.

The doors here open the opposite way of the US so for the first week or so I looked like an absolute idiot trying to pull doors open. Now, I have to make an active effort to think about which way the door goes...I look soo cool (:

I'm finally getting to the point that I can talk about my day fluidly with Silvia--it feels great to be able to talk and joke!!! In 2 weeks I feel like I've learned so much vocabulary, and talking to sales people and other tasks are definitely not a problem like they were a week or so ago. I find that when I am expecting people to talk to me or ask me something, it is much easier to answer them. However, if someone randomly talks to me or asks me a question I haven't heard, then I usually have to ask them to repeat it. All in due time I guess...

Cumpleanos!!

After my class on Friday I walked the whole way home---it was beautiful outside!! A few days ago Silvia told me it was going to get up to 15 degrees Celsius (60 F). I said “AH! Donde esta mi traje de bano??” (Where is my swimsuit??)…we always joke about the fact that anything about 50 is SUPER HOT haha. The walk was about 45 minutes, so definitely not too bad! Luckily none of my classes go too late so it is still light out when I’m going home, most of the time. The sidewalks here are just random stone tiling that is broken and very uneven. When Silvia and I walk somewhere and she trips over a hole she always says, “OPAH!”…haha and it becomes very apparent that she is of Italian descent.

When I got home, I found the cat in my bed…Silvia says that the cat spends the entire day in my bed and then wants to leave to party at night. I took a nap with the cat (he is soo precious) and he spent the entire time licking my face and purring so I didn’t really get to sleep very much! I love him though…he always runs to greet me (kind of like a puppy) when I get home from school J He passed out in front of my space heater so he was a spazz when I got home later. Valentina came over for dinner and I noticed that 2 weeks ago when I first got here I literally couldn’t understand a word she was saying…now I’m at about 45%...so I’m getting there!

Here they put fried eggs with everything. We’ll have stew, with a random fried egg in it…or we had rice…with an egg on top. It is seriously so delish, it’s the same foods we eat in Wisco…just recombined to be yummier and a bit healthier!

The other night we had dinner at a café near the university for the birthday of a girl in our exchange program. I ordered pizza (here they pronounce it PIXA…Silvia once spent about 10 mins trying to explain what that was before I finally exclaimed…OH PIZZA!! HAH)…but here you have to order the cheese on top…so I just got bread with tomato, but it was still soo good!!

Saturday I chilled out all day, until the night time rolled around. I had my birthday get together at 3 Perros—a dance club. I had an amazing time and almost all of the international students came along with some of my Uruguayan friends. We stayed there most of the night and then went to another dance club on the beach so I got to watch the sunrise over the ocean!! It was gorgeous, but when I pointed it out, my Uruguayan friends said, “Oh it’s so ugly in the winter!”…they could not be more wrong!! I guess that is the danger of living close to the ocean…its beauty can be ignored!

Sunday I went to Kate, Rachel, Anna & Rob’s house and got to plug into some Wifi and do some homework. We walked along the Rambla (beach area) and just marveled at how gorgeous it is. Montevideo is the size of Milwaukee…but nothing can compare to the natural beauty of this place. Kate, Rachel, Rob, Anna and Marina all went in and got me a gift from la feria (market) for my birthday. It’s a clock made from a flattened glass beer bottle with the beer label “Kaiser” on the front (Gma/Gpa Rachu have a similar one) and I was so flattered that they got me something! I am so lucky I’ve met some very thoughtful people here!!

