I have arrived safely back in the U.S, and was overwhelmed by emotions. The joy of seeing family, friends, and experiencing that familiar love, while also feeling the loss of a way of life, the loss of a language that I was so lucky to speak everyday, and the loss of a culture I fell in love with. Caught between two worlds, I will have to find a place in this U.S. world for my newest form of self, just as I did in Argentina when I first arrived.
Voy a extrañarte, mi querida Argentina. Te mando un GRAN beso.....para siempre.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
If you are headed to BsAs...
FUN FACT #1 : Despite what repuation Argentine's have in the city,mostly everyone I have encountered is willing to help and a goodamount speak english! Do not fret.
FUN FACT #2 : BEWARE of dog poop. Its literally everywhere. When Ifirst got here I came so close to stepping on it everytime I walked outof the house.
FUN FACT #3 : CARS DO NOT STOP. City drivers are ruthless. I am notexaggerating when I say that they don't like to use the brake. Followthe walk lights. Seriously... it's no joke.
FUN FACT #4: Be RIDICULOUSLY careful with your electronics, wallets, etc. I had my ipod stolen and I have had too many friends get things stole in the Subte or out at bars and clubs. Out of a group of 80, I would say more than half had something stolen.
FUN FACT #5: THE SUBTE. Ok, so as in any city there is an unofficalsystem which all city dwellers abide by. Here, "the system" theyabide by is that they don't abide by any system or adhere to anygeneral etiquite. People will touch you and not say sorry, there is nosuch thing as personal space, and.... it doesn't really phase anyone.
Our natural American instinct is to say to ourselves, "Geez they couln't
have taken one step over to let me in?" But an Argentine's responseis, "I gotta get in and it doesn't matter if anyone is there, I simplyhave to get on the Subte.¨ In no way is it personal its just how itis.
Also you may here someone say to you, "Bajas?" and this just meansare you getting off and you can respond with si or no (obviously). Andyou know just by being in the cities in the states that there arebeggers, people selling stuff, and musicians... the usual. If you aresitting down sometimes little kids will come by and put something onyour lap and just leave it there, they come to pick it up and move on.No harm, no foul. The Subte is an experience and something thathonestly was the biggest adjustment for me.
FUN FACT #6: Eating schedule. Here the food schedule is different, and I really enjoy it.Breakfast: yogurt, milk, cereal, tostadas, banana Lunch: anytime from 1-4 pm. This includes empanadas, milanesa, sandwhiches (meat, lettuce, tomate, cheese, ham, hard boiled egg) is the most common, usually nothing too fancy.Merienda: 6-8. Usually the same things offered for breakfast, plus coffee, tea, and sweets! What is merienda? You just go to a cafe and sit and talk for a few hours then get on with you evening. It's a the perfect regroup time!
FUN FACT #7: Types of coffee!!! You think I am joking, but these are all the choices you have....(Warning: I do not drink coffee so I may be mistaken)Cafe con Leche - Coffee with hot milk Cafe Americano - Similar to an expresso (very strong)Cafe Cortado - Coffee cut with a little milkUna Lagrima - Milk cut with a dash of coffee (my favorite)Un te comun - My usual....regular black tea (have to ask for milk if you want it)
FUN FACT #8: Restaurant Lingo
FUN FACT #9: AGUA
FACT #10: Water is not free! You are charged 12 or more pesos at restaurants for water so bring water bottles for during the day! Other wise your pesos will fly out your wallet (Trust me it happened to me, at restaurants they do not automatically bring out water like in the US)
FUN FACT #11: Some times taxis do not accept 100 peso bills, so hoard your small change!! Also if you only have a 100 peso bill let them know when you first get in the cab to see if they have change.
FUN FACT #12: Not all museums are free. They are cheaper for students and for residents but bring your id's.
FUN FACT #15: The city is WONDERFUL, but I highly recommend traveling to other parts. It is a phenomenal country :)
Monday, December 10, 2012
The things I will miss about Buenos Aires...
