First: Please excuse any errors... I've heard mostly Spanish for the past four days. My brain is a little confused.
Second: I’d like to give you a description of how the blog will work. I've decided to use three different types of subjects. For each post you'll find either subjects called, "Interesting Things," "Momentos," and "The People and Places I Encounter."
Interesting Things:
This topic of conversation will include one liners (or close to one line) that highlight the differences in culture that I notice and/or experience.
Momentos:
This topic of conversation will include ideas, emotions, philosophical thoughts, etc… that are particularly difficult or new or memorable for me. Momentos will most likely be the most long-winded subject (Momentos is word play for Moments and Mementos--"momentos," is the Spanish word for, "moments," and it sounds like the English word, "mementos." The Momentos that I have will be moments that I will hopefully keep for a long time).
The People and Places I Encounter:
This topic of conversation will include just what it suggests--the people and places that I encounter.
Everything is broken into subjects to allow for better navigation of the blog in case it gets lengthy and you haven't read it in a long time. Then, if you just want to read one liners you can find them in the Interesting Things subjects; however, you may want to read something a little more meaningful and so you might find a Momentos topic. Maybe you're just really interested in the places I see--so The People and Places I Encounter will be good enough for you. I might do all three subjects in one day or one week, or have a whole month of only Interesting Things, but hopefully you’ll find something you might enjoy reading.
The posts will have titles that start with one of the topics above. For instance, here are my first three posts as examples--
The People and Places I Encounter: My First Obama Lady
I recently wandered into a book store about a block away from my apartment. While looking around at a variety of books all in Spanish, I decided to ask the shopkeepers what they thought would be a good pick for me to read (I specifically asked to have a book on Argentine history geared toward youth). After finding a book for me, her our interactions went like this:
"Where are you from?"
"The United States."
"Tell me, What do you think about Obama?"
I laughed. She laughed. The guy at the cash register laughed. She knew it was a ridiculous first question, but one she just had to ask. I know that I will for sure be asked by many people whether I’ll be voting for Romney or Obama, and she was the first. The first Obama Lady and I talked for quite some time, and she decided that I have to return each month so that she can see my progress with Spanish. I really enjoyed meeting her and the guy at the cash register.
Another Example…
Interesting Things: Oops.
I accidentally smiled at an older man accompanied by his wife while I was on the train and he stared a penetrating stare the whole hour long ride home. Note to self: Don't smile at strangers--especially men.
I broke the door to my apartment building. The much older, badly in need of dental care apartment manager yelled at me and called me a stupid Puta (If you don't know it, look it up--it's a mean word). As soon as I heard the mean word, I just started yelling back in English. When I walked past him later as I was leaving, he smiled and said--"Ciao, pretty girl." I guess I’m no longer a Puta.
Everybody here wears skinny jeans and boots and walks really fast. And then occasionally just stop all of a sudden to read their texts. Be careful not to run into fast walking, fast stopping people like I did on Corrientes Avenue today.
Last Example...
Momentos: Am I a Stupid American? Or, does everyone just watch American television?
Something I often feel with people who I meet who are from different countries than I am, is that I am severely undereducated about their cultures and countries. These people from other countries always wants to know what State you're from, specifically; and, they often know names of several large universities and cities, and have working knowledge of bits and pieces of our culture.
Recently, I was talking with a guy from Britain who says that he studies at St. Andrews. How am I supposed to know what or where St. Andrews is? I barely know where our well known universities are (and what they are). But, this guy from Britain knew about Harvard. Mr. Britain seems to be a very intelligent person (much more intelligent than I am)--so, I won't ignore the fact that I'm not thoroughly enlighted.
HOWEVER! After hearing him later state that he spent half of the day watching, "Dexter," I thought--"Ahah! I'm not entirely ignorant! Everyone else in the world watches media from the States! OF COURSE they know where Harvard is! When was the last time I watched a well-known movie from South Africa, or from China, or from Argentina??? AH! And MUSIC! Everyone knows Brittany Spears! We're EVERYWHERE!" (Please note, all of that went on only within my thoughts-- no one heard me spazing about American media).
And you know, I have actually seen many foreign films, and enjoy music from other countries; but, it's not the same. On my television in my apartment here, we have just the public channels—something that plays MTV is included, and I think about 2 others play mostly American shows… there are only about 10 channels total. In your ten public channels in your home in the States, are almost a third of your channels from one other country? No? I didn't think so. To give further validity to my case, I later realized that I did know about St. Andrews... Because of the TV special on Prince William's and Kate's wedding. It's where Britain's royal couple went to school.
We're not stupid Americans, we're lacking in TV exposure. We would all be much more in the know if we had a major influence of culture and media from other countries.
Have you picked up the remote control, yet?
Disclaimer: I do believe we should also read/watch World News.
Much Love!
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