These are picture of my first night out...this last Thursday night with Hannah and Lizzie....Ines' Argentine friends....and my first trip to the movies in BA.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Too cool for school
M/W I have Latin American Literature and Intermediate Spanish B
T/R Argentinean Contemporary Art and Latin American History
Professors are all super kind and because these classes are full of international students they speak slowly enough to be understood. I have a hard time though if I space out for even a few minutes, I have to concentrate on everything they're saying. Eek!
I've made quite a few friends but mostly from the US, there are no Argentines in these classes so I was starting to wonder how I'd ever meet any but today I shared my book with a girl who's dating an Argentine. She said she hangs out with his friends often and that she'd invite me out the next time they get together, possibly this Friday.
In my Spanish class we learned a whole slew of Argentine phrases: colectivos = bus (if it's a shorter distance), birra = cervesa (beer), they say "dale" instead of "vale" which is like saying "let's go" or somethin like that. Also the pronuncaition of the "y" sound like in calle is like a "ja" ugh...hard to explain over the computer but basically it's something to adapt to. If I don't wanna stick out haha
I joined the running club/team. The first day it was the coach, one of his coworkers, Kelsey, Sarah (girl from Denmark), and me. Most people here go to gyms if they want to workout and running doesn't seem to be uber popular. We went 9 kilometers the first day, woot woot. Today (we only meet up Monday's and Wednesday's) we ran around a park and stopped at 4 stations along the way to do sit ups and push ups. I'm going to be SORE tomorrow!
So I've been looking out for tattoos since I got here. I have seen VERY few and thought maybe it's not too popular but then at the party the other night with the Argentines, Augostine showed me two of his. So I think it's just because it's winter here. I wear pants and a shirt everyday, no one would think I had any tattoos either.
The peircings however, man would I have fit right in with my lip ring. Their lips for both guys and girls are VERY popular. The nose is not as popular but I've still seen many girls with them. The eyebrow is popular with the guys. Most people have more than one facial piercing too.
Greetings here: kisses! I love it. You kiss on the cheek when you are greeting someone or saying goodbye. The first day out for the running club Kelsey stuck her hand out for Carlos (the coach's friend) to shake when they first met and he was going in for a kiss, they ended up with a handshake but it just looked so distant and rigid. I like the handshake just as much as the next person and I recognize it's good qualities but kissing on the cheek just feels so much more enthusiastic and friendly. Relaxed/casual too.
That's another thing, of course all the American kids (myself included) were like 15 minutes early for class but our professors stroll in right on time or a little after. My first class of each day begins at 1PM ends at 2:30PM and my next starts 2:30 and goes till 4PM. Because it's all in one building they don't put time in between the classes to get to them. Unless it's for important things, like when I'm getting my visa stuff taken care of, punctuality doesn't seem to be of too great importance. I dig it though, again feels much more relaxed and easygoing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEBBIE :)
T/R Argentinean Contemporary Art and Latin American History
Professors are all super kind and because these classes are full of international students they speak slowly enough to be understood. I have a hard time though if I space out for even a few minutes, I have to concentrate on everything they're saying. Eek!
I've made quite a few friends but mostly from the US, there are no Argentines in these classes so I was starting to wonder how I'd ever meet any but today I shared my book with a girl who's dating an Argentine. She said she hangs out with his friends often and that she'd invite me out the next time they get together, possibly this Friday.
In my Spanish class we learned a whole slew of Argentine phrases: colectivos = bus (if it's a shorter distance), birra = cervesa (beer), they say "dale" instead of "vale" which is like saying "let's go" or somethin like that. Also the pronuncaition of the "y" sound like in calle is like a "ja" ugh...hard to explain over the computer but basically it's something to adapt to. If I don't wanna stick out haha
I joined the running club/team. The first day it was the coach, one of his coworkers, Kelsey, Sarah (girl from Denmark), and me. Most people here go to gyms if they want to workout and running doesn't seem to be uber popular. We went 9 kilometers the first day, woot woot. Today (we only meet up Monday's and Wednesday's) we ran around a park and stopped at 4 stations along the way to do sit ups and push ups. I'm going to be SORE tomorrow!
