Hill Billy Rambling

I met a man on the hill as we say, a wide-eyed arm-waving man who babbled in bullets of Spanish at me. He spoke no English and it took me a couple of minutes to work out that he had no idea where he was, compounded by the fact that he had taken LSD, lost in mind and body. So when he realised that I was heading home he latched on to me joyously for the 2 hour walk out. He bounded along behind me talking about all sorts of exciting things no doubt, with me nodding and smiling amicably. He was one of those occasional characters you meet who find the lack of any real communication no impediment whatsoever to a happy conversation. On the way I went for a swim in the river, in possibly the most beautiful swimming spot i have ever seen, the water absolutely crystal clear, it was six metres deep and I could see pebbles on the bottom. But it was also the coldest water I have ever been in. And when I emerged spluttering and shaking from the river he seemed not to realise why and leapt in, still in his trousers, only to immediately clamber frantically back out, unable to speak with the cold. He looked at me with a little distrust and I felt like i'd made a puppy lick a lemon. But I shared my lunch with him and he happily resumed his non communication with me.

We met other walkers on the way out who spoke Spanish, they bitched a little about him, said he kept repeating himself and was a genuinely stupid guy. But the walkers were generally dour types, as some tend to be, and he brightened my day, apparently he kept saying I saved his life. In return he tried to set us up on a double date with two girls on the bus back. Me and Dick, he said. I think I was Dick.

Turns out he was training to be a mountain guide.

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My Spanish is getting better though. I spent over 6 days with a doctor from Buenos Aires who acted as my on trek/in shop/in restaurant language teacher. It was far better than any class ever could have been and free. And it was only during these all day classes that I realised what an easy language English is to learn.

Past: I He She You It They We ran.
Future: I He She You It They We will run.

Easy. Here's me like a fool giving kudos to all those around the world who speak English as a second language. Now I'm in on the joke.

During these classes I also learned the small but important distinction between mi gusto and mi gusta, it gives me pleasure and I pleasure myself.

Waiter: Did you enjoy your meal?
Dick: Yes it was delicious, I pleasure myself.