Talk of swine flu has died down in the U.S., but in Argentina (where it's winter) it's all the rage and more. Exiting the plane in Buenos Aires we each had to wear a mask and then go through a health screening. Schools have been closed for a month. New restrictions have been enacted — no children shopping alone in malls alone, a seat between each person at movie theaters.
To date, 50 people have died of swine flu in Argentina.
Every year, 10,000 people die of seasonal flu in the U.S.
– “Ideas” is one of the hardest words for non-native speakers to pronounce. Especially in French but in all European languages.
– “Make” as a verb is overused by non-native speakers. For example, “let’s make a picture” instead of “let’s take a picture.” I assume it’s like me using tener as a catch-all verb in Spanish.
– I like how the Brits say “indeed” as a superlative. E.g., “Thank you very much indeed for that speech.”
– I remain fascinated by how non-natives have a very hard time selecting “this” or “that” – they select but it’s usually not the right one. Grammatically makes no difference but how it sounds to the ear…. For example, “The boys were being very rude at the show by yelling out at the audience. I can’t believe they acted like this.” The last word should be “that” — at least this sounds best to my ear.
This is my fourth time to Switzerland in four years. It remains my favorite place abroad. After San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boulder, I have spent more time in Zurich than anywhere else.
– When I stay with people one of my challenges is breakfast. I eat breakfast every day but some people do not, and if you’re not a breakfast person you don’t think of asking your guest about this. But my hosts in St. Gallen — they’re German – they take bfast seriously, as all Germans do. And they’ve been very attentive to my breakfast plans.
– The Swiss have huge amounts of pride in their country. I notice this every year.
– Swiss banking secrecy is as much an issue of Swiss identity as it is a competitive differentiator. Without the secrecy, who are the Swiss? Is life worth living?
– Easy way to make conversation with a Swiss person: Ask if they prefer Migros or Coop, the two main discount groceries. It’s an epic battle.
I spent a few days by myself in Cartagena on the coast of Colombia. Beautiful place but I think my expectations were too high going into it. I had heard such great things that I was preparing for paradise. Instead I got weather way too hot and tropical for my SF-fog-drenched self. Plus I'm not too into old colonial buildings — I've seen it a million times in Europe.
The beaches aren't bad — better than I had been told. The people are friendly. Coastal food a bit different than in Bogota. Very walkable.
What young male wouldn't get excited at the below?