So I've been looking out for tattoos since I got here. I have seen VERY few and thought maybe it's not too popular but then at the party the other night with the Argentines, Augostine showed me two of his. So I think it's just because it's winter here. I wear pants and a shirt everyday, no one would think I had any tattoos either.
The peircings however, man would I have fit right in with my lip ring. Their lips for both guys and girls are VERY popular. The nose is not as popular but I've still seen many girls with them. The eyebrow is popular with the guys. Most people have more than one facial piercing too.
Greetings here: kisses! I love it. You kiss on the cheek when you are greeting someone or saying goodbye. The first day out for the running club Kelsey stuck her hand out for Carlos (the coach's friend) to shake when they first met and he was going in for a kiss, they ended up with a handshake but it just looked so distant and rigid. I like the handshake just as much as the next person and I recognize it's good qualities but kissing on the cheek just feels so much more enthusiastic and friendly. Relaxed/casual too.
That's another thing, of course all the American kids (myself included) were like 15 minutes early for class but our professors stroll in right on time or a little after. My first class of each day begins at 1PM ends at 2:30PM and my next starts 2:30 and goes till 4PM. Because it's all in one building they don't put time in between the classes to get to them. Unless it's for important things, like when I'm getting my visa stuff taken care of, punctuality doesn't seem to be of too great importance. I dig it though, again feels much more relaxed and easygoing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEBBIE :)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Eating an Argentinean treat and drinking mate
Jessica top; Kelsey and I bottom
Sorry about the sideways pictures Myles! :p
Sorry about the sideways pictures Myles! :p
Sunday, July 25, 2010
one party, two days
Yesterday Ines invited me to hang out with her and some other students from Barcelona she new were studying at Belgrano. I knew they'd only be speaking Spanish so I figured what a perfect way to get some practice in. Well, I only really practiced listening but that's cool too. We met up at the zoo but it was so cold outside we went to a cafe and had a beer and then I listened to lots of fast Spanish.
We then went home and Ines again invited me to go out with her, this time an Argentinean friend! This too I knew would be a long night of rapid Spanish, sink or swim right?! It was about a half hour on the bus and then Juan (Ines' friend) and his friend Bruno met up to take us to the house. The first to arrive again we began the evening with Ferret, I believe it's spelt, and coke which is supposed to be a pretty typical drink here. It's pretty tastey. A few more guys showed up and then a few more and eventually a few girls so that in total I think there were about 14 of us. I mostly sat observing and trying to understand what was being said. The accent threw me off though, sometimes I wasn't sure they were even speaking Spanish. Some of them took pitty on me and spoke to me in broken English and I would try some Spanish. They were very encouraging :)
So if there's one thing I've promised myself I'd take back with me when this is all over: be nice to those who are in our country but not great with the language. I've been very lucky that everyone has been so nice but I would be quite discouraged if I was getting unkind responses to my lack of fluency in Spanish.
I did become very popular at one point though when some of the guys showed up with a toy who's directions were only in English haha
Anyway...at around 2 I finally threw in the towel and was the first to go to bed. Oh yes, we were staying at Juan's because the trip was so long and traveling around his area wasn't a good idea at night. I slept in his brother's bed because he's out of town. In the morning I woke up a few times but went back to sleep until I heard Ines. By that time it was 1 in the afternoon! Augostine, who had kindly spent a lot of the night talking with me; Allan, who's English wasn't quite as good as Augostine but he made a valliant effort anyway; another guy who's name I can't remember; Ines, me, and Juan. There were yummy sweets for breakfast and tea. After chatting for a bit we decided to watch a movie. I went with Allan to pick up some soda and chips and then we watched Woody Allan's most recent film, in English, WAHOO.
