Castellano?

I have discovered the best way of gaining confidence in speaking a language. Go to a country where you can`t speak a word, Brasil for instance, then go somewhere where you can speak un poco. Words flow, ungrammitically and poorly pronounced, but you don`t care, the ability to communicate even on a base level removes all worries.

I plan to start studying next week, have even bought a childrens book and am wading thru that at glacial speed. Seem to cover about a page and a half whislt consuming the first cafe doble of the day. Then speak to whomsoever will listen, quite a long chat with the jefe of a wineshop whilst "tasting" (necking) a bottle. Any wine lovers out there should checkout Dona Paula Cab 2004, very good and about 8 quid.

Buenos Aires hasn`t changed, it`s still great, noticibly less wealthy than Sao Paulo. ( The cars alone prove that). But no worse for it. Steaks are bigger than i remember, likewise the bottles of beer ( a litre for 50p - forgotten that too). All is good, all i`ve got to do is learn the language, with some careful neglect i may have to stay here a very long time.

Chau.