Pensamientos a Partir de la Semana Una....

So I´ve been here in Carorita for one week and everything has been fantastic. Hopefully soon I will be able to post some pictures on here. But until then, here are some things I´ve learned this past week:

• If a teenage Venezuelan boy knows how to say anything at all in English, it is most likely something vulgar. Now that I think about it, this is true for American kids as well. On a related note, if a teenage Venezuelan boy tells you to make a remark in Spanish to a teenage girl, do not do it…..they are wily and not to be trusted.
• Apparently if a farmer is in his field of lettuce and needs to relieve himself, it is kosher to do so in the middle of the field….on the lettuce. The point is, washing your lettuce does not seem like such a hassle now.
• If you have trouble remembering somebody’s name, and they don’t speak English, just make up an American nickname for them. It is hilarious (and convenient) for you and them. So far I’ve gotten to know LL Cool J, Pimp Daddy, The Fonz, Mary Jane Noble, Stink-eye, and Arsenio Hall.
• Venezuelan kids love ringtones. So far, my favorite one has been a Kenny Rogers song. Also, the other Kenny Rogers was mentioned on the front of the sports page in the local paper the other day. Perhaps Venezuelans have an affinity for people named Kenny Rogers?
• I will be at least 50% cooler when I get a mustache and sombrero.
• Pigs are disgusting. Have you ever seen one of those things eat? I’m pretty sure they would eat diapers if given the chance.
• My local friends threw me a surprise birthday party a few nights ago. Somebody told me that it is tradition for the guest of honor to take a bite directly off of the cake. This is a lie; somebody will shove your face into the cake. I’m pretty sure this is true everywhere.
• Some harmless American idioms should probably not be translated unless you want to end up as a registered sex offender. Ask resident pervert Stewart Hill for details.
• Tilling a field of lettuce is exactly as fun as it looks. I owe that farmer at least $50 for accidental lettuce casualties.

Seriously though, the people have been so gracious and kind to me (even though it takes me at least 30 seconds to stutter out something that translates to ¨what did you doing todays?¨). Ok, that´s all for now; stay posted for pictures, tales, and other reflections.