Dia 44, Put on your Dancing Shoes, 30 de julio

Well, today…was a long day. I don’t even know how else to put it, but I suppose that when you are awake from 10 am to 5 am, well…long is a good way to describe it. =)

I woke up at nine o’clock because Expanish had finally decided to get a tour together for our class. In our syllabus we had for our politics class (and our culture one for that matter) we were supposed to go on various “field trips” to museums and other buildings around town. The first couple of weeks we asked about them and they kept getting “scheduled” but nothing ever became official, so we basically just forgot about it. Earlier this week we received an email saying that they had scheduled a tour and we were meeting at 10am today. So that’s what we did.

It was nice being in a tour with only five of us, and it was much easier to hear our guide (Nacho!...short for Ignacio) tell us all the stories. We met at Plaza de San Martín and he told us about the history of the place and some buildings around it. (Don’t ask me to repeat any of it for you, lol). Our first stop after that was Palacio Paz. I always thought that it meant “Peace Palace”, but I found out today that it is a palace that was built by the Paz family. (So their name means peace, lol.) It was…gorgeous. From what I remember, the man (um…Señor Paz, I don’t remember his name) built it in the early 1900s in hopes of becoming president of Argentina. I guess he thought that if he built a beautiful building it would help his chances? I don’t know exactly, but it mimics the Versailles Palace in France. We got to walk through it and at first our guide took us to a small ante-salon, which went into a larger salon, where people could have banquets and dances and what not. After that, we walked into a hallway and a dining room. Then, we went into what could have been a “den” if it were a normal house. It had a huge fireplace…looked almost homey minus the fact that we were in a palace. =)

After that, we walked around some more. She showed us a few more rooms before we walked into…the grand ballroom! I definitely wasn’t expecting it, so it was quite a surprise. Every room we had been in had been beautiful, but of course, this beat them all. It was a circular room with a great ceiling and a balcony and I can’t remember the last time I wanted to wear a ball gown and heels that badly! I took photos (well, Thomas took a lot of them. He lost his camera…not good…so I let him take photos with my camera, which was nice not having to worry about taking the right photos) so they’ll be on Facebook soon…hopefully. Lol

After our tour of the Palace, we went to Plaza De Mayo, where I’ve been plenty of times before. We went to the Cabildo museum, which told some history about the Revolt in 1810…or something like that. There were artifacts from the old days and what not…like a museum normally has. Obviously it wasn’t anything that amazed me since I have no more to say about it, lol.

We continued to a cathedral that was in Plaza de Mayo. I don’t know the name of the cathedral, and didn’t really understand why it was so interesting (other than the fact that it was a cathedral, so of course it was beautiful inside, lol) until we discovered that it’s where the remains of General San Martín are kept. It’s a really high crypt (I don’t know if that’s the proper word you use or not, but I used it just the same) and there are actually two guards at the door. They were dressed all fancy like and had swords. I took a photo. =)

After the cathedral, we headed towards our school which was quite a walk. On our way there we stopped at the Evita museum which is held in a random building…it turns out, it wasn’t really that random, because I guess it was where she worked when she was alive…maybe? Something like that…but there were no signs outside that I noticed saying, “Come see the exhibit!” and it wasn’t very big…so I guess it’s not the Evita museum…maybe just a Evita museum. Hmmm…

Then, we were starving by this point (none of us had eaten since before ten and it was two o’clock). We were late to class as well, but since it wasn’t our fault, we all decided to stop and get food anyways. =) We arrived in class about fifteen minutes late, but our professor was really cool about it. It was our first time back in our cultural class and I was pretty excited about it. However, I didn’t factor in how tired I would be from the four hours of walking we did just before. It was so hard to stay awake! But, when he finally gave us a break, he didn’t show back up in the class for about an hour, so that was a great break to have. But then he kept us over about twenty minutes, which, long break or not, doesn’t make any student happy. The class itself was good though, and I was able to follow along and understand most of it. He enunciates his words so much better than the Politics professor and he speaks a lot slower, so apparently that makes a lot of difference! =)

After class, Thomas and I walked down near the Recoleta Cemetery. Next to it is a ticket booth that sells tickets to various shows and museums around the city…and we got tickets to: “La Fantasma De La Opera!” We’ve been wanting to see a show here since we arrived, but any show in Spanish is going to be difficult to understand, and since we both know the story line to Phantom, we figured it would be the best bet. We are going to see it next Wednesday night!

After that we went back to my place and I let Thomas finish off the gnocchi I had brought home last night. He had never had them before, and he liked him. So yay for good gnocchi experiences! =) After he left I had been planning on taking a nap before going out with Bridget to Club Lost again. (That’s the same place we went to last week where we had so much fun!) I ended up talking to Derek who has been getting sick, so I went over to his place and took him some medicine. (Yeah, no naps for me! Lol). My mom packed a pharmacy for me to bring over here, so I was able to give him something. Obviously, since he wasn’t feeling well, he didn’t go out dancing with us. We met up with some of our other friends and went out. Somehow, someone remembered the name of a website to mention at the door and so we were on “the list”. This means…I didn’t have to pay to get into the club, which was pretty exciting. I mean, can’t you just imagine how it feels to walk up to the lady with the clip board and say, “I’m on this list…here’s my name, here’s five of my friends.” And she said, “Okay, go in.” Oh yes, it was quite nice, lol.

Once inside, we got to coat check and then hit the dance floor! I didn’t dance for nearly as long this week, maybe two hours, if that. I got tired pretty early though and I took a cab home around 4:30. =) I don’t know if I would ever get used to saying that I have been staying out that late. I mean, here it is apparently normal and my host mom doesn’t think anything of it…but I think that even if I were to stay here longer, I would still not be able to get over it. It’s too much fun…although, I am pretty tired. It’s okay though! Just one more week and I’ll be heading home to normal time! =)

And that’s all for today. I hope you are all doing well! I love you and miss you! Un beso!

Dia 43, "Uno, Dos, Tres?!" 29 de julio

Sorry for the delay in updates! I suppose I have been busy, although it doesn’t feel like it. Today, I went to Spanish class where we reviewed for our test on Monday. She kept saying, “El horrible examen.” But then she would laugh, so I am assuming the test isn’t going to be too bad. I know what I need to be studying, so that’s good enough I suppose.

After class Bridget and I decided to get some empanadas (she ended up getting a tarta… torte…almost quiche-like?) and afterwards we went and made an appointment to get massages a week from Friday! We’re pretty excited about this. They are so cheap here, plus, it’ll be great to get the day before we leave. It’s sad to think about how close that day is…so I won’t. Moving along…

I went home after that and Serri and I randomly decided to go see Harry Potter. It’s playing at a theater close to where we live, so we were able to walk over there. Before the movie, we went to my love, Freddo. I discovered that at this Freddo, they have chocolate suizo as well…that’s the flavor I got at Munchi’s a few nights ago. Well, I got it…and it was…wonderful. I mean, it blew Muchi’s out of the water. Poor Freddo, how did I ever doubt our love!? =) I even think it might even be my new favorite flavor, lol. I just don’t know what I am going to do without Freddo in my life once I leave. =)

After Freddo we went to the cine (theater). This cine (which is in the Village Recoleta shopping center) is one of the nicest ones I have ever seen. It’s three stories and has about 20ish theaters. On Wednesday, they show movies for only 15 pesos, which is a little less than $5 US. And it was totally worth it! We had to wait in a line and when we got tickets the lady was, of course, speaking in Spanish somewhat fast and I couldn’t understand her. So she pulled out a seating chart and so we figured out that she was asking us where to sit. She pointed to three different places, and they were all within the first two rows of the theater and they looked as if they weren’t even next to each other. So I was trying to tell her that we didn’t care, but she got frustrated and was like, “Uno, dos, tres?” and kept saying it and pointing to the three spots. So I finally had to say, “Dos.” Then she looked at me and said, (translated) “Here? The screen is right there (points to the where the screen is).” I had chosen the second row in the middle. The other was the first row middle, or the second row over on the side…it’s not like I had any other better options….sigh. We finally got our tickets and continued on our movie cine adventure!

