...haz como los Portenos.

Hola from Buenos Aires! You may have already noticed that this blog might be a little bit of a mix of English and Espanol. I am trying to learn Spanish as quickly as I can but that's still registering as "quite slow" on the learnometer it seems to me. So all the practice I can get is bien recibida.

Welcome to my new blog! For those of you familiar with my previous blogging (on Lands End to JohnO'Groats and the West Coast of America) -welcome back! but please note this will be a less frequent blogging experience. Daily posting is a big commitment and I'm not going to do it this time. However, I expect I'll want to put something on here about weekly. Maybe it'll be weekly and maybe you'll see nothing for 3 weeks and then a festival of blogging - I just don't know yet. As it could be annoying to folks checking the blog and not seeing anything here I've arranged for an email to be sent to the most likely candidates (those who have asked for updates) each time a new post is put on. If you want to be removed or if you'd like to be added to that list let me know on jamescockburn@blueyonder.co.uk and I'll see what I can do.

Setting the scene.... I have 10 weeks over here and for the first 4 I will be teaching English in Posadas (in the north East of Argentina). For the other 6  - I currently have no plans. I want to experience a few new things and relax a bit too before making the big decisions about what I'm going to do next and have to contemplate the "w" word again.

So here I am in South America and I actually have to remind myself I am indeed in South America because so far I feel right at home in Buenos Aires. It has lots of Spanish (of course) and Italian influences and los Portenos appear to be a very friendly and helpful bunch. Only twice or thrice have I taken my tourist map out into the sunlight to ponder and each and every time a local has stopped to ask if I need help or directions.

The food has a very european feel and although there is a big financial centre here and industry too, there also appears to be a mediterranean-style lets-not-rush-things-too-much attitude. You know, it's pretty hot here - if you rush around you just end up all hot and bothered. Secondly, there's so much to enjoy and chat about so why rush along? I like this!

Ok, before I get carried away here and chill out completely, I have to remember that tomorrow I fly to Posadas to teach English. I have this very day submitted (at the second attempt - they're not easy!) the final assessment of my online TEFL (Teach English as a foreign language) course. The deep end will be waiting for me on Monday - my first day at the school. However, that's what I'm here for - a bit of deep end can't-speak-the-language and need-to-pretend-I'm-a-teacher action could do me good.

Noteworthy stuff so far....?

Dulce de Leche - this was recommended by two Argentinians - one on the flight and another who tried to help me with my map in a cafe. Dulce de Leche is apparently an institution here. I tried it and here's my thoughts.... most of you know I don't have a sweet tooth... but in small quantities DDL is very nice. Moreover it is remarkably similar to Scottish tablet! It is basically made by heating up some milk and adding sugar until it melts and all turns brown. When it cools it hardens a bit on the outside but remains a little soft on the inside. Sound like tablet? In reality I think the scottish version is a bit sweeter (being made from condensed milk according to a web recipe - we do like things sweet en Escosia!). DDL is used in almost any sweet/dessert on the menus here and apparently opinions are divided on the best brand and this can cause heated debate.

Argentinian Steak - is phenomenal! I've had 2 steaks already and can't get enough.

Spanish speaking update - I've had mixed results so far. My reading is much better than my conversation skills. However, I'm beginning to try to at least learn from every conversation (or failed conversation). Some people do speak very good English and it's difficult to speak spanish with them as they revert to English to help out or get things sorted quickly. However, some people don't speak English much and that's when the awkward silences can arise! Oh well, I've done not too bad so far - I had a wee chat with a Chilean bloke on the tourist bus today and managed to argue back to a woman complaining about me jumping the queue - I hadn't, by the way!

Ok, that's probably enough given I need to get up for an early flight. One thing before I go - for how long have we not been allowed liquids on flights? Anyone tried to take a bottle of whisky in hand luggage recently? That'll be me! I had to take the walk of shame at Edinburgh International Airport back through security to check in a second bag! The shame!!!

Thankfully my ticket allowed 2 hold bags and double thankfully it arrived safely - it's a wee present for the folks I'll be staying with in Posadas.

Until next time...

Ciao Ciao!

PS What is he talking about with the "Portenos"...?!!
...I looked up google to see if there was a word for someone who lives in Buenos Aires and the best it came up with was Portenos (which means people of the port). Anyway, there isn't a word like Roman or Glaswegian or New yorker for the inhabitants of Buenos Aires.