Tigre & a Night Out on the Town

I just thought I'd write a quick little entry while I have a moment before I go to sleep.

Last night I went out with my roommates to a bar and then to a club called Crobar. It's funny because Crobar comes highly recommended/is listed in almost all the travel guides, but I didn't really like it. It's this insanely huge club that can hold like 2,300 people or something. It was crazy. It's just an issue because I'm not a very good dancer, and Argentine men are very forward. So I would be doing the knee bend (thanks Stephanie!) and all of a sudden some Argentine guy would be stroking my hair and trying to get to me to break out of my shell. I'm just not so certain that the over-sized club scene is "my" scene. But I am glad I at least got to see what a 2,300 person club looks like. (Although I am slightly annoyed that I've washed my hair and it continues to smell like smoke...)

Today was obviously the devastating game between Argentina and Germany. I watched at a restaurant with my friends and two girls who have graduated college and come to learn Spanish. They actually don't live too far from me, and we'll be here for about the same length of time, so I'm looking forward to maybe having some new people to spend time with.
Anyway, I watched the game, and I've never seen a restaurant vacate so fast. I'm sure by shortly after halftime everyone knew we didn't have any more of a chance, but people just ditched that place. Of course then I heard someone blowing a horn on the street and instead of it sounding jubilant, it was like a lost elephant looking for it's mother. It was so depressing.

After the game my group of CEA students met at the train station, and we headed into Tigre. I absolutely loved Tigre, and I'm going to try to convince my father that it's a worthy destination to live in. It's an area full of sedimentary islands, so the water looks really dirty, but it just looks like the cutest place to live. There's a grocery store boat that goes dock to dock, and people use boats to commute instead of cars. The only thing I'm not sure I could handle is that fact that they don't really have phone, cable, or internet. But... I could attempt to rough it, right?

This is a picture of the Tigre Mueseum of "Bellas Artes"


And Happy Independence Day, all you USA-ers!

Never Again Will I...

Take 5 hour classes.
This intensive program is killing me, and NOT because it's intense. So far we're still learning things from basic, which means present tense. And I go to school for 5 hours a day and practically fall asleep in class.

I really have nothing cool to share, and I feel so lame! Life is continuing as normal. I'm spending a lot of time with Jen, Lauren, and Mary Lyn - but Lauren and Mary Lyn are only here for a month, so our time is quickly ending, and Jen and are trying to plan things to do with ourselves to fill the void. Haha.

On Tuesday I left class early for a little CEA trip to a leather factory, which was not at all what I expected (that pesky thing about expectations). I thought it would be more like they would give us some kind of an explanation about how they make their products, but they were solely there to sell us things. And they didn't have boots. So it wasn't really worth my time to miss class. And because I missed some class Tuesday, I skipped our trip to Plaza de Mayo today (which I can do with the semester students instead of the summer students).
After the Leather Factory thing, we were going to take the bus back to the school and change lines to our own respective neighborhoods, and so Mary Lyn and I were on the lookout for our stop. And then we missed it. And we stayed on the bus. It got on a highway and went 45 minutes out of the city into Buenos Aires provinces. So, some nice ladies told the bus driver not to let us off because we were clearly lost, and he listened. Sometimes prayers get answered instantly. Needless to say, I'm definitely not friends with the #15 bus line right now...

This weekend should be a good weekend though. Of course the weather was supposed to be beautiful and then it changed to 4 days of rain, BUT there are so many things going on!
1) Tomorrow night me and my two roommates are going to go out (yay! My first time!)
2) Saturday is the Argentina vs. Germany game and Germany is going need to watch their backs. Plus, I bought a jersey from a street vendor, so I'm really excited to wear it.
3) We're going to the Tigre Delta, which is supposed to be gorgeous and my grandfather told me I had to make sure I went, so I'm glad we're going as a group.
4) If it doesn't rain, we're supposed to go to the Ferias of San Telmo and Recoleta (which is just a few blocks from my homestay!)
5) On Saturday night, after a really full day of activities, my friends, my roommates, and I plan to go to this bar that has board games at the tables, so it should be a fun/chill night out.

Anyway, Emily (my roommate) has convinced me to power-hour through my homework so that we can finish watching Juno together.
So, until next time, chau!

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.)

35 days!

I booked my flight to Buenos Aires today! There are only 35 days until my flight, and while I'm already bored with Durham, the time seems so short. Hopefully, preparing and relaxing will keep me busy for the next 5 weeks, but I was just so excited about my flight (which is only 14 hours of travel instead of the 19-24 hours that I had previously found) that I had to update (did I mention that I have exit row window seating? Gotta love seat selectors!)

Paid!

Finally, finally, finally I've paid for my trip. It took forever because I needed to wait on my student loan information. But now it is absolutely certain that I will be going to Argentina. :) Only about 7 weeks, too!

Pre-Departure Orientation

Today I had my pre-departure orientation here at the University of South Carolina. I was so excited because it meant that my trip was actually happening, and I was really interested to see where other people were going.
We got to Russell House, and had to sign in. They divided us into a few different rooms: Europe (English speaking), Europe (non-English speaking), Latin America and Asia, and .. well, I'm not actually sure if they had a Middle East and Africa room, but I would hope that some people were choosing to go there because I feel like those trips would be very eye-opening.
Anyway, it was really interesting to be in the room I was in. 10 kids are doing a first time USC program in Hong Kong, and so they were all together and already knew each other through their major; another kid was doing a study abroad program in Shanghai for 14 months - outrageous!; a few were going to Russia (which I always think of as Europe, but it's Asia too, I guess); and one other kid was going to Buenos Aires! Yay!

