Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted December 3, 2016 This is awesome, Sarge. I enjoy watching travel shows and learning about other cultures, but hearing it firsthand from a friend is infinitely better. The more I read the more I wish I had stuck with Spanish after 5 years of it in school. I was to the point where all I needed was fluency and a larger vocabulary. Hopefully if I pick up a text book it'll come screaming back to me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) This is awesome, Sarge. I enjoy watching travel shows and learning about other cultures, but hearing it firsthand from a friend is infinitely better. The more I read the more I wish I had stuck with Spanish after 5 years of it in school. I was to the point where all I needed was fluency and a larger vocabulary. Hopefully if I pick up a text book it'll come screaming back to me. In addition to the text book, I also recommend downloading DuoLingo for your phone.It's a grammar app that you can use to learn any language. On its own, it won't make you fluent. But it will help you review most of the grammar you learned in the past. I also suggest watching TV shows in Spanish. There is a great one that is free on YouTube called Extra. I show the English version to my students in class often. This show was made to target people who are learning a language. It uses simple, but natural, speech. It's kinda like an extremely-watered down version of Friends. Think about what Friends would be like if it was purposefully made as a language instruction show. Here's episode 1 in Spanish, if you want to give it a try. The only potential issue is that it's in the Spanish from Spain. As you know, it is a bit different from the Spanish in Latin American, but it's definitely worth watching for beginners and intermediate students of Spanish regardless. I also advise listening to music in Spanish. This song won Song of the Year at the Latin Grammys just about 3 weeks ago. That guy, Carlos Vives, is a God here. You can't go anywhere during the day or night without hearing his songs blasting from the radio. I would compare his popularity here with Michael Jackson's popularity in the U.S. in the 90's. He's that big. He's just not an international sensation like Michael was. Edited December 3, 2016 by Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 3, 2016 Americans dont realize how much America actually sucks. Said the American. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted December 4, 2016 Wait wait. What happened with the lady friend? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 4, 2016 Nothing bad happened between us. I told her I wanted to go to another city, and that she could come live with me there if she wanted. But we both knew that wasn't going to happen. Colombians don't just leave their families like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 17, 2016 Two weeks until I leave for Manizales. I don't really have as much left to say as I thought. It should be no surprise that futbol (soccer) is the most popular sport here. It is truly a staple of life here. I would say there is only one thing more beloved here than soccer: dancing. I don’t know though. That’s a stiff competition. Anyway, futbol pervades every aspect of life here. When the national team plays in the Copa America or a World Cup qualifier, entire cities go nuts. The traffic is awful when everyone rushes to get to their favorite bar with their friends and family to see the game. My friends and I always made reservations a few days in advance to be sure we had a spot at our favorite hangout. Most young boys here want to be the next James Rodriguez. Other than famous singers like Carlos Vives and Silvestre Dangond, James is the most beloved national hero in Colombia right now. Young people can be seen playing futbol anywhere where there is enough space. It’s fun to walk through one of the many big parks on a Saturday morning and watch the young people play futbol. Sometimes I even jump in myself for a few minutes, but I can’t keep up anymore. When Colombia’s team plays a big match, the city becomes a sea of yellow. I think there are people here who make a living solely by selling the national futbol shirts. Talking about futbol might be the easiest way to strike up conversation and make friends. Even at the bars at night, groups of guys often kind of ignore the girls to talk futbol. In between dance sets, the guys pour drinks and shoot the shit about James, what’s going on in the world of futbol, and when and where the next pickup game is. However lots of girls love futbol, too, and not just because they want to fit in with the guys. Girls futbol is really popular here. They enjoy sitting with the guys and drinking a beer and watching the game. They often swear at the refs when something bad happens as much as the guys do. It’s a sexy sight to behold. I don't really have much else to say unless anyone has any questions. On to Manizales! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 25, 2016 I really hope it's just because of the holidays, but I am having second thoughts about leaving. I hope I'm not making a big mistake. I'm going to miss my friends and the people I've met here a lot... and I kinda still miss my ex who would still totally take me back... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted December 26, 2016 I really hope it's just because of the holidays, but I am having second thoughts about leaving. I hope I'm not making a big mistake. I'm going to miss my friends and the people I've met here a lot... and I kinda still miss my ex who would still totally take me back... Go with your heart man, it always knows whats best for you. Don't rush into a decision in the heat of the moment either, you will almost always regret it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 26, 2016 My mind says go, my heart says stay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 26, 2016 (edited) And now my ex wants to see me... Edited December 26, 2016 by Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted December 26, 2016 Based on your FB post I'm guessing you're staying? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted December 27, 2016 Yep. I'm really happy about it, and so are my friends. And so is she. We hadn't seen or spoken to each other in over a month, but when she came over today, we picked up right where we had left off. I feel so relieved. When it came down to it, I am sure I would have regretted leaving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted December 29, 2016 Yep. I'm really happy about it, and so are my friends. And so is she. We hadn't seen or spoken to each other in over a month, but when she came over today, we picked up right where we had left off. I feel so relieved. When it came down to it, I am sure I would have regretted leaving. Like I said. Always stick with your heart, you can never go wrong then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick 791 Posted December 29, 2016 I just realized we weren't friends on Facebook. Sorry Matt, IIRC a while back I was in the process of trimming my friends list down, and at the time I was in a pissy mood and my mindset was "I'm never gonna see these guys in real life anyway" and removed some TGP folk lol. That's my bad. I sent you a request...if you can find it in your heart to forgive me. :/ lol I'm happy for you, man. Sounds like you made the right decision. I'm curious, do your friends in Colombia watch the European leagues such as the Premier League or La Liga? Or do they just stick to watching the Colombian league and international games? 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 29, 2016 He just wants pictures of hot Colombian women, don't do it Sarge! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJORN 679 Posted December 29, 2016 I'm happy for you, man. Sounds like you made the right decision. I'm curious, do your friends in Colombia watch the European leagues such as the Premier League or La Liga? Or do they just stick to watching the Colombian league and international games? I heard that they do but that they generally avoid watching shit teams like Liverpool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted January 1, 2017 They watch everything here. if it's soccer, they watch it. Well, except for the lolMLS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) Looks like it was a good idea to stay... So this morning my roommate woke me up and said they needed someone at the TV station to do a program in English. I said what the hell and jumped out of bed. First time ever on TV. I had no time to plan what I was going to say, so this was 100% winging it. Edited February 2, 2017 by Sarge 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted February 2, 2017 Now that you're a TV star, will you still visit TGP on occasion? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 2, 2017 I'll see if I can fit it in my schedule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted February 10, 2017 Won't lie to you Sarge. You seemed very natural and fluid on camera. You may have a future there. You did an excellent job projecting your topic too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJORN 679 Posted February 11, 2017 Your blue eyes seduced me 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 11, 2017 I might get a chance to do that again in the near future. My school wants me to do an online lesson for their website, too. I'm going to start taking salsa dancing lessons next week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 14, 2017 Just had my first salsa lesson. Definitely wont be my last. Looks like my life is headed for another (awesome) change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Me with world champion salsa dancer Nilson Castro! He's from Cali, a city far away in the south of Colombia. It is considered the capital of salsa. My instructor was able to convince him to come by our studio and give us a lesson. It was so awesome! Sometimes I pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. A year ago I was getting ready for this trip, but I had no idea what would eventually happen. Going on TV, meeting and dancing with a world champion salsa dancer... I swear I am never leaving this place. I've had more fun and more amazing things happen to me in less than a year here than I did my entire adult life back home. Edited March 5, 2017 by Sarge 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
