On the road again...

I´ve moved again- but just for the night. This new area, and new place is such a contrast from what I´ve been living near and in. I feel like I´ve been transported back into another time zone-

...

Ever get that feeling that you´re learning, but then begin questioning what you know... That´s me right now. I know I know something, but that knowing seems to only go as far as the know- You know. I mean, I know, that to know, is really to to have faith that sometimes to know, is just... well, to know. And then, eventually, that know, develops into a surprising knowledge that at one point, I never knew I knew. But, for now, I have to keep the knowing that I know that I do know, though the know has not yet developed into knowing.

Couple more days of Spanish- and sparring matches with my teacher... Then, well, I´ll use what I know and hope to build on that knowledge- even though, right now, I question what it is I know...

Change of instructor

My Spanish class has had an instructor change. Although, I miss the former teacher- still haven´t received the full story of her departure- I am happy for a change. It´s healthy having a different perspective on the language and a different way of teaching the words. There is one annoyance that I have developed. When I as her something, normally, she´ll cut me off and attempt to answer the question... And, then will continue and continue and continue talking. I´ve developed the habit of just talking over her- that normally get´s her back to my question. So, I guess you could say that aside from -attempting to- learning Spanish, I am also working on other skills...

Currently, no longer in Uruguay...

We are back in Buenos Aires- returned Tuesday night. My internet connection at the apartment hasn't really been cooperating. Hence, the lack of dedication to the blog. Anyway, the week has been enjoyable. My teacher has been on holiday. So, I've had a week of vacation. It's been nice having the time off.

The following is part of a letter I wrote to friends regarding Uruguay... This speaks almost wholly with regard to Montevideo, the capitol of Uruguay. The outskirts of the country are quite beautiful, and the people, lovely.

_____
I just returned from Uruguay. Interesting place. In the beginning of the 1900's, they were quite a wealthy country. Known for their quality of meat and leather, they thrived on the export of agriculture. But, as time went one, other countries became more competitive in the livestock practice. Uruguay managed to preserve somewhat of a market presence until 2000- When foot and mouth disease appeared. Countries quickly banned the importation of Uruguay meat, and the economy collapsed.

Currently, the country is attempting to find itself. As you walk the streets of Montevideo, you see that this was once a thriving city. Yet, at the moment, the state of their buildings only offers the mind an imaginative guess, as to what Uruguay must have been like in their heyday.

Bush's visit to the region also hasn't seemed to help matters. Uruguay is attempting to attract the tourist- as it is currently an important piece of the economy. But, when you have 100's - 1000's of people prancing around the streets, burning American flags and breaking windows of buildings, they promote a sense of instability and chaos to the outside world... or, at least the likely US traveler.

In all, the visit has been quite enjoyable and very interesting.

Colonia del Sacramento

Tambien

Y, tambien...

Government building of Montevideo

Currently in Uruguay

Took a morning Ferry across the treacherous Atlantic this morning- actually, the waters were quite sedate... And, am now in a town known as Colonia by the locals but to the outside in it's entirety as Colonia del Sacramento. The transition from BA to Colonia is quite stark, and could be likened to leaving LA and going to Santa Barbara. The area is very quiet, and charming.

Below information taken from Wikipedia

Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, Colonia del Sacramento was later disputed by the Spanish settled on the opposite bank of the river at Buenos Aires. The colony kept changing hands from crown to crown due to treaties like the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 and the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1777, until it remained with the Spanish. It then transferred to Portuguese control again, and later to the Brazilians after 1816, when the entire Banda Oriental (Uruguay) was seized by the Rio de Janeiro government.

The Guarani fought in 1742 to drive the Portuguese out. This city is known as Colônia do Sacramento in Portuguese. The historical parts of Colonia del Sacramento are named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Makes you think...

How many of you have seen the show ¨My Sweet 16¨ on MTV? The show is about spoiled rich kids, getting what spoiled rich kids get. Harmless right. When we watch the TV show in the States, it makes us gawk, and laugh, at how ridiculous these little spoiled brats can be...

OK, now, think for a moment... yes, that´s right, think. I´m, currently in an Internet cafe, typing away on the computer. Overhead, is a television. The station...MTV... the show...¨mi Dulce 16 (my sweet 16). And, who are watching(?) a couple people, who are in disbelief of how spoiled the kids are. Now, remember how I mentioned the word ¨these...¨. Well, many in other countries don´t realize that it´s ¨these¨ kids and instead think that it´s ¨the¨ kids. Essentially, MTV is exporting an image of the States that offers an incredibly skewed view of the children, and parents.

Alright, enough said, my butler, who´s in my Porsche, is waiting for me outside...

Arin Shaved...

Oh...oh...oh my gosh! Stop the press... 'News Flash: Arin Shaves beard while in Buenos Aires......"

OK, so all of you are probably wondering "Why, are you telling us this!". Well, when I grew my beard -which, technically really wasn't a beard, as I always trimmed it- my niece in California wasn't too pleased. Every time I would see her, or talk to her on the phone, the question of "HAVE YOU SHAVED THAT BEARD OFF?!" would surface. So, anyway, the other day, due to lack of a trimmer, I decided to shave the thing off. And, because she's been on me since the beginning, I thought I'd take a couple shots and mail them to her.
(This goofy shot was taken beside a mirror)

Estoy Cansado

Quatro horas una dia de aprendiendo espanol, es mucho. Por eso, estoy cansado. Yo quiero mucho. Pero, normalmente quando salgo clase, teniá sueña y estaba cansado. Bueno, no se cuanto de estan oraciones son entendidos, pero yo se que ahora estoy cansado.

How I connect

When I rented the studio, Internet wasn't advertised.... But, I managed to find a way of picking it up....

I've Moved...

I'm still in Buenos Aires... but, am now in a much nicer area; much more convenient location. Though the place is rather small, it's very bright, and didn't cost the exorbitant price that is so common in this city. The following are photos from the apartment. We've had some pretty heavy rains today- as you'll notice from the images.










Arin