What a day

Me used to be angry young man

Me hiding me head in the sand

You gave me the word,

I finally heard I'm doing the best that I can

I've got to admit it's getting better (better)

A little better all the time (it can't get no worse) 

Well, finished week three today and it was very fun - our teacher this week was Sofia and she's very much the star on top of the Christmas tree - yet was really hard for me as we've moved into past tense. It's really a lot memorization so my work with verbs is my focus. Yeah ...

You have to be careful when learning a new language, learning the difference between words like año (year) and ano (ass), or pene (penis) and peine (comb). It is also true with phrases. Por ejemplo, there are a lot of people in the street asking for money. I assume they are homeless though I haven't seen any encampments like in Los Estados Unitos. The locals sometimes give them something but usually just pass by.

There is a man, we'll call him the Dude, who, until recently, focused on me, every morning in front of the school and would chat me up in not so bad English. Then he started asking me for money. The other day I used a phrase I heard a local say to someone asking for money, a seemigly kind expression said with sincerity, and I used it on the Dude: 

"Lo siento, pero no tengo regalo para ti." I'm sorry, but I don't have a gift for you.

The Dude did not take kindly to this and he was far from calm. "It is not a gift. Don't say that fucking word to me!" he shouted and, as if he were on a mission, marched off, adding, very clearly, "fuck you!" as he trudged away.

After discussing with Patrick and a couple others, they told me I offended the guy as calling my donation to him a gift was demeaning. They suggested ignoring him.

I haven't seen him since. Here endeth the lesson (name the film!).

We said goodbye to Judy today. Like Silvie, she has become a good friend. We watched the sunset and raised a glass to her and bon voyage:

This trip has been so full of gifts for me. After such a difficult year, I feel a strong sense of gratitude for being here. The kindnesses shown to me have been overwhelming and a big one came today that brought me to tears.

When I arrived I was asked what I would like to do during my month other than learn Spanish. I asked to see a futbol match, visit some museums including Estadio Centenario, eat some good food, and, after walking past El Teatro Solis, go to a Philharmonic to hear the music of Studio Ghibli.

If you don't know Studio Ghibli, they are the producers of award winning anime features such as Spirited Away, Naussicaä of the valley of the Wind, and Howl's Moving Castle (there are many more, including my favorite Castle in the Sky ❤️).

My children grew up with these and especially my daughter who was so moved by them that, at one time, she was musically motivated to be in the Ghibli orchestra.

Well I went to box office to buy a ticket (entrada or boleto) and yep, sold out 🫤 Also futból match? Sold out. Museo Juan Blanes? Under construction. Well that sucked.

Until today.

I got a text from my teacher Sofia (who owns the flat I'm in) and she said that the director of the school, Soledad, got me a ticket to the Philharmonic to hear the Ghibli concert.

What?

Yep and not only that, the school is gifting it to me. I was so overcome I wept. The kindness of the Uruguayan people, everywhere I've gone (well maybe except the Dude, but I own part of that)  has been nothing short of incredible in kindness and generosity (last Friday getting into Museo Blanes, for example).

I am so grateful for being here and what it has meant to me, and I have a week left!!!

That's enough chicos. I got to study verbs 👍🏼

Hasta proxima ❤️