I think that going a week without blogging probably is too long because I lose so many things that I want to share with everyone, and I have so many things occur that change the mood of my posts, so I'm going to try to write more often, especially when I've been doing things about town.
Last weekend I finished the weekend off by going to the Ferias (open-air markets) of San Telmo and Recoleta, and the Recoleta Cemetery. The Feria of San Telmo is an antique fair, and they have a lot of really interesting and beautiful things. I walked around and took a lot of pictures. I also bought a very small gift for my favorite Hennick Mom! :)
While we were at San Telmo, a girl got her bag stolen. Or, I guess it was before we even made it to the Feria, so it put me on high alert for the day because I would never want that to happen to me. The Feria of San Telmo not only has the market for buying things, but it also has a lot of Tango performers because San Telmo is home of the Tango. We watched a group of 20/30-somethings perform a song, and later an older couple dance the traditional dance.
After San Telmo, we all hopped on the bus to Recoleta and walked through the cemetery as a group. The cemetery is such a spectacular sight, and it's so close to my homestay! The entire cemetery are ornate mausoleums that house whole families. There are a lot that have gorgeous sculptures on them, and then there are the contrasting ones that have been left and are starting to fall apart and collect dust. They're all so beautiful. We also got to see where Eva Peron is buried, and I love her. Of course, with any famous politician, there is a ton of controversy and you either love her or you hate her, but I opt for the love. It's not even well marked where she's buried, and she's with her family instead of her husband's, so her mausoleum says "Duarte." I couldn't get a good picture because there were so many people in the way! It's definitely the site to visit!
After the cemetery we were set free onto the Feria, which is just outside the front gates. Most of the things at the Feria are handmade by the people who are selling them, and there are so many different things to see! I bought myself a couple of beaded bracelets, a purse that changes to different styles, and strongly contemplated yet another painting of the Tango... I have to pick a bunch to help decorate my apartment with Ashley for next school year!
On Tuesday our group got together for a traditional dinner and Tango show. I'm really interested in taking at least one tango lesson, but I already don't like watching it as much as I've enjoyed seeing people dance the salsa or the cumbia. The tango is much more technical and people say it's sensual, but I just don't see that in it. So, I really enjoyed my meal and tried to enjoy the show, but it wasn't as good to me as seeing some old people just dancing on the street. Also, the one lady wore an orange and purple dress, and the Gamecock in me was a bit put off (haha). After the show, I went to the residencia with some of the kids in the group, and we went out to a club. I only lasted until 2, which is when the club scene actually gets going, so I'm going to consider that night a waste of money. But it's good for me to know that I cannot successfully go out on a school night. Now I don't need to re-attempt that one later on...
On Wednesday night I went to see a show called Fuerza Bruta at the Recoleta Cultural Center. It was so cool! I was told it was kind of like Cirque du Soleil and my friend was told it was like Stomp - and it combined aspects from those two shows, but it was more than that, and I'm definitely looking forward to going back one more time. They also pulled my friend Jen up on stage to dance with them for part of it, which was really exciting! Jen's a star!
Thursday was our last class for the week because Friday (7/9) is the Argentine Independence Day. Jen, Emily (my roommate), and I headed downtown to a Cuban Restaurant that gives lessons on salsa and other Cuban dances. Now, if you know me, you know I always quit things that I'm not good at - and we got there are started the lessons, there were people who were REALLY good, and I couldn't even figure out what the instructor was saying. So, I stepped aside and I was going to be content to just watch, but instead Emily and Jen fought with me to try and get me to dance again, and that's when they pulled us aside with a separate instructor. So for about $5USD we got an hour and a half of private salsa lessons - and a really good vocabulary lesson for my Spanish class!
The annoying part about Thursday night was that I was all ready to go out, and Pipa told me I shouldn't bring my purse because I'd have to put it down when I was dancing, and then I'd get it stolen - and my roommate Emily just had her wallet stolen, so we were on alert. So, I agreed and instead put my cell, keys, and wallet in my front pockets of my jeans. On the crowded, rush-hour subte though, a man successfully stole my cellphone because I thought it was just his backpack hitting into my leg. I'm SO annoyed because I could have prevented it, but I just didn't think it was anything until it was too late. Jen let me use her cellphone to cancel mine, and at least no one can charge calls to my credit card now...
On Friday, Jen came to Recoleta and her, Emily, and I went out for a late lunch. There were a lot of places that weren't open because it was Independence Day, but we found a nice restaurant near my homestay and ate there. After lunch Jen and I decided to go see the Florialis Generica which is about ... 10 blocks from my house? Emily wasn't feeling good, so she went back home to rest. Of course, Jen and I almost got robbed (again), but I realized what was going on in the midst of everything, and successfully got us away without creating a big scene. But essentially, they made it appear like a bird pooped on us, and then they offered us napkins and water to clean it off. But in the process the poop was spread all over us, AND on to our purses. The lady who was "helping" tried to lift my bag off my body so that she could clean it better, and I caught on and wouldn't let her.
It's just really frustrating that no matter what I do here, I'm going to be a target. If I speak in English, I'm a target. If I speak in my non-accented Spanish, I'm a target. Apparently you can tell that I'm not from here by the way I walk! So, there's really no way to avoid being targeted, except pre-planning everything and being really aware of your surroundings and your belongings. I don't like the feeling that I'm always being watched, but I'm sure that with time I'll just come to accept it and catch on to all the games that people play.
Last night I went out to a club with a bunch of people from CEA, and I ended up staying overnight at my friend's homestay because her mom didn't feel comfortable calling me a cab at 5am and putting me in it alone. So for the entire day I've just been really lazy because I didn't sleep that great last night. And today our one roommate, Rachel, moved out, which was sad. It's sad to think that Patricia only has 3 more weeks and then we'll wait and see if another girl moves in with us for the semester.
We had orientation at Universidad de Belgrano for the semester the other day - that way we have an entire week off to travel between intensive Spanish and semester classes - and I'm really excited. They suggest taking 4 classes, but I'm definitely going to take 5. Now I just have to decide what ones I want to take because I did have them all pre-approved, but now they offer a "Women in Latin America" class, and the Women and Gender Studies minor in me is feeling a strong pull towards that - although my other 5 classes were all going to fulfill requirements towards my major/Spanish minor. I'll keep you updated with whatever I end up choosing after my adviser appointment.
Oh! And .. FUN FACT, but this is actually more sad - but it's a fact: I was talking to CEA Staff Member (and new best friend) Nahuel about life in Argentina, and I asked him if to Argentinians the value of a pesos feels like what a dollar feels like to Americans, or, if like I do, Argentinians compare the currency and think of a peso as $.25 USD. And he said that a peso felt like a dollar to Argentinians (which sounds like a stupid question, but like a soda is $5 pesos, and so it's really like $1.25 - but I don't think I would buy a small soda if it was going to be $5!). Anyway, I then asked him what Argentine minimum wage is, and he told me that it's 2.10 pesos an hour! That's a little over 50 cents! PER HOUR. That way, if you work a full time job, you make .. not even enough for rent. So, that's my fact. If you're feeling a little poor in the US of A, think of how it must feel to try to survive on that, and I'm sure you'll feel a little bit richer.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
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).
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).
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
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...
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...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
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.)
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.)
Saturday, May 15, 2010
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!)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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!
Friday, April 9, 2010
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.
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.
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