¡Hola a todos!

I am sorry that it has, once again, been a little while since I wrote. The past week or so has been outrageously busy, culminating in the end of my month of Spanish classes at the university earlier this afternoon. It is due to this felicitous fact that I am, for the first time, writing a blog out of order (shock, horror). I took a wondrous trip across the River Plate earlier this week – Tuesday was a national holiday here in Argentina – to visit Colonia in Uruguay for an afternoon with some friends from the university. This trip was absolutely fantastic and deserves a detailed, loving account. Unfortunately, I am a little short of time at this moment (a great surprise, of course) and, also, I am so excited about the end of my course that I would rather blog about that today. I shall try to post details of the Uruguay trip as soon as I am able because I must share the love.

The past two days comprised two examinations in place of my final classes. Now, we all know just how great a fan I am of exams and these have been no exception. I was aware that we would be tested to see how far we had progressed in Spanish from the outset of the course at the beginning of March however, certain events – seemingly, though innocuously I am sure – conspired against me and so I found myself heading into both exams with the weakest preparation I think I have ever compiled before entering an examination hall. True, there are much more important things to see, do and experience in BA and my trip at large beyond revising for some inconsequential quizettes (as Mr P. would term them) but, “tests” they most certainly remain and I confess that I did feel slightly tainted upon sitting down at my examination desk. I need not have worried: both tests were fine and I applied myself well. Nonetheless, worry was not without due cause: no-one likes to fail, especially not in a subject as important as a sound grasp of Spanish is to me, both for this trip and potentially beyond. Furthermore, it was immensely satisfying to vindicate myself in front of teachers who had considered moving me down into Level One at the outset of the course. Two of my friends were also asked to drop down to Level One and both complied. They have enjoyed their time in class but, I am proud of myself for standing my ground, for fighting my corner and, ultimately, for justifying my faith in my own abilities – this, in fact, has been more rewarding, in my mind, than actually doing well in my exams, although the confidence gained from such showing has also been very welcome, of course! I am also pleased that I have been able to repay my teachers, who allowed me to remain and gave me the encouragement I required, when I needed it most. Indeed, I have enjoyed the company of both Ana and Luciana – I shall miss them both terribly. Luciana in particular has been a wonderful teacher, a super motivator and a lady with some fantastic insider knowledge of the places to go in BA; it has been my pleasure.

My time in BA is fast drawing to a close. I want to move on, to see pastures new and I must move on. I know this because I am beginning to get (ever more) lazy and far too comfortable here – I dislike partings at the best of times and so the sooner the easier; as Pete quite rightly points out to Charlie – a clean break is not so much better as easier. I am well aware that my situation and experiences will be very different from hereonin: each place must be treated with the same unique respect that it deserves but, nowhere shall I have quite so much time, quite such simple avenues down which to pursue places, friendships and meanings. I have met many wonderful people here in BA and I am sure that I shall continue to do so in the other places that fall across my labyrinthine path. This weekend then, I shall begin to bid farewell to BA, to its wonderful porteños (inhabitants) and to my brilliant friends – who knows, perhaps some of us shall meet further down the road; never can be an awfully final, haunting word. Nonetheless, a world awaits and, at its head (I think), a trip north, to the mighty Iguazu Falls that border Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. After that, I envisage a brief return to BA, followed by a bus, a plane, a train south into Patagonia. Adventure awaits – this way, perhaps, surely, more exhilaration lies.

I shall try to blog again soon – I feel that it may be necessary, for my sanity if nothing else (although I realize that I fall far short of your own personal hell of the past few weeks, Beth), to capture my thoughts and feelings concerning Colonia before I embark upon my trip to Iguazu. For those who have been contacting me through the message board, my heart-felt thanks; it is always a joy to read your comments and to learn about the news from home and wherever else you may be. If anyone would prefer to contact me by alternative means, I check my Hotmail account most regularly after this blog but, I fear that I shall never escape from the warm, tender, ultra-persistent embrace of Facebook, so there is ever-possible as well.

My love to you all and I hope that you remain well and happy!

¡Saludos!

David xxx