I think "dude" for Californian's = Che for Argentineans. I thought that was funny/cool because that's my nickname with some friends.
The chain smoking was...OFF THE CHAIN. People smoke here like it's going out of style. I can't even tell you how much second hand smoke I inhaled last night, I was coughing a bit this morning. There was so much at the club the other night that my clothes, which I'm in no high supply of, reeked enough that I deemed them incapable of another use.
Augostine and the other guy left not long after the movie ended and then Allan and Juan accompanied Ines and I to the bus stop. We didn't end up leaving though until nearly 5 or 6PM so I think it'd be safe to say that, that one party made for two awesome days :)
First day of school tomorrow!!!
We then went home and Ines again invited me to go out with her, this time an Argentinean friend! This too I knew would be a long night of rapid Spanish, sink or swim right?! It was about a half hour on the bus and then Juan (Ines' friend) and his friend Bruno met up to take us to the house. The first to arrive again we began the evening with Ferret, I believe it's spelt, and coke which is supposed to be a pretty typical drink here. It's pretty tastey. A few more guys showed up and then a few more and eventually a few girls so that in total I think there were about 14 of us. I mostly sat observing and trying to understand what was being said. The accent threw me off though, sometimes I wasn't sure they were even speaking Spanish. Some of them took pitty on me and spoke to me in broken English and I would try some Spanish. They were very encouraging :)
So if there's one thing I've promised myself I'd take back with me when this is all over: be nice to those who are in our country but not great with the language. I've been very lucky that everyone has been so nice but I would be quite discouraged if I was getting unkind responses to my lack of fluency in Spanish.
I did become very popular at one point though when some of the guys showed up with a toy who's directions were only in English haha
Anyway...at around 2 I finally threw in the towel and was the first to go to bed. Oh yes, we were staying at Juan's because the trip was so long and traveling around his area wasn't a good idea at night. I slept in his brother's bed because he's out of town. In the morning I woke up a few times but went back to sleep until I heard Ines. By that time it was 1 in the afternoon! Augostine, who had kindly spent a lot of the night talking with me; Allan, who's English wasn't quite as good as Augostine but he made a valliant effort anyway; another guy who's name I can't remember; Ines, me, and Juan. There were yummy sweets for breakfast and tea. After chatting for a bit we decided to watch a movie. I went with Allan to pick up some soda and chips and then we watched Woody Allan's most recent film, in English, WAHOO.
I think "dude" for Californian's = Che for Argentineans. I thought that was funny/cool because that's my nickname with some friends.
The chain smoking was...OFF THE CHAIN. People smoke here like it's going out of style. I can't even tell you how much second hand smoke I inhaled last night, I was coughing a bit this morning. There was so much at the club the other night that my clothes, which I'm in no high supply of, reeked enough that I deemed them incapable of another use.
Augostine and the other guy left not long after the movie ended and then Allan and Juan accompanied Ines and I to the bus stop. We didn't end up leaving though until nearly 5 or 6PM so I think it'd be safe to say that, that one party made for two awesome days :)
First day of school tomorrow!!!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
5 AM
Yes, that would be the time I finally laid my head down on my pillow.
Jessica's friend, Oscar, from Denmark was having a party at his house so the four of us went over there. We picked up some Quilmes and a bottle of wine for them as a house warming present before we hopped on the Subte over to there house. Even though we were two hours late we were still the first to arrive. Followed by a girl from Denmark, guy from Mexico (Oscar's roommate, Mau, is from Mexico), and then 5 more Mexicans showed up. We just sat around drinking and talking but it was so much fun. There were so many different languages going on sometimes I liked to sit back and listen to it all. It was also interesting swapping stories on how things work in our countries, Oscar and I talked quite a bit about politics haha
We were at their house until about 12:30 before people started suggesting we go to a club. This guy from Maine, oh ya...a guy from Maine and his friend from Germany came too, looked up a club and we ran down stairs to get some cabs. It took three to transport us all down there. And by this time we were down to Ines, Jessica, and me because Kelsey went to meet some of her friends.