The morning of my birthday I had my usual breakfast, but Silvia also added a slice of dessert for me and sent me a text wishing me a happy birthday and was sorry she left before I got up. Here birthdays are very important so when people here it is your birthday you get lots of kisses and handshakes. During my Spanish Idioma class I had to give my presentation of the legend…it went okay. I got a legend off the internet, translated the entire thing (no, you can’t just put it into a website and translate it…it’s much more complicated than that!!) and memorized it all. Then, since the 2 other people who were supposed to present weren’t there, I had to do it by myself. So I recited the entire legend, and didn’t miss a single word—I was pretty proud of myself! However, afterwards, my professor asked me if I spoke Spanish. (mind you, this whole convo is in Spanish) and I said…yes, I think so?...because I wasn’t sure why she had asked. Then I said, at home, all we speak is Spanish and when I leave, more or less, I speak Spanish. To which she responded, NO. And I said…um..ok? and she said no, you don’t speak Spanish, your accent is horrible and I don’t believe that you speak Spanish at all. I didn’t really know what to say besides…uhhh lo siento? (I’m sorry?)…she is blunt, and VERY harsh about accents…she’s even worse towards the Germans who cannot pronounce “r’s”. Needless to say, I can memorize and recite and translate…but I sound horrible. Great. When I told Silvia that later she said “Two weeks ago you couldn’t speak at all---and now you are soo much better!! Your professor is crazy!!” So at least I have the support of Silvia! My friend D’Arcy from Cali got me a box full of desserts from the confectionary and after school me, Kate, Rachel and Marina came back to my house for empanadas (pastry filled with meat and veggies), postre (chocolate cake) and torta (ham and cheese pockets) homemade by Silvia=soo good!! Silvia also gave me a small bottle of Liquor de Dulce de Leche—something a little bit like Bailey’s. After dinner, Marina and I caught a cab to salsa class where I got a bunch more kisses and some of the guys feigned mad because they found out I didn’t invite them to my birthday party. After class I got more kisses (there was like 25+ people in the class!). El Gimnasio is in a shady part of town—not horrible, but not really walkable past 10 pm, so my friends Federico y Nicolas made sure Marina got a cab and then since they live near me they gave me a ride home—much cheaper for me!! On the ride home we talked about salsa class and they said that a lot of exchange students go there...and it takes a few times before they can keep up in class. However, they said I shouldn’t worry because “Vos tenes ritmo” (You have rhythm) YAY!!! They were surprised when I said I had never taken a dance class—who would’ve thought because I really am not graceful…at all. I have met some nice people here who give you tips about being safe in the city—which parts are ok to walk alone...and others where it is not. Overall, Montevideo is very safe and the people are reliable.

This morning (meaning around noon) I took a bus to Ciudad Vieja (around 40 mins) so that I could pick up my package. Unfortunately, although there are tons of Correo’s (mail offices), the only place to pick up packages is about an hour trip from my house…luckily Ciudad Vieja is beautiful! I finally got my package from home with some winter clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! J J que suerte!! After I got my package, my class met in Plaza Independencia and we got a huge tour…which was interesting, but very tiring with my backpack and package and 3 coats…haha. This afternoon after we took the bus back to school and had a meeting about community service which just included “ice breakers”…my favorite…haha, but it was a good time anyway.

The accent here is still taking some getting used to. Here they have something called “el jeismo” which is the “j” sound instead of the “y” sound that all of Latin America uses for y’s and ll’s. The younger generation has even changed the j into an “sh” sound…which makes it even more difficult to understand. Also, instead of using “tu” for “you” they use “vos” and “sos” and “tenes” instead of “tienes” for “you have”…it is all a little confusing at first but I am getting used to it! So in the States I learned “De donde eres?” for “Where are you from?”…but here it is actually “Sos de donde vos?”—how crazy.

Also, the other day I used the phrase “compadre” (to signify friend) and I got laughed at. “This is not Mexico!!” they all said. It is hard to get used to all the different phrases from different places, but using Mexican lingo here is really funny to them because in general the men here make fun of Mexicans—mocking the typical high pitched sound and short stature. Also, there is only ONE Mexican restaurant in the entire city for 1.5 million people…the food here is nowhere near Mexican type. I was expecting that, but apparently a lot of other foreign exchange students ask Silvia to make Mexican…to which she replies “This is not Mexico!!”…people forget that Latin America is HUGE and varies VASTLY. That is why using words like “compadre” can almost be seen as an insult to some people…luckily for me they just think I’m a funny foreigner. I seem to play that part well because when I’m using different phrases I always seem to mess it up just a little or make up words (that I think sound good)…Silvia loves it, and we’ve actually started using these phrases at home. Ejemplo: I said “ridiculoso” instead of “ridiculo” (ridiculous) and “hambrisimo” instead of “tengo mucho hambre” (I am very hungry)…things like that. I also said “finito” once and Silvia laughed so hard…but I didn’t understand why until she told me that was Italian, not Spanish—apparently Rachel rubbed off on me! I told her that I have my own style of speaking, and since I don’t know any real lingo here, I’ll just have to make up my own.