Our theater was downstairs and it was really crowded (obviously since we only had a limited choice of seating). The movie was really good. I realized afterwards that I hadn’t seen the fifth Harry Potter with Kelsey yet (he and I have been working our way through all of them)…but I wasn’t too confused about anything. Over all it was fun to watch, even if it was a couple hours long.

After the movie we went to eat dinner at a local restaurant. Serri’s friend Ivanna meet up with us there and we all had a plate of gnocchi (spelled ñoqui here). It’s a pasta dish, made with potatoes. It’s not my favorite, but I think I might have mentioned last month that it’s an Argentine tradition to eat gnocchi on the 29^th of every month to celebrate having money. When someone starts hosting gnocchi parties, it’s traditional for the dinner guests to put money under their plate, and the host is then supposed to use that money to buy the gnocchi for the next month. Elsa made it for me last month, but she wasn’t able to this month, therefore, we went out and got some, to keep up with tradition! I don’t know if gnocchi is something I want to keep eating though. It’s good…but almost too much gooey pasta (I know, I can’t believe I said it either!) But it is fun to have traditions!

After dinner…we went back home…and that was my day. Again, not a very exciting one, but at least I am enjoying my time and keeping busy! I have a long day planned tomorrow, so I will update about it shortly!

Un beso!

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!)

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!

Dia 40, Boliches, Cards and sleeping in until... 26 de julio

Well hello again all, and thank you for tuning in. I wish that my updates could start being more informative again for you all, as in…telling you about Buenos Aires as opposed to just what I do everyday…but I feel as if I have just gotten into a groove. I mean, today marks the 40^th day that I’ve been in this beautiful country! I have a routine! =) And, not to mention, I can’t remember what things I have told you or haven’t, which makes me sad because I wouldn’t want to leave any interesting cultural stories out. I’ll try to keep thinking of what I might not have mentioned in the past…but if I ever mention anything and you don’t understand it or don’t remember me mentioning it before, ask me so I can write about it in the next update! =)

Moving along to my day…as I left off yesterday at midnight, I guess I should just go from there. Bridget and I met up with a few people she had met a few nights ago, and then we waited on Derek who decided to go out with us as well. Well… they ended up taking us to a boliche really south/west in San Telmo, pretty close to La Boca. I didn’t like the idea of that because every book I’ve read on BA says, “Don’t go to La Boca at night!!!” But no worries, nothing happened and we stayed safe! =) The club was…interesting. Okay, it was pretty…hood? Um…I don’t know how else to say it, but it was a not that great club in a not that great part of town. The music was pretty decent and so we started dancing around two. A little after three though, it was just the same music and I was getting pretty tired, apparently Derek was as well and he suggested that we go ahead and leave and go back to his place to play some card games and hang out.

No worries! It wasn’t just me and one boy hanging out in an apartment…it was me and three boys hanging out in an apartment. =) And no, no one needs to worry. It was Derek, Greggory, and Gerald. I knew who they all were and it was completely safe, so no one need worry about what I was doing there. We played cards for a few hours and Meghan then came home. (She had been out at a milonga). We talked a little and then I crashed out on the couch…we all went to bed around, oh… eight o’clock. Yes, in the morning. I am hanging my head in shame to all of you who don’t understand the concept of hanging out in Buenos Aires. =) But for those people here, it was only slightly late…like staying out past two back in the states. Ha ha…so we all went to bed and I woke up…at four. Yes, four in the afternoon. Again, head hanging right now. =) It was a fun night though, just hanging out with new friends and getting to know everyone better. I realize that some of you who read this (like mis padres y abuelos) won’t like the idea of me being out so late (but to think of it, I wasn’t really out, we were in and I stayed there until the middle of the afternoon…lol) and I’m almost sure you don’t like the idea that I was just hanging out with guys for a good part of the evening, but I assure you all, it was a normal, friend…fun hangout. I just want you all to know that! And no, I am not picking up crazy habits I won’t be able to break when I get back to the states. I am still fully aware of how crazy it is to be at a club until five in the morning…but it’s here, it’s the culture, it’s fun…why not?! =)

So, after getting some Burger King (SO good), I came home and talked with Serri and watched some shows on her computer. I then did some homework (see?! That’s productive! Lol) and am now updating. I think that she and I are going to watch a movie later, not sure…but we’ll see. I know, it sounds like I wasted a day, but I don’t feel that way and that’s all that matters right? =)

I guess I shall go for now, tomorrow school starts again, back at Austral. Boo to long bus rides, but that’s life.

Chao for now friends!

Dia 39, Souvenir shopping aside, we dance. 25 de julio

Hello all, and welcome to Cambria’s daily update for all your Buenos Aires knowledge needs… with that said, sadly enough I had quite a lazy day. I woke up around noon, and finished the Agatha Christie book I had been reading. I had lunch that was my dinner from the night before and then had the use of the internet for most of the day. I worked on my updates and what not. I really don’t know how I managed to waste those few hours, but I did a great job of it. =)

After awhile, I just felt icky for sitting so long, so I went to walk around, just for something to do. I ended up going back to the Recoleta feria (market). I really enjoy this market for some reason. Maybe it’s because it’s so close to where I live? (About five blocks)… I don’t know, but I enjoy it. And today, there were even more vendors than I remember there being the last two times I went. I was able to buy my other mate which I am excited about! Now I just have to actually buy the yerba mate (the grass!) and cure my mate cup… but I might wait til I get back home to mess with it. I don’t like it as much as other people in the program (like Thomas) who bring their mate to class and drink it. But if it’s offered, I take some for the caffeine hit!

I also bought a few other trinkets and things. I think I’ve finally decided on what I am getting for the rest of my family. To those of you who I don’t get souvenirs for…I apologize, but my brain isn’t doing so well with holding all of the information on who’s supposed to get what, lol. But if there are any particular requests, let me know and I can pick something up for you! (No Argentine ski puppies, Josh).

After my shopping and walking, I went back home where I enjoyed a snack of bread and dulce de leche. If I haven’t explained what dulce de leche is yet, I apologize. I can’t remember and am not willing to go look at the fifty or so pages I’ve already typed to check. But the easiest way to describe it is caramelized milk…but much better than it sounds! It spreads like peanut butter and although a lot of people think it’s a lot like caramel, I think it’s different. It’s not as sticky and the taste is different. It just has the same color. It’s delicious! I’m debating on how many jars to buy to bring home…how ever many I can fit in my suitcase! =)

Since Bridget and I were planning another night out, I decided to take a nap. Now, I realize, Cambria…this is like, the third night in a row! Well, yeah. But it’s the weekend! I don’t have class, so why not? Lol. My nap wasn’t too rewarding, I couldn’t fall asleep and then people would text me to ask about the evenings events, so it left little time for actually sleeping, but it was a good rest.

And then, Bridget met me at my house around midnight and we headed to San Telmo to meet a few people Bridget had met a few nights ago…and we were off to a boliche!

I would type more about the evening, but seeing as how it is past midnight, I’m going to add it to tomorrow’s blog! =)

Love you all and will definitely write more soon!

