Adaptation

Things are generally different over here.

Internet technology is a little on the intermittant side. Its been down here at my house since the day I arrived, hence lack of communication from my side. Its working OK now, but I think the days of whenever/wherever access I got used to in the US are long gone.

I am continually embalming myself with a cocktail of chemical sprays and creams. Alas my body requires assistance to fight off the power of the mighty yellow orb and the hunger of the tiny flying beasts. I am currently amidst a constant running battle with the local mosquitos who are resorting to ever more devious tactics in their quest for my blood. I was caught on the hop initially, but then managed to stay one step ahead of their feeding pattern, which was fairly systematic. Unfortunately, now they've happily devoured my right foot, left elbow and right shoulder, a new scattergun approach has been adopted, leaving me bemused and unable to second guess where the next strike will come. Recent hits have been registered in the right temple, the left shin and in the middle of my right side.

Cash is pretty tough to get hold of as well. A newly installed cash machine right on my doorstep was obviously too good to be true. Doesn't accept any of my cards. So I have to undergo raids on the financial district, location of ATM-central. Unfortunately HSBC chooses to charge me 4 quid every time I use their machine, so I try to limit my visits by taking out a fair wodge. Obviously this makes me a little vulnerable as I cross town on foot, then come back up the hill on the comedy tram, which still runs like it did in 1900 (ie, rammed full and frequent breakdowns).

Sleeping is also difficult given the soundtrack to ''Hideous Cacophany: The Movie" which plays outside my window every night and every morning. This is an epic aural masterpiece that features the Dogs of Rio in a starring role and includes hits like "We All Talk at the Top of Our Voices" and "Beep Beep, Bang Bang" (thats bang as in hammer, not gun in case you were wondering. Between New Years and Carnival is evidently the time to fix everything in the world.).

All this and I haven't even talked about the language barrier yet. I am trying, honestly I am. I'm studying a little every day, trying to make conversation as much as possible and even carrying round a little notebook to write down any new words that throw themselves in my path. The temptation is always there to default back to English, especially as my hosts and a lot of the people I see a lot speak good English, but I am determined on this one. I will succeed!

From all this, you may be thinking that I am not enjoying things here and that the challenges of my new environment are causing me to be negative. Well, this is very much not the case. As evidence to back it up, let me tell you what I did today. I woke up (to dogs and workmen as usual), did some stretching, ate a nice breakfast, caught up with the world on the internet, had a swim, had lunch, had another swim and invented numerous games involving a bouncy ball and two small footballs (I'd forgotten how much mileage this has - being a kid was fookin brilliant), went to the shop and now I'm writing the blog. Tonight I'm going to a big party downtown. I kind of like this lifestyle.

Also, I think someone once said that man's greatest challenge is adapting to change (now I think of it, I might have just made that up, in which case thats the best phrase or saying I've ever made up). Furthermore, my raison d'etre for this part of my life is to challenge myself in new and exciting ways and learn about myself from the experiences. Job's a good'un I reckon. I'm doin a Ronseal.

ps. If, like me, you have plenty of time on your hands, you may like my new feature. If you look down the side below the links, previous posts and story of how I got my name, you will find:
1. some quotations that may make you think a little
2. some music and book recommendations that my just bring a little aesthetic loveliness to your senses
I got so much love to give :)