Another thing I have noticed here is that my name is EXTREMELY hard to pronounce. My professors avoid it at all costs calling me “chica” or “you”…haha and whenever I introduce myself I have to enunciate very clearly. Even then, I’ve gotten called Pedro, Paidey, Valey, Billy…you name it. I always have to resort to “es lo mismo del liquor, Bailey’s” (it’s the same as the liquor Bailey’s) to which they say
“AHHHHHHHH BAILEY’S SI!!” …but then some people call me Bailey’s instead of Bailey. Oh well J

Some other stuff I’ve been thinking about: watching the news here makes me realize just how closed off we are in the US. All of the news here is global and includes tons of stuff about other countries. It is amazing how much everyone from Europe and Latin America knows about North America…and disgusting how little I know about them. I feel like it is frustrating because it isn’t like I’m avoiding global news…however, you must be actively seeking out global news in the US. The other night, a woman from Spain said, “I don’t think Americans are bad people, and I really do like you guys individually and I do like a lot of things about your country. That said, sometimes the general thought is that the US is the only country in the world…when in reality, there is so much more to the world than the US. I know so much about your country…what do you know about mine?” I would agree with her…we may not individually feel as if we are all important, and we may care about the world, but our country as a whole has an attitude of egotism. It is hard to describe, and I’m not trying to be unpatriotic. However, all I could say to here was “You’re right…I know the BASICS about Spain...but in reality, I know nothing. This is a pill I seem to be swallowing a lot with my new foreign friends. It definitely is very humbling...and sad.

Walking around the city, I have really started to notice the attitude of Uruguayans. Many of the poor people do menial tasks (open taxi doors, wash windows at red lights, sell flowers or pastries on the sidewalk) just to get by. The middle and upper class Uruguayans oblige them—giving them spare pesos and being courteous to them on the street. This strikes me as a very different attitude than I’ve seen in my country of origin. North Americans generally have the attitude of independence and self-sufficiency—both of these are great and wonderful things. However, there can come a point of being so worried about our own advancement that we forget that our humanity is tied up with everyone around us. We all know there is poverty in North America; there is poverty everywhere. However, in the US, it can be…hidden. Meaning, it is very easy to forget about the sufferings of others…no one wants to see poor people; so they are shoved into corners where we know they are there, but we don’t really have to understand or see the problems that they face. However, here in Uruguay, you can’t ignore it. Poverty is selling you cheap socks on your bus home from school. Poverty is asking you for 2 pesos on the sidewalk. Poverty is 4 years old playing barefoot in a road in 40 degree weather.

Uruguay is one of the most developed and economically stable countries in Latin America, but that doesn’t make them exempt from the impoverished. Here there is a strong sense of the need to take responsibility for the fellow human being. No, I’m not saying throw your money at every beggar in the street…it goes way beyond that. Maybe I’m just a bleeding heart, but I feel like there is so much more that I should be doing. The most disheartening aspect is that wanting to resolve these problems and actually being able to do so...are two very different things.

And then there is always the question: now what? …what am I (we) supposed to do about it?

I wish I knew.