Dia 38, Can't Find as Good a Place... 24 de julio

Today was not a very exciting day. I feel as if I say that a lot when I begin my updates, but maybe I can find a way to make it somewhat interesting…

I woke up around 2, yes…in the afternoon. When you go to bed at seven in the morning, you sleep late. I hung around the house for awhile, had breakfast (ha ha, and it was the usual fruit and bread and coffee!). A little after five I went to meet Bridget at the subte and we walked around for awhile. We went to Coto (the grocery store) and since we were both pretty hungry, we decided to make an early dinner, since we were planning on going out again at night. That way, we could eat then, and eat a little before we went out and wouldn’t be too hungry.

We decided on macaroni and cheese and tuna. I know… an awkward combination I suppose. Bridget made tuna salad which I find not too good. =) Serri joined us for dinner and we had a glass of wine, which I couldn’t drink. I don’t know what it is, but I just can not get the taste of wine. It’s too…gross. I know that there are so many people out in the world who love it and enjoy it with their dinner, but I just can’t. I’ve tried red and white wines and sweet wines and not sweet wines…and I am just not feeling it. Garrett (friend from OBU) once told me that I just have to find the right wine with the right food…but I don’t even think I could go through the pains of trying all these wines that I won’t like first. Oh well, so I don’t like wine. It’s not the end of the world. =)

After dinner, Bridget went back home and I decided to take a nap. I mean, we were going back out, I needed proper rest. =) So I slept for about three hours, woke up at 11:30, called Bridget and made sure we were still on.

Saturday is Greta’s last day here (she is in the Expanish program), so a group went out as a goodbye party. I met Thomas and Bridget at the club and we met Greta, Gillian, and some others. Luckily, since we were there early (yeah, 12:30 = early) we got in for free, so that was great. However, the club…wasn’t really that fun. It was pretty crowded, but the music was…weird. And Bridget and I just weren’t feeling it. We hung out for a little over an hour, but eventually decided that we would rather be dancing instead of just sitting around doing nothing. We said our goodbyes and Thomas and Gillian decided to come with us…which probably wasn’t the best decision since Bridget and I had no idea what we were doing. We thought we knew of a place that was pretty close and it was at Plaza Sarano which is basically a place that never sleeps. We finally found the place, but it was twenty five pesos to get in and for some reason we just weren’t motivated, lol. So we ended up going to a restaurant and shared some fries and nachos. Somehow, it ended up being almost four…I don’t know what happened to the time, but it went by fast. So we just decided to go home. It was somewhat of a disappointment, but I guess that when you’re first club experience was as great as my first one on Thursday night, it’s going to be hard to top it. I guess that’s just something I need to accept, lol. But Bridget and I both agreed that we cannot wait until next Thursday and we hope we can get the same crowd going out with us again. It was too much fun. Sigh…

And that was my evening…now, I have been asked about comparing Freddo’s Ice Cream to that of Braums. Well, I don’t know if I can, but I shall try. For those of you who know me, Braums is one of my favorite places to eat in Shawnee, mainly because their ice cream is amazing. =) And, those of you who have been reading my blogs know that I have found an Argentine love named Freddo, an Ice Cream Restaurant Chain. So…how do I compare the two loves?! Ah! I think I would say that Freddo ice cream is…smoother? It’s closer to a frozen yogurt (like most ice cream in Argentina), then ice cream that we’re used to in the states. But…the flavors are different! There’s dulce de leche, and tramontana (which is my favorite, like an almost vanilla, dulce de leche, and these little cookie things), and just all these other flavors that are different than what we have in Braums. I think…though…that if I was just on an ice cream kick, I would pick Freddo over Braums. However, if I wanted food as well, then obviously I would choose Braums. =) I suppose that didn’t help the debate much, but it’s so hard to choose! They are both good! =)

I was emailing my mom earlier and in response to her telling me that she wanted to come visit me here, I said that my family should move here. Mom can work her job on the computer and… (and this makes me chuckle) my dad can do magic shows on the streets and in the subte stations to make money! I haven’t seen any one here doing magic shows! I bet people here would like it! And so would my dad…and Carson can go to school here, just needs to learn some Spanish. =) See?! It would all work out! Ha ha…I wish…but then all my friends would have to move here too, which wouldn’t bother me at all. Everyone: start packing! Lol…

Okay, that’s all I have to say for the day…On to another day, and hopefully more exciting stories!

Chao!

Dia 37, Lack of Class Leads to Freddo! 23 de julio

So, I got up semi early which I wasn’t too excited about seeing as how I had gone to bed so late. I had my normal breakfast and started working on some homework and my updates as well. Right before I was about to leave for class, I got a phone call from Luciana (our coordinator at Expanish) who told me that our class was cancelled (again) because our professor was still sick. I felt bad for the profe, but was still pretty excited because…well, it is my summer vacation and I don’t know what I was thinking agreeing to all this class business. =) So, I called Bridget who had already left for school (she lives farther away) and since the school is close to my neighborhood, she decided to come over and hang out for awhile. I made some coffee (yes, I did, with her help of course. It wasn’t as good as Elsa’s coffee I have every morning, but it was decent) and we uploaded some photos for her and then I allowed her to look at my paper for Politics.

Now, I mentioned yesterday it was terrible…I wasn’t kidding. =) Bridget was like, “Um, maybe I wouldn’t say that…” and she helped me work through a lot of it and gave me some new ideas that I would have never thought of seeing as I don’t think economics or politics as much as Bridget does. So thank you, Bridget! =)

Bridget left after awhile to go meet with some Expanish students to go to La Boca. I got more ready for the day and went to meet Derek and Greggory for some Freddo. Last night, Derek asked me if I had any plans today, and I did at the time because I thought I had class. But since class was cancelled, I was free, so I texted him and we made plans to meet up. I was excited because it was Greggory’s first Freddo experience and he thought it was it too! Just spreading the Freddo love…

After hanging out with them for about 30-45 minutes, I went back to my apartment where I am now sitting typing this out. I have finally caught up with all my blogs and am quite proud of myself! I went to Coto (a huge grocery store, it makes me think of…Wal-Mart and Sears, minus the clothes…because they have food, drink, and like, a HUGE entertainment section. But that’s all, strange huh?) with Serri. It was a lot of fun. When we got there, there was a lady giving out samples of whiskey which I thought was hilarious, but no, we didn’t get any.

Now I am just waiting on the evening to go by. We (as in Bridget and I) have been planning a night out! I am pretty excited. Meaghan (from Expanish) might go, as well as Derek and Greggory and who knows who all else will come out. It should be a fun night. We are all actually planning on going to a boliche as opposed to a milonga; although I am pretty sure that a few of them are going to do both. We’ll see! More to come later tonight…

The next day…

Well, I had the best night ever I am pretty sure. Bridget and I met up with Meaghan, Eric and a few other people from Expanish at a bar to hang out before the club. The club doesn’t even get good until about one or two, so we showed up around there. There was a line outside the club, and so we had to wait for awhile to get it. I had to wait outside for Derek to show up, but luckily we were able to find the crew once we got inside.

When I walked in, I seriously thought we were thrown into one of those B dance movies, like “Step it Up”. There is a huge dance floor that was crowded with people and there was an open circle in the middle where people were break dancing. It was a pretty great atmosphere. There were so many people and since this was basically my first club experience, I was definitely excited. After we went to coat check, Derek and I moved to the dance floor where we found the rest of our group dancing. And then, that is where we began our three hour long dance session. Yes, you read that right. We danced for three hours – straight! No stopping, no water breaks (which wasn’t the smartest decision, but I survived!) And it was so much fun! I mean, yes, part of the time I was hoping I didn’t look ridiculously stupid, but then everyone else was just dancing and having a good time as well, so it was easy to just put that idea in the back of my head and have fun! By the end of it all, I was so wiped out. My legs were tired, I was tired…we finally left the club around 5 ish in the morning (and the club was still going too, it definitely wasn’t closed! Lol).

