Walking home from my second night of classes about 20 minutes ago I could see or hear every television in literally every home I passed turned on to probably the most important baseball game of the century for Los Santos. This is the final FINAL game (thank God). Los Santos is playing another province, Bocas de Toro, for the championship title, and people here could not be more into the competition. Just now Bocas scored a run to tie the game and a mad fury of screaming and curse words flew at the tv from Jose, Vanessa’s cousin, and David (the other muchacho living with Vanessa). Not that I don’t appreciate a good rivalry, but if I have to sit and watch another three hour baseball game with an announcer that shrieks “Niñas, niñas! Sabrosas*!!” every time a curvaceous woman shows up on tv (and trust me, the stadium is filled with ‘em) I’m buying a plane ticket back to KC tomorrow.
Two days of classes down…a lot more to go. And given the way they’ve gone so far, I’m pulling a Vanessa and crossing every part of my body that they get better. Tuesday I had my Oral Expression/Literary Culture class (aka: español) which doesn’t seem like it will be too difficult, but the problem isn’t necessarily with the work but being able to simply hear the teacher. USMA’s building here is over 150 years old and the rooms definitely reflect it. So with the sound of the creaky air conditioner in the back, the echo of the old room, the talking of the other students (who are all freshman too…hah), I was lucky to be able to hear and understand about 20% of what was going on. Luckily I befriended a friendly colega eager to practice her English and, in exchange, answered my questions about what the teacher was saying. Psychology, though,…completely different story. There are only six of us in class (and all girls – Spanish is mostly guys) and the teacher talks very very VERY quietly. I was brave enough to ask her to speak more loudly once during class…which she did for about two words. So I spent the entire class straining to catch just one word she was saying and inwardly laughing at myself for the ridiculous faces I was probably making. And when class was over and after making sure the teacher had already left, I approached one of the girls in the class telling her I had a question: “Of course! Whatever you need.” “Uh….can you tell me what just happened?”
That’s what I wanted to ask. But I thought it might be a little overwhelming for her. So I stuck with the simple “Do we have any homework?” question instead and am hoping that next week I’ll be able to actually hear more.
Since I have practically all day free until my classes start (usually at 5 or 6 in the evening), I’ve been going to the “gym” Vanessa introduced me to on Monday. Alright. Don’t picture anything similar to an American gym when you hear that word. It’s basically a fenced in area outside with a metal roof over it, 10ish rundown weight machines, two treadmills, a set of rusty free weights, and five bikes in the back. For only a $1.50 you gain entrance to this state of the art facility and your own personal trainer, who tells you what to do and how many times to do it. Even though the equipment isn’t the best, thanks to the trainers and the heat I have never sweated so much in my life and practically limped home today after being forced to do too many squats. The first time I walked in, the regulars – which consist of about 10 bulky men…sometimes a woman or two – looked absolutely shocked to see a gringa pass through the gate and even more surprised to see just how red I turned while working out. But Pedro made sure that I was introduced to absolutely everyone in the room, so with the passing of the next few weeks I’ll be a regular too.
The game is getting exciting. In fact, even Hannah just peed all over the floor after Jose finished his jumping and screaming with the latest homerun. I’m learning how important it is to watch where I step these days…
Today I discovered an English book in what used to be Jose’s desk. Flipping through the pages I found a few that give a “commonly used” English phrase and an example of its use to the side. Between the misspelled words, weird phrases, and even weirder sentence examples, it had me laughing for a while. Some of my favorites:
Easy does it – “Easy does it said them.”
Figure on – “I figured on your money.” (I had to read it in Spanish to realize they meant “count on”)
In a body – “The senator arrived in a body.” (???? What??? Maybe I’m not a dedicated enough English speaker but I have never heard this phrase before in my life.)
Jazz up – “The party was jazzed up by Jim.”
Junky talk – “I had to listen to that junky talk.” (Definitely my favorite)
Wow. All of the above was written last night before absolute chaos set in here in Los Santos. As soon as the left fielder for the Los Santos team caught the third out on the field sealing the win for them, the whole city erupted in celebration. Jose and his aunt were jumping up and down screaming and setting off fireworks on the front porch. (Poor Luli was trembling in my lap the whole time.) Vanessa, who up until this point hadn’t been watching the game because it was too close, came running out of her room yelling “VAMOS A LA CARAVANA!!!!” And I had about 30 seconds to grab whatever I thought I might need for the night (I had no idea what a caravana was) and rushed outside with everyone to the car. Vanessa was going crazy honking the horn nonstop down the street as we headed toward the center of La Villa (where USMA is actually). THEN I started to understand what exactly it was we were doing. “Caravana” was a caravan (duh…easy enough) and we joined a huge circle of honking cars with screaming people hanging out all kinds of windows driving in circles celebrating the victory. It was insane. After circling the neighborhoods of La Villa, we followed the caravana to Chitré where it continued with the honking madness. At about midnight we made it back to La Villa, pulled over in front of USMA where the caravana was still happening and joined a crowd of people celebrating in the streets. A small truck with speakers in the back drove up, parked nearby, and started blasting all kinds of reggaeton music from the back. The cerveza was flowing, people were dancing, and everyone was just full of pure “alegría” (joy) as Jose’s aunt explained it to me. It was quite the spectacle. We didn’t get home until about 1:30. Ay dios míooooooo. I’m going to try to upload a video or two here so you all can experience the chaos too. But for now, I’m doing my best to stay cool here for another 90 degree humid day. Chao!
* Basically: “Women! Women! Delicious!”
Well, I tried for about five hours to load the video and this internet connection just doesn't want to cooperate. I might bring my laptop to school tomorrow and see if I have better luck. Buenas!
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