The last entry into this blog took place on 13 October 2013. Many have asked why the sudden stop, why stop giving the people what they want? Opinion has divided families, conspiracy theorists shout cover up, others point to the moon (I am not sure why they are doing that - what would the moon have to do with it - those are silly people).
The truth is that I have been busy - blogging takes time and quite frankly I have had things to do. Also, no one ever asked me what I want, no one ever thought maybe Ryan needs a break. The only enquiry was when the next instalment was coming. Unrelenting pressure to constantly feed people's fix. "Your thoughts are so insightful", "Your blog has made me know that there is still beauty in this crazy world", and "I use your blog for tips on improving my marriage", are all things that readers have not said to me.
So the actual truth was that there was an event - one so abhorrent, so acrimonious, that it shocked my very being. It has been a long, difficult and emotional process to come to terms with what happened. So traumatic, that I am not sure that I am ready to talk about it.
So I won't.
I'm in Rosario, Argentina at the moment. Ola from Argentina. Estoy perdido. Donde esta el bano? I have arrived here after spending two weeks with the University of the Witwatersrand on a Global Study Tour - the opportunity for Wits to take 25 MBA students and visit another country to learn how business is conducted, forge international relationship, explore different cultures - and completely miss the point on all counts.
That ended yesterday. But with the close of one trip began another, and so commenced my journey for eight days through Argentina.
For those who have not been to South America, let me explain what I have learnt in the time I have been here. 1 - Not Spanish. 2 - South Americans on average do not speak English. 3 - Learn Spanish before you come to South America. 4 - Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish, so do not learn Spanish and then go to Brazil. 5 - Not knowing Spanish (and/or Portuguese) makes it difficult to get around, speak to people, order food, have an argument, order food, buy things, and read signs/maps/warnings of serious flooding or bee swarms.
These lessons helped me in travelling today. Well not in the actual travel, but in accepting that my travel will be more difficult because of such. First was the plan to get to the bus station. I had prepared my map the night before, using Google as a guide, and a an offline map for when I leave the wifi zone (I have a local sim, but do not know how to use it - see points 1-5 above). I knew that I had to get to Mercano - a station just a short walk from my hostel. Nervousness about travelling unaided was eased by my marked preparedness. On embarking on my journey, I enquired from the receptionist how to get to the station and I was told that it was easy, I was spot on, and that everything would be ok. He kissed my forehead and I walked out, confused.
The trip could have gone worse, but I did have to figure out that Mercano was a subway station not a bus station; I did close my directions while offline (losing them) and therefore walked into the local train station instead of the national bus station; and up and down about 100 bus kiosks trying to buy a ticket. But what is important was that I made it, although dignity was not quite in tact (you do things when you need a bus and do not speak English).
So there is that. I am alive. The blog will continue. I will not talk about plants. #notaboutplants.
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