why this thread is so entrancing
i love the writing and the OP's ability to bring the scenes to life. however, for me, the attraction is the coming doom.
i do agree with AZB. you are acting as an anthropoligist but in a dishonest way. at least they tell everyone they are studying the people. something tells me you are more in love with the novel descent into ignorance and poverty than you are with the lady herself (what about your young neighbour Amber?). of course, you would not do this in the U.S. because it lacks an exotic, other-world feel. it is unfortunate that you need a separate, foreign environment to allow yourself to relax and observe.
you are treating these people, whether you know it or not, as objects. nothing good will come of this. i'm sure her older sons know this in an intuitive way. who doesn't like the excitement and danger of the ghetto? you are slumming it. it's been done many times before. but you have infilitrated someone's home and family.
look deep and see how arrogant you are. you feel you are some knight in shining armour there to rescue a family that cannot be rescued. you have the money, literacy and the ability to leave for the states anytime. what superiority you must feel, especially since you think you are doing them all a favour. you are looking on from a great height from a very priveleged country.
this woman's time is running out for securing an appropriate mate. something tells me you will not be there for the long term. i know, you bought the house and gave her money but you are just stroking your own ego.
bet you couldn't/wouldn't move in full-time and cut your safety lines to the U.S. there is a less than respectful amusement in their limitations that comes through. you are their big, colonial bwana that gets to run the show. there is nothing more dangerous, or pleasurable, than feeling good about controlling and influencing the lives of others.
my advice is not to become too fluent in the Spanish language or culture or the thrill will wear off. at some point, a few years out, this will become a "normal" environment without the exotic feel. then you will be looking at a 40+ woman that can't share a single thing with you. this is when you will rationalize some way of bailing out.
good writing though...
i love the writing and the OP's ability to bring the scenes to life. however, for me, the attraction is the coming doom.
i do agree with AZB. you are acting as an anthropoligist but in a dishonest way. at least they tell everyone they are studying the people. something tells me you are more in love with the novel descent into ignorance and poverty than you are with the lady herself (what about your young neighbour Amber?). of course, you would not do this in the U.S. because it lacks an exotic, other-world feel. it is unfortunate that you need a separate, foreign environment to allow yourself to relax and observe.
you are treating these people, whether you know it or not, as objects. nothing good will come of this. i'm sure her older sons know this in an intuitive way. who doesn't like the excitement and danger of the ghetto? you are slumming it. it's been done many times before. but you have infilitrated someone's home and family.
look deep and see how arrogant you are. you feel you are some knight in shining armour there to rescue a family that cannot be rescued. you have the money, literacy and the ability to leave for the states anytime. what superiority you must feel, especially since you think you are doing them all a favour. you are looking on from a great height from a very priveleged country.
this woman's time is running out for securing an appropriate mate. something tells me you will not be there for the long term. i know, you bought the house and gave her money but you are just stroking your own ego.
bet you couldn't/wouldn't move in full-time and cut your safety lines to the U.S. there is a less than respectful amusement in their limitations that comes through. you are their big, colonial bwana that gets to run the show. there is nothing more dangerous, or pleasurable, than feeling good about controlling and influencing the lives of others.
my advice is not to become too fluent in the Spanish language or culture or the thrill will wear off. at some point, a few years out, this will become a "normal" environment without the exotic feel. then you will be looking at a 40+ woman that can't share a single thing with you. this is when you will rationalize some way of bailing out.
good writing though...
