Lesson #13: Things are cheaper than the States, but it adds up...

...especially when you fear the public transportation.
I've successfully made my way to school this past week. On Monday we had our orientation and our welcoming lunch, which was very nice. On Tuesday we took our Spanish placement test, and I tested into a lower Spanish than I expected, which was a blow to my idea that I would be successful here. But Pipa "lit a candle" for me, and things worked themselves out. On Wednesday we started class. This class, even though it's a "higher level" than I tested into is too easy because the professor is combining the two levels together and making like a step-up type program. I learned the alphabet and numbers on the first day. Again. For the 80 millionth time. The same goes for Thursday, but at night CEA had a dinner & movie night for us. And today (Friday) I went to a going-away dinner for my friend's roommate who is returning to the USA.

But back to the topic about how things add up quickly when you're afraid of public transportation... I'm such a country girl. So I had my first experience riding the bus (in Argentina, it's the "colectivo," keep that in mind, because that's what I'll call it). I didn't really like it because my first time on, I didn't know that I was supposed to tell the driver how much I wanted to pay/where I was going. I just thought that everyone paid the same price. And there was a line of angry Argentines behind me. Whatever. My second time was okay, but it was quite full, and I got off two stops before I had to (because there are stops just about every 3 blocks).
On Thursday, I took the subte (subway/metro - which I do like) to school like normal, but exited out on the wrong street and got myself really confused. So I asked a police officer for directions, and he pointed me in the wrong direction... So I was almost late for class and had to call CEA Staff for help with directions. On Thursday night, we had our dinner. Pipa helped me use the Guia T (for the colectivo) to find which bus line to take. So I went to the bus and paid, and all that jazz, and it was pretty empty. 20 minutes later, I was the only one on the bus and the driver was ditching me on the side of some road with instructions to go with the old lady and take the 66 bus. I was so stressed and frustrated.
The old lady was so sweet. She got on the next bus with me, and told some old man that he couldn't have the seat so that I could sit next to her and she could help me. And finally we got off together, so that I could change buses again, but I didn't have enough change (colectivo takes only change, which is why people horde it. Then it's even harder to find...), so I ended up hailing a taxi and she told him where to take me. Of course, she gave him an intersection near where I needed to be, but not the exact one (I'm thinking for safety purposes, because that's what I always do). So I got out on this corner and had no idea where I was or how close I was to where I needed to be. I was near tears at this point. I had already been trying to get to dinner for .. an hour. This time I called a different CEA Staff member and told her that I was lost. Response: "again?!" (hahaha). But I ended up getting to where I needed to be. Where I ended up crying and drinking mate (a traditional drink that I haven't acquired the taste for yet).
But whatever.

So, I took a taxi twice yesterday and twice today. Because I fear the bus system.
That's why it's my roommates and my friends mission to get me to understand the bus system so I can use it to my wallet's advantage. The price for a bus ride here is Arg. $1.10-1.25 (so like... $0.45 USD) and the Subte is Arg. $1.10 (so like $0.30 USD).
It's getting to the point though where I buy my lunch in the cafeteria and think that the pricing is outrageous. Today I got a personal pizza and a coke for $19, and was like "$19 are they crazy!?" .. then I have to remember to divide that by about 4, and $5 for a meal doesn't seem that bad...

And, I guess, I'm glad that I'm here, but no one every talks about the sucky parts of study abroad. Everyone just loves it, loves it, loves it. Right now, I'm so frustrated. I'm not where I want to be for Spanish classes at school and I can't get around the city by myself. And I just feel like a guest in this house right now, so I feel weird leaving my room and using things in the kitchen by myself.
I'm sure it's all just a matter of time, and I realize I've only been here for a week, but it feels like longer than that. So I'm just frustrated with myself for not being an awesome Argentine yet, when I know I shouldn't be. Which is the most frustrating part.

Although, (I'll leave this on a good note so you don't think that I absolutely hate it when I'm actually just in a period of readjustment) I haven't gotten hollered at yet by the guys in the streets, which is what they do when they can tell that you're North American. AND a person in the subte asked me for directions. That means that I look like I can fit in! I'm so excited. (The part that separates me is the fact that I can wear a short sleeve shirt in 60 degree weather and other people have on hats and gloves... yeah).

