A life in Colombia
Spanish
The Joy of Spanglish
One day I am going to speak such beautiful Spanish, people will believe I was born and raised in Plaza Simon Bolivar. Until that time, I will apparently make more ridiculous mistakes than all of my friends – due to a dyslexia-esque problem that forces me to confuse similar sounding words. For example: “Good afternoon, […]
MoreHow to speak Colombian Spanish #3: ‘Friend’
1) “Ella es mi amiga,” – said with a slight shrug and a twinkle in the eye. Literal meaning: She is my friend. Actual meaning: I have a crush on this girl and I’m just waiting for the right moment to persuade her to cheat on her boyfriend. 2) “Ella es mi amiga,” – said […]
MoreHow to speak Colombian Spanish #2: ‘Sorry’
1) “Lo siento,” – said in a low tone, accompanied by a wide mouth grimace and a look of fear. Literal meaning: I’m sorry/I regret it. Actual meaning: I’m shit scared, I know I’m in the wrong and you have every right to kick my ass. Best Used: When you’ve invaded someone else’s country. 2) […]
MoreHow to speak Colombian Spanish #1: ‘No’
1) “Si, si,” – pronounced as short syllable, accompanied by a wide smile, nodding head and the occasional “bueno”. Literal meaning: Yes. Actual meaning: Most probably. 2) “Si-i,” – pronounced as a medium-length syllable, alongside a faint shoulder shrug and small smile. Literal meaning: Yes. Actual meaning: Maybe. 3) “Siiiiiii,” – pronounced as a long […]
MoreIt will be a dating disaster
“How long has it been since you last went on a date?” my friends asked me, trying to be kind. I made a noise that sounded like “Um-I-don’t-know” but it was apparently so pathetic they decided I needed a plan. I was ordered to write a list of four people in my life whom I […]
MoreRescue me. I’m a little princess.
“Where are we going to have lunch?” I asked my housemate Julian, as we stepped off the bus. The question was framed in my usual schoolgirl Spanish. “Um, I need to tell you something about the way you speak Spanish,” he replied, ignoring what was clearly an important question. “Okay,” I groaned. Julian is adept […]
MoreA love affair with Lima
I love cities. I bloody, bloody love them. I arrived in Lima at 8am. It was a gloriously sunny day. My hostel – Hotel Espana – was one of the most charming places I’ve ever stayed. It was three storeys of curiosities, packed with huge pre-Raphaelite paintings and faux Roman classical sculpture, culminating in a […]
MoreEnding up in hospital…
I have discovered there is something annoying about writing a blog. Unfortunately, if you write a blog, you have to make a vague stab at being truthful even when you’ve plumbed previously inconceivable depths of idiocy. This blog should be about the Saturday I spent snorkelling with baby sealions and ploughing through dark and choppy […]
MoreA tale of two beaches…
I was in the highest of spirits that afternoon as I walked to the beach to meet Pam. Now, there are two beaches we frequent on San Cristobal. Playa Man is your typical hangout. It is still smothered with sea lions and you can watch the blue footed boobies diving – but it just has […]
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Banana Skin Flip Flops 