The art of listening ...

Sitting on the boat, heading to uraguay, I've been reflecting on the art of listening. When talking to someone in your native tongue, you skip hearing all the words and still understand the speakers meaning. When you learn a different language, they suggest the same thing. When you're overseas however, you can look the total twat when you fail to listen.

Two deb "twat" moments today, and it's only just lunchtime! Taxi on the way to the boat, I was so concerned about telling him where I needed to go, in spanish, that when he asked me if I was going to uraguay, I said no, colonia. He said yes, uraguay. Twat (me not him). Then going through customs to get on the ferry, asked if I had my boarding pass ... I answered yes, not realizing it was only a ticket I had and was yet to check in. Go on, say it, twat!

I guess I need to practice a little more!

.....

There is a flip side to this, some days later, still in Uruguay and I finally listened, responded and smiled ....