Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi, I’d like to chime in on allergies. Most people have fewer problems in the tropics and there is a very interesting reason for this. Tropical plants are some of the most advanced plants on earth and most plants are highly specialized for pollination by insects or animals. Therefore, you will find much fewer wind pollinated plants in the tropics. I found that I had chemical pollution allergies in San Jose (just as I do in Bangalore, Bangkok, Paris, Mexico City, and other polluted cities), but in well ventilated areas, no problems at all. However, be aware, that mold/mildew can be a problem in moist environments, so that is a type of allergy to be wary of.
To answer your question dear Diego, I DO appreciate it when USA (or other) men express their admiration of me. I always respond with a sincere thank you and huge smile or wave. It just happens a lot more freely in central america than it does in USA. Men in the US are usually so surprised by my response that they are rendered speechless and I don’t have to worry about “harassment”. Diego, i hope you didn’t think I didn’t appreciate that you started this post by pointing out your minor spelling error. Obviously, my positive response about why I love CR should indicate that I was pleased you created that subject. Do you need a thank you on a hand engraved stationary? 😉
Peace and love,
DarcyThough I’m not living in CR yet (it’s a dream in progress) I am drawn there by the experiences I’ve had. From every single person wishing me a “buenos dias” on my way to breakfast from the little old ladies to young men, heck even the dogs are friendly, waking up to birds singing, sunsets that make even atheists believe in God….solo buenos! I must admit that my ego is constantly stroked by handsome young men calling me bonita, linda, etc… I absolutely love it. In the US, people don’t tell you what they’re thinking, and you have to guess how they feel. The heart is worn on the sleeve in CR.
By the way, “palette” (as in an artist’s palette) is the correct spelling in your particular case Diego.
I think it sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, that’s why diego’s pals didn’t want to do it twice (not because it sucked). But once is a great opportunity, and if you speak fluent spanish it will make your life easier. That was a fantastic idea about bolting a safe to the chassis of the car. I’d do some google searches like ” —-american highway travelogue” or something like that to see if you can read some real life stories. I’m suer there will be challenges, but there will also be rewards. Be safe and have a great time!
Edited on May 30, 2007 15:26
I understand that point, but he knows I’m trying to improve my Spanish so I don’t think he would intentionally misspell or use contractions. He grew up in San Jose but perhaps didn’t have access to as much education…
Generally, if you are interested in factual information, wikipedia might not be your best source. I love my little facts and figures book that comes free with my Economist subscription every year. 🙂
I’m totally intrigued now about my friend, as he is a native Costa Rican from San Jose and an adult so it must be something to do with his education level. Of course, I would not want to bring this up in a conversation as I feel that would be very insulting. To his credit, he is able to utilize the internet in order to send email…or maybe he is just unfamiliar with the keyboard and doesn’t know how to use backspace… my mother is a sloppy typist and doesn’t bother to correct any of her mistakes either, but it makes it harder for me to absorb his Spanish because I must first go through and correct what I perceive as potential errors.
And all this time I thought the spelling “perpetural” was some sort of inside joke on WeLoveCostaRica. I thought perhaps it was poking fun at chubby white folk who come from those parts where they speak kinda funny… I’m pretty sure my gramma (god bless her), or a certain president, would use this word along with “exspecially”. As in “I exspecially wish this perpetural nitpicking would stop”.
THanks for the technical aspects on that GringoTico. That same subjunctivo (or whatever, I’m bad with terminology) exists in French today as well. I’m quite certain it also exists in Italian, and probably Portuguese as well. My point is that it is commonly used by Spanish speakers still. I don’t care about English, I’d be happy never to hear modern English spoken again. I think there are many instances when this tense is very appropriate, and it’s a shame that we aren’t still using it in English. I guess we can just have/buy whatever we want here in America (where I am currently), so there is no sense talking in such a dreamy manner. In my eyes, the tense almost takes on a reverent tone, kind of an “inshallah” (god willing) tone. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it is also very polite, as if making your request and hoping that the eyes of God will perhaps notice and make it become true.
But back on spelling, guegues instead of juegues, that’s just a common error, no? And wouldn’t it be tuyo instead of tullo? Again, I feel these are very common words, perhaps my penpal (a Tico)is dyslexic or maybe has a low level of education or is a lazy typist. I just wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing some key difference.
it is a conjugate of the verb “to want” and it’s futuro, meaning “i would like/want”. believe me, my spanish isn’t that great, but i’ve learned a lot just practicing with native speakers. when you take classes, you don’t even get into the different tenses until you are advanced, but in real life you talk about the future and the past all the time. that is why i believe there is no substitute for immersion. and by the way, most spanish dictionaries don’t list the conjugates of a verb, they only have a little chart somewhere in the front or back that tells you how to do it, so most verb forms won’t be listed in your book.
Edited on May 24, 2007 15:52
okay thanks. however, i thought that quisiera was an extremely common word, so that is why i was wondering if there were regional spellings that perhaps I was unaware of.
I love http://www.kayak.com for flights. They search all the cheapo things like orbitz, etc… and you can set up to have daily alerts sent to you, for example if you are looking for a specific pricepoint.
