great answers to wrong questions and an identity crisis

Adjusting the the accent here is an interesting task. Case in point, I was along the beach to find a place called Kibon ( a kind of outdoor concert hall slash tent where a lot of people hang out on the lawn) and a guy about my age shouted out at me !ey ua ashuda! I reacted like most people here in the city do when approached by a weirdo or stranger, and I said no, gracias, and I continued on my way. After I thought about what he said, I realized he had asked for una ayuda, some coins or money or whatever, and I had told him inanely something to the effect, no but thanks for asking :)

Another great example. Picture me dressed nicely, sitting outside of the University of Montevideo. In an affluent neighborhood, If I´m wearing nice pants and a collared shirt I can pass (barely) for an Uruguayo. A truck driver delivering some kind of construction materials pulled up in a noisy truck and yelled vozodequi!? I hadn´t heard well because of suprise and the noise of the engine so I assumed he was asking me for directions; it was my first time in the neighborhood so I didn´t have any clue, and I told him so. I shouted !Saber!, he laughed and went on his way. I then racked my residual memory and understood his question, !¿Vos sos de aqui?! Are you from around here? And I answered, !I have no idea!

Two great moments of language aquisition skills, and maybe for the next time I will know where I´m from =D