The club was everything I imagine a rave would be. Flashing lights, loud booming music, and everyone just kinda bobbing around. The charge to get in covered unlimited drinks so that was cool but I only had one becuase we'd already drank so much at the apartment. Now it was Ines and I because Jessica and the guy from Maine wanted to go off on their own, I'm so glad there're four of us for times like these.
Oh I had the first guy proffess his love to me but I felt cheated because it was Antonio, one of the Mexican guys, so not even an Argentinean! haha maybe I won't count it.
Either way, we didn't get home till about 4:45 and if you can believe it we beat Jessica and Kelsey home. Coming home that late I felt like a true Argentinean haha
Side note: If you were thinking about travelling to Europe, don't. They don't have Goldfish crackers or Gatorade. Ines actually put up pictures on her Flicker (?) of me eating them she was so facinated!
Caio
Jessica's friend, Oscar, from Denmark was having a party at his house so the four of us went over there. We picked up some Quilmes and a bottle of wine for them as a house warming present before we hopped on the Subte over to there house. Even though we were two hours late we were still the first to arrive. Followed by a girl from Denmark, guy from Mexico (Oscar's roommate, Mau, is from Mexico), and then 5 more Mexicans showed up. We just sat around drinking and talking but it was so much fun. There were so many different languages going on sometimes I liked to sit back and listen to it all. It was also interesting swapping stories on how things work in our countries, Oscar and I talked quite a bit about politics haha
We were at their house until about 12:30 before people started suggesting we go to a club. This guy from Maine, oh ya...a guy from Maine and his friend from Germany came too, looked up a club and we ran down stairs to get some cabs. It took three to transport us all down there. And by this time we were down to Ines, Jessica, and me because Kelsey went to meet some of her friends.
The club was everything I imagine a rave would be. Flashing lights, loud booming music, and everyone just kinda bobbing around. The charge to get in covered unlimited drinks so that was cool but I only had one becuase we'd already drank so much at the apartment. Now it was Ines and I because Jessica and the guy from Maine wanted to go off on their own, I'm so glad there're four of us for times like these.
Oh I had the first guy proffess his love to me but I felt cheated because it was Antonio, one of the Mexican guys, so not even an Argentinean! haha maybe I won't count it.
Either way, we didn't get home till about 4:45 and if you can believe it we beat Jessica and Kelsey home. Coming home that late I felt like a true Argentinean haha
Side note: If you were thinking about travelling to Europe, don't. They don't have Goldfish crackers or Gatorade. Ines actually put up pictures on her Flicker (?) of me eating them she was so facinated!
Caio
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Terrific day
I thought today was going to be tedious. Ines and I planned to leave for the university around 10 to get our student cards and then apply for our criminal records (for the visas). But we ended up seeing much of the city along the way and I ended up going out later in the evening.
First, we got our student cards. In UB (Universidad de Belgrano) the only way the keep track of attendance is through these cards and at the end of the semester if you don't have 80% attendance you don't sit for the final. Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful today, as they have been for the entire time. Course it helped having Ines to translate when necessary :)
Ines and I inquired about a program where you can go to impoverished parts of Buenos Aires and help out with children. I'm excited to hear more about it, right now we just gave them our info to contact us later.
After getting the student cards we went back home and made veggie burgers because our appointment for the criminal record was not until later. We took the "subte" which is the name for the underground subway system. It's similar to Europe and therefore easy, which was nice. When we got off and onto the street to my right was the Obelisk. It's a famous monument here and I couldn't believe how close we are to it. It's the last stop on the line so from our appartment, maybe 25 minutes?
So we started the process for the criminal record and then went to a place with many handcrafted things like wallets, cups for mate (pronounced mah-te), shoes, etc. We saw a lot of graffiti around the area against the police. The artists are celebrating their 7th year in that location we visited and it also marks el paseo de resistancia. The resistance walk, against the police. There were awesome picutres of the first walk, streets lined with police holding long sticks and protesters.
