leons, tigres, y osos

I am here: http://maps.google.es/maps?q=la%20falda%20argentina%20map&rls=com.microsoft:es&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7ADFA_es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=es&tab=wl

I flew to Cordoba Saturday and found out I will be spending the next four weeks in La Falda, living with a woman named Helen in her home where she runs an English school for local children and adults.  I was relieved to discover she could speak English, orginally from Cape Town, South Africa.  Spent the weekend chatting, walking, and meeting lots of people in the town.  And of course sleeping- I think the jet lag is catching up on me. 
This area in Argentina is so beautiful, in a valley between Los Sierras de Cordoba.  Rolling hills, rivers.

I would say I have gone from "No hablo espanol", to "entiendo espanol"- I understand, un poco. 
I have developed such an appreciation for communication soley from not being able to do it very well for the past 10 days.  However I am trying to not be so hard on myself and believe that by completely saturating my brain and listening to the conversations around me, I will someday (hopefully soon) regurgitate.  I have also learned that communication involves much more than words.  Expressions, actions and body language have said so much more for me to understand, I have found my way though the art of miming.
Anyways I am usually quiet so things arent completely different.
As I was in great need, I began my first Spanish class this morning with another lady named Diana, and in the afternoon took a bus and arrived at Tatu Carreta, the park where I will be volunteering.

It is quite nice, lots of birds, llamas, monkeys, deer (oh my!) and a jaguar.  Neato!  But I think I will be staying out of that enclosure, gracias.  Had a wonderful afternoon full of shovelling goose poo, but fed most of the animals at the end of the day which I really enjoyed.  It reminds me a bit of my Flying Goose Farm days so hopefully it will be as peaceful, restorative, and labour intensive.

At 7pm I went to catch the same bus back and determined it was far too inconvenient, and it just might be possible to run the 8 km back to mi casa.  About 5 mins in and already realizing I perhaps made the wrong decision to leave the bus stop, Alejandro- the other worker at Tatu, pulls up and shouts "Estas loca!", apparently I should indeed not run home. 
Numero 17 on my things to do list: ride on a motorcycle- check.  (Earmuffs mom)  He was nice enough to give me a lift, save me the 3 pesos, and get me home safe and sound.  But lesson learned, tomorrow I will be taking the bus.
Besos