After the club, Derek and I met Greggory and Meghan and their apartment and had breakfast! He made peanut butter and jelly tortilla sandwiches which were wonderful (especially after a three hour work out) and I had quite a few glasses of water… I was so thirsty!

A little after six, Derek walked me to the bus stop and I headed home! It’s so funny because, after a certain time in the morning, you can just look around and see those people that are up for work, and those people going home after a night of clubbing. I felt safe walking the three blocks home too, because there were people out and going about their day to day business.

Over all, it was definitely the most fun night I’ve had since I’ve been here. There’s a girl in the program who leaves on Saturday, so everyone is thinking about going out Friday night to celebrate. I’m still pretty tired, but we’ll see…two nights in a row?! I don’t know if I can handle it! Lol…

And that was my wonderful day! I will write more later, as always!

Love you and miss you!

Dia 36, Spanish Breakthrough? 22 de julio

Well…today I woke up much happier. No headache, not too tired, and just feeling good. I went to Spanish class today and it turned out being a great Spanish class. We covered a lot of stuff, and she gave us a lot of time to just ask her about our various Spanish questions over little things that never really have an entire class dedicated to them, like saying certain phrases and what not. It was such a wonderful class and I feel like I learned a lot in it. I know Thomas felt the same way (he asked a lot of questions) and it feels so good to understand more and learn all these things we never really knew before, even though a lot of it seemed basic.

After class, Thomas, Adam and I went to… Burger King! Yes, I know, why on earth would we go to an American fast food restaurant? Well, for starters, when our class gets out, around 4:00, Buenos Aires starts what is called merienda. It’s basically a time in the day when none of the restaurants serve food food. Some of them have medialunas but most just have drinks. And when you are hungry after class (which we almost always are!), even Burger King looks good. Plus, Derek had told me that BK was so much better here than in the states, so we thought, “Why not?” And…Derek was right. It was so delicious. I guess it’s because of beef is more fresh or something…or maybe because I was so hungry, but it was a pretty good meal. Then we just sat there and talked for almost two hours about…well, a lot of stuff. It was a good hangout time for the three of us to just talk about things we’ve learned here, people we’ve met, what we’re really missing about home, etc.

Afterwards, I went home and started writing my politics paper (the idea of writing it just makes me angry so that’s as much as I’ll say about it at the moment). Alex texted me and told me what milonga they were going to tonight and Bridget agreed to go with me. I tried taking a nap, seeing as how most of the time when I go to milongas we stay out all night, but I just wasn’t tired enough, so it was back to the politics writing. Sigh. I wrote two pages though (which I was really proud of myself for, even though they are Terrible, and I mean terrible).

Around eleven I finally met up with Bridget and we took a bus to San Telmo to go to the milonga. It was another really neat little place, not fancy or anything like that. Meghan and Derek were there, along with their friend Greggory who had flown in that morning. There was a live band at this milonga which I loved! It made me want to play the accordion! There was a singer as well, and everything the band did was just so intense and passionate. Every musician was completely in tune with their instrument and with each other. The singer sang with such emotion that, even though I had no idea what he was singing, I felt it. I just got sucked into watching and listening to the band at one point that I forgot there were people dancing…it was that wonderful.

The place closed at two and half the group was going on to La Viruta, which is their milonga of choice because it’s free to get into after two. Alex, Bridget and I decided to go on home. It was so cold outside (I know, those of you in Oklahoma are like “COLD?!” but it was in the low 40s and so I was almost freezing!) and I was so glad to finally be home in my nice warm bed! =)

Well, look at that, a short update! =) Oh, but there will be more to come soon! Chao for now!

Dia 35, Back to that Politics class I don't enjoy, 21 de julio

Well, I am sorry to say that today was not a very eventful day. I woke up semi-early and did the usual morning routine. It was raining...a lot today. I went to class, (yes, walking the 8 blocks to school...in the rain) which was not fun. Again, it was a class filled with things I didn’t understand, and as always, the things I did understand I didn’t get the concept of in English. I tried paying attention though!... for the first hour of the class, but then...the headache came on. It was my second headache since I’ve been here, but it was worse, almost migraine bad, and I just wanted to sleep. So class I don’t like + headache + tired = Not happy Cambria. Sigh... the class was finally over and as we were all walking home, I discovered that apparently it was a day where no one wanted to be in class! The others discussed how it was a hard class to be in for four hours today, and since it was cold and rainy, how we’d much rather be in bed with a huge cup of coffee! I started missing my fireplace at home, with hot chocolate, and a great book...oh, that sounds good.

Anyways, after I got home, I was just not feeling great, and I don’t want to get sick while I am here, so I decided to take a nap, and I was in bed from about 6:45 until 9:00. I didn’t sleep much, but I took some Bayer (yes mom, aren’t you proud? Lol) and just laid there. I finally got up and ate my dinner which was perfect because it was this stew thing, so warm and good. =) I felt much better so I worked on some homework and Serri gave me control of her internet because she needed to finish an article for her internship.

And ...that was my day. I know, isn’t it lame? I wish I had more exciting things to share with you...OH, I remember, I think I mentioned a few updates ago that I was going to tell you about street vendors here (the ones not at the markets), so I suppose I can do that now...

To any of you planning on coming here (or maybe it’s like this in many South American countries) this might be a good thing to know. A lot of the times, when people are selling things, they just get on a bus or a subte and start announcing whatever it is that they are selling, tell you how much it is, then walk around and try to hand it to you to see if you’ll buy it. That’s easy enough to say no to. However, sometimes, when you’re sitting there, they just get on and don’t say anything. They walk around and just sit things in your lap. I mean, you might be having a conversation with someone, or listening to your music, and here comes an old man/young man/woman/child with a book/candy/hair ties/card/etc and they just set it on your lap. At first I thought maybe they were just giving things out? Which apparently can be a common thought, and maybe they are hoping you think that, so by the time they come back to get it, you’ve opened the package or used the product in some way, so you have to pay them. Most of the time, they just walk by and take it from you, if you leave it on your lap and don’t move, they pick it up, or you can just hand it back to them. However, it’s not even limited to the bus or subte. One night, when Adam and I were in McDonalds, a man came up and sat two pens on our table, said something really fast in Spanish, then walked away. They were really nice pens too! This was pretty early on in the trip, so we didn’t really know if he was giving them away or not. When he came back to our table, he said something and Adam just said, “Gracias”...I guess he was a bit confused also. So the guy said, “Diez pesos.” And then I realized, “Oh, he’s selling these!” So we said no and he left. One of these days, I might be tempted to just take whatever they throw in my lap and run. Okay, probably not, but again, coming from a U.S. view point, it’s like a breach of personal space when they just put something in your lap like that. But apparently, it’s really common here because no one looks twice when it happens. So…there you go…

So, as I wrote this update, it hit me that today marked my 35^th day here! Well, of course it would since that’s how I title all my updates. I can’t believe it’s been so long. 35 days seems like a really long time, and yet, I still feel as if I just got here. Of course, the streets are easier to navigate and the buses easier to track down, I walk through the big city as if I’ve been used to it my whole life. I really am starting to enjoy it here more than I was at the beginning (of course, that’s the whole idea right?). I am excited to see what the next two and a half weeks bring me! Thomas and I want to see at least one theatre show and hopefully we’ll be able to visit Teatro Colón (yeah! Look it up!). I don’t know what else is in the works, but more fun I’m sure! =)

More later from B.A.! Love and miss you all!

Dia 34, Feliz Dia de Amigos! 20 de julio

After arriving at the bus stop between 8 and 9, I took a cab back to my house, where I decided there was no point in trying to go back to sleep. Serri was already up, so I had breakfast and talked to her about my wonderful weekend.

