This week has been quite calm. I returned to school on Monday after being out sick, and found out that I had a paper due that day or Wednesday. So, Monday and Tuesday I did a lot of reading that I had slacked on and wrote my paper - it wasn't long, and was in English, but my BS-ing skills had taken a nap for a few months and weren't ready for a surprise paper. Other than that my school week was quite tame, but we are quickly approaching my midterm time, and so I know I'll have a lot of work coming up soon.
I've also been reading a lot because my friend Jen began a new series (trashy, yet addictive, vampire novels), and then passed them on to me. Much of my time in the past week has been consumed with these books.
Anyway, yesterday a new shipment of CEA students arrived! There are two class/program types: One group is doing 3 months of just Spanish at the University of Belgrano (where I go), and the other group is a new program called Global Campus that takes classes all in English on the humanities subjects, but they stay together and don't go to the University of Belgrano. Last night the University of Belgrano had "International Night," which I made a USA slideshow with pictures students have taken, and I got to meet a lot of new CEA students. I'm so excited for new people to be here, and I hope they all enjoy their time.
I also bumped into a boy that I had met in like.. my second week here. When I was watching World Cup games with Nahuel, there was a group of boys there, so I've met him but didn't know anything about him. Anyway, he confessed his love me and apparently it's "true love" and he's not quite sure what to do without me. Also, (note: boys, this one clearly works well) he told me that my eyes were like a piece of Heaven had fallen from the sky. Hahahaha. Actually, he's quite adorable unlike some other sketchy people I've met (i.e. guy from this bar on Friday night. His friends were cool, but I got stuck with the sketchy one. He was SO into himself. I hate that).
And, just 2 hours ago, I got a new roommate! Her name is Caitlin, she's from California (like the majority of students here), and so far she's super sweet! I'm so excited to have another roommate, and I feel so good about myself for being able to explain things to her now that I've been here for two months. Her family was with her because they were vacationing together and her Mom seemed really happy to know she had an American roommate who know how some things worked around here. :) It just proves how far I've come...
Anyway, I'm going to go back to my trashy vampire novels. Later tonight I think I'm going to tango lessons, which I haven't gone to in a few weeks - so we'll see how good I am now...
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Comfort
I should be doing my homework, but I thought I'd just blog really quick about my day and how, although it was just a normal day, it felt like like the best day ever.
Today I went to a birthday party. For an 85 year old! His name is Tolo, and he is from Spain, but immigrated here more than 50 years ago (I interviewed him and his wife for a presentation on immigration in my Culture class). Anyway, him and his wife take in CEA study abroad students, so they used to house my friend Lauren. That's how I first met them. BUT they're also the tia y tio (aunt and uncle) of my friend Jen's homestay mom. So, when it was birthday time coming up, Maria (Tolo's wife) invited me and Jen - Jen because she's "family" and me because I'm "adopted family." It was such a sweet invitation, and I was so excited. Maria and Tolo are SUCH loving people, and I was really excited when they called Jen and told us a date and time.
Yesterday, Jen and I went out and bought a box of chocolates for Tolo (they're called bon-bons here, haha) and a potted flower for Maria. And today was the party! It was me and Jen, Jen's homestay family (a mom and her two sons - who promptly left for a futbol match!), Maria's sister, and a nephew and his future wife (they're getting married in October - it's the event of the year for the family!), and of course Maria and Tolo. I think that I could have felt really awkward being there because it was such a family affair, but I felt at home. Maria and Tolo loved their presents, and the food was delicious. The typical conversation began about futbol because the two boys were getting ready to go to the game, and they root for opposing teams! And quickly switches to politics. It literally was a party out of a book! Everyone welcoming and happy to see us there, even though they didn't know me.
Also, the weather today was marvelous! 70-ish and sunny with a slight breeze. It's funny that on the bus, with the window open, I closed my eyes, breathed in and thought I smelled home, but really I was still in the city.
I'm still amazed that I've already been here for 2 months, and I'm amazed that there are times that I really actually feel like I'm "home." I know when I get back to the United States (in 106 days!) I'll wonder how a place so different could feel like home to me, but for now it does. And I'm glad that I had a day of such comfort. It will be one of the highlights I have to remember about my time here in Argentina; of that, I am certain.
Today I went to a birthday party. For an 85 year old! His name is Tolo, and he is from Spain, but immigrated here more than 50 years ago (I interviewed him and his wife for a presentation on immigration in my Culture class). Anyway, him and his wife take in CEA study abroad students, so they used to house my friend Lauren. That's how I first met them. BUT they're also the tia y tio (aunt and uncle) of my friend Jen's homestay mom. So, when it was birthday time coming up, Maria (Tolo's wife) invited me and Jen - Jen because she's "family" and me because I'm "adopted family." It was such a sweet invitation, and I was so excited. Maria and Tolo are SUCH loving people, and I was really excited when they called Jen and told us a date and time.
Yesterday, Jen and I went out and bought a box of chocolates for Tolo (they're called bon-bons here, haha) and a potted flower for Maria. And today was the party! It was me and Jen, Jen's homestay family (a mom and her two sons - who promptly left for a futbol match!), Maria's sister, and a nephew and his future wife (they're getting married in October - it's the event of the year for the family!), and of course Maria and Tolo. I think that I could have felt really awkward being there because it was such a family affair, but I felt at home. Maria and Tolo loved their presents, and the food was delicious. The typical conversation began about futbol because the two boys were getting ready to go to the game, and they root for opposing teams! And quickly switches to politics. It literally was a party out of a book! Everyone welcoming and happy to see us there, even though they didn't know me.
Also, the weather today was marvelous! 70-ish and sunny with a slight breeze. It's funny that on the bus, with the window open, I closed my eyes, breathed in and thought I smelled home, but really I was still in the city.
I'm still amazed that I've already been here for 2 months, and I'm amazed that there are times that I really actually feel like I'm "home." I know when I get back to the United States (in 106 days!) I'll wonder how a place so different could feel like home to me, but for now it does. And I'm glad that I had a day of such comfort. It will be one of the highlights I have to remember about my time here in Argentina; of that, I am certain.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I survived the last 5 days...
... and now I am absolutely certain that I can survive the rest of my time here, but I have definitely come to appreciate the comforts of home.
The past few days I have been SO sick; probably the second sickest I've ever been. I'm almost absolutely certain (like 99%) that it was a bad reaction to my malaria pills that I was taking to go to Iguazu Falls. Now, turns out, those pills and the yellow fever vaccine were totally unnecessary for this trip, but you know... precautions, precautions. So I took my pills anyway, even though multiple people told me not to worry about it - the US Medical system could never do me wrong, right?
Anyway, I arrived back on Sunday from Iguazu, and I'd been taking the pills for 6 days, so I had 6 days left. On Monday I saw Inception (El Origen, as it's known here and LOVED IT. It's my new favorite movie), and hung out with my friends, but I wasn't feeling so good. I just figured it was from riding the boat under the waterfall. But Monday night, late-ish, like 10pm, my family got home and I was making toast as dinner because I wasn't going to try to cook something and I was really sleepy - too sleepy to wait for dinner.
