Colorado

Day 40: 10/10/08

My day was similar to my other weekdays. The only notable editions was that I had music class/practice today where we played Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne because these people love their shitty classic rock/metal, and then we played Heart Shaped Box because they also have an obsession with Nirvana. Yet I mention Radiohead, and no one has heard of them. Then I mention David Bowie, and nothing. Queen also solicits no response. None of them had heard Under Pressure when I played it for them, yet they all have Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” memorized. What is this?

But, after having met a couple of different groups of people now, I feel like I am inclined to comment on what people say when I tell them I am from the United States, and more specifically Colorado. Most of them know where Colorado is, and they mention something about either the Grand Canyon, which isn’t technically in Colorado, but close, so I’ll give it to them, or the Rocky Mountains. I’m pretty sure that Colorado is the most well known “Mid-West” state, because a couple of people have asked me for states surrounding Colorado, and they haven’t known those.

Then people ask me what the capital of Colorado is, to which I reply “Denver”. Normally, their face lights up and they say “oh, the Denver Nuggets!” I’m telling you, people like basketball. After this, they proceed to ask me all sorts of questions about basketball, which I attempt to answer, but I guarantee you I’m wrong most of the time. However, I now know that there are 5 Spanish born NBA players at the moment, and that there are hopes for more in the near future.

After we have the location out of the way, the conversation either turns to “tienes messenger?” Which is people asking if I have MSN messenger. I haven’t used MSN messenger in ages but I had to create one on my first day here. And some people start peppering me with questions about the US, such as the drinking age (which they always scoff at) and what type of music we listen to and all that good stuff. Most people here listen to shitty music, as they are always asking if I know of Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and System of a Down. I say yes and then try to explain that I don’t like that music, but it never works out the way I planned. I’m somewhat of a novelty here, as I’m sure most exchange students are, and it’s funny to be regarded in the sense that everyone knows you, but not because of you, just because of where you’re from. That definitely takes some getting used to.

Plus, today I learned that “Colorado” in Spanish means to “go red”, or blush.  Now you know.  Oh, and “guay” means cool, and “chojo” is a punk.  I’ve been learning slang.

Peace.