Expat Files - Pope Francis - 03/24/13

-Some words about the new Pope. He’s a huge star here… all over TV and in the press daily. And here in Latin America he’s bigger than Elvis (gaudy outfits and all, but alas he can’t sing). His election has revitalized hoards of non-practicing Latin Catholic folks who might have jumped ship completely - but are now out rooting for their papal homeboy (very smart move by the Vatican)

-Now for some totally un-PC comments about the new breed of Evangelical snake oil salesman (with their limos, bodyguards and helicopters) who pattern themselves off of successful 1st world TV preachers. They promise a stairway to heaven as they suck hard-earned centavos from gullible under-educated Latin lower and middle classes. Yes folks, these guys have found their own twisted version of the “gringo advantage” and its pretty disturbing.

-When and how does the realization finally strike the average expat that he or she might actually be fluent in Spanish?

-Speaking of the “boot camp” method of learning Spanish (meaning, learning good conversational Spanish in a very accelerated period of of time like 2 months)… now here’s an email from a gringo who is has been doing just that. With boots on the ground and suffering through his own Spanish “boot camp” in Xela, Guatemala he offers some very good tips on how to get the best out of the experience and how to avoid the worst.

-Announcing the latest plans for the next Expat Wisdom “Latin American Insider Seminar” which will of course be off the tourist trail. It’ll be coming up in the next few months so stay tuned for more info…

-Follow the link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com to schedule a consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one