The Awkward Traveler

Hows was your Thanksgiving? I think I had one of my best Thanksgivings yet. I spent the whole day in the kitchen cooking for 75 people with 3 Bolivian woman. They were tough and we put our heads down, powered through, and pulled it off. They couldn’t quite wrap thier head around the concept of stuffing, but I guess thats to be expected.

I, unexpectedly, was a little clumsy in the kitchen. I burned myself pretty bad on a hot fork on the stove. But once again those Bolivian woman were crafty. They each had different remedies for my burn. They made me pour salt on my tongue, soak my hand in egg yolk, and rinse it with milk. I don’t know if it worked but my burn no longer ails me.

The best part of the night was all the free drinks I partook in to celebrate this great holiday of thanks. 

Thank you,

Josh

I’ve decided to quit the dairy. No milk, no cheese, no mercy. At least for the next week. For a number of reasons I’ve decided to conduct this experiment. My diet here has pretty much consisted of milk, yogurt (of the drinkable variety), cheese, and cream cheese. And I’ve had enough.

If you love me, you wont try and stop me.

I had the best time today by my lonesome in Colonia, Uruguay. Just some real quality me time. I even took my shirt off.

Colonia is located just across the river from Buenos Aires, about an hour boat ride. But you’d never know it. The water seems swimmable, the streets are walkable, and the air is breathable.

Colonia gets its name from the many Colonial style buildings it houses. Time seems to have stopped there. Example numero uno: check out this car that literally planted itself in time.

I leisurely walked the streets, stopping for some gnocchi and for many photo ops.

I eventually made my way to the river front beach. I let my nips breathe and took in a little to much sun.

Check out a slideshow of some of the rest of my pics:

I booked a flight home. It seems a little unreal. I’ll be returning home June 23rd, 10 months after I left.

I expect a new America when i get back: new President, flying cars, and pogs to be cool again.

Our Spanish class received a new member last week, Sister Marta. Yes, theres a new Nun in town and she means business. Having a Nun around is a sure fire way to stir things up. She’s always talking about the bible and she even wears the same cute grey habit everyday.

The other day we had to go around the room and talk about our favorite romance novels and our own romantic past. Can you guess what’s Sister Martas favorite romance novel. Yep, the bible. “It is a great love story between man and the power of god.” Shes always full of fun little phrases like that. When it came tiime to share our own romatic past, she told us abut Cristoph, the boy she was with before she joined the Church. We pestered her to tell us what happened. “Well, I found a different path” she said as she picked up her cross and smiled.

Shit. How does this kind of thing keep happening to me. I’m like a magnet for police and crazies. After class today I decided to take the metro due to the immense Spring heat. As I walked down the stairs, listening to my ipod, I was greeted by some sort of beggar type man. I wasn’t phased as these types hang out in metro stops. 

However as I tried to enter the station he blocked my way. I tried to go around and he blocked me again. Finally I just tried to push past him. I was listening to my music full volume so I couldn’t hear anything he was saying. But I’m assuming he wanted my money, my ipod, or just a friend. Whatever he wanted, he was insistent and when I tried to push past him he grabbed my wrist and wouldn’t let go.

I had a moment of panic,  it all happened so fast and my mind was going a mile a minute: does he have a knife? should I kick him in the ball sack? Should I scream for help? As I struggled to break free I yelled “Don’t touch me!”  in Spanish. An old man and a young Argentine took notice, not doing anything but lending me their support with their awareness.  After he realized the attention we were gaining and I proved a worthy opponent he let go and I booked it.

Me and the old man shared a laugh about the crazies and that was it.