Bailar

I was finally able to go to salsa last night....WOW. Rachel and I took taxis to El Gimnasio to take take the salsa class. Our instructor Jorge was super nice, and everyone was VERY patient. There were about 10 or so people, with an even ratio of guys to girls and a range of ages. We started with the basic steps and moved quickly to more difficult moves. Of course, everyone else was SO talented, so Rachel and I struggled to barely keep up. That said, I was laughing the whole time, and as a girl you basically just have to be able to be led around by the guy. We had to switch partners every few minutes and Rachel said that when she was partnered with Jorge he said that he had to switch more often because the men were "drooling" over us HAHAHAHAHA. Many of the women were middle aged and motherly so when 2 young American girls come to class, it is quite the treat for the guys. Class was about 60 pesos (roughly 3 dollars) and I definitely plan on going back--I have so much to learn!

In my Spanish idioma class we already have a bunch of exercises to do. They aren't horrible, but because I'm in nivel 1, we talk about REALLY STUPID things like Cinderella and fabric. Nivel 2 talks about hunger and problems in the world...things that actually matter. However, until they feel like our vocab is up to standards, we talk like children. Also, out of our whole class she picked 3 students (2 others and myself) to memorize a legend from our country of origin and recite it in front of the class on Monday (MY BIRTHDAY) without papers or help. Super fantastic. I know, i know, it won't be horrible, but I just feel like complaining about it because I don't really care for the teacher (she is kind of rude for no reason). Other than that, things are going swimmingly and I have nothing to whine about! :)

laytaaa

!!

ALSO:

NEVER USE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO CALL ANOTHER COUNTRY.

I racked up over 75$ in fees just from calling home for 3 minutes and calling Silvia for 2 in the Argentine airport.

PERFECT.

you live and learn I guess

Tres Cruces..

Well I ended up not going to Salsa last night because I got home around 8, and by the time I had eaten supper (lentils, potatoes, sausage, rice, pumpkin (they eat pumpkin here like potatoes...so weird but goood) it was already too late for class. On top of that, I was exhausted from a day of translation...it takes alot of concentration. I went to bed around 9 and woke up 13 hours later at 10...my sleep pattern here is even worse than in the states if you can imagine that!!

Today I had my Lit class, which went well. I also had an interview to place me into the community service--I'm pretty sure it went ok! Right now I'm in Tres Cruces (shopping center) at a cafe enjoying a cappuccino, Wifi and heat!!

Here are some random things about Uruguay:

-Almost everyone drinks Mate here...its like tea, but they carry it around with them EVERYWHERE....buses, taxis, class, work. How it works is you have a huge thermos full of hot water and a separate mug carved specifically for the mate. The herb mixture is in the mug and you pour hot water over top and drink it through a metal straw. Everytime you want a drink, you have to pour more water. This is a popular phenomena here and there are apparently alot of rules for drinking mate...none of which I know yet, but I am definitely learning!

-Here, when you meet, greet or say goodbye you ALWAYS kiss once on the cheek. Boys, girls, young, old...everyone. After a long drive and a great conversation with one of my taxi drivers (Juacito aged about 70) I got out of the car and he shouted "Espere! Beso! (Wait! Kiss!) and I had to get back in the car and kiss the old man on his cheek. They think it is sad that Americans don't kiss...but as one girl from last semester noted...they don't hug here. It is all very strange!

-People use the terms "da" and "dale" to mean "yeah" "ok" "good" "sure"...etc.

-There are fruit/veggie stands on almost every street corner...even though it is the middle of winter!

-The other day I was getting on the bus (it was early in the morning so it was PACKED) and I fell face first into the aisle. The only person who tried to help me up was some old woman...everyone else stared at me like I was crazy. I just laughed....oh gosh.

-There are lots of tiny vehicles here!! and some of the poorer population have horses with carts (it is very strange to see buses, taxis, cars, motorcycles...and then random horses) and they drive around with huge bags of garbage and random items

-Everyday I see people digging in the dumpsters on the streets for food

-The other morning I was on the bus on one of the busiest avenues. There is a median grassy area in between the lanes of the highway. A man was peeing in the grass...in broad daylight.

