Patience- No Entiendo!

Yes- it is true. I received another ransom note. But this one was not quite as nasty. I ordered some books about a month ago for school. I heard books were the one thing that they allow to pass through the system without an ordeal. And who would want to steal a book on anatomy and physiology anyway? It is not like there is a shortage of pornographic materials on the news stands at every corner- much cuter than the naked women in the A&P book too. However, in lieu of my book, I received a note that it was being held hostage- but this time closer to home. I took the Subte down to the post office in Retiro, as the note commanded I do.

For those of you who have waited until the last minute to send your tax forms on April 15th or mailed a Christmas package out on December 22nd- you have seen a bit of chaotic mail frenzy. Take that memory- and double the amount of people- but cut the staff in half. This is the Retiro Post Office.

So I take a number. I wait. And wait. and wait. Finally my number is called. My note is taken- stamped- signed- and I am given a new number. I feel like a cow being herded and tagged for sale. I am directed to another room where the rest of the cattle are patiently grazing. For those of you that know me well- patience is not something I really possess. I gave it up long ago in order to thrive in a world with two older siblings and tall people who got noticed more than me. If I wanted something- I needed to demand it or it would never happen. I would get beaten to the punch. I needed to keep up- or would get left behind. (The last time I exerted any patience was in 4 year old kindergarten. I was sent to the corner for talking during reading time. As the bell rang and all the other students left the room, I "patiently" waited for Mrs Perkins to tell me it was okay to get out of the corner. Four hours later, I was found by the janitor.... still patiently waiting in the corner in a dark room by myself- still standing in the corner- nose to the wall..... Yes- that was the last time I tried being patient. )

Anyway- where was I now- right - new number- new room- lots of cattle. So, every few minutes the Wizard of Oz announces a number over the loud speaker. It is in Spanish- there are ten numbers- and the Wizard speaks very quickly. Then, like the Price is Right, if your number is called you get to "Come on Down!" Too bad I couldn't understand the numbers. So I patiently waited for about 3 minutes before I decided to volunteer myself to "Come on Down". I entered a room with 20 small windows. Only a few had people at them- so I just went and handed a person my number. He spoke in Spanish- something about a line apparently. Maybe I was supposed to wait in it? Not sure- just a stupid American girl :) My confused face prompted him to go retrieve my package (which I was supposed to pay 10 pesos for- not sure why). Out he comes with a large white bag- and he says "Sheila? (pronounced Shay -I -La). I say "Si". He smiles at me and hands me the bag (yes- here they are allowed to smile, unlike the last hostage situation). He tells me "no worry". I take the bag and go. Meanwhile, all of the cows are still patiently waiting for their numbers to be called.

But I had one last piece of business to take care of. I needed to ship my old book back to the US. I tried. However, since it was an Anatomy and Physiology book, I was not allowed to. Apparently I needed a special permit to be an "Exporter of Scientific Materials". Gotta love it.

So, while the US has terrible public transportation, we at least invest in things like postal service. Here- they take a day off work to go get a package. It is perfectly acceptable to. You just tell your boss "I need to go to Retiro"- and it is not a problem. Forget calling in sick- just take up a liking for online shopping. Not the greatest productivity contributor, however.

And one final thing- I ordered a book when I was in the US. I ordered it to an Argentina address. It just arrived! Should have done express- then I would have gotten it in 1 month instead of 2.

Word of the day: patience- paciencia. Word #2: Herd of Cattle: Rebaño de ganado

Sentence: With patience, you are one with the herd. Con paciencia, que usted es uno con el rebaño.