1. Hearing Spanish all day everyday
2. My corky tango class every Monday (pretty sure my professor thought I didn't understand Spanish the whole semester)
3. Tango music during taxi rides and the always interesting conversations with los techeros
4. Alfajores and Asados
5. My lovely host family whom I now consider my true family
6. A nightlife that never ends ;)
7. My wonderfully simple cell phone
8. New friends from all over the world
9. My barrio which I have now conquered completely on my own
10. Walking to class every morning and passing the daily cleaners brush the sidewalks with soap and water
11. The Argentine's who sing to themselves when walking on the street with no shame
12. Graduados (the best show on TV)
13. Traveling to new parts of the country
14. Merienda (the time during the day to catch up with yourself and your friends)
15. Experiencing life the Argentine way
2. My corky tango class every Monday (pretty sure my professor thought I didn't understand Spanish the whole semester)
3. Tango music during taxi rides and the always interesting conversations with los techeros
4. Alfajores and Asados
5. My lovely host family whom I now consider my true family
6. A nightlife that never ends ;)
7. My wonderfully simple cell phone
8. New friends from all over the world
9. My barrio which I have now conquered completely on my own
10. Walking to class every morning and passing the daily cleaners brush the sidewalks with soap and water
11. The Argentine's who sing to themselves when walking on the street with no shame
12. Graduados (the best show on TV)
13. Traveling to new parts of the country
14. Merienda (the time during the day to catch up with yourself and your friends)
15. Experiencing life the Argentine way
The Grand Finale
Where has the time gone? I can not quite grasp that my time here in BA is coming to an end. This last month was filled with studying, tests, and travel. I found myself with limited computer access or simply too tired to put my fingers to work and type what has been going on this crazy experience.
From Punta del Este to Patagonia, we soaked up our last two grand adventures. From bikini's to big winter coats, both places were just what we needed. The city is now in summer mode and we not only needed to escape the heat, but the hustle and bustle. Uruguay was beautiful and tranqui. We were able to get some fresh air and recharge our batteries for the final exam week which followed immediately after. This past week we were in Calafate and El Chalten. Both breathtaking and honestly the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. I am still astounded by the variety this country holds.
Tomorrow I have my final exam in la UCA. It presents a new challenge as it is an oral exam. I will be in front of the two professors and be asked questions. In the U.S. this type of testing doesn't exist, or at least I have never encountered it.
After the exam, I can concentrate on all things BUENOS AIRES. My friends and I have made a list of the things we want to do before we leave and we are quite determined to accomplish them.
Likewise, the packing process is beginning and today I marveled at all I have acquired during my time here. I always assumed it would be so difficult to move abroad, but now I see it is quite simple. When I think about this room I am mind-blown that I have been here for a little more than 5 months. I feel such ownership of my space, of my host family, and of this city. I constructed a life here completely independent from my life in the states. That is beautiful.
At different points of my life I have experienced time differently. High school, at Scranton, but here in Argentina I am dumbstruck when I think back to July. I recently went back in my journal from my first weeks here and I had completely forgotten all those anxieties, fears, and worries I came here with.
I truly have changed and some might even say have become more like a porteña ;)
From Punta del Este to Patagonia, we soaked up our last two grand adventures. From bikini's to big winter coats, both places were just what we needed. The city is now in summer mode and we not only needed to escape the heat, but the hustle and bustle. Uruguay was beautiful and tranqui. We were able to get some fresh air and recharge our batteries for the final exam week which followed immediately after. This past week we were in Calafate and El Chalten. Both breathtaking and honestly the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. I am still astounded by the variety this country holds.
Tomorrow I have my final exam in la UCA. It presents a new challenge as it is an oral exam. I will be in front of the two professors and be asked questions. In the U.S. this type of testing doesn't exist, or at least I have never encountered it.
After the exam, I can concentrate on all things BUENOS AIRES. My friends and I have made a list of the things we want to do before we leave and we are quite determined to accomplish them.
Likewise, the packing process is beginning and today I marveled at all I have acquired during my time here. I always assumed it would be so difficult to move abroad, but now I see it is quite simple. When I think about this room I am mind-blown that I have been here for a little more than 5 months. I feel such ownership of my space, of my host family, and of this city. I constructed a life here completely independent from my life in the states. That is beautiful.
At different points of my life I have experienced time differently. High school, at Scranton, but here in Argentina I am dumbstruck when I think back to July. I recently went back in my journal from my first weeks here and I had completely forgotten all those anxieties, fears, and worries I came here with.
I truly have changed and some might even say have become more like a porteña ;)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Jungle Life
I have just returned from Iguazu and I could not help myself but come straight to the keyboard to record the details of our trip. From our start to finish, this trip was the smoothest traveling experience I have had in Argentina. We decided to fly to afford ourselves more time and it was completely worth it.
When we arrived we were taken to our hostel, (Hostel Inn which I recommend 100% for anyone traveling there). It was beautiful, clean, and was basically a hotel for a hostel price. The staff and grounds were exceptional and we made ourselves right at home.