I did have class, so I walked on over to school around 1:30, and had our Spanish class for two hours which went by really fast. I went straight home afterwards and did some homework. Bridget and I decided we wanted to go to La Bomba drum show tonight, and Bridget still hadn’t gone, so it’s a must before we leave! Alex was going to go too, and I decided to invite Derek and Meghan since they hadn’t been either.

About an hour before I needed to leave, I talked to Bridget who told me that she forgot her host mom was going to teach her how to make gnocchi, and since they have dinner at nine, it was basically impossible for her to go with me, without her bailing on her host mom (which wouldn’t have been a nice thing to do anyways). Derek still hadn’t responded, so I didn’t know if he was going to go, and Meghan already had plans. I knew that Alex was going but she was also meeting other friends, so I didn’t know if I would be able to find her. Finally, about thirty or so minutes before I had to leave, Derek said he’d go, so at least I had someone to hang out with!

I got to La Bomba a little before 8 and the place was packed! Last time I had gone it was not nearly this crowded. The line to buy tickets was down the block and around the corner. The show started at 8 and lasted until 10, so I thought that surely there was no way I was going to be able to get in on time (I mean, obviously, it was like, 7:50 or something like that), but I went ahead and walked towards the end of the line. Luckily, while walking, Alex was in the middle of the line and she called to me. So I stood with her a little bit more hopeful in thinking that maybe we’d make at least an hour of the show. Well, Alex caught a lucky break because someone had a ticket and wasn’t able to go to the show, so they sold her a ticket. I was waiting on Derek and his friend, so I didn’t want to buy a ticket if I couldn’t get us all one.

Finally, around 8:50, Derek and Gerald, show up, and I had still been waiting in line, so it was pointless to even try to go in since we probably would have had another twenty or so minute wait. So Derek, Gerald, and I decided to just walk to Abastos, which is a really great mall in the middle of a really crappy neighborhood. We walked around and found the Freddo (!) inside it…only to learn (well, only for me to learn because apparently the other two already knew it) that there are THREE Freddo’s in this mall! Three! Isn’t that just the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard? =) So, we decided to get ice cream (of course). I got frutilla (strawberry) and it was just wonderful, as always. Freddo never disappoints. I enjoy it so much that every time Thomas mentions Freddo in his blog, he includes the fact that it is my Argentine Love. =)

After we got ice cream, we walked around some more, and then Gerald casually mentioned that, since it is Día De Amigos (Friends Day! A holiday celebrated in Argentina…to commemorate being friends with other nations…as far as I know. Not completely sure; someone, look it up for me!) =) that Freddo was having a buy one get one free sale. My response: “WHAT!?!?!?” (Which was an exclamation filled with excitement of course). So of course we went back and got another ice cream…I mean, it was free, why not?!

After another wonderful time at Freddo, we decided to hit the subway and go to Florida Street. It was a little after ten on a Monday night, and I know I talk about the night life here like it’s just the most happenin’ thing, but if you’re not going to a bar/boliche/milonga, then there really isn’t anything to do…so we just walked around for awhile. We found this neat little bookstore that I couldn’t pay attention to for long because I started wanting to buy all the books. There was even this historical royal fiction book about some princess in Europe and I was soooo tempted to get it, even though it was in Spanish and it would probably take me years and a lot of patience to finish, but still. I didn’t get it though, I persevered. =)

After walking around a little while longer, we all went back to Derek’s apartment where Meghan was and we hung out a little while longer, talking and listening to a Tango CD that Derek had just bought. Around midnight I was very tired (I mean, this is still the day I arrived back from Iguazú, on an 18 hour bus ride that I barely slept on!), so they walked me back to my bus stop and I headed on home!

And that…was my Día de Amigos in Argentina, which was pretty great seeing as I made a new friend (Gerald) and got to hang out with other new friends (Derek and Meghan). And…I got to go to bed somewhat early which was pretty exciting as well! =)

More from B.A. to come! =)

Dia 33, Traveling Back to BA, 18 de julio

Well, I woke up feeling much better than I had the past two days. I guess I slept well, even after being woken up around 5:45 when the other girls came back in! =) I’m glad they had fun though. I had a good night’s sleep, so that was good enough for me.

We went to breakfast and had to check out by ten. Breakfast was cereal and toast again and it was wonderful! I had apple juice as well, which was great as always. After breakfast, Marcos took the group to a monument of…something. I didn’t go. My body was just tired and I opted to staying at the hostel and laying out by the pool, which turned out to be a great idea. I read my book, and then took a mini-nap before the deck chair got too uncomfortable. It was such a lovely day, the sun was so bright, a lot bright than I remember it ever being, but I haven’t been that close to the sun in a long time. In BA, with all the buildings, the sun doesn’t feel so bright, but here, there were no large buildings, just some trees and a lot of sun. There was a nice, cool breeze that would blow through. I would guess that it was somewhere in the 80s degree-wise. It was a lovely morning in Puerto Iguazú.

When the group finally came back (looking worn out and hot, since they had to walk there and back), we all got our stuff and grabbed taxis to take to the restaurant for lunch. We went to the same one we went to on Friday night. I had an omelet, which wasn’t the best, but not the worst either. Our poor waiter was having a difficult afternoon. As he brought me my water, he spilled someone else’s orange juice right next to me. Luckily, it wasn’t on me completely, just my arm. My purse got the worst of it, but I was able to wipe it off. Sadly, the OJ had pulp still in it, so I had to deal with that, and being sticky. Then, right after that, he sat a 7up down on the table, opened the bottle and it started spewing and spilled all over someone else’s place (which luckily didn’t have food on it). I felt bad for the guy with all the spilling he was doing. The worst thing about it was that the 7up attracted all the bees within a mile radius. So lunch was somewhat exciting what with all of us trying to not get stung by the bees!

After lunch, we went to the bus stop and got right on our bus. Then, we embarked on another 18 hour bus ride. Again, we watched movies “Meet Joe Black” and…oh, something else. I don’t remember. I tried working on reading for our Spanish class. After dinner, they played “Changeling” which is a great film. Then I went to sleep…well, tried to sleep. It took me awhile to sleep, as usual on a bus/plane/car/etc, but I am pretty sure I got more sleep on this bus ride than I did on the other one.

We arrived in Buenos Aires between 8 and 9 Monday morning…which will bring me into Día 34…

Dia 32, Las Cataratas (The Falls)! 17 de julio

Ah, what a wonderful day I had... even though waking up at 8 was not the happiest moment of the day. =) After a wonderful breakfast (so I had frosted flakes, but it’s been so long since I’ve had cereal, it was amazing!) we headed off to Iguazú National Park!

I was so excited, although not really knowing what to expect. I mean, in part, it’s a bunch of waterfalls. I’ve seen plenty of photos…however photos do not do this place justice. There are no words for how breathtaking these falls are…

We started off by taking the “high trail” to the falls. We walked through the jungle (although there was a “brick” trail to walk on) and on the way there we stopped to take photos of monkeys who were just hanging out in the trees. I’ve never seen monkeys in a natural habitat (they weren’t in cages) and it was so great! We also saw a lot of wild coaties. I don’t really know how to describe a coati. Like an anteater maybe, without the really long nose and tail? Ha, I don’t know. I have photos of course. They just ran wild there and were not shy to humans. I even got to pet one although they tell you to be careful because if they think you have food (or I guess if you smell like food) they will bite you. Luckily, neither of those categories applied to me, so I didn’t get bit. =)

When we finally made it up to the falls, I was speechless. I just started taking pictures like crazy. The farther along we walked, the more we got to see. We didn’t take an official tour, so I don’t know all the statistics about the place: how many falls, how high they are, etc. But I just felt that, while looking at them, it just reinforced my faith in God. I mean, they were beautiful and amazing and…it didn’t just happen. I can’t allow myself to believe that some scientific force made these falls happen, and it makes me sad that there are people who do believe that. I just couldn’t help but think: “Wow, look what God created for us to enjoy and look at.” I was amazed by the power of God like I haven’t been in quite a long time. It was a wonderful experience that I will never ever forget. And I kept feeling it over and over again as we saw new falls or the same falls from the lower trails. When you’re standing at the bottom of the falls, you realize how small you really are, like when you stare at the sky for a really long time. They are huge!