We then went to visit the Obelisk and it was incredible. It's super tall and I will definitely put up pictures. But agian, even here I was surprised at how dirty the streets were. We walked up the street on which the Obelisk is on until we got too cold and turned around.
There is a traditional sweet here, forget the name, but we picked it up on the way and when we got home Ines made mate for all of us to try. It's very good and I'll have to tell you more about it later. I put my pajamas on because I thought I was in for the night but Kelsey was meeting friends at a resaurant and invited us. Jessica and I went but Ines stayed in.
We took the subte again and walked a few cold blocks to the restaurant. We met up with two other girls from the states and shared two bottles of wine, some bread and two plates with every kind of meat imaginable. Including intestines and kidneys. YIKES. I ate the chicken, steak, and sausage but couldn't bring myself to try the others. We then proceded to order three kinds of deserts and they were DELICIOUS. Something really nice about Argentine restaurants is that they don't rush you. We were there three hours and were probably done eating by the second but we just sat there talking for the last hour. They don't bring the bill until you ask for it.
We caught a bus home and now I'm here!
Oh but the cars and walking the streets...so there are most of the time lines for lanes but most cars only follow them when convenient. You'd think this would be hectic but everyone seems to know how to avoid crashing into eachother. They also drive VERY close to one another, I've been certain we were going to hit something many times but always manage to squeak by. The crosswalks are more or less guidelines. If there are no cars coming you just go for it and often the cars don't seem like they are going to stop but as long as you're pretty assertive about it you won't get hit. I really enjoy all of these things, it sounds very caotic and seems unorganized but everyone seems to get by just fine.
MUST go to bed now. As we say in Argentina, Ciao :)
First, we got our student cards. In UB (Universidad de Belgrano) the only way the keep track of attendance is through these cards and at the end of the semester if you don't have 80% attendance you don't sit for the final. Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful today, as they have been for the entire time. Course it helped having Ines to translate when necessary :)
Ines and I inquired about a program where you can go to impoverished parts of Buenos Aires and help out with children. I'm excited to hear more about it, right now we just gave them our info to contact us later.
After getting the student cards we went back home and made veggie burgers because our appointment for the criminal record was not until later. We took the "subte" which is the name for the underground subway system. It's similar to Europe and therefore easy, which was nice. When we got off and onto the street to my right was the Obelisk. It's a famous monument here and I couldn't believe how close we are to it. It's the last stop on the line so from our appartment, maybe 25 minutes?
So we started the process for the criminal record and then went to a place with many handcrafted things like wallets, cups for mate (pronounced mah-te), shoes, etc. We saw a lot of graffiti around the area against the police. The artists are celebrating their 7th year in that location we visited and it also marks el paseo de resistancia. The resistance walk, against the police. There were awesome picutres of the first walk, streets lined with police holding long sticks and protesters.
We then went to visit the Obelisk and it was incredible. It's super tall and I will definitely put up pictures. But agian, even here I was surprised at how dirty the streets were. We walked up the street on which the Obelisk is on until we got too cold and turned around.
There is a traditional sweet here, forget the name, but we picked it up on the way and when we got home Ines made mate for all of us to try. It's very good and I'll have to tell you more about it later. I put my pajamas on because I thought I was in for the night but Kelsey was meeting friends at a resaurant and invited us. Jessica and I went but Ines stayed in.
We took the subte again and walked a few cold blocks to the restaurant. We met up with two other girls from the states and shared two bottles of wine, some bread and two plates with every kind of meat imaginable. Including intestines and kidneys. YIKES. I ate the chicken, steak, and sausage but couldn't bring myself to try the others. We then proceded to order three kinds of deserts and they were DELICIOUS. Something really nice about Argentine restaurants is that they don't rush you. We were there three hours and were probably done eating by the second but we just sat there talking for the last hour. They don't bring the bill until you ask for it.