-Everyone here dances amazingly...and can put any North American to shame

-Blonde=beautiful, gorgeous, amazing because there are literally NO native natural blondes

-They love music from the 70's and 80's here...on the bus it is not strange to here "I will survive" and other random songs. On the news, they play horrible old songs that no one listens to in the US anymore. And on serious news stories, they play horror movie music...so weird. It almost makes serious news funny because they have sound effects and stuff--Silvia didn't even notice the music in the background until I pointed it out.

-They are OBSESSED with soccer here. Everyday there is something in the news about one of the players from the world cup, there are billboards/newstands with their faces plastered everywhere. The last 3 days of news have featured Forlan's visit to India....a really stupid story played OVER AND OVER again.

-They do not have alot of police cars here...I have seen very few. That said, there are tons of security guards everywhere. My university has 2 at every door and many walking around the building. Some expensive stores have men with huge guns standing at the entrance. Even the grocery stores have guards at every other aisle to prevent shoplifting.

...and that is all I can think of right now.

Hasta luego

Da, Si, Bueno

So, I was on my way to Punta Carretas (shopping center) on an omnibus...Silvia had to explain like 6 times how to get there because it is a long busride and I never know where to get off (everything looks the same!!). I missed my stop and wound up walking around for nearly an hour only to realize I had been CIRCLING the mall the whole time...ridiculous. I feel like I just have to throw myself into something and get a little lost so that next time I won't make the same mistakes!

The night before this, I went to a different shopping center (this one is pretty close to my house). It was POURING outside, but I really needed some cheap everyday shoes other than my sneaks. I caught a bus and got off at the wrong stop and had to walk 5 blocks in the rain...I am literally the only one in the entire city without an umbrella. By the time I got to the mall my hair and clothes were dripping water, and for some stupid reason I decided it was a good idea to wear glasses...so I could not see anything. I looked really ridiculous and really foreign. I went to shoe store (the malls here are alot like our malls...but alot of stuff is behind huge walls of glass and you have to point it out. Another thing I was not made aware of was that sizes here are different...so when I asked the salesman for a 9 or 10 he looked at my feet and looked at me like I was crazy. I'm actually a size 41 here.

Saturday night I went to a despedida (a going away party) for a girl from last semester. We went to a nice restaurant and had cheesy fries and pizza (the food here is VERY similar to the states in many ways). After dinner, we went to a Salsa club. Everyone there was at an amazing level (this place is for pros and skilled dancers). This goes without saying, but I am a horrible salsa dancer...luckily so was everyone else in the group. I didn't have to worry because the natives are more than willing to help you learn the basic steps! Tonight I'm going to salsa class so I can improve on my weak foundation.

Sunday night I went to a small club for a live jazz concert...it was incredible!!! However, everything here starts so late so we went around 11 and got home after 1:30. I am very tired today!! I came to the University around 11 (I know this is late, but its early for me!) and had my first two classes. The Spanish is getting a little easier to understand, but I still have a LONG way to go. I spoke to Silvia's friend Susanna the other day and she told me that in one week my skills have really gotten better, so that is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It gets really frustrating to not be able to say what is on my mind. Perhaps it is a good thing that I have a forced filter now..haha :)

It is very hard to describe, but everyday really weird things happen. I am uncomfortable ALL the time. Perfect example, some girl just started talking to me and I have no idea what she just said to me. AWKWARD. There is so much about Uruguay that is easy to adjust to...and so much else that surprises me. The poverty here is very obvious. Just like any big city, they have a huge spectrum range of incomes. Unlike the US, guns are not allowed here, so much of the crime is reduced to theft, pick pocketing, mugging...etc. You have to be really wary of people who talk to you on the street. Most often, one person will talk to you, be very friendly, and be the distraction so that their partner can steal whatever you are holding. One of my American friends saw a business man talking to a random person, and another came running past and stole his sunglasses of his head and they both took off.

That said, Montevideo is very safe compared to alot of Latin America. The people here are very friendly and I haven't had a bad experience yet....it is just important to be aware.

I feel like I have so much more to say about this place, but I haven't had the time to compartmentalize it all.

Love