I ate my toast, tried showering to shake my not-feeling-well-ness, and went to bed. I couldn't fall asleep, so I took some nyquil, and then at like 2? in the morning, I woke up and had to run to the bathroom. I was SO sick. I wanted to puke, which never happens to me, and at one point thought I was going to, so I started to pull my hair back, and I fainted! I have a very tender bruise on my arm from where I collided with the sink to prove it too! I don't know how long I was down/out for, but I completely missed the dog waking everyone in the house up - they didn't come to look for what happened though (we live in an apartment, that's understandable. I can hear the people moving upstairs all the time). I ended up sleeping in the bathroom for a little while so I didn't have to keep running back and forth.
Needless to say, when my alarm went off for the class the next day I had already decided that I would not be going. I really wanted a doctor at that point, but I would have to go to a hospital to see a doctor because I don't have a doctor here! And I could barely move without bringing up bouts of nausea. Anyway, I laid in bed the entire day with a fever. And pretty much the next day too (so, Tuesday and Wednesday). On Wednesday I was feeling a bit better, enough to move around some and I finally ate some things (although I really wasn't hungry - which is how you know I'm sick!).
Today I woke up and felt really good and decided I should give school a try, but I think I pushed it! The commute to school was mostly me standing on the bus, and then I had to walk up the hill (it's not huge, but it made me slightly dizzy) and it was just downhill (haha, not really) from there. I ate a lot at lunch, but it upset my stomach. By the end of the day I was calling Pipa and asking her to take me to the doctor tonight, which she of course agreed to.
When I got home though, I sat down for about two hours just to relax and wait to go to the hospital (later, apparently, is less crowded), and I felt better. So I decided not to go! I went out tonight and got tea with my roommate instead and I ate light food for dinner again, but I'm feeling so much better.
All of this has taught me that even in the moments that I'm thinking I should have picked the residencia so I could be closer to my friends or the school, I was right to pick a homestay. Pipa was SO caring the entire time. Every few hours, at least, she could come in my room, make sure I was surviving, refill my water bottle, whatever I needed. She has been so great, and I know it's a relief to my mom that Pipa was there for me with whatever I needed.
So, now I'm feeling better - still not 100%, but MUCH better than sleeping in the bathroom, haha, and just in time for the weekend! Haha. But seriously, now that I know that I CAN handle being sick away from home (read I can do it, but don't like doing it), I know that I'll make it through the rest of this experience just fine. I'm already planning my next adventure away from the city! Woo-hoo! :)
The past few days I have been SO sick; probably the second sickest I've ever been. I'm almost absolutely certain (like 99%) that it was a bad reaction to my malaria pills that I was taking to go to Iguazu Falls. Now, turns out, those pills and the yellow fever vaccine were totally unnecessary for this trip, but you know... precautions, precautions. So I took my pills anyway, even though multiple people told me not to worry about it - the US Medical system could never do me wrong, right?
Anyway, I arrived back on Sunday from Iguazu, and I'd been taking the pills for 6 days, so I had 6 days left. On Monday I saw Inception (El Origen, as it's known here and LOVED IT. It's my new favorite movie), and hung out with my friends, but I wasn't feeling so good. I just figured it was from riding the boat under the waterfall. But Monday night, late-ish, like 10pm, my family got home and I was making toast as dinner because I wasn't going to try to cook something and I was really sleepy - too sleepy to wait for dinner.
I ate my toast, tried showering to shake my not-feeling-well-ness, and went to bed. I couldn't fall asleep, so I took some nyquil, and then at like 2? in the morning, I woke up and had to run to the bathroom. I was SO sick. I wanted to puke, which never happens to me, and at one point thought I was going to, so I started to pull my hair back, and I fainted! I have a very tender bruise on my arm from where I collided with the sink to prove it too! I don't know how long I was down/out for, but I completely missed the dog waking everyone in the house up - they didn't come to look for what happened though (we live in an apartment, that's understandable. I can hear the people moving upstairs all the time). I ended up sleeping in the bathroom for a little while so I didn't have to keep running back and forth.
Needless to say, when my alarm went off for the class the next day I had already decided that I would not be going. I really wanted a doctor at that point, but I would have to go to a hospital to see a doctor because I don't have a doctor here! And I could barely move without bringing up bouts of nausea. Anyway, I laid in bed the entire day with a fever. And pretty much the next day too (so, Tuesday and Wednesday). On Wednesday I was feeling a bit better, enough to move around some and I finally ate some things (although I really wasn't hungry - which is how you know I'm sick!).
Today I woke up and felt really good and decided I should give school a try, but I think I pushed it! The commute to school was mostly me standing on the bus, and then I had to walk up the hill (it's not huge, but it made me slightly dizzy) and it was just downhill (haha, not really) from there. I ate a lot at lunch, but it upset my stomach. By the end of the day I was calling Pipa and asking her to take me to the doctor tonight, which she of course agreed to.
When I got home though, I sat down for about two hours just to relax and wait to go to the hospital (later, apparently, is less crowded), and I felt better. So I decided not to go! I went out tonight and got tea with my roommate instead and I ate light food for dinner again, but I'm feeling so much better.
All of this has taught me that even in the moments that I'm thinking I should have picked the residencia so I could be closer to my friends or the school, I was right to pick a homestay. Pipa was SO caring the entire time. Every few hours, at least, she could come in my room, make sure I was surviving, refill my water bottle, whatever I needed. She has been so great, and I know it's a relief to my mom that Pipa was there for me with whatever I needed.
So, now I'm feeling better - still not 100%, but MUCH better than sleeping in the bathroom, haha, and just in time for the weekend! Haha. But seriously, now that I know that I CAN handle being sick away from home (read I can do it, but don't like doing it), I know that I'll make it through the rest of this experience just fine. I'm already planning my next adventure away from the city! Woo-hoo! :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Iguazú Falls y Provincia de Misiones
Hola friends & family!
I hope everything is going well for you. Things are going better here for me, and so I'm glad you won't have to read a blog where something goes wrong.
Anyway, this weekend CEA took us to Iguazú Falls (las Cataratas del Iguazú, if you'd like to know the Spanish), for 3 days. We left on Thursday - I skipped my tango class to run home and get my bug spray and go to the bus station, so it was a shortened day and I enjoyed that. We took a bus from Buenos Aires to the city Posadas, which is the capital of the region Misiones. Misiones is north of the city and is wedged in between Brazil and Paraguay, so it SHOULD have been warm, but while we were busing (13 hours) it rained and cooled off the weather there by 20 degrees. I was not the happiest camper about that one...
