Dia 42, La Era de Hielo, 28 de julio

Well, I woke up this morning to not the happiest thing in the world. Apparently, our maid is back and she started mixing…something…in the kitchen this morning, before nine o’clock. Then, to make matters worse, she went to the back room (which is right next to my room, open window and everything) and started doing laundry…and then Elsa came back there and they started having a conversation. I started thinking: Here’s something to tell everyone. When Argentines speak to each other, they aren’t quiet. Maybe they are on a bus, or in a restaurant, but generally…they speak loudly. Elsa does when she’s on the phone or when someone is over. Our doorman does, our maid does…it’s just a normal thing apparently. It never bothered me up until nine o’clock this morning when they decided to have a great conversation standing right outside my door. And whatever she was doing in the kitchen…I hope it never happens again, what a horrible noise!

However, I got past that. Apparently, it’s really hard to just have a bad day here. It’s as if my body is subconsciously telling me that I am in Argentina…no time to be grumpy and have bad days! =) So I moved on to school…and everyone, it’s Tuesday. If you’ve been paying really good attention, Tuesdays are: Politics Days! Luckily, today wasn’t too bad. Although I still barely understood anything, I was able to occupy my time with day dreaming about the weekend and all the fun things we might be able to do – I mean… I was concentrating hard on what he was saying with hopes of understanding a phrase or two. *cough* =) Although, there was one point during class, when he was trying to explain a verb to us, and none of us were getting it. He kept saying, “herir”, but of course, in Spanish, the “h” is never pronounced, so to us, we are hearing “erir”, which isn’t a well-known word if it is one. When we finally asked for the spelling he said the “h” and he was making this cutting motion on his arm. I said, “Oh, como una herida?” Which is, “Oh, like a cut/wound?” and he smiled and said, “Exacto, muy bien.” Herir – to wound. Now we’ve all learned something…and I was so proud of myself for picking up on the word! So see? I am learning something, well, paying attention half of the time.

We also found out today in an email that, all of the field trips we were supposed to have been going on throughout this trip, were finally rescheduled. So, this Thursday, we are meeting at 10am, AH!!!) and visiting multiple historical things around the city. The tour lasts about four hours, and then we have to go back to school where we will begin a four hour class. Sigh…it’s going to be so tiring, especially since Thursday night is when we are going back to Lost, the boliche that plays the best music! Sadly enough, Expanish also finally got our classes rescheduled as well. As you might remember, our Culture professor was sick and we missed class because of a holiday. So to make up for it, we have class this Friday (again, with lost on Thursday night…this will be interesting) and we also have an extra two hours next Monday and Wednesday. So, starting Thursday, the rest of my class days (6) will be four hours long…that’s definitely how I wanted to spend my last week in BA. Sigh…but oh well, it’s good since we’re going to actually earn the credit for it. I just wonder about how we’re going to be graded in the Culture class, fitting so many classes together, I really hope he doesn’t throw a paper on us. No me gustan trabajos monigraficos… (Research papers…sigh).

Anyways…after class I went with Thomas to his house. His host mom reads his blogs and noticed that he and I hang out a lot, so she invited me to dinner. Interestingly enough, however, she wasn’t there because she had gotten tickets to a theatre. So I didn’t get to meet her, but I did get to meet her son and daughter a couple of other girls from the states. Dinner was good, it was called Izo (hizo?) and was basically a stew with meat and lentils and other vegetables. I love how stew just makes vegetables easier to eat. =) I had a good time and we were there for awhile. We did finish our homework for Spanish class tomorrow, so that’s good!

Then, as a random thought I suggested that we go to the movies, so Thomas and I decided on Ice Age Three…the only problem was, was that it wasn’t in Spanish subtitles anywhere close. So, we decided to be brave (crazy?) and opted for the Castellano viewing!

- Now that I think of it, I don’t know if I’ve ever talked about “Castellano” or not… so I will now. If I have before, well, here’s a review. Here, the Argentines don’t say “español” (well, most of them anyways). Since Argentine Spanish is so different from other kinds of Spanish, it has its own name…Castellano. And…there you go. It wasn’t a long explanation at all, probably didn’t even need one, lol.

So, I ordered a ticket and the lady looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Es solamente en Español.” (See what I mean, some people actually say Spanish, although…I think that’s the first I’ve heard it said apart from classes.) I was like, “Yo sé. Está bien.” (I know, its okay.) So we went and watched it…and I must say that if you have to watch a movie in a language you aren’t fluent in, a kids’ animated film is probably you’re best bet. I didn’t understand a lot of the words, but I was able to get the concept and I understood the story line as it was happening. So that was good enough for me. I really found it funny that some words like, “Okay”, “Wow”, “Falsa alarma” and others were used. I guess there just aren’t Spanish words for okay or wow? Hmm…

Well, after the movie, I went home…which is where I am now. I suppose I could have gone out, but I am saving my feet for Thursday night dancing! Oh, I guess I haven’t mentioned this yet…so, after my last Thursday night, I noticed the next day that my left foot had bruises on the right side of it…but they didn’t hurt. After last Saturday night, I noticed that the bruises had grown to the top and a slight one on the left side. But still…they didn’t hurt. They are just…ugly and purple and blue, lol. Today, I am finally feeling a little pain, but only when I move my foot a specific way, so I just don’t do that, lol. That’s gotta prove that I’m a dancing maniac! =) Ha ha… so therefore, I am resting my feet for a couple of nights, so they’ll be all good and well for Thursday (which Bridget and I are just way too excited about, lol).

Okay…I suppose that’s all I shall share with you. It’s late, I am sleepy, and I have more school tomorrow (luckily its Spanish class, which I enjoy!). I hope you are all well!

Un beso! (A kiss! Which is how a lot of people here end letters and what they say when they get off the phone, which I think is so cute since that is how you greet and leave people here as well!)