After lunch, we went to La Garganta Del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), which was the very top of one of the waterfalls. It was another one of those breathtaking moments. I wish there were more words to describe the falls, but I don’t think one really can do it and be right in describing it! So that’s what you get…look up photos, look at mine on Facebook, it still won’t be as wonderful as being there. And it was even better that the weather was perfect (especially since it had rained for two days before). I even got hot at one point (it was in the 80s and the sun was perfect!). I even got a little red, but no, not burnt. =)

We left the park around five and went back to the hostel where we took showers/naps/etc. That night at the hostel, there was an asado (barbecue) with all you can eat salad, meat (including steak, chorizos [sausage], chicken), and drink (they were serving caipirinhas, a Brazilian drink, it was NOT good, I settled for apple juice, lol). After dinner the hostel put on a Brazilian show, where a man danced and pulled people out on the floor and taught them to dance. He had a group of guys out dancing and then brought out a lady barely dressed in dancing garb. It was quite an interesting evening. It was really fun watching Thomas up there dancing. But that’s his story to tell, so I will just leave it at that…but it was funny. =)

After awhile, the man and his two dancers started pulling everyone up and formed a sort of conga line. Then they had us dance down a line, under peoples arms (like a bridge…), and do the limbo, then they taught us a dance with a LOT of movement. We were so so tired afterward, but I was energized at the same time. I can barely believe I allowed myself up there to be crazy like that, but so many people were doing it (all of the people from our group did), so it would have been lame not to!

When the show was over we decided to go outside. It was a great night and the music was playing…our little group decided to start dancing in the gazebo. I mean, there was a disco light, enough space, and loud music: dancing was meant to happen! I was proud of our group too, because after awhile, other people jumped in and started dancing as well, until it was a full out party with a lot of people just mingling and dancing and talking. It was a great time. I met people from Argentina, Brazil, Ireland, Canada, Germany…it was wonderful!

Around two in the morning, part of our group left to go to the boliche (club) in the center (downtown), but I was way way too tired. I opted for bed, which was a great move. They didn’t get back until almost six and I don’t think I would have been able to handle it!

More to come from the Iguazú trip…

Dias 30 and 31, Traveling to Iguazu, 16 de julio

I was going to write about my entire Iguazú trip in one big document…but after just writing about the first day and it being so long…I decided on just splitting it up. =)

I got up around noon, although was still really tired what with the crazy late night before. We didn’t have to meet until 5:40 that afternoon, but I figured if I was tired enough, I’d be able to sleep on the bus. As I was debating this, Thomas called and asked if we were still planning on going to a Mexican restaurant. Well, that settled it right there. I was up and ready to go soon and I, along with Serri, met Thomas, Adam and Bridget at Salta de Las Ranas (Jump of the Frogs) Mexican Restaurant. The first thing we all noticed was how long it took the waiter to actually come to our table... quite a long time. However, throughout our wait, we were able to notice little things about the restaurant that were quite funny. There was a chandelier created out of fake corn with the leaves and part of the stalks still attached. There was foam (not the liquid-y kind, the packaging kind) under the tables, which is quite startling when you’re expecting wood, and there was an awkward painting of a cliff next to water that was quite oddly painted. After we were finally attended to, we got the common chips and salsa that comes in most Mexican restaurants; however, they weren’t so common. The chips tasted like wontons at a Chinese restaurant and the salsa wasn’t spicy at al (which didn’t bother me!) and was more like sweet and sour sauce…quite funny. Plus, the bowl was TINY. We ate it up pretty fast, and they don’t bring you more. When we finally got the food it was…eh. It wasn’t the best food I’ve had, but definitely not the worst. I still really miss Abuelitas in Shawnee, even if it’s not “real” Mexican food (whatever that means…ha).

After food, we went our separate ways. Everyone else had to pack for the trip, but I had plans to meet Derek at Freddo. Can I help it that I have found someone with the same love of the place as me!? Ha ha. It was, as always, a wonderful time. I mean, Freddo with a new friend? It doesn’t get any better! =)

After Freddo I went back to my apartment and finished packing and headed to Expanish where we were all meeting to go to Iguazú! We left a little later than scheduled (which I suppose isn’t too unusual for Buenos Aires) and then took the taxis to the bus station. There, we got on our bus and started the insanely long 18 hour bus ride! By this time, it was around seven o’clock. We watched a few movies (Lakeview Terrace, Yes Man) and had dinner (um…I think it was lasagna, with cheese and spinach in it, not great, but not horrid either) and then around midnight I tried sleeping. I didn’t sleep too well; even though the seats on this bus leaned back about 160 degrees! I was really excited because I figured that leaning back that far would help me sleep better, but no. I was more comfortable and probably got maybe 4 or 5 hours…but I can’t be too sure.

Dia 31...

Around 8 in the morning, they turned the lights on and served us breakfast: coffee and medialunas (croissants – literally “half moons”). It was good enough for me and they started another movie “Death Race” which I wasn’t too fond of, but after trying to fall asleep again and failing I eventually finished watching it. Around ten/eleven, our bus stopped and looking out the front window, we saw that there was basically a traffic jam. No cars were moving, not even a little bit. We eventually found out that there was a demonstration (protest) going on a few miles up the road and that they weren’t going to move until twelve thirty. So we just had to hang out on the road. The bus drivers let us get off the bus and stretch our legs. It was nice being in the somewhat country. There were a group of Brazilians in the car in front of us with their mate and they were playing loud American 80s music, which was pretty entertaining. We got to talk with other people who were a part of our trip as well and admire all the green! (I mean, we have been in a city for the past few weeks.)

When we finally got on our way, we only had a little over an hour ride left. We made it to our hostel and it was not like what I expected a hostel to be! There was a huge lobby area with pool tables and a ping pong table. There were computers, couches, a TV area, and a huge dining area. There were rooms downstairs for people to stay in, but we were lucky and got group rooms in buildings that were outside the main building. I guess you could call them cabins, although they weren’t really cabin-y. Luckily, I was able to share a room and bathroom with five other girls that I knew, so it wasn’t an awkward grouping.

After having lunch there and getting our beds made and what not, we met our coordinator Marcos in the lobby and walked about an eight minute walk to a nature reserve where they keep and help animals they have saved. We got to ride in a trailer-type thing (like the kind you see at hay rides) and we were pulled by a huge tractor throughout la selva (the jungle). After about a ten minute drive, we got out and began our tour. The animals were kept in cages (like at a zoo), so we were able to see most of them. There were different kinds of birds and anteaters, monkeys, capybaras!, and other things. It was a fun way to spend an hour and a half.

We then traveled by bus into the center of the city, where we went to Las tres fronteras (The Three Borders). It’s where Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina border each other. The river splits them up, so sadly enough, I wasn’t able to stand on Brazilian or Paraguayan soil. I did take a lot of photos though, and it was still pretty cool to be next to the countries. After that, we walked (and it seemed like a LONG walk) to a restaurant called “Color” (“Because we are all different colors and so is food”, sayeth one of the owners when Sven, an Expanish student from Germany, asked). The food was great, and it was Leo’s (another Expanish student) birthday and so we got to sing to him in English and Spanish and he got free flan (ew).