We caught a bus home and now I'm here!
Oh but the cars and walking the streets...so there are most of the time lines for lanes but most cars only follow them when convenient. You'd think this would be hectic but everyone seems to know how to avoid crashing into eachother. They also drive VERY close to one another, I've been certain we were going to hit something many times but always manage to squeak by. The crosswalks are more or less guidelines. If there are no cars coming you just go for it and often the cars don't seem like they are going to stop but as long as you're pretty assertive about it you won't get hit. I really enjoy all of these things, it sounds very caotic and seems unorganized but everyone seems to get by just fine.
MUST go to bed now. As we say in Argentina, Ciao :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
So happy to be out of the hotel!
I LOVE this apartment! There is a sweet older woman who is in charge of our floor, Elena (I think), doesn't speak English but that's just fine.
There are 3 girls: Kelsey, from Santa Cruz; Inez, from Spain; and Jessica (pronounced yessica), from Sweden. They're SUPER sweet. I've got the best of both worlds, one girl to practice Spanish with and another to speak English with when I'm feeling lazy.
I want to tell you more about the city too...
My mom asked me a few days ago if it was like Spain, and I had to give her a resounding no. I want to boast of it's beautiful, clean, safe streets but I can't. Like any city, anywhere, there are the good and bad neighborhoods. In the bad, there are tons of homeless dogs running around, lots of dirty, shabby houses, fires being burned outside for warmth, and trash in the streets. Then there are areas like Belgrano which are nice and a wealthier part of the city. In all of the nicer looking buildings there are glass fronts and you can see security gaurds sitting inside. Yet even in this area there is not always a sidewalk to follow, or if there is there are often loose stones to look out for. There are patches of dirt in the sidewalks too and due to the recent rain they are muddy and filled with trash sometimes. Dogs poo wherever they like so you must keep an eye out for that as well.
I'm not telling you this because I want to put the city down, or put poor images in your head, but I wanted to be honest. At first I didn't want to relay this but I actually enjoy all of these things. I mean, of course I wish the poverty that I've seen didn't exist, but all of the other things I find very interesting and sometimes even amusing. I have yet to see someone step in the dog poo but I'm curious as to what their reaction will be. Will they curse angrily or wipe their shoe on the side walk and move on?
I'll tell you more about how they drive in the city and how to walk the streets later, for now I must unpack some more :)
There are 3 girls: Kelsey, from Santa Cruz; Inez, from Spain; and Jessica (pronounced yessica), from Sweden. They're SUPER sweet. I've got the best of both worlds, one girl to practice Spanish with and another to speak English with when I'm feeling lazy.
I want to tell you more about the city too...
My mom asked me a few days ago if it was like Spain, and I had to give her a resounding no. I want to boast of it's beautiful, clean, safe streets but I can't. Like any city, anywhere, there are the good and bad neighborhoods. In the bad, there are tons of homeless dogs running around, lots of dirty, shabby houses, fires being burned outside for warmth, and trash in the streets. Then there are areas like Belgrano which are nice and a wealthier part of the city. In all of the nicer looking buildings there are glass fronts and you can see security gaurds sitting inside. Yet even in this area there is not always a sidewalk to follow, or if there is there are often loose stones to look out for. There are patches of dirt in the sidewalks too and due to the recent rain they are muddy and filled with trash sometimes. Dogs poo wherever they like so you must keep an eye out for that as well.
I'm not telling you this because I want to put the city down, or put poor images in your head, but I wanted to be honest. At first I didn't want to relay this but I actually enjoy all of these things. I mean, of course I wish the poverty that I've seen didn't exist, but all of the other things I find very interesting and sometimes even amusing. I have yet to see someone step in the dog poo but I'm curious as to what their reaction will be. Will they curse angrily or wipe their shoe on the side walk and move on?
I'll tell you more about how they drive in the city and how to walk the streets later, for now I must unpack some more :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Estoy aqui!
