Dias de Dificultad

I have just moved into my room at La Herradura, the school where I will be taking Spanish classes and living. The room is small, but not much smaller than my room in Boston, and it has everything I need, as well as a door onto the terrace (not that I can open it in the humidity). Yesterday it rained all day as I came here for a tour and placement test. I got so lost on the bus (both ways), absolutely soaked, and completely embarrassed by my total inability to understand the bus driver. But, after that ordeal, I finally got back, went to the grocery store and got some food (and also failed at buying oranges the right way) and finally an umbrella. After a nap, I got ready and went with Vero to see Jose and Marcelo, who made fresh pasta for us. I spent the majority of the night in silence as I tried to understand the conversation (and couldn't), but they were all very nice and tried to help me along. It's hard to get used to feeling so stupid all the time, but I'm hoping in time I will be able to listen and understand the language and accent. It's very hard though and I am a bit homesick. I just keep telling myself that it will get better. It is only day #3. I will start Spanish classes on Monday, and with 4-6 hours a day of immersion classes I think I will improve soon. I will start teaching at the elementary school in Maldonado in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully I will feel more confident by then, but for now, I am nervous.

Caminar en Tres Cruces

Well, here I am in Montevideo. I arrived this morning after a long and none-too-restful overnight flight. It's cold here, around 45 degrees F, and cloudy. The city looks run-down, but has quite charming architecture, many stucco houses with red, round-tiled roofs. I learned that part of the Miami Vice movie was filmed here, in place of Havana. Muy interesante. After a fair amount of confusion with my driver (the language barrier is still pretty high), I am now waiting at Tres Cruces bus station to meet my couch host later this evening. I have successfully ordered a coffee, although it was not exactly what I was expecting (still tasty). I'm not sure how to get my bill, and I really hope they take credit cards because I haven't found an ATM yet. Once I manage to pay for my coffee, I'll be on the hunt for pesos, a map, and perhaps a cell phone. I've found that I have a much harder time understanding spoken Spanish than in getting across what I want to say. Luckily it is only the first day and I have a lot of practice ahead of me. I am definitely a little frazzled by my new surroundings, but I'm sure I will adjust with time. It certainly is a change of pace and scenery...

The Beginning of the Blog

Well, I have less than 52 hours left in North America for the next five months. Uruguay is calling to me and I could not feel more ready or more unprepared to go. I have so much packing left to do and I didn't get through much of my Rosetta Stone, but I cannot wait to be on my way. It's hard to say what I'll miss until I'm gone and I cannot begin to imagine all that I'll find when I get there. But, I can't think of a better way to spend the next 5 months than finding out! I hope the people I love and miss will keep up with me here if no other way while I'm gone. And I hope I can keep up with this well enough to make it worthwhile! Wish me luck with packing :/