After that, we went back to the hotel. Part of me really wanted to sleep (seeing as how I hadn’t in the past few days), but then I was curious to see how night life at the hostel was. We enjoyed having some drinks and playing games in the lobby. There was a large-ish gazebo outside and loud music playing but no one was dancing to it. Bridget and I hung out by the pool and just looked up at the stars and talked. I was so excited to see the stars because it had been so long since I had seen any! And what was even greater, was that the stars I was seeing were different from the ones I get to see at home!

I finally went to bed a little after midnight because we had to be up around eight the next day…

Dia 29, Another Night Out? Surely not...oh yeah! 15 de julio

Hello all! Sorry for the long delay in the responses, but as I mentioned in the last post, I would be gone all weekend to Iguazú! It was a great time, and I’ll write all about it in the next update. However, I didn’t update what I did on the day before I left for Iguazú…hence, this update. =)

After waking up and feeling great from my first night out, I went to class and talked with Bridget and Alex about how much fun I had and Alex said she would probably be going out this night as well. Well…why not? So I said I would want to go if she ended up going out and Bridget said she would as well. After class, we went back to our homes, I had dinner and worked on homework and talked to Serri for a little while. Finally, around 11, I got a hold of Alex and we decided to meet up in a few to go to the Milonga. Oh, so Alex taught me that not only is a milonga a type of dance, but it is also the name of the type of clubs where they do tango/milonga/etc. Therefore, one can do the milonga at a milonga. Yeah...

So we finally met up after insufficient telephone communication (the phone’s fault, not ours!) and walked the too many blocks to our bus stop. Well, actually, we walked to a place in between two bus stops. After about 11 or 12 in BA, buses continue to run; they are just more infrequent, so you never really know how long it will take to wait on a bus. So we stood in between two and were ready for which ever one drove down the road first. We finally got our bus after about a ten minute wait (which actually isn’t too bad) and headed to the Tango Lab, our first stop of the evening.

Bridget ended up not being able to come (she lived pretty far away and it had started raining) and it was too bad because she would have had fun. This venue wasn’t as cool as far as appearances go, but it was cheaper to get into. After about an hour or so of talking to Derek, Meghan, a new friend from Israel who’s name I can’t remember (although he and Derek both reminded me that night!), we left and went to another venue called “La Viruta” which is in the Armenian culture center (which I find interesting…). By this time it was after 2:00, so it was free to get in. This was the same place where I went to watch the night before (before we went to La Catedral). It was fun and Ricardo was there and he asked me to dance again and I hadn’t forgotten the steps he taught me! I was so proud! Again, I didn’t step on him or fall over, and that’s good enough for me!

After that, I just sat and talked with Derek the rest of the night, until the place started to close around 5. Then, they started playing swing music and so we both got up and I danced with Alex which was fun because it was a couple of girls who really didn’t know what they were doing (although Alex knew a lot more than me!) but we were still having a lot of fun just moving to the music…and hey, as long as we’re having fun, who cares if it’s perfect looking, right? =)

After the last song, we were thinking about preparing to head home, but Meghan and Derek were hungry so instead of going home, we all went out to get some food. Yes, I realize it was around 5:00, but that’s almost breakfast time for many people! =) We found some random bar that was open 24 hours and sat in the back. It was me, Alex, Derek, Meghan, Ricardo, and two random guys from Chile that Alex had met at the Milonga. It was so much fun hanging out and talking. I found it funny that there was a large group at another table that bought a round of beers and other various drinks and were toasting…so late/early! But I suppose that is just B.A.

I finally got home around 6:15…and went straight to bed! It was such a fun night and even if I didn’t get the best night’s sleep, I still had a fun time. I mean…I can always sleep when I get back to Oklahoma, right?! =)

More updates soon! I get to tell you all about Iguazú!

Love you and miss you!

Dia 28, A night out! 14 de julio

Well, as the title suggests, I was finally able to have a night out! So obviously, I am writing this the next day, sorry for the not on time update. =)

The beginning of the day wasn’t very exciting. I had another day of Politics class and unlike last week, I was feeling much worse about it today. It was really hard to follow, even when he was speaking slowly. I was at a loss for questions and didn’t really feel as if I knew what was going on. Luckily, others in the class seemed to be having a hard time, so a lot of people asked questions. And, to add to it, we didn’t go over what we were supposed to have read. So I feel as if I did all that work for nothing. Because I didn’t really learn that much, and I took so many notes because if we were to discuss them in class, I’d have had some form of an idea about what we were talking about. Instead, he asked questions about the little booklet he gave us (which he gave us two weeks to read). So we were at a loss somewhat. But the we had a nice, almost thirty minute break (thanks to our profe needing a smoke break and us being able to go to the corner café to get coffee…and them being really slow). =)

After class, we all walked together for some time, and before Alex left us, she informed us of a salsa lesson that was happening that night that she was going to. She said she’d been going the past few Tuesdays and every week they do a different dance. Derek (who we met at the zoo) and his friend Meghan were going to be there as well and Derek had said he wanted us all to go. We said we might and went our separate ways.

Well, I have not been out to go to a dancing lesson or just to watch dancing the whole time I’ve been here. So I thought…why not? Bridget and Thomas said they’d go too and we got there late-ish, which was fine to us because we didn’t necessarily want to dance this first time out. Maybe just see what it was like. The place where we met Alex was just a large room (Think: a longer version of the Shawnee Community Center, for those of you in Shawnee). She was dancing and it looked like she had so much fun. Derek ended up not going to that place, but to a milonga (different type of dance….apparently it’s a faster tango) instead. Around midnight, the place was shutting down (yes, early for BA but this was a salsa class, not a club or anything like that). Alex informed us that she was going to go to the milonga where Derek and Meghan were and asked if we wanted to go. It was midnight…which means late…but not in BA. I had been to “un-risky” this entire time I’ve been here, so I was like, “Yes, I’m going to go out!” Bridget and Thomas opted not to go…and boy did they miss out. =)

So I just follow Alex around the city (we get a bus and then walk a few blocks) before we finally find this place. If I remember correctly, it was called “Catedral” and it is in this old building that Alex thinks used to be an old Cathedral. (We’re still fuzzy on if that’s true or not.) It definitely didn’t look like an old cathedral, more like an old gymnasium. Well, rewind: we walked in and there are only large steps going up. We paid the $15 peso entry fee and went up all these stairs and we got to the big room that looks like a big gymnasium. There are awkward and wonderful paintings on all the walls. It’s a non-smoking room which was great (even though there’s a large smoking room to the side, which you have to walk through to get to the bathrooms, which weren’t…too disgusting). There is a stage that had a lot of instruments on it (although there was no band at the time). In the back of the room was the bar; in the front center was the dancing area; and then surrounding the three sides of the dancing area (not including the stage) were tables and chairs. There were quite a few people dancing but it didn’t take us long to find Meghan who was dancing with a guy named Ricardo (from Ecuador) and then Derek was sitting off to the side. And then, the night began…

Alex, Derek, and I talked for a little while and then those two got up to dance. It was a lot of fun watching everyone dance and part of me really wanted to, but at the same time, they were all so good at it that I was like… “I’d look funny.” So there were those two thoughts going in my head most of the time. Throughout the evening those four would come and sit and talk for awhile as they were taking a rest. It was really fun to get to talk to them and get to know them all better. After maybe an hour or two, Ricardo asked me to dance. I was then stuck with those two thoughts going through my head: “Yes!” and “Wait, I’ll look ridiculous”, but I just couldn’t allow myself to NOT dance…So I did it! He knew that I didn’t know what I was doing, but he was really patient with me and taught me “8 basic steps of tango”… I don’t really know if that’s what they’re called, but it seems like they should be. I wasn’t awesome or anything, but I didn’t fall or step on him, and that made me feel good enough! After the song was over he said we could practice more later, so I went and sat back down and talked with them some more. After awhile Derek asked me to dance, and feeling a little better about being on the dance floor, I was less hesitant.

