Speaking Spanish in New York

It’s amazing that I had to come all the way to New York to speak Spanish. I speak English at school all day and when I go home at night I speak Spanish with my girlfriend - Rosetta Stone. In New York, every second person speaks Spanish, including our new cousin by marriage Ariel. I was amazed last night that I could actually converse with a few Spaniards from Spain in their native tongue. I felt great…last night but today I just got home from having my shoes shined by a Spanish women and did not understand a word she was saying. When this happens to me in Central America, the people are usually from Nicarauga so I asked her where she was from; ( a donde esta vive?) she responded Queens! How embarrassing. At least I got my shoes shined. I have been waiting two months for this shine since the only time I ever got them shined was in Saigon which is a bit too far to travel from Playa Hermosa.

We just had a great time in New York. The wedding was great, as one would expect from the Shapiro’s. They really know how to throw a party. New York itself has absolutely everything to offer and then some. The people are incredibly and unfailingly friendly. You will never encounter a sour face or a harsh word. I kind of think it is because of the size of the city, but I am not sure about that hypothesis since many large cities do not seem to have the same openness about them. Everyone speaks to you, smiles and will walk way out of their way to take you where you want to go. No-one ever says don’t walk there…it is dangerous , which I am told all the time in Costa Rica. In fact, when I wanted to walk down to the docks to-night to see the new ship built out of the ruins of 9-11, I asked a doorman if it was safe to walk down 50th and he just looked at me as if I was crazy.
On another note, Daniel has this great deal with his company that provides complimentary passes for certain museums so we just spent some time, between the shoe shine and the hotel, going into the Natural Science Museum to learn about dinosaurs and space, it seems. If that is not your cup of tea, you can go next store to the Arts Centre, the Julliard School of Music or anyone else for that matter. As I said, New York has everything, even crazy cabbies, one of whom who told us Christ was returning October 25, 2010 so we should be prepared. I asked him how he got this date and why he was so sure of it, and he told me he got it from the radio so it must be true.
I wish I had the nerve to take pictures of people because New York brings out the fashionistas, the sloths and every day New Yorkers who come in all sizes and colours, but do dress in a very amazing way. I am struck both by the diversity as well as the nerve of some of them to wear what they do. Even though it is Monday and Broadway is dark, I think I will go out now anyway and see if I can get some tickets for something to-night. I will take my camera down to Times Square where I get the half price tickets and see if I can take some pictures of people.
Sorry, I am back, did some some amazing outfits but far too shy to take the pictures. It seems, by the way, no matter where you walk, there is some benefit happening or a movie or television show being made or some “event” New York should call itself the event city.

Tomorrow I am off to a school which I am sure I will find interesting. If I do, you will hear about it!