last day

Today was my last day of class. I am glad of it. German Peter is making me crazy. He is having an extremely difficult time with the imperfect vs. indefinite. Today he scolded dear Marta, with her free-spirited teaching style, and told her that she ought to give us a list of clear rules for the past tense. He is taking tango lessons and comes to class each day to proudly report that he is improving.
Instead of more school I am going to Uruguay starting monday. Being my first real travel plans, I am nervous. My doubts come to life most concerning hostel accomodations. The hostels that get good reviews are the ones that supply some version of a 24hr party. I am not very much fun, I don´t think. I don´t want the party. I suppose I am still figuring out what it is that I do want in an accomodation, but I don´t think it is the party. The photos are most detering for me: subjects always sunburnt, always gathered around plastic patio furniture, always with plastic cups. I am excited nevertheless, as this is the beach part of my trip. I am going to ride a horse on the beach I think, I don´t care how much it costs.

When I arrived home from school today, Elsa was there with her nephew. He has down syndrome, and Elsa cares for him sometimes. I sat with them in Elsa´s cool dark living room listening to Michael Jackson. Her Nephew was shirtless, and wearing several rosary bead strands around his neck and tremendously thick glasses. He asked me many questions which I did not understand and Elsa would repeat them for me slowly and clearly. I in turn would answer back to her nephew-a sort of three way conversation. It was surreal. Perhaps the most striking thing was how normal it was for me to be unable to understand a word of what he was saying. He was just like the rest of them, incomprehensible. I suppose it is all relative.
I really like Elsa. I like how she goes around with her blouse unbuttoned and her lacy bra and wrinkly stomach exposed. I also like the way she carries her little radio around with her all about the apartment. I am going to miss her and I flatter myself that she will miss me.