Needless to say, not everything translates word-for-word, as one of the other exchange students found out when trying to explain the expression "Ants in one's pants" to his host family, amidst stares of confusion and suspicion. Nonetheless, it makes for some interesting conversations and cultural learning experiences!
So, now to tackle the big question I know has been on everyone's mind. (Okay, maybe not everyone, but nerds like me find this kinda stuff interesting.) What kinds of cars do people drive?? Well, I'd estimate at least 3 in 5 are Chevy's, and the rest are lesser known brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Daewoo. There's the occasional Toyota or Nissan, but not nearly as many as in the US, which I found interesting. Also, most of the cars are relatively new! Shiny, at least. More than I expected, and more than most places around home. And, what tickled me the most, most of the yellow taxis are Chevy Aveos, the same kind of car I have!
Okay, okay, down to news. We decided in my grammar class to start an hour earlier and go for 3 hoursevery day in order to end almost a week and a half before the other classes end! So the classes will be long, but we have a lot to cover, and it's interesting, so I'm sure we'll find something to do.
Jack (spastic yet adorable dog/surrogate son) makes a habit of escaping the confines of the kitchen every 2 or 3 evenings (making a mad dash for it, usually with someone cursing on his heels), and last night he was due. He slipped out unnoticed and wandered into my room, so we had a tender moment before I returned him to his cruel incarceration. I thought Juan Carlos was just being a grump when he explained that the "shit dog" (his words) needs to stay in the kitchen because he'll make the whole house smell like dog; but I found out what he meant when Jack lifted a leg at my backpack! Little dirtbag. So I lured him back into the kitchen, where we discovered the joys and terrors of Dog Tag. We played for several minutes (just enough to get him revved up, I fear. Whoops.) before I headed back to my room.
Finally, some more musings for you language and culture nerds out there. Or maybe just me? There is a chain here called Sweet & Coffee (in English, which makes it kinda cute and kinda commercialized, depending on your perspective and level of pessimism). It's a lot like Starbucks - they're all over the place, they play light indie tunes, and they serve marginal coffee (though it's pretty good compared to most of the coffee here) and snacky foods. Obviously, their specialty is sweets, like this otherworldly chocolate fudge cake that I was blessed enough to try, muffins, and a dozen types of cakes and pies, though they also have little sandwiches. It's a fun little establishment, and a great place to relax a little and grab coffee with friends. Anyway, what made me smile the first time I went in was the food item labeled "Negritos." Brownies! I found it adorable. Again, I know I'm a nerd. Sorry, I just can't help it. Deal.
I brought my flute along and have been practicing in my room, much to the delight of my host parents, who think it's just so pretty and relaxing to hear it in the other room! It makes me feel a little guilty doing tone exercises and scale excerpts, but otherwise it's pretty encouraging! As I start to establish little routines and preferences, it helps me feel like I'm settling in and not just on a brief vacation, which is nice. And as I gain confidence with listening and speaking, it makes me feel more at peace, like I've just been waiting for this trip forever. Okay, enough with the deep sappy stuff!
Rachel - These posts are terrific. You write like you talk, which makes them all the more fun and entertaining. We are thrilled that you are settling in (albeit in a different way with Jack the Dog) and are having such fun and success with the language - love the brownies story. Abrazos - Tio Negrito
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