The first day we ventured over to the park and went to "La garganta del diablo" or "The devil's throat." It was slightly overcast, which added to the ominous atmosphere of the falls. As we walked along the bridge we passed different types of fish swimming under our feet, plants and trees we had never seen before, and droves of people from all over the world! From large tourist groups, to class trips, to locals, to study abroad students there was a wide variety of languages. As we drew closer to the falls, we lost sight of the bridge which was swallowed up by mist. Likewise, we could hear the powerful pounding of the water warning us of what was to come. Peering over the edge, our jaws dropped. I have never been filled with such awe, beauty, and fear. The power of the falls is astonishing and at the same time somewhat terrifying. as we made our way along the bridge the mist and wind strengthened. It was incredible to stand with your eyes shut and just feel the fresh, crisp water. After two minutes I was drenched, but it was well worth it.
While we were there I met and Argentine who was an actor from BA visiting as well. We got to talking and his friendliness astounded Sarah and I. We ended up exchanging phone numbers and hopefully we will meet up in the city soon! I have found Argentines to be so welcoming and so willing to offer their friendship, that sometimes we north americans think "something's up", but they are genuinely being nice people (or at least all the people we have encountered). We enjoyed the falls then went on an ecological tour with a guide. We saw all types of flora and fauna native to this jungle region along with rare species of birds. We ended the day and called it a night pretty early.
The next morning we set our alarms to soak up the sun. We laid by the pool, swam, and slacked off as much as possible. Later in the afternoon we went back to the park and embarked upon the "Great Adventure." We were in a truck with a group of Argentines and road through the jungle while learning all type of "fun facts." We arrived at the water and prepared ourselves for the next leg of the trip...a boat ride under the waterfalls. We found two empty seats and got to know the people around us. We soon learned that there was a group of 22 Irish men who play golf together and travel together every two years. Argentina was their destination this year. They were loads of fun! One was funnier than the next and the accents helped ;)
The boat ride was breathtaking. Rainbows appeared everywhere and we passed by other boats from the Brazil side (as we were on the river which separates the two countries). After ten minutes on the boat we were drenched head to toe with the most refreshing water I have ever experienced. It was incredible. When the ride finished we got out and walked up the mountain side and were able to take AMAZING pictures. There were all different pathways which lead to different cataratas. Breathtaking! When we finished we walked back home, completely content with the day.
At the hostel, we met a group of amazing people. A couple from the UK and Australia, two girls from Ireland, a group of Dutch, and lastly two best friends from New Zealand who actually lived in Iguazu for 6 months. We were quite the crew. They are what made this trip for us. We laughed, talked, drank, ate, and shared an amazing experience together. The two guys from New Zealand took us to places that no tourist would even know existed. On Sunday we went to a river in the neighborhood of the local people. We played with the kids in the water, searched for quartz in the river, and met a family that lives in the jungle quite literally. From start to finish it Sarah and I said to each other "What are we doing?" and "Where are we?"Also, I can finally check off riding on the back of a truck off my list. I feel like I can now really say I was in South America!
When it came time to leave, we were in tears. Although it had only been 48 hours it felt like a week. I wish them all the very best and hopefully our paths will cross again :)
The next morning we set our alarms to soak up the sun. We laid by the pool, swam, and slacked off as much as possible. Later in the afternoon we went back to the park and embarked upon the "Great Adventure." We were in a truck with a group of Argentines and road through the jungle while learning all type of "fun facts." We arrived at the water and prepared ourselves for the next leg of the trip...a boat ride under the waterfalls. We found two empty seats and got to know the people around us. We soon learned that there was a group of 22 Irish men who play golf together and travel together every two years. Argentina was their destination this year. They were loads of fun! One was funnier than the next and the accents helped ;)
The boat ride was breathtaking. Rainbows appeared everywhere and we passed by other boats from the Brazil side (as we were on the river which separates the two countries). After ten minutes on the boat we were drenched head to toe with the most refreshing water I have ever experienced. It was incredible. When the ride finished we got out and walked up the mountain side and were able to take AMAZING pictures. There were all different pathways which lead to different cataratas. Breathtaking! When we finished we walked back home, completely content with the day.
At the hostel, we met a group of amazing people. A couple from the UK and Australia, two girls from Ireland, a group of Dutch, and lastly two best friends from New Zealand who actually lived in Iguazu for 6 months. We were quite the crew. They are what made this trip for us. We laughed, talked, drank, ate, and shared an amazing experience together. The two guys from New Zealand took us to places that no tourist would even know existed. On Sunday we went to a river in the neighborhood of the local people. We played with the kids in the water, searched for quartz in the river, and met a family that lives in the jungle quite literally. From start to finish it Sarah and I said to each other "What are we doing?" and "Where are we?"Also, I can finally check off riding on the back of a truck off my list. I feel like I can now really say I was in South America!
When it came time to leave, we were in tears. Although it had only been 48 hours it felt like a week. I wish them all the very best and hopefully our paths will cross again :)
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