Dia 41, La Bomba with a little Settlers. 27 de julio

The beginning of today, not so exciting...we are back at Austral University. It’s not the happiest place to be, and no I’m not just saying that because we are no longer in a boys’ dorm! The ride is so much farther away and therefore, it takes longer. And it’s not the worst thing in the world, but now I have to start paying attention to my monedas (coins) again. And people get so frustrated when they have to give you coins in change. But oh well, what’s two more weeks?

After class, I had just enough time to do a little work on my paper before heading to the Konex center where they do La Bomba drum show every week. Being a bit smarter than last week, we decided to get tickets to the show early so that we wouldn’t have to wait in line so long…and the plan worked. I got there around 6:30 and bought tickets for Bridget, Derek, Greggory, Gerald and myself. Then I met Bridget and hung out with her at Abastos Mall until it was time to go back. So, this is the same mall that Gerald and Derek and I went to last Monday, so I took Bridget to show her how great it is. This is the mall that is so great as to have not only one Freddo…but three! And they have multiple McDonald’s as well (including a McDonald’s Kosher which we found hilarious). Bridget got some food at a random Arabian restaurant in the food court. Now, I have a confession…please don’t tell Freddo about this. I was craving ice cream and the line at Freddo was really long, and it just so happens that there is a Munchi’s (another ice cream store) right across the food court from Freddo. We didn’t have too much time and I thought, “Well, it wouldn’t hurt to compare.” =) So I got chocolate suizo (Swiss) and it was “laced with Dulce de Leche” and had little chocolate bits in it… it was… amazing. I mean, I can’t even compare the two places because Freddo doesn’t have the same flavor. And maybe I should keep it that way because I would hate to have found a new love so late in this game. =)

Moving away from my crazy imagination… ha ha. After the ice cream we headed back to La Bomba where we finally met the guys (who were not on time…like we’re in Buenos Aires where time doesn’t matter or something like that, lol). We went inside and began our wonderful party of La Bomba! It was just as great as last night, except for better because I was with people who had such a fun time moving around and just going with the beat. Alex showed up as well, and that girl can’t stand still to the ticking of a clock, so she was definitely moving a long with all of us as well! Derek took a few photos, so hopefully he’ll be able to get them online soon, we’ll see, maybe I’ll steal his memory card and put them online myself. =)

After La Bomba, we all stood outside figuring out what to do. Alex and Bridget decided to go to a bar with a few friends while I went with the guys to go play…Settlers of Catan! That’s right…that’s only going to mean anything to…my father, probably, but it’s a really fun board game that I didn’t know anyone else in the world knew about, lol. My dad bought it online when he was in his random board game buying kick…and we really liked playing it. So when Derek mentioned that he had it I was like, “What?! You know what it is?!” So we all decided to go and play it…and Derek won both rounds. Lame. Greggory and I weren’t his friends for a moment or two. =)

After the game, we watched a little tv, but I was pretty tired so I left after not too long. And went to bed really early for BA…around 2 ish… =)

And that was my day… however, moving along the lines that I brought up the other day about wanting to tell you more about BA other than what I have been doing…I have thought of a few things that I can share with you! Hopefully it will be somewhat interesting. I have been trying to pay attention to things that happen around me that are not completely “normal” per US standards…which isn’t too easy since I’ve been getting used to it these past five and a half weeks. Hopefully I’m not picking up some of the habits, well, the bad ones…lol.

One of the ones I’ve noticed a lot but never really think about it by the end of the day when I am writing is how people walk a long the sidewalks, or across the street, or anywhere for that matter. Going along with BA, a lot of people are really laid back. So laid back that they walk…really slow. Not all people of course…but quite a few. Now, that’s not so much the problem, it just gets annoying when you realize you have a bus to catch and there it is and you’re trying to get around this couple…and for some reason, a lot of people here sway. I know that Bridget can attest to this. You’ll try to walk around someone (or two some ones) and they seem to know you need around so they cut you off, slowly. You don’t want to run into anyone or anything like that…so you try and be patient. Sometimes you just have to risk walking in the road because, well…they don’t move. And since the sidewalks are so narrow, it’s hard anyways. Also, people don’t seem to really look forward when they walk. I don’t quite understand how there aren’t more accidents on the sidewalks, lol. But so many people are looking off to the sides when they walk and who knows how many times I’ve had to dash out of the way to avoid someone who isn’t paying attention. Add that to the people who just stop randomly in the middle of the sidewalk…that’s never fun. Lol… as I write this I realize, this could probably be any busy street in the world…but I’ve never noticed it so bad in London or New York. So hmm…it’s just an observation, take it for what you will. =)

Something else that is a mere fact as opposed to an observation: Buses are so slow at night…so slow. I mean, when they are moving, they are faster, lol…Well. Basically it’s that, the streets are less crowded, the sidewalks are less crowded, and hence, we don’t need so many of one bus running. So when you need to go somewhere…and its midnight, you have to wait at a bus stop. And who knows how long you are going to have to wait. I’ve heard of people waiting for almost an hour, which is just ridiculous…I’d get a taxi before that, especially if I’m meeting someone at a specific time. (Unless, they are Argentine, then of course, they’ll be late too!) So, for those of you traveling to BA…just remember that your normal bus that you see every five minutes in the day time, will probably take longer at night…so sometimes, taxi’s are the best, especially if alone. Luckily, when I am going home, I have Thomas, Derek, or some other person with me, so I don’t have to stand by myself (see mom and dad, I’m being safe!) =)

Anyways…okay, that’s all I have, but I’ve made it almost two pages in Word…getting longer again! Woo! =)

I love you all and miss you! Un beso!