The flight from Houston to BA and most of yesterday were pretty ugly. Exhausted, extremely nauseous, terribly lonely.
Today: MUCH BETTER. Mostly because I've made friends :)
Orientation was at 10 am this morning. Keep in mind I had drank all of my water and hadn't eaten anything more than a cup of cheerios and a granola bar in the last 24 hours because of my nausea. I was feelin' pretty crummy. Got to the orienation site made friends with 2 guys from Italy. Very nice and I stuck with them, and a few of their friends, throughout most of the orientation. Course they were mostly speaking Italian but I was just glad to have some pals. Met a guy from the Bay Area, heard a few people talking about Virginia I think, and made friends with a girl named Kelsy from Colorado. I thought of you dad because now I've made friends with a girl who speaks English but don't worry, I'll be getting plenty of practice with Spanish no matter what my friends speak!
At the end of the orientation, which consisted of lost of info and a tango performance, we hopped on a tour bus and saw a lot of the city. There are no casinos allowed in Buenos Aires so they are on ships in the ports, which I thought was pretty funny. There's a football stadium we passed that had coke advertisements in black and white because the rival team's colors are red and white, only place in Argentina you'll see that. Again, I thought that was funny.
After the tour Kelsy and I went around taking care of the housing, visas, etc. Well, at least getting those started. LOTS of paperwork. A bit intimidating but nothing that can't be handled! While we were doing this, we ran into the two Italian guys I had met earlier, Mikele and Lores. I'm probably misspelling those horribly but I went for the phonetics.
Kelsy and I then decided to grab some food. I was shaking at this point. As we were stopping at a place to buy some water we ran into Mikele and Lores again. We had already decided to go to China town and they were happy to join us. It was nice to walk with two guys because of safety and all. It was SO awesome walking through the city. I loved it :) it's cold and rainy here but I really don't mind it. Very busy, lots of traffic and people everywhere. We got to a Chinese restaurant (I know, first night out and I don't even eat anything Argentinean) and I had rice and veggies. I could probably maintain being a vegetarian if I only stuck to Chinese food, but I'm just going to let that go for now. Kelsy ordered a "large beer" and it was HUGE. We ended up sharing it, hopefully I can get the pictures up tonight and then you'll see for yourself. Super yummy food and we were laughing non-stop, (which attracted some attention when we got too loud).
We walked to the train, that's how Mikele and Lores were getting home, and then I went with Kelsy to her flat. It's so rad. There's this sweet older woman who lives on the bottom floor and then on the second floor there are two rooms, one's Kelsey's and the other girl hasn't gotten there yet, floor above that has the kitchen. We bought a bottle of wine and had a glass while studying Spanish.
Grabbed a taxi and now I'm in for the night!
There is so much to take in, a little overwhelmed right now, but overall absolutely enjoying myself.
Today: MUCH BETTER. Mostly because I've made friends :)
Orientation was at 10 am this morning. Keep in mind I had drank all of my water and hadn't eaten anything more than a cup of cheerios and a granola bar in the last 24 hours because of my nausea. I was feelin' pretty crummy. Got to the orienation site made friends with 2 guys from Italy. Very nice and I stuck with them, and a few of their friends, throughout most of the orientation. Course they were mostly speaking Italian but I was just glad to have some pals. Met a guy from the Bay Area, heard a few people talking about Virginia I think, and made friends with a girl named Kelsy from Colorado. I thought of you dad because now I've made friends with a girl who speaks English but don't worry, I'll be getting plenty of practice with Spanish no matter what my friends speak!
At the end of the orientation, which consisted of lost of info and a tango performance, we hopped on a tour bus and saw a lot of the city. There are no casinos allowed in Buenos Aires so they are on ships in the ports, which I thought was pretty funny. There's a football stadium we passed that had coke advertisements in black and white because the rival team's colors are red and white, only place in Argentina you'll see that. Again, I thought that was funny.
