Settling in Here

By Lawrence Selby - Guest blogger traveling in Montevideo. It's been two days and I've settled in a bit here in Montevideo. The "almost" total immersion thing is not comfortable yet by any stretch of the imagination, though even now I'm starting to feel (perhaps I'm imagining it?) that I'm able to talk to people and understand them a little bit better. I've found a few markets and a bakery in the neighborhood and tomorrow I'm going to look for a cyber cafe that is supposedly nearby. This is important because I need to post my blogs and file for my first unemployment check! I've had a chance to see some more of Montevideo, though mostly the areas along Las Ramblas. I went on an excursion (through the school) with the son of the administrator whose name is Adrian. He's a big gregarious Uruguayan and instantly likeable. We went to see el Museo Castillo Pittamiglio. The museum architecture and interior furnishing are (no other words here come to mind) "Gaudi-esque" and interesting to say the least. It has a strange appeal with ornate walls carvings and strangely sloped ceiling, mirrors placed strategically on the walls and many oddly shaped nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, I didn't understand much of what the tour guide said. But, from what I gathered the legend has it that an alchemist once lived there and the place is haunted. Adrian runs all the excursions and seems to know all the ins and outs of Montevideo, so I'm sure I'll learn a lot more from him. The instruction at the Spanish school has been good and I like my professors, Juan and Leticia. Classes are from 9 am to 1 pm with 5 minute breaks on the hour. Unfortunately, what I didn't realize is that this is an extremely low season for the school (its the middle of autumn here in Uruguay) and that the vast majority of students come in the summertime (December to March). There is only one other student in my class and perhaps one or two others taking more advanced classes at the school. This makes socializing a bit more difficult, so I'll need to be more proactive in meeting other people and planning my excursions. As my Spanish fluency and confidence improves it should get easier.