However, little did I know that there are definitely more than “8 basic steps of tango”. He asked what Ricardo had taught and I tried explaining it, but of course, couldn’t do it to where it made sense. So after trying a few steps with me and me being completely lost (sorry Derek!), he finally said, “Let’s just dance.” So then we…danced. He was trying to teach me as we moved and it was somewhat difficult but I’d like to think I wasn’t too horrible. He got me doing… “backward ochos”? I think that’s what he called them, which was basically crossing my legs, while walking backwards…not as hard as it sounds…or is it harder than it sounds? Hmm…I don’t know. But we did that for awhile and I was trying to follow him, but of course it was hard and he had to remind me to follow him. Oh, I don’t think I mentioned it before but Derek (and Meghan) are both on a dance team at school and have been dancing for a few years…so Derek knew what he was doing, lol. So I was trying to learn and it wasn’t too bad. I don’t know. The songs didn’t last very long and before I knew it, we were done. Again, I didn’t fall or step on him, so that was good enough for me! =)

After that, we sat back down and talked for awhile more. Then Alex said, “I think I’m gonna dance one more then we can go”… I looked at the clock; it was almost four in the morning! I know, mom, dad, grandma…you’re not going to like that…but it’s what happened! Now, for others in BA, and even for Meghan, Derek, Alex, and Ricardo…this was normal. It was late, yes, but not strange to be out that late. To me it was like, “Wow, I’m out this late and I’m not getting into trouble!” So she danced a little more while I talked to Derek and then we decided to go. We took a bus (me and Alex) to our neighborhood. We only live about three blocks away from each other. Then I got home at 5:00…in the morning. And I hadn’t been drinking or doing anything else that is usually included in the “being out late” box.

And I had such a great time! I learned (ish) a little bit about dancing and had so much fun watching the others who knew what they were doing. I got to talk to Derek, Meghan and Ricardo who I don’t know very well and for those of you who know me, I LOVE getting to know new people. It was a great night! Plus, I didn’t have class until 2:00, so I still got about 7 hours of sleep! =)

That’s all for now, I don’t know if I’ll be going out Wednesday night or not, we’ll see! However, I guess now is a good time to let you know (so you don’t get all sad later…) that I will be going to Iguazú Falls this weekend! That’s definitely something to look up on image search if you want. We’re leaving Thursday afternoon and not getting back until Monday morning. It’ll be a long, great weekend, but I won’t have access to my computer, or the internet. So no updates while I am there. I know, I know, you’re sad…but its okay! I will have a long, wonderful update when I get back! =) I know you’ll all enjoy that! Ha ha. I don’t know if I’ll be able to update before I leave or not, but I will try to at least one more time!

Love you all and miss you! Bye for now!

Dia 27, Blending of Cultures (well, yeah), 13 de julio

Hello all…today was a very good day indeed. Had Spanish class, as usual and we got to have a good hours’ worth of conversation, but got to mix in an hour of grammar as well…yay for learning the subjunctive even more! =)

After class, we went to Freddo. We were so excited because Monday is supposed to be “Buy one get one free” day…but alas, you have to be a member of Freddo and what not…and I don’t know if I am going to try and be a member or not. I only have three (?) more Mondays left here…don’t know if it’s worth it. Oh well. I don’t know if I have mentioned it, but they have a HUGE $51 peso bowl that they will fit all the flavors into…I wanna try it. So far I got Adam, Derek, and Bridget in with me. We can split it and have all that wonderful ice cream! I am pretty excited, lol.

After Freddo, Thomas and I went back to my apartment to work on homework. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but we have quite a HUGE reading to do for Politics class. I have almost all of it done (just about a page left now!) but it’s a lot of work. And still confusing after I’ve translated it and get it in English…it still doesn’t make sense! =) I have taken notes though and have thought of some questions, so even though I don’t get it, the profe can at least know that I’ve read it, and that is good enough for me.

Tonight’s dinner my host mom made for me…was delicious. She made chicken (which…was chicken, and wasn’t the exciting part) and this spinach, potato, egg mixture that was just WONDERFUL. I know, I know…it was very green and that usually means I won’t like it, but I’ll try anything once (as long as it doesn’t smell too funny) and I tried it and just…oh, fell in love. I didn’t have a chance to talk with Elsa about it, but I am going to ask her tomorrow what it was that she did to make it so wonderful. If it’s as easy as just mixing the three things together, then yay! I can make it when I get home. I am definitely enjoying all the mixtures with eggs. So far it’s been: rice and eggs, pasta (plain) and eggs, peas and eggs, and what I had tonight. I really am starting to think that mixing in scrambled eggs just makes things better…I don’t know. But I like it!

After I ate and Thomas and I worked on more homework, we headed out to meet a guy and girl Thomas had met online. I know, I know…it’s weird to meet people in person who you’ve met online. But this was strictly a, “Hey, I speak English and I’m in Buenos Aires, any friends here?” sort of thing. The guy is actually half Argentine half British. He’s lived here for a little over a year, but has traveled back and forth between Argentina and England his whole life. The girl is from London. They were fun, and after a bit of walking around trying to find an open bar/restaurant to sit around and talk in, we finally found one a bit farther from our starting destination. It was really fun to get to talk to these two about stereotypes of Americans and the English. At one point, Thomas did a high five, and they told us how American that was and how they usually only do it in English as irony (or sarcasm?). Then, we started talking about country music and what not…I mean, music (classic American rock) was playing in the bar and they asked if it was country. Thomas and I (who are not country fans) had to explain to them that it was not, in fact, country. Then we had to describe what we thought country was and how, even that genre has different types within it. One can find really poppy country or really twangy country. Typical, whiny “I lost my women, she took my dog and my truck” country… you know, all sorts of kinds. From there, we went on to talk about the stereotypes of the south and if there is a difference between “southern gentlemen and ladies” and “hicks” and what not. It was really interesting seeing their viewpoints and what not. What probably surprised me the most is when I put on my southern, country accent it, they loved it. They said it was their favorite American accent which I find so strange! It wasn’t all, soft Scarlett O’Hara southern, it’s the real twangy almost hick sounding southern (to those of you who know the difference or have heard my southern accent). Thomas noted that it was more genuine from my “soft” southern…but to hear them say it was their favorite was just so odd to me. I annoy my friends at home by using that accent, but I think they would have been okay if I would have talked like that the rest of the night. Over all, it was a great night and we have found two more people that we can stay in contact with while here, making new friends who aren’t from the States and thus broadening our horizons of the world beyond us….which I love! It made me really wish that I would have become an Intercultural Communications major…but OBU doesn’t have that as an option, although maybe they should. I love talking with people from other places and love just realizing the differences between the US and other countries. Too many people in our country are SO ethnocentric, thinking the US is the best and other countries don’t even compare…and maybe that’s true for those who think it, but it’s so important to realize that others love their countries too and find that Argentina or London or Italy or wherever are the best countries to live in. Maybe it’s all a matter of opinion…

Today in class, we learned an expression: “En el cuestión de gustas, hay nada escrito.” (In the question of “likes”/opinions, there is nothing written.) There are no rules for liking things…people just do. So if I like the US better than I like Argentina, fine…but I need to open my mind and realize that there are people who like Argentina better than the US. It’s all a matter of opinion and I think that there are too many people in the US who don’t realize that…especially when it comes to “which country is better”. I enjoyed my time learning about another culture (apart from this new culture I am getting to be a part of every day while I am here) and if anything, I have been able to open my mind to even more cultures and people!

It is very late…and I am very tired. But sometime, I need to talk about the vendors here in BA…not today, but some day when I have little to say…I am just writing it now so I won’t forget! =)

More later from BA, thanks again for reading! Love you and miss you!