But we arrived in Posadas and our first stop was the Ruins of San Ignacio which is a Jesuit Mission for the Guaraní people, who are native to Argentina. The mission was especially interesting because on Thursday I learned about missions in my Gender in Latin America class, so I had a little bit of a historical background, but of course I learned more there. It's also crazy because I watched a suggested movie (The Mission with Robert DiNero), and I thought they exaggerated the size of the mission in the movie, but they definitely did not. The parts that were left of the mission - they've started to rebuild and now 7 missions in the area are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are fully protected - were massive, but there were not remnants of houses that the Guaraní people used to live in, so it used to be much bigger than it appears now.
After the las Ruinas de San Ignacio we went to a ranch to have lunch - traditional Argentine asado (barbecue). This ranch - estancia - had produced tea, mate (a traditional type of Argentine tea), and pine. So after we ate lunch we were able to see how they prepared the pine and what they use it to build/sell, and how they try the mate leaves for preparation to drink. It was really interesting, but I don't know how Argentinians who work in the mate preparation process can still like mate if they're around it all day - but they do! I'm still not a fan of it, but that's okay, I've come to the realization that I'm never going to be Argentine. The estancia also had a pool, a tennis court, etc., but it was a really cold day (50ish degrees) so the majority of us stayed clustered around the fire and the food.
The next day we woke up early and headed to Iguazú Falls. It was spectacular. Beyond words. I took so many pictures, and yet none of them do any justice to the sight. The Falls are the widest in the world, and they're on the border with Argentina and Brazil. From Argentina's side you can go really close to the waterfalls, and visit all different parts of them, but from Brazil's side you get the panoramic view of the falls (which we didn't get to see). We started by visiting the biggest one. It's called Garganta del Diablo, which means Throat of the Devil. It's so loud, and as you're walking towards it you can hear it and see the mist from it rising into the sky - long before you ever see the actual waterfall. In total we walked about 8km at Iguazú, and it didn't ever feel that bad. It was really crowded, but I can't imagine what it would be like had the day been really nice! There are walkways built to so many different waterfalls, and it makes it really easy to see all of them.
After lunch, 6 or 7 of us elected to go on a boat ride to the falls. It allows you to actually get completely drenched by the falls, and it was totally worth it. I didn't have the best seat in the house view-wise, but I did get completely soaked, so it was great!
I was so tired after walking around all day, and I slept like a baby that night. You can ask Jen, she woke me up because I was snoring while her and Sydney (my Iguazú roommates in the hotel) were trying to watch a movie! Haha.
On the third day we went to a Guaraní village and learned about how the indigenous people used to survived before colonization and modernization. Now, they still live together, but they've had to open their community to tourists and travelers alike to try and survive. Our guide explained to us the importance of the naming process, and how the shaman of the village would decide what the baby was destined to do when he was older. He also showed us what their houses used to look like and explained to us all of their trapping methods from when they used to survive off hunting. After a group of children sang songs to us, and we were able to buy handmade goods that each family makes to help support themselves. It felt very touristy, and it's really sad that they have to exploit their lives like that in order to survive today, but it was also really interesting to imagine what life had to have been like.
After the village we were able to walk around Puerto Iguazú (the town) and get lunch until it was time to leave. As it was the day we had to fly back to Buenos Aires, it decided to be nice and warm. I got to sit by the pool of the hotel, but only for a few moments...
Now I'm back in the big, bad city, and preparing for school tomorrow. We had school off today because it was el Día de San Martin, a national holiday, and it was nice to come back from the trip and still have a break. I slept in and went and saw Inception (El Origen, here) with Jen and Sydney. We walked around a little bit, but I'm not feeling well anymore, so I came back to relax. It probably has something to do with going under the waterfall in shorts and a raincoat, but I'm not 100% positive about that... (I would have done it anyway!)
Antes de mi viaje en barco
Alas, I am going to do some homework and such. I still have the house to myself because my family is away for the long weekend and should be returning any second, and my roommate is arriving tonight from Cordoba.
Hasta luego, ¡chau!
I hope everything is going well for you. Things are going better here for me, and so I'm glad you won't have to read a blog where something goes wrong.
Anyway, this weekend CEA took us to Iguazú Falls (las Cataratas del Iguazú, if you'd like to know the Spanish), for 3 days. We left on Thursday - I skipped my tango class to run home and get my bug spray and go to the bus station, so it was a shortened day and I enjoyed that. We took a bus from Buenos Aires to the city Posadas, which is the capital of the region Misiones. Misiones is north of the city and is wedged in between Brazil and Paraguay, so it SHOULD have been warm, but while we were busing (13 hours) it rained and cooled off the weather there by 20 degrees. I was not the happiest camper about that one...
But we arrived in Posadas and our first stop was the Ruins of San Ignacio which is a Jesuit Mission for the Guaraní people, who are native to Argentina. The mission was especially interesting because on Thursday I learned about missions in my Gender in Latin America class, so I had a little bit of a historical background, but of course I learned more there. It's also crazy because I watched a suggested movie (The Mission with Robert DiNero), and I thought they exaggerated the size of the mission in the movie, but they definitely did not. The parts that were left of the mission - they've started to rebuild and now 7 missions in the area are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are fully protected - were massive, but there were not remnants of houses that the Guaraní people used to live in, so it used to be much bigger than it appears now.
After the las Ruinas de San Ignacio we went to a ranch to have lunch - traditional Argentine asado (barbecue). This ranch - estancia - had produced tea, mate (a traditional type of Argentine tea), and pine. So after we ate lunch we were able to see how they prepared the pine and what they use it to build/sell, and how they try the mate leaves for preparation to drink. It was really interesting, but I don't know how Argentinians who work in the mate preparation process can still like mate if they're around it all day - but they do! I'm still not a fan of it, but that's okay, I've come to the realization that I'm never going to be Argentine. The estancia also had a pool, a tennis court, etc., but it was a really cold day (50ish degrees) so the majority of us stayed clustered around the fire and the food.
The next day we woke up early and headed to Iguazú Falls. It was spectacular. Beyond words. I took so many pictures, and yet none of them do any justice to the sight. The Falls are the widest in the world, and they're on the border with Argentina and Brazil. From Argentina's side you can go really close to the waterfalls, and visit all different parts of them, but from Brazil's side you get the panoramic view of the falls (which we didn't get to see). We started by visiting the biggest one. It's called Garganta del Diablo, which means Throat of the Devil. It's so loud, and as you're walking towards it you can hear it and see the mist from it rising into the sky - long before you ever see the actual waterfall. In total we walked about 8km at Iguazú, and it didn't ever feel that bad. It was really crowded, but I can't imagine what it would be like had the day been really nice! There are walkways built to so many different waterfalls, and it makes it really easy to see all of them.
After lunch, 6 or 7 of us elected to go on a boat ride to the falls. It allows you to actually get completely drenched by the falls, and it was totally worth it. I didn't have the best seat in the house view-wise, but I did get completely soaked, so it was great!
I was so tired after walking around all day, and I slept like a baby that night. You can ask Jen, she woke me up because I was snoring while her and Sydney (my Iguazú roommates in the hotel) were trying to watch a movie! Haha.