We learned a lot of things, and by "learned" I mean that they told me things that I already knew because I have over-prepared myself for this trip. I still have a lot of work to do, especially financially, to get everything in order for me to just hop on over to our southern sister-continent, but I felt really prepared and like I knew a lot. Especially because I talked to a few other students, one going to the Dominican Republic and the other Buenos Aires student (he's not going with CEA), who didn't really have a much information on their programs/had recently decided and hadn't done all their paperwork or spent the time preparing like I had. So, it kind of makes me feel nerdy for reading around so much, and it kind of makes me feel really good because I feel like the more I prepare, the more I'll enjoy it and settle in once I get to my program.

Another really exciting thing is that our calendar for our trip was recently put online! I'm so excited to have definite days for things now. We also have 3 excursions planned for our semester. One is a day trip to the Tigre Delta, which my grandfather talked about. He, for those of you who don't know, essentially sailed the world for work when he was younger, so he told me about the time that he was stuck in Argentina for three months. He also gave me the name of a man who he used to be in touch with, about 60 years ago, and asked me to look him up in the Buenos Aires phonebook. Anyway the Tigre Delta, from my understanding, is north of the city and it like a semi-Venice, Italy-esque town because a lot of it is canal-ways and you can take boat trips through the canals. Our second trip is to Iguazu Falls which is this huge chain of waterfalls that is on the boarder of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It looks like it will be a spectacular time, and this trip is 3 days and 2 nights, so it should be fun to get out of the city for a little while (this trip is also the reason that I will need to be getting a Yellow Fever vaccine). Our last trip is to Mendoza, which is in the western part of the country. It's a region that apparently was one of the driest on the continent, until an advanced irrigation system; now it is one of the biggest vineyard areas! Of course, there is a very nice ski resort there, but we will be going just after the end of the ski season (the end of October), so I'm a bit depressed. But it's very exciting knowing that these exciting trips are planned for me, and I've also been researching and reading about good day trips (like Colonia, Uruguay, which is a water-taxi from Buenos Aires) and good longer trips, like to Bariloche and the Glacier National Park (a glacier hike?! I think yes! I've always wanted to try crampons!)

Finally, I'm going to chat with you a minute about how RIDICULOUS AT&T is about international calling plans: I have an iPhone. Let's be frank, I'm addicted to it. It barely leaves my eyesight. I use it ALL the time. A friend and I can be discussing something, and I question comes up - I just google the answer. And I love to text. And use my facebook and twitter accounts via my apps. Anyway, CEA offers us a perfectly acceptable cellphone, for free, with a calling rate of $1.09/minute to the United States. So, I just wanted to investigate and see if it was any cheaper if I got an international sim card into my iPhone. First, AT&T doesn't do that. But they do have international roaming... That means I can call the United States for $2.39/minute. WHAT?! So then they let me know that if I pay $5.99/month, the international roaming cost goes down, and my international calls to the United States are only $1.99/minute... Yeah, that's just outrageous. I love you iPhone, but you're going to be laid to rest for about 5.5 months. And as I was digesting this, they asked me if I would also be using the internet, and I was like, "oh, can I?" and they said, "sure it's (insert crazy price here for certain amount of mega-bites)." "For a one-time fee?" I ask. "Oh, no, it's every month." - Mind you, the crazy price was like $25 to almost $100. So it really does look like my iPhone will just have to deal with not being used for a while. Except as an iPod. Haha.

Lastly (this time, I promise!), 10 weeks exactly until I leave for Argentina. That's 70 days, baby.

In 3 Months...

... I'll be in Argentina!
We just passed the point where I only have three months left in the United States until I embark on my wonderful journey, and I'm getting more excited and nervous. Of course, I have a ton of great friends who are giving me advice and wishes, so that keeps things cheery.
I'm almost done with all my paperwork. I just have this pesky little financial aid disbursement form to fill out, and OF COURSE the Financial Aid office was closed this afternoon when I was over there. Pesky Fin. Aid workers...
But I did pick out my classes and get that signed off by my advisor and the Dean for College of Arts & Science - Political Science, so that's nice. I'll be getting 18 credits, which I thought I would be awarded 21 because of the extra month of Spanish, but alas I am not. Anyway, I'll be getting 6 credits in Spanish and I then have the pleasure of taking Art History - Contemporary Argentine Art; Anthropology/Latin American Studies - Argentine Culture and Traditions; Political Science/Economics - Latin America in the Context of Globalization (I think it will be my favorite, and it also sounds the nerdiest); and History - 19th and 20th Century Latin America.

So up until my leave date, all I have left to do is .. financial aid, actually pay, pre-departure orientation, and then all that packing mumbo jumbo. And I finally got my first paycheck, so even though it's not a ton, it'll get some of you some very nice Argentine gifts!

And finally, for real this time...
FUN FACT: Avenida 9 de Julio, wandering through the center of the Microcentre (downtown) is the widest street in the world at an imposing sixteen lanes.