Stoking the fire
02/28/2009 at 10:39 from (47.6144077, -122.3383877)
I know it's been awhile, but we haven't been sleeping on the job. In fact, although there hasn't been a post in over a month, we've been really busy with trip-related stuff (although primarily with school and work).
We've been trying to steep ourselves more and more in the cultures we'll be encountering in South America. Ostensibly, this is to lessen the inevitable shock and recoil that results from being dropped into an alien culture... but really it's just a thinly veiled excuse for us to stay excited about a trip that at times seems so far off, both in terms of time and money.
To expand our Spanish vocabulary, we've both subscribed to Spanish Word A Day email alerts. The emails feature a word or phrase, its translation, conjugations (if it's a verb) and a sentence or two that sets it in context. I also found, in talking with Ken (the CEO at the company I loyally serve), that there are groups that meet up around Seattle just to practice speaking Spanish. Perhaps the largest of these is the Seattle Spanish Society, who host "group intercambios" every week at bars right around where we live.
I'll start making a regular go of these meetings, in addition to the podcasts and CDs we're already listening to. If anybody knows of any audio lessons, podcasts, or meetup groups that will teach Argentine Spanish, please let us know!
We have also been preparing ourselves materially for the trip. In addition to chatting up everybody we know who's ever done substantial traveling (the enthusiasm and advice of Christian, Ken, Jay, Scooter, and others has been extremely helpful and inspiring), we've also started liquidating our possessions en masse. Books, games, appliances, furniture, and knick-knacks are all up for sale on craigslist, with more on the way.
In another bold move aimed at slashing costs, we're moving out of our apartment in a month, as well. There might be more details on that as March draws to a close. Not having to part with a fat rent check every month will definitely help our finances.
Suffice it to say, we've only grown quieter on the web front because the other elements of our plan have begun accelerating. The promise of long, warm beaches and no deadlines keeps us pressing on, however. There might be no greater motivation than an extended, fast-approaching, utterly awesome holiday.