On the third day we went to a Guaraní village and learned about how the indigenous people used to survived before colonization and modernization. Now, they still live together, but they've had to open their community to tourists and travelers alike to try and survive. Our guide explained to us the importance of the naming process, and how the shaman of the village would decide what the baby was destined to do when he was older. He also showed us what their houses used to look like and explained to us all of their trapping methods from when they used to survive off hunting. After a group of children sang songs to us, and we were able to buy handmade goods that each family makes to help support themselves. It felt very touristy, and it's really sad that they have to exploit their lives like that in order to survive today, but it was also really interesting to imagine what life had to have been like.
After the village we were able to walk around Puerto Iguazú (the town) and get lunch until it was time to leave. As it was the day we had to fly back to Buenos Aires, it decided to be nice and warm. I got to sit by the pool of the hotel, but only for a few moments...
Now I'm back in the big, bad city, and preparing for school tomorrow. We had school off today because it was el Día de San Martin, a national holiday, and it was nice to come back from the trip and still have a break. I slept in and went and saw Inception (El Origen, here) with Jen and Sydney. We walked around a little bit, but I'm not feeling well anymore, so I came back to relax. It probably has something to do with going under the waterfall in shorts and a raincoat, but I'm not 100% positive about that... (I would have done it anyway!)
Antes de mi viaje en barco
Alas, I am going to do some homework and such. I still have the house to myself because my family is away for the long weekend and should be returning any second, and my roommate is arriving tonight from Cordoba.
Hasta luego, ¡chau!
Monday, August 9, 2010
I am driving 85 in the kind of morning that lasts all afternoon...
... name that song.
So, more than a week has passed, like I said I wouldn't let happen, but that's okay, I guess. I'm really into John Mayer right now (when am I not into John Mayer?) because I know I missed his CT (homecoming) concert on Saturday night. Even though I saw him twice already this year, it just made me kind of homesick to know that I wasn't there while my friends were together and having fun, as always.
To top it off, I was also robbed. Again. It's good that I've been robbed before, I guess, because I know not to carry a lot of things on me anymore, but it's still stressful and very inconvenient. Jen and I went to tango classes, as usual, and we checked my purse and her coat. Inside my purse was my coat, both our pairs of shoes, some of her money, our cell phones, and her house keys. My house keys, iPhone, laptop, and credit card were all conveniently at her house. The place that we were at treated us really nicely and reimbursed us for what was in my bag when it was stolen. But we still had a heck of night because Jen couldn't get into her house with her homestay Mom not home, and my keys were in her house. So we came back to my homestay and I had to wake my family up by ringing the doorbell. I never expected Pipa and Jen would meet, and especially not under these circumstances... Jen stayed at my house until her homestay Mom got home, and then all was okay with the world.
We now have new coats and cellphones (8 weeks, 3 phones...), and I know it sounds like not a big deal, but it felt like it - especially at the time. Already it's something that I can look back on and say it's not that horrible, but I think that's because I have all my necessary items again.
It just really sucks because our bag was in a "safe" place, and was still taken. I now have this sense like no matter what I do, I'm never safe. So I've really been missing home for the past few days because there's so much security when I'm in my house or on campus. When I watch too much Criminal Minds and I think there's someone lurking in the basement, there's (usually) not. But here, when I get the feeling like someone is watching me too closely or whatever, I really have to heed that sense and get myself out of that situation.
My asthma was really bothering me this past weekend, possibly because of humidity, but who really knows, and at one point I couldn't find my open inhaler - so I dug out my new one instead. And in the bag with my medicine, I found a card from my mom that I hadn't seen yet! I was so happy because I had really been wanting to talk to her and get comforted about all of these things happening to me, and it was like my mom was there with me knowing that I needed a little love from her. :) Thanks, Mom!
This weekend I'm going to Iguazu Falls with CEA, and I'm glad that it's this weekend so I can get out of the city (again) and get my mind off of how I've been feeling lately. I think it's going to be spectacular, and I'm going to talk with our staff members tomorrow about bringing my new camera. Originally I thought it was fine because we're in a group in a hotel, but now I'm not so sure that I think it's a good idea because having that stolen would break my heart.
That's about all. I'm just going to class every day like a good little girl, even though I think my classes are all pretty boring at this moment. It's really lame, but I think that with time they'll all start to get more interesting.
So, until next week, chau!
So, more than a week has passed, like I said I wouldn't let happen, but that's okay, I guess. I'm really into John Mayer right now (when am I not into John Mayer?) because I know I missed his CT (homecoming) concert on Saturday night. Even though I saw him twice already this year, it just made me kind of homesick to know that I wasn't there while my friends were together and having fun, as always.
To top it off, I was also robbed. Again. It's good that I've been robbed before, I guess, because I know not to carry a lot of things on me anymore, but it's still stressful and very inconvenient. Jen and I went to tango classes, as usual, and we checked my purse and her coat. Inside my purse was my coat, both our pairs of shoes, some of her money, our cell phones, and her house keys. My house keys, iPhone, laptop, and credit card were all conveniently at her house. The place that we were at treated us really nicely and reimbursed us for what was in my bag when it was stolen. But we still had a heck of night because Jen couldn't get into her house with her homestay Mom not home, and my keys were in her house. So we came back to my homestay and I had to wake my family up by ringing the doorbell. I never expected Pipa and Jen would meet, and especially not under these circumstances... Jen stayed at my house until her homestay Mom got home, and then all was okay with the world.
We now have new coats and cellphones (8 weeks, 3 phones...), and I know it sounds like not a big deal, but it felt like it - especially at the time. Already it's something that I can look back on and say it's not that horrible, but I think that's because I have all my necessary items again.
It just really sucks because our bag was in a "safe" place, and was still taken. I now have this sense like no matter what I do, I'm never safe. So I've really been missing home for the past few days because there's so much security when I'm in my house or on campus. When I watch too much Criminal Minds and I think there's someone lurking in the basement, there's (usually) not. But here, when I get the feeling like someone is watching me too closely or whatever, I really have to heed that sense and get myself out of that situation.
My asthma was really bothering me this past weekend, possibly because of humidity, but who really knows, and at one point I couldn't find my open inhaler - so I dug out my new one instead. And in the bag with my medicine, I found a card from my mom that I hadn't seen yet! I was so happy because I had really been wanting to talk to her and get comforted about all of these things happening to me, and it was like my mom was there with me knowing that I needed a little love from her. :) Thanks, Mom!
This weekend I'm going to Iguazu Falls with CEA, and I'm glad that it's this weekend so I can get out of the city (again) and get my mind off of how I've been feeling lately. I think it's going to be spectacular, and I'm going to talk with our staff members tomorrow about bringing my new camera. Originally I thought it was fine because we're in a group in a hotel, but now I'm not so sure that I think it's a good idea because having that stolen would break my heart.
That's about all. I'm just going to class every day like a good little girl, even though I think my classes are all pretty boring at this moment. It's really lame, but I think that with time they'll all start to get more interesting.
