Well I didn’t learn last year when I was in summer school, but even then some one else was living with me. I’m the only one living in our four bedroom condo now. It’s really quiet and solitary. I find my self constantly checking blogs to see what my friends are doing around the world. I feel longing to be with those whom are in Southeast Asia, experiencing much of what I experienced two years ago. Or looking at the joy my friends have in Romania and thinking what a brilliant group that would have been a part of. Oh well, it’s only me second day returned. Brighter days are ahead.

santiago, protesta martes 30 de mayo de 2006

Currently in Chile, students are protesting the federal government to spend more of the deficit on eliminating barriers to education, such as student bus fares and entrance exam fees. The protests were first met with resistance from the government, but a resolution seems to be coming.

These have been said to be the largest protests in Chile since the 1970’s. While travelling in South America last summer it seemed there was some thing cpnstatnly being marched, protested, demanded for and against. It’s just part of the culture.

More from Reuters.

I was eating at a restaurant in South Beach. Finally I got my Media Noche. I was there for wuite a while and started to talking to two ladies near me from Nevada. It was a good chat and near the end one of them asks me, “¿Es Argentino?” I was like, “No, Americano.” But how amazing that I could actually pass as a natural Spanish speaker. Another great experience in Miami.

So if you come to Miami you must try some of the local food offerings. Well one of these is Café Cubano. I took marry to work this morning, she started a summer job this week at a local bank, and on the drive back I stop at Latin Cafe for some coffee. The places that serve Café Cubano have window counters that one walks up to, orders, and drinks. Well I get up order, “Café Cubano con leche.” from the counter server. Every thing is peachy until I hand her my “tarjeta,” debit card. She tells me I have to my two more things before she will charge it. OK, I’ll take pasteles de la carne y de la guayaba, meat and guava pastries. I give her the card, she takes her time to actually pick it up and returns. I sign. Oh, but you know what? I didn’t leave a tip. I had no cash. She just rolled her eyes and I left.

It was a good experience and great breakfast though. It has been good sampling the many foods offered in Miami; Dominican, Cuban, Honduran, Japanese, etc. I still have not enjoyed a Cuban Sandwich or Media Noche, maybe lunch or dinner today. Good eats to all.

Too bad for the Spurs, eh?

Miami is quite the city. The Latin culture is so deep in the city, it feels as if I am back in the Dominican or Brazil. Today, Mary and I are off to the Keys and possibly a Haitian Fesival tomorrow.

 Adios.

I have experienced saudade recently. Saudade has been placed on one of the most difficult words in the world to translate. It’s Portuguese for, as Wikipedia, put’s it, “feeling of longing for something that one is fond of, which is gone, but might return in a distant future.” The closest word in English really is “miss.”

I have saudade for AFCO. I’ve been tracking the current group, they departed last night, for the past 24 hours. At the moment, they are probably sitting at a restaurant enjoying lunch in Bangkok. They truly are lucky ones, some are on their second time there. I know what a 14 hour flight is like, I’ve experienced them a few times. Well I wish you all the best.

Sa-wat dee.

LAXHKG