After the tour Kelsy and I went around taking care of the housing, visas, etc. Well, at least getting those started. LOTS of paperwork. A bit intimidating but nothing that can't be handled! While we were doing this, we ran into the two Italian guys I had met earlier, Mikele and Lores. I'm probably misspelling those horribly but I went for the phonetics.
Kelsy and I then decided to grab some food. I was shaking at this point. As we were stopping at a place to buy some water we ran into Mikele and Lores again. We had already decided to go to China town and they were happy to join us. It was nice to walk with two guys because of safety and all. It was SO awesome walking through the city. I loved it :) it's cold and rainy here but I really don't mind it. Very busy, lots of traffic and people everywhere. We got to a Chinese restaurant (I know, first night out and I don't even eat anything Argentinean) and I had rice and veggies. I could probably maintain being a vegetarian if I only stuck to Chinese food, but I'm just going to let that go for now. Kelsy ordered a "large beer" and it was HUGE. We ended up sharing it, hopefully I can get the pictures up tonight and then you'll see for yourself. Super yummy food and we were laughing non-stop, (which attracted some attention when we got too loud).
We walked to the train, that's how Mikele and Lores were getting home, and then I went with Kelsy to her flat. It's so rad. There's this sweet older woman who lives on the bottom floor and then on the second floor there are two rooms, one's Kelsey's and the other girl hasn't gotten there yet, floor above that has the kitchen. We bought a bottle of wine and had a glass while studying Spanish.
Grabbed a taxi and now I'm in for the night!
There is so much to take in, a little overwhelmed right now, but overall absolutely enjoying myself.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Before I go...
In five days I will be on my way to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
And let me tell you how I got here...
The first time I watched Moulin Rouge I fell in love with everything about that movie, including the Narcoleptic Argentinean. He and El Tango de Roxanne inspired my first interest in Argentina.
I wanted to go somewhere different. So that rules out Europe.
Fluency in Spanish has evaded me for so long but I figure in Argentina I'll be sinking or swimming in it.
I want to learn the Tango.
After college I will be joining the Peace Corps, and being placed in South America is a dream of mine. First hand experience there will bring me closer to making that dream my reality.
I've been doing my research, but until more recently, I knew NOTHING of South America. And mysteries intrigue me.
And finally, a reason which really doesn't care about the destination, I love traveling. I love packing and getting on long flights and going through customs and being exhausted while lugging around giant suitcases. I love checking into hotels and collapsing on a bed I've never slept on before. I love eating different foods and being told not to drink the water. I love observing the natives and attempting to follow their lead. I love being the silly, self-conscious foreigner who doesn't want to admit she's lost and just ask for directions. Most of all, I love that I'll be doing this all by myself.
Thank you to my mom and Chris, every family member, and friend who has helped me get to this point, this is for you.
And let me tell you how I got here...
The first time I watched Moulin Rouge I fell in love with everything about that movie, including the Narcoleptic Argentinean. He and El Tango de Roxanne inspired my first interest in Argentina.
I wanted to go somewhere different. So that rules out Europe.
Fluency in Spanish has evaded me for so long but I figure in Argentina I'll be sinking or swimming in it.
I want to learn the Tango.
After college I will be joining the Peace Corps, and being placed in South America is a dream of mine. First hand experience there will bring me closer to making that dream my reality.
I've been doing my research, but until more recently, I knew NOTHING of South America. And mysteries intrigue me.
And finally, a reason which really doesn't care about the destination, I love traveling. I love packing and getting on long flights and going through customs and being exhausted while lugging around giant suitcases. I love checking into hotels and collapsing on a bed I've never slept on before. I love eating different foods and being told not to drink the water. I love observing the natives and attempting to follow their lead. I love being the silly, self-conscious foreigner who doesn't want to admit she's lost and just ask for directions. Most of all, I love that I'll be doing this all by myself.
Thank you to my mom and Chris, every family member, and friend who has helped me get to this point, this is for you.
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