So, until next week, chau!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
My Most Expensive Textbook...
...tango shoes.
You guys all told me that I should take Tango instead of Argentine Art (for which, I am thankful because my roommate who is in Art was telling me about her reading and I wanted to shoot myself hearing the summary, so really.. here's a begrudging thank you. You're right), and so I bought my most expensive textbook - my new tango shoes. They're grey and quite pretty, but definitely not that hottest deal around (imagine: lime green heels with pink trim, rawr!).
I bought them on Friday - I love 4 day weeks - and then went to a tango class taught by the best friend of Jen's homestay mom. AKA a complete stranger to me. BUT he happens to model on the side, and I completely understand why and was a giddy schoolgirl all night, until the actual dancing started.
Originally I thought that I would prefer learning the salsa over the tango because the tango is very technical and, to me, not as much fun to watch as something with a lot of energy. However, I liked learning the tango more than the salsa, and it took me a little bit longer to completely give up on myself! Which I did, of course, because I just want to be really good at something without trying and haven't found that yet (except, in general, school), so I was frustrated, and then I was more frustrated for being frustrated. You know, the downward cycle of Caroline's mentality...
Anywho, I decided that I would just have to do it two days in a row, so I went again last night. To a different place that was MORE crowded, but also offered many more dance partners, so I actually got to dance with a boy instead of pretending to BE a boy and dancing with Jen. It was really cool, and afterwards they have a milonga and everyone can watch the dancers/get invited to dance (if the proper eye contact is made).
I'm really excited that I've listened to everyone and decided to do this, and hopefully during the finality of my four months here (oh God, I only have 4 left! :( ) I will become good enough to enjoy it more than I do right now. It was really fun dancing with a partner last night, especially one who was so sweet about my crappy Spanish and even worse dancing skills - note: it's hard to learn a new dance and speak a foreign language at the same time. And I definitely liked going to the classes more than I liked going to some tourist trap boliche (club) and having Argentine men try to make out with me upon entering the room - sorry if that's your deal, but it's definitely not mine. There are only so many punches I can give before my knuckles start hurting...
Anyway, today I, of course, went back to the cemetery and back to the Feria here in Recoleta, but this time I took my nice camera that my dad got me as a gift! You should check facebook because I put the pictures up there, and this thing takes like an hour to load a picture onto my blog, which is why it's not a common sight (not for lack of trying). I'm so glad that I finally took it out, and I'm going to start taking it out more, I just need to be really aware of my surroundings to not have it jacked.
Actually, here's the link to the facebook album. The last hundred-or-so pictures are from today: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052521&id=1083750039&l=937bedf845
And my final topic ... whoever decided that me taking classes in a foreign language was a good idea has a lot more faith in me than I do in myself at this particular moment. Translating scholarly readings from Spanish to English and understanding their actual meaning is a bit difficult. And it really takes a while when you're looking up like every other word. I'm sure as the classes continue, it will become easier, but it was pretty frustrating earlier today, and I'm only halfway done...
Now, really, last note:
I know I chose to be here, and I know I picked this time. But there are still days that I wish I was at home to be with people or more easily communicate with them when there are important things going on. So, to my friends and family who read this, you are constantly on my mind and in my thoughts. I love you so much, and I wish I was able to be there with you, but unfortunately I am not. I know you're all strong, beautiful people (which is why we're friends), but if you ever need an ear or a metaphorical shoulder to cry on, I'm only a skype call away. I would love to be there for you from 5000+ miles away (and I know you would/will do the same for me).
You guys all told me that I should take Tango instead of Argentine Art (for which, I am thankful because my roommate who is in Art was telling me about her reading and I wanted to shoot myself hearing the summary, so really.. here's a begrudging thank you. You're right), and so I bought my most expensive textbook - my new tango shoes. They're grey and quite pretty, but definitely not that hottest deal around (imagine: lime green heels with pink trim, rawr!).
I bought them on Friday - I love 4 day weeks - and then went to a tango class taught by the best friend of Jen's homestay mom. AKA a complete stranger to me. BUT he happens to model on the side, and I completely understand why and was a giddy schoolgirl all night, until the actual dancing started.
Originally I thought that I would prefer learning the salsa over the tango because the tango is very technical and, to me, not as much fun to watch as something with a lot of energy. However, I liked learning the tango more than the salsa, and it took me a little bit longer to completely give up on myself! Which I did, of course, because I just want to be really good at something without trying and haven't found that yet (except, in general, school), so I was frustrated, and then I was more frustrated for being frustrated. You know, the downward cycle of Caroline's mentality...
Anywho, I decided that I would just have to do it two days in a row, so I went again last night. To a different place that was MORE crowded, but also offered many more dance partners, so I actually got to dance with a boy instead of pretending to BE a boy and dancing with Jen. It was really cool, and afterwards they have a milonga and everyone can watch the dancers/get invited to dance (if the proper eye contact is made).
I'm really excited that I've listened to everyone and decided to do this, and hopefully during the finality of my four months here (oh God, I only have 4 left! :( ) I will become good enough to enjoy it more than I do right now. It was really fun dancing with a partner last night, especially one who was so sweet about my crappy Spanish and even worse dancing skills - note: it's hard to learn a new dance and speak a foreign language at the same time. And I definitely liked going to the classes more than I liked going to some tourist trap boliche (club) and having Argentine men try to make out with me upon entering the room - sorry if that's your deal, but it's definitely not mine. There are only so many punches I can give before my knuckles start hurting...
Anyway, today I, of course, went back to the cemetery and back to the Feria here in Recoleta, but this time I took my nice camera that my dad got me as a gift! You should check facebook because I put the pictures up there, and this thing takes like an hour to load a picture onto my blog, which is why it's not a common sight (not for lack of trying). I'm so glad that I finally took it out, and I'm going to start taking it out more, I just need to be really aware of my surroundings to not have it jacked.
Actually, here's the link to the facebook album. The last hundred-or-so pictures are from today: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052521&id=1083750039&l=937bedf845
And my final topic ... whoever decided that me taking classes in a foreign language was a good idea has a lot more faith in me than I do in myself at this particular moment. Translating scholarly readings from Spanish to English and understanding their actual meaning is a bit difficult. And it really takes a while when you're looking up like every other word. I'm sure as the classes continue, it will become easier, but it was pretty frustrating earlier today, and I'm only halfway done...
Now, really, last note:
I know I chose to be here, and I know I picked this time. But there are still days that I wish I was at home to be with people or more easily communicate with them when there are important things going on. So, to my friends and family who read this, you are constantly on my mind and in my thoughts. I love you so much, and I wish I was able to be there with you, but unfortunately I am not. I know you're all strong, beautiful people (which is why we're friends), but if you ever need an ear or a metaphorical shoulder to cry on, I'm only a skype call away. I would love to be there for you from 5000+ miles away (and I know you would/will do the same for me).
Friday, July 30, 2010
I'll think of a title later.
