A Portuguese Progress Report

Portuguese Classes in Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Just like in high school, I’m learning to use a lot less tongue and focus more on the movements of my mouth. This is one the major pronunciation differences between Spanish and Portuguese, and I’m starting to pick it up. I still have a heavy Spanish accent and often use Spanish to fill in for Portuguese […]

Learning Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro

Learning Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro Brazil with Carioca Languages

Before I moved to Rio de Janeiro, I asked fellow travelers about the art of learning (Brazilian) Portuguese. To my surprise, they all pretty much responded the same way… “If you know Spanish, you’ll be fine.” I understood that Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French (among others) are rooted in Latin and are often referred to […]

Portraits of A Bolivian Book Fair & The Feelings Involved

La Feria de La Lectura in Sucre Bolivia

I’m writing this post from 35,000 feet in the air on my way from Santa Cruz, Bolivia to Cancun, Mexico. As I squeeze into the middle-row seat on a 6-hour flight between 2 layovers and an overnight bus ride, nothing can push me off the feeling I have at this moment. The feeling is of […]

How to Make Friends While Traveling

How to make friends

How to make friends is one of the most frequent questions I receive in the T2T inbox. The entire concept of this site focuses on that interaction and I base the success of each adventure on the friends I’ve made and authentic moments I’ve shared with locals. I’m not saying you can’t have the same […]

SPANISH, CHAPTER 5: Getting Organized

Learning Spanish in Medellin, Colombia

It feels good getting back into using my second tongue. I’m still far from fluent but I’m starting to grasp the vocab and dialect I need to have a decent conversation. One of my major goals for this trip in Colombia is to get my words organized and get a better understanding of the correct structure […]

8 Ways to Fake it ’til you Make it!

Fake it 'til You Make it

Before I could hold a decent conversation in Spanish, I had to come up with a few tactics to act like I knew a lot more than I really did. I dove in head first when I arrived in Buenos Aires, trying to learn the language as fast as possible, but the fact is it […]

Spanish, Chapter 4: Bueno, Entonces…

Study Spanish in Buenos Aires

First, I tried the private classes with Cecilia, which were great for getting me into the swing of things when I first arrived. However, I soon found out that I needed more structural help than conversational practice. So, I switched over to group Spanish classes at BASP. The 2-week intensive program helped me get a grasp on […]

SPANISH, CHAPTER 3: The Frustration

Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina

As mentioned in the 6-month Status Update, my formal Spanish lessons have been put on hold as of late due to tight funds. I have been working on a proposal to trade Spanish classes for marketing services but to be honest, I just haven’t finished it yet. Even without classes, I’m still learning a ton […]

STATUS UPDATE: 4.5 Months

Buller Pub Crew Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I haven’t done a STATUS UPDATE in awhile so I feel like I should take a minute to get myself organized and briefly fill everyone in on progress of the Tourist2townie.com mission. It seems crazy to be writing this 4 and a half months in. It honestly feels like i’ve been here for 2 weeks. […]

First Day of Group Spanish Classes in Buenos Aires

Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Last monday I started group Spanish classes at the Buenos Aires Spanish Center (BASP) near Congreso. BASP is a 2-week intensive Spanish program and classes are from 9:30am to 1:30pm (with a short break in between). The first 2 hours are spent on Spanish grammar and vocab while the second half of class focuses on conversational Spanish practice […]