Advertisement
Published: November 5th 2008
Aspects of this place I´m fed up with
Thoughts, in the Mendoza bus station
Note: Just because something ends up on this list doesn´t mean I don´t accept that there's a logical explanation for it´s existence, nor that I condemn the people who manifest it. Nevertheless, it gets on my nerves and I´d rather not have to experience it. I don´t know, perhaps the fact that it frustrates me so much demonstrates that I really don´t “accept” it, in spite of my better judgment. In any case, here they are:
-All the goddamned cops and security guards-that is, all the guys who walk around with their stupid guns and military boots with the pant cuffs tucked in, swaggering about with their arms hanging motionless by their sides- as if either they were characters in some old Western preparing for the first draw, or just had such large biceps that they couldn´t rest their arms like normal people. Neither of which is ever true. I know this is a place whose history of political instability, violence, and corruption might warrant a higher police presence. But nevertheless, whenever one of them casts what strikes me as his arrogantly suspicious glance upon me, I can´t help but feel an urge to punch him in the face, to teach a lesson to this immature “macho-man” who probably (at least as I imagine in my resentful brooding) gets some sort of ego boost from the life-or-death power he hold over all of us “civilians.” Speaking of which:
-“Vacunàte si sos macho.” I hope to God that that public health campaign wasn't too effective. Not that I don´t hope the Argentine men are getting vaccinated, I just hope that they are doing so for a better reason than that. Also I think on a related note:
- Public displays of affection. Okay, so I admit in this case that I probably wouldn´t have much of a problem with this if I could take part myself. Patience, Mathias. Nevertheless, I do feel like there's an excess of superficial affection here. Again, a more sympathetic observer might just say that it's a more friendly, more gregarious, more social culture, and that the people are happier because of it. But I can't help but see it as a lot of meaningless and immature sexuality, a lot of empty conversation, and a lot of overused terms of endearment (am I really your “amor,” or your “vida?”). I´m not sure if this is a fair critique. Perhaps people are happier, living this way, and my negative perceptions of it all are just the jealous expression of an introvert in a bad mood, who misses his own loved ones therefore can't help but feel that his relationships are somehow better, deeper, and more meaningful than anybody else's.
-So I suppose all the other things sort of fit together. This one is altogether different, though. Actually I feel like writing about all that other stuff has kind of drained my anger and frustration, so I´m not going to be able to write as convincingly about this particular “issue.” Anyway, it´s the frustrating eagerness of people here to switch into English. Now, I understand completely the reason for it. The English language surrounds these people- their common vernacular is full of English words and phrases, English classes are practically standard in secondary schools, and they´re absolutely bombarded by English-speaking popular culture. Not to mention that I look quite foreign most of the time and tend to speak way too quickly and with a very strong accent, giving an overall impression that I know much less Spanish than the ample amount that I am in fact capable of speaking and understanding (although some people don't even give me a change, and start right into the broken, stumbling English that most people here are capable of speaking before I´ve even opened my mouth. So despite my understanding of the reasons for this I can't help but find it extremely annoying, mostly because due to the low quality of English that is generally used I can't fight back the sense that I´m being treated like a fool. Also, I´ve seen the English speakers who don´t even make an effort, who just launch right into their native tongue and expect to be understood. I hate the idea that I´m being lumped in with them, as I most likely am. I can't help but be kind of proud of the fact that, in a world where I could easily remain lazily unilingual, I´m making the effort to learn a second language. I know I shouldn´t, but I can´t help but feel superior, and would like to be recognized as such. Not to mention a perfectly innocent desire just to get more Spanish-speaking practice. The only solution I´ve devised to this problem, besides learning to speak more clearly, is to pretend that I´m northern European (dutch, perhaps?). and that I really don´t understand English. It´s just a matter of thinking to do so at the time.
So there you have my mountain of complaints, almost all of which I recognize as utterly irrational and unwarranted. Don´t take this as a sign that I´m not enjoying my experience here (as, by and large, I am), just that I´ll be happy to come back!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.039s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 9; qc: 22; dbt: 0.021s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Lauren Moore
non-member comment
I got accepted into the program today
I got accepted today. I don't think I would have gotten through all of the paper work if I hadn't been receiving such different and interesting entries on your blog. No luck with Argentine girls? I would have thought that you'd have a great chance at dancing and going out with some ladies. Anyway, I hope that the language bit gets less frustrating. I was thinking I could pretend to be Russian! I don't know. Basically, your entire stay there has been insane! You have done so many things in the time you probably would have spent in the library, where I am right now, and I think your frustrations are completely understandable and worth the language that you are learning. How much better is your Spanish? It is raining here, but everyone has the best of attitudes from the Election last night. There was a dance party in the SU until 2AM. hope your well. your friend. Lauren Moore