So I've decided on my final schedule. I decided that I could absolutely not handle history (one of my least favorite topics) in a language that I'm still learning. Especially when the professor was really boring. Instead, I enrolled in Political and Social Change (of Latin America, obviously) which is more up my alley. Even though it's technically history. It just doesn't have that name attached to it. Oh. And it's taught in English. AND (Dad, cover your eyes) my teacher is actually really foxy, but he's totally not my normal type, so no one has to worry about me going for the professor.
Anyway, I'm now taking two classes taught in English (whatever), 2 in Spanish, and then Spanish grammar. I think I'm using Spanish enough (probably not), and if it's any consolation, it feels weird to go into class and hear English spoken.
Today I skipped my Tango class (which was the part where we actually learned to tango) to go to Plaza de Mayo and see the Madres de la Plaza march. They've been marching there for years, every Thursday at 3 demanding that the government help them find out what happened to their children (los desperaciados - the disappeared) during the dictatorship. Nahuel told us that they know they'll never see their children again, but it's important that people continue to come see the mothers (and grandmothers) and that his generation continue to pay attention because when they stop caring, things like that could happen again.
I was actually really disappointed that I wasn't more moved by the scene, like I thought I would be (still, expectations appear). But I think it may be because I was too concerned with taking pictures of the Plaza (my first time there). Or maybe it was because I thought that since it's such a big thing - I heard about the Mothers in every guide book - that it would be a bigger deal. But it appeared to be a bunch of tourists watching these mothers walk around; it's like they were putting on a performance for us, which I know isn't the truth. I'm hoping that maybe after I learn a little more in my non-history and gender classes, I'll be able to go back with a fresh idea mind about what's going on and I'll see it more for what it really signifies than what I saw today.
It did bring up some interesting thoughts about how loved those children are that even now, years after the dictatorship has ended, their mothers and grandmothers still march for them.
After that we went into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, which definitely does not look like a cathedral from the outside. It was really nice on the inside, but I was getting really tired at that point and just wanted food and/or a nap.
Shortly thereafter we went to Cafe Tortoni, which is a famous cafe not far from the Plaza. I enjoyed some churros after waiting in the line. In the cold. Because it was 60 when I went to school today and was like 45 when I came back - we watched the cold settle in while we were at the Plaza.
Tonight I had planned on going out with my friends, but the weather is so awful - crazy storms! - that I decided to stay in and now I'm really tired.
Tomorrow I don't have classes, yay! and instead I am going to buy my own pair of tango shoes. We don't HAVE to have them for our tango class, but if we plan to dance outside of the class, it's suggested that we have them. And tomorrow night I am going to a milonga with Jen to take lessons and then hopefully be able to dance a little. It's going to be a disaster. I think I should go back to the salsa place instead, it seems less complicated. It'll let you all know how it goes! :)
Chau!
Anyway, I'm now taking two classes taught in English (whatever), 2 in Spanish, and then Spanish grammar. I think I'm using Spanish enough (probably not), and if it's any consolation, it feels weird to go into class and hear English spoken.
Today I skipped my Tango class (which was the part where we actually learned to tango) to go to Plaza de Mayo and see the Madres de la Plaza march. They've been marching there for years, every Thursday at 3 demanding that the government help them find out what happened to their children (los desperaciados - the disappeared) during the dictatorship. Nahuel told us that they know they'll never see their children again, but it's important that people continue to come see the mothers (and grandmothers) and that his generation continue to pay attention because when they stop caring, things like that could happen again.
I was actually really disappointed that I wasn't more moved by the scene, like I thought I would be (still, expectations appear). But I think it may be because I was too concerned with taking pictures of the Plaza (my first time there). Or maybe it was because I thought that since it's such a big thing - I heard about the Mothers in every guide book - that it would be a bigger deal. But it appeared to be a bunch of tourists watching these mothers walk around; it's like they were putting on a performance for us, which I know isn't the truth. I'm hoping that maybe after I learn a little more in my non-history and gender classes, I'll be able to go back with a fresh idea mind about what's going on and I'll see it more for what it really signifies than what I saw today.
It did bring up some interesting thoughts about how loved those children are that even now, years after the dictatorship has ended, their mothers and grandmothers still march for them.
After that we went into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, which definitely does not look like a cathedral from the outside. It was really nice on the inside, but I was getting really tired at that point and just wanted food and/or a nap.
Shortly thereafter we went to Cafe Tortoni, which is a famous cafe not far from the Plaza. I enjoyed some churros after waiting in the line. In the cold. Because it was 60 when I went to school today and was like 45 when I came back - we watched the cold settle in while we were at the Plaza.
Tonight I had planned on going out with my friends, but the weather is so awful - crazy storms! - that I decided to stay in and now I'm really tired.
Tomorrow I don't have classes, yay! and instead I am going to buy my own pair of tango shoes. We don't HAVE to have them for our tango class, but if we plan to dance outside of the class, it's suggested that we have them. And tomorrow night I am going to a milonga with Jen to take lessons and then hopefully be able to dance a little. It's going to be a disaster. I think I should go back to the salsa place instead, it seems less complicated. It'll let you all know how it goes! :)
Chau!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
There's a "Study" to Study Abroad? .. Oh.
I started my regular semester classes yesterday - I'm taking 5.
So far, they are:
1. Cultural Studies of Latin Americans
2. Advanced Spanish
3. Gender in Latin America (taught in a historical perspective, and in English)
4. History of Latin America in the 20th Century
5. Tango: The Expression of Buenos Aires
The first two are Monday and Wednesday, and the others are Tuesday and Thursday. So far, I love the first two, and I'm really glad. Today I had the other three and I wasn't too impressed. Our professor for Gender realized that not many people had taken Gender or history courses before, and said that she would teach "the basics," which I've already taken as a Women and Gender Studies Minor, so I'm not sure if I'll stick with it.
Then I had history, and as I explained to my loving father, I would prefer to have a teach who is a jerk, but a good lecturer, than have a bad lecturer who could be my best friend. And this professor went on a rant and then when the 90 minutes had past was confused as to why we were all packed up and the new class was walking into the room. So we didn't talk about the syllabus at all or even whether or not we have a book to buy... But my roommate, Kelsey, told me her friend took him and that he was the best professor he had at University of Belgrano, so I'm unsure.
And finally, Tango. Uh, I can't dance. Part of this class is dancing. It's going to be miserable, and I wanted to take Contemporary Argentine Art which everyone says is REALLY COOL, and instead I chose tango, and now I don't know what to do. I'll have to re-evaluate.
But, I don't really have much to say. I just wanted to let you all know how my classes are going. :)
So far, they are:
1. Cultural Studies of Latin Americans
2. Advanced Spanish
3. Gender in Latin America (taught in a historical perspective, and in English)
4. History of Latin America in the 20th Century
5. Tango: The Expression of Buenos Aires
The first two are Monday and Wednesday, and the others are Tuesday and Thursday. So far, I love the first two, and I'm really glad. Today I had the other three and I wasn't too impressed. Our professor for Gender realized that not many people had taken Gender or history courses before, and said that she would teach "the basics," which I've already taken as a Women and Gender Studies Minor, so I'm not sure if I'll stick with it.
