Well, I have discovered that I do NOT have Wi-Fi in my new home, therefore, updating everyday might be somewhat complicated; however, I tend to find a place nearby that has Wi-Fi. This is B.A., there are so many places with Wi-Fi that I shouldn’t have to go too far. We shall see.
Okay, so day three was definitely an interesting one, and not at all what I expected. I met my host for the duration of my stay…but it was not the one who I was originally supposed to have! We left our hotel around 11:30am and there were three of us in a taxi. Mine was the first house we arrived at. When the lady answered the door, she let me in, and then told me there was a problem. The taxi had already left at this point, and Gabriella tells me that I wasn’t supposed to go there because she didn’t have room for me. Not to mention, Universidad Austral (U.A., where I will be taking classes starting Monday) is very far away from the Palermo neighborhood where we were. So, we called the Expanish School and talked with Natalia, the coordinator. She told me that it was a mix up on her part and that she would arrange to take me to another house. One hour and a mint tea later, I was off in a remis (rental car) to my new home in Recoleta. Recoleta is one of the nicest neighborhoods in B.A., and its closer to my school, so I guess I lucked out. The lady who lives her is named Elsa, she lives alone but also has another exchange student here from Michigan. We each have our own rooms. Mine is this small room behind the kitchen. It’s basically off to itself and I like it. It’s just big enough for me. I even have my own bathroom, but it doesn’t have a shower, so I have to use the other one as well. There is also a balcony next to the living room. I like it because this neighborhood is more peaceful than others and buses don’t go down our street! (That is pretty exciting news, lol).
Okay, moving on the events of the day. After I met my new host mother, I went to my Universidad for a mini-orientation. I had to travel by myself, and it wasn’t the scariest thing, although I am sure I would have felt better if I’d had others with me! The bus I take to get to my school is about three blocks away, and that’s B.A. blocks, not Oklahoma blocks…think more like New York or London, LONG. Lol. Then it takes about 25-30 minutes to actually get to the stop to get off. Then I walk a little less than a block to my school. Universities here are very different than in the U.S. They aren’t campuses; they are just large buildings it seems like. I’ve seen a few and they are all like this. There aren’t yards to hang out in during breaks, etc. And no one lives at their school; they all stay at home with their parents or get apartments. Here it is very common to stay with the parents until one is around thirty years old or is married! Lol. So mom and dad, look out! =P
Anyways, we met one of the coordinators of U.A. who showed us around the school, gave us entry cards so we can get into the building, and talked to us about our classes. I still don’t know how I feel about my classes, I am half-excited and two-thirds (yes, I know) scared out of my mind! But the whole point of being here is to learn and experience this new culture, and my classes are going to help with that.
After Austral we (oh, three of my classmates met at Austral as well, so I didn’t have to travel alone then!) took the bus back to where I first got on at; however, we learned that the bus doesn’t stop at the same place on the way back. We learned from our mistake, lol, and I know what to do now! We walked around for a bit then we decided to go back to our homes to have dinner with our parents.
Now, remember how I talked about late dinners and what not? My host mom eats dinner EARLY! I got home around 8ish and she had already eaten. She had left me food to heat up, so I got to eat at a normal time also! I was so very happy, lol. I do not enjoy eating so late and I guess I don’t have to while I am here. However, she also goes to bed early (its nine thirty and she’s in bed), I don’t know if she’s asleep because she was watching TV, but still… I don’t know anyone around this part of the neighborhood and have no where to go (and in any case I’d be alone until I met up with someone which isn’t the best idea to me). So here I am, sitting in my little room, typing up my daily journal in Microsoft Word, lol. I am going to do some reading and practice some Spanish while I’m up.
How lame am I? It’s Friday night in Buenos Aires and I am hanging out in my room probably going to bed somewhat early (no later than midnight, definitely!)…but you know, I have 6½ more weeks to go out on a Friday night…I think I’ll be okay. It’s not like I want the “late night” habit when I go back to the states, right? Oh, mom would be so proud of my thinking right now!
Other different things I have noticed:
- Cars do NOT follow the lines in the street! It’s as if those white lines don’t even matter. It’s pretty scary, but I try to not pay attention when I’m in a taxi or bus…
- In the two apartments I have been in, there have been toilets in the showers…well, there is a room that has a toilet and the shower, but there is no tub or door for the shower! Does that make sense? There is nothing that separates the shower from the rest of the room…interesting.
- This is my favorite…because it’s hilarious to me: Mullets are IN. They are very popular here. One of the coordinators of Expanish (who is from the states) told us to be careful if we decided to get our hair cut, because the stylists will do Mullets unless we express how much we DON’T want one. So funny…but I’m not cutting my hair while I’m here! lol
Okay chicos, that’s all for today. Tomorrow I plan on some shopping and going back to Recoleta with my new pal Bridget (she’s in the Expanish program with me and is in the same classes at U.A.). More updates later!
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