Pipa

Pipa is my homestay mother. And she is one of the greatest women on the planet, no exaggeration. I feel like I've really started breaking out of my shell because Pipa is so genuinely nice to all of us and really wants to see us succeed with our Spanish.
Yesterday I had orientation for my group, and it was really great to be together. I love having roommates because it keeps me from feeling so alone, but being with my group is also really great because it means that we're out in the city doing something and there are so many interesting stories to hear from all over the United States. We legitimately span coast to coast. Today I had my placement test (which didn't go exactly as I had planned and really put a damper on my day, but with help from CEA staff and a little assertiveness from Pipa, I'm sure things will work out for the best), and then I watched the world cup game (Argentina vs. Greece) with my group and a bunch of other students and faculty in the University's cafeteria.
After each day out I get "home" and I hang my keys up on the wall, so Pipa and Atilio can keep attendance. Then I drop all my stuff off and head into the kitchen to sit with Pipa and talk about my day. It's so great because she helps correct me with my Spanish, and ... I don't know, she always makes me feel really good about trying and she's just so understanding about everything.
Last night I finally gave Pipa my gifts: two Durham CT mugs (one for her and one for Atilio), Silly Bandz for Elina, and postcards of Durham. She loooved seeing the pictures of Durham because I got to explain to her how small Durham is, especially compared to the city.
While it's hard to see how close the students who live in the residence hall are, it's great living here, and so far, I wouldn't change a thing. So what that my room is small and it's a 25 minute bus ride to school? Pipa is such an excellent homestay mother and is really pushing me to help me excel in Spanish, and not only speaking. She actually gave me one of Elina's books today so that I can practice reading more often.

Lesson #1: Don't Pack Expectations

¡Hola! Estoy en Buenos Aires, Argentina ahora.
I arrived this morning after a glorious 10.5 hour flight from Atlanta. I got to eat the most fabulous chicken dinner!
But I've already had my first lesson in my study abroad experience. It's called "Don't Pack Expectations." I had no idea what to expect, but I came up with stuff anyway and it's all completely wrong. I thought that customs was going to be difficult, and it was the easiest thing ever. I'm now the owner of a lovely Argentine Visa. Then I thought that I would be completely ready for a homestay by myself without internet, but that's all a lie too! There are currently 3 other girls in my homestay with me. One from Georgetown, one with ISA and one with... I don't remember what company. And one of the girls will be here until December, like me! So I'm not completely alone. But I also have wireless in my homestay, and they said I wouldn't...
My homestay family is nice so far. It's just difficult because I don't feel confident enough to speak a lot of Spanish, so it's a lot of head-nodding and "okay, wait, I mean, bueno"-s right now. But I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Katie, a girl who is moving out today, took me and Patricia (Georgetown girl, here for 6 weeks) to get empinadas. We got chicken ones, and I'm not sure how to describe it, but they were tasty! We also took a walk through the Recoleta Feria to get some last minute gifts for Katie. I saw a lot of cute things, so... I know where some of my money will be heading to. Haha.

Other than that, everything is fine. I'm excited for Monday because that's our orientation and I'll learn how to get to school, so I'll meet other people from my program. Tuesday is our placement test for our Spanish classes, and CEA has a bunch of things planned like every other day for these first few weeks, so it looks like I'll be jumping right in to the life here.

Until next time, ciao!

P.S. I'm just going to edit this post instead of adding a new one, Lesson #2: Don't Overpack. You'll give yourself a blood blister from trying to carry everything...

Counting Down the Days...

There are really only a few more days left (12) until I leave for Argentina, and as the day approaches I get more excited and nervous. But I've received my housing assignment! It's with a family (my first choice was a homestay and my second was a residencia), so I'm really happy. I kept trying to decide if I would want a family with children or not, and I ended up being assigned a family that has a 12 year old daughter, which I'm really excited about. I hope that we all get along really well, but I'm nervous about just showing up on someone's doorstep. My housing is supposedly a 20 minute bus ride from my school, so I'm going to have to learn how to use that system pretty fast. But I'm excited because my housing is in a section of the city called Recoleta, and it's really close to the city center where a lot of really good sights are.
Also, I got my yellow fever vaccine already, and the nurse who gave me the shot told me some additional information, so now I'm going back to get Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. And you should know, I hate shots, but she convinced me that it was a good idea, and my mom was standing there and of course that meant that I was going to get it because no one wants a sick daughter who is 15 hours away! Haha.
I picked up an awesome guide book called "Let's Go! Buenos Aires." It was written by Harvard Undergraduates and was actually very witty and informative. I read the entire thing, and with other guide books I just generally skimmed, so it must have been good.

And with that, I'm done updating you. I'm going to start looking at my clothes and deciding what things I still need to pick up before I go, that way my last few days in the United States won't be spent making hundreds of Walmart and Walgreens runs.

Adios amigos!

P.S. I'll add in a FUN FACT: The bus systems in Buenos Aires seems like it would be a public system, but actually it's a private system with multiple bus operators! (Maybe it Columbia, SC privatized their bus system it would work more efficiently? - I'll let you know after I try catching a bus for a few days.)