Then I had history, and as I explained to my loving father, I would prefer to have a teach who is a jerk, but a good lecturer, than have a bad lecturer who could be my best friend. And this professor went on a rant and then when the 90 minutes had past was confused as to why we were all packed up and the new class was walking into the room. So we didn't talk about the syllabus at all or even whether or not we have a book to buy... But my roommate, Kelsey, told me her friend took him and that he was the best professor he had at University of Belgrano, so I'm unsure.
And finally, Tango. Uh, I can't dance. Part of this class is dancing. It's going to be miserable, and I wanted to take Contemporary Argentine Art which everyone says is REALLY COOL, and instead I chose tango, and now I don't know what to do. I'll have to re-evaluate.
But, I don't really have much to say. I just wanted to let you all know how my classes are going. :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Evaluation
So it's been just a few days over a month since I arrived in Argentina, and I think it's time for an evaluation. It's also a lot easier to make this evaluation because I came home from Bariloche today to find that I had a new roommate (actually, I knew I had a new roommate, but I just hadn't met her yet).
Anyway, Kelsey is my new roommate, and she is from Michigan. We're a lot alike, and right now she's having a very hard time adjusting to life here in Buenos Aires, and especially with the family. It just makes me think about how my first week in Argentina was. When I first got here, all I could think about was the promise that my parents made me that I could go home if I didn't like it, and how I didn't want to disappoint them (and myself).
I think Kelsey is probably feeling the same way that I had been feeling, and it makes me realize how much of a difference a month makes in life - or for that matter, a few days, hours, or minutes... Already I've come so far with my Spanish. I'm still afraid to speak it, but it's getting easier - especially with people who know that I'm not a native speaker. And even though I placed into a lower Spanish than I would have liked, I learned a lot and I earned a really good grade with my class thanks to some hard work and a few homework checks from Pipa.
I'm starting to figure out the general layout of the city, and twice now I've picked out the bus that I need to take and I've gotten to where I need to go safe and sound (although, I'm very good at running on Porteño time - LATE!), and in the first week I couldn't even figure out how to properly pay the bus.
And originally I got to Buenos Aires, and I knew no one. Of course I get along with all my roommates, but we're also in the same situation and it was easy to cling to each other, but one month in and I had some very good friends some my program that I hope to keep in touch with for life!
I feel like I've already seen so much and done so much that I've had to have spent more than a month here, but really, a month it has been. The good days outnumber the bad, by a long shot, and I'm looking forward to so many more good days.
I'll be picking my classes tomorrow, and they start Monday - right after I get my visa! And from then on, I hope to do a trip a month, some with Emily and possibly Kelsey, and some with Jen. All of them, I hope, will be as much fun as I had in Bariloche, and hopefully my time here will continue it's uphill progression.
But until then (especially if you're reading this and your name is Kelsey), it's always important for me to remember that time passes, sometimes quick and sometimes slow, and that my parents and my best friends are only a skype call away.
To everyone who helped me through my first month: thanks. :) I couldn't have done it without your support.
Anyway, Kelsey is my new roommate, and she is from Michigan. We're a lot alike, and right now she's having a very hard time adjusting to life here in Buenos Aires, and especially with the family. It just makes me think about how my first week in Argentina was. When I first got here, all I could think about was the promise that my parents made me that I could go home if I didn't like it, and how I didn't want to disappoint them (and myself).
I think Kelsey is probably feeling the same way that I had been feeling, and it makes me realize how much of a difference a month makes in life - or for that matter, a few days, hours, or minutes... Already I've come so far with my Spanish. I'm still afraid to speak it, but it's getting easier - especially with people who know that I'm not a native speaker. And even though I placed into a lower Spanish than I would have liked, I learned a lot and I earned a really good grade with my class thanks to some hard work and a few homework checks from Pipa.
I'm starting to figure out the general layout of the city, and twice now I've picked out the bus that I need to take and I've gotten to where I need to go safe and sound (although, I'm very good at running on Porteño time - LATE!), and in the first week I couldn't even figure out how to properly pay the bus.
And originally I got to Buenos Aires, and I knew no one. Of course I get along with all my roommates, but we're also in the same situation and it was easy to cling to each other, but one month in and I had some very good friends some my program that I hope to keep in touch with for life!
I feel like I've already seen so much and done so much that I've had to have spent more than a month here, but really, a month it has been. The good days outnumber the bad, by a long shot, and I'm looking forward to so many more good days.
I'll be picking my classes tomorrow, and they start Monday - right after I get my visa! And from then on, I hope to do a trip a month, some with Emily and possibly Kelsey, and some with Jen. All of them, I hope, will be as much fun as I had in Bariloche, and hopefully my time here will continue it's uphill progression.
But until then (especially if you're reading this and your name is Kelsey), it's always important for me to remember that time passes, sometimes quick and sometimes slow, and that my parents and my best friends are only a skype call away.
To everyone who helped me through my first month: thanks. :) I couldn't have done it without your support.
Bariloche: Está bien
Wow. Bariloche was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. I absolutely love skiing and I loved getting out of the city for a little while, it definitely took my mind off of the stresses of city life and now that I'm back, I'm waaay more calm about things.
I'll start by saying that I went to class on Friday to get my grade, and I got a 9! Which, as described by the Universidad de Belgrano is the equivalent of an A or 3.9 in the US scale. Score 1 for Caroline.
After class, Jen and I bought some food for the bus trip and grabbed a taxi to Retiro's "Terminal de Omnibus" to catch our bus to Bariloche. Of course, the day that we REALLY need to be somewhere on NY time and not Porteño time, there's a ton of traffic. It ended up working out because our bus was an hour and a half late... but we had already gotten out of our taxi and ran to the station before we figured that out (and I had a minor freak out thinking the bus left without us and my Dad was going to kill me for wasting his money, but that was unnecessary).
Now, I'll break my trip down into subcategories so that it's easier to read:
The Hostel:
Our hostel was so fantastic. It was my first time staying in a hostel, and after this experience, I don't know why I would ever choose to stay elsewhere. I felt so safe and the staff at our hostel (Albergue El Gaucho) were so friendly and funny. I didn't bring my laptop or my good camera because I've heard hostel horror stories, but if I go back to Bariloche (the money-God permitting), I would definitely feel safe taking it with me.
The People:
Wow. The people. The people that I met in Bariloche are the nicest people I've met so far in Argentina. Hands down. (No offense to my roommates and the CEA staff, haha.) But I absolutely loved them. It's ski week at Cerro Catedral which means there was a definite international crowd, but it was wonderful. Jen and I shared a room with a crazy old Dutchman (known as Dutch) who worked as a ski instructor in Breckenridge, CO for 35 years. He walked in the first day and said "I'm sorry I'm old, but your other roommate is a tall, dark, handsome Brazilian," and boy, was he right! Thiago was our other roommate and he is 27 and from São Paulo. He was sort of shy, and Dutch is sort of the most outgoing person in the world, and for this, Thiago hung around with Jen and me, and Jen and I also hung around with Dutch (and his eclectic group of friends). There were bandmates from Argentina, a group of young Brazilian girls, some men who had given up material life and become citizens of the world, and of course .. me and Jen. I ate up the people from the hostel; it fueled my experience.
Also, going out with Thiago was hilarious. We went to a bar that was packed with Brazilians (Pipa says it's because it's vacation and not one area of poor Brazil has snow, so they all had to come to Cerro Catedral), but I got mistaken for a Brazilian more than once! Woo-hoo! Haha. I also met a kid who actually lives in Buenos Aires (as I'm gathering, half of Argentina does...) and we have semi-plans to meet up again. It would be really cool to have a native friend, but I'm also worried about cultural differences because it might have a different meaning to meet up with a guy that you met in a bar. To me, coffee = friendship, to Latinos (specifically Argentinians) coffee might mean something totally different...
BUT,
Jen and I stayed at El Gaucho while the others from CEA stayed elsewhere, and we didn't see each other much outside that first day, and I'm so okay with that. I wouldn't have had the amazing experience that I did had I stuck with all the American students, and Jen was the perfect person to share this experience with because we get along well and we tend to want to try out the same things.
The Skiing:
Oh yeah, what did I actually go to Bariloche for? .. SKIING! The conditions at Cerro Catedral were so-so, but I love skiing. As Dutch says, "skiing is Heaven under your feet" and I believe that's the truth. I had so much fun skiing. My first run, of course, after 5 years without skis on was down a red (which is a black diamond in the US), and I'm proud to say that I didn't "wreck myself" (as my brother would say), but I did end up leaving skiing with the group to go off on my own. Skiing doesn't always have to be about being the fastest and best, which is what I think it was to some of my partners, and I was okay with sticking to easy and intermediate runs and enjoying life and the view.
On my second day of skiing, it snowed! It was so magical and I absolutely loved being in the Andes, skiing, while it snowed. Those three things combining made my day one that I will never forget. On the second day I literally did the same basic run every day while my friend Kaitlyn taught herself to snowboard by being a spectator. And I was 100% okay with that. Dutch had some very kind words to say to me about how happy I appeared even though I had an easy day, and I'm now considering ditching school and becoming a ski instructor. I just want to be like him!
I had so much fun on my trip. I don't know what else there possibly is to say. I loved all of my time in Bariloche. There's not one second that I would give away for anything. Seriously. The people, the place, the views were all so amazing. It really was heaven on earth.
I'll start by saying that I went to class on Friday to get my grade, and I got a 9! Which, as described by the Universidad de Belgrano is the equivalent of an A or 3.9 in the US scale. Score 1 for Caroline.
After class, Jen and I bought some food for the bus trip and grabbed a taxi to Retiro's "Terminal de Omnibus" to catch our bus to Bariloche. Of course, the day that we REALLY need to be somewhere on NY time and not Porteño time, there's a ton of traffic. It ended up working out because our bus was an hour and a half late... but we had already gotten out of our taxi and ran to the station before we figured that out (and I had a minor freak out thinking the bus left without us and my Dad was going to kill me for wasting his money, but that was unnecessary).
Now, I'll break my trip down into subcategories so that it's easier to read:
The Hostel:
Our hostel was so fantastic. It was my first time staying in a hostel, and after this experience, I don't know why I would ever choose to stay elsewhere. I felt so safe and the staff at our hostel (Albergue El Gaucho) were so friendly and funny. I didn't bring my laptop or my good camera because I've heard hostel horror stories, but if I go back to Bariloche (the money-God permitting), I would definitely feel safe taking it with me.
The People:
Wow. The people. The people that I met in Bariloche are the nicest people I've met so far in Argentina. Hands down. (No offense to my roommates and the CEA staff, haha.) But I absolutely loved them. It's ski week at Cerro Catedral which means there was a definite international crowd, but it was wonderful. Jen and I shared a room with a crazy old Dutchman (known as Dutch) who worked as a ski instructor in Breckenridge, CO for 35 years. He walked in the first day and said "I'm sorry I'm old, but your other roommate is a tall, dark, handsome Brazilian," and boy, was he right! Thiago was our other roommate and he is 27 and from São Paulo. He was sort of shy, and Dutch is sort of the most outgoing person in the world, and for this, Thiago hung around with Jen and me, and Jen and I also hung around with Dutch (and his eclectic group of friends). There were bandmates from Argentina, a group of young Brazilian girls, some men who had given up material life and become citizens of the world, and of course .. me and Jen. I ate up the people from the hostel; it fueled my experience.
Also, going out with Thiago was hilarious. We went to a bar that was packed with Brazilians (Pipa says it's because it's vacation and not one area of poor Brazil has snow, so they all had to come to Cerro Catedral), but I got mistaken for a Brazilian more than once! Woo-hoo! Haha. I also met a kid who actually lives in Buenos Aires (as I'm gathering, half of Argentina does...) and we have semi-plans to meet up again. It would be really cool to have a native friend, but I'm also worried about cultural differences because it might have a different meaning to meet up with a guy that you met in a bar. To me, coffee = friendship, to Latinos (specifically Argentinians) coffee might mean something totally different...
BUT,
Jen and I stayed at El Gaucho while the others from CEA stayed elsewhere, and we didn't see each other much outside that first day, and I'm so okay with that. I wouldn't have had the amazing experience that I did had I stuck with all the American students, and Jen was the perfect person to share this experience with because we get along well and we tend to want to try out the same things.
The Skiing:
Oh yeah, what did I actually go to Bariloche for? .. SKIING! The conditions at Cerro Catedral were so-so, but I love skiing. As Dutch says, "skiing is Heaven under your feet" and I believe that's the truth. I had so much fun skiing. My first run, of course, after 5 years without skis on was down a red (which is a black diamond in the US), and I'm proud to say that I didn't "wreck myself" (as my brother would say), but I did end up leaving skiing with the group to go off on my own. Skiing doesn't always have to be about being the fastest and best, which is what I think it was to some of my partners, and I was okay with sticking to easy and intermediate runs and enjoying life and the view.
On my second day of skiing, it snowed! It was so magical and I absolutely loved being in the Andes, skiing, while it snowed. Those three things combining made my day one that I will never forget. On the second day I literally did the same basic run every day while my friend Kaitlyn taught herself to snowboard by being a spectator. And I was 100% okay with that. Dutch had some very kind words to say to me about how happy I appeared even though I had an easy day, and I'm now considering ditching school and becoming a ski instructor. I just want to be like him!
I had so much fun on my trip. I don't know what else there possibly is to say. I loved all of my time in Bariloche. There's not one second that I would give away for anything. Seriously. The people, the place, the views were all so amazing. It really was heaven on earth.
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