On Getting to Know Buenos Aires

I've spent the past three days in Buenos Aires. I've had plenty of chances to explore the city and it's got so much character. For some reason that I can't quite pinpoint, I find Buenos Aires to have something about it that reminds me of San Francisco. Maybe it's the weather, or the fact that there's a pharmacy on every corner.

However, the entire scene is totally different. For the first time (because I'm obviously sheltered) I have seen girls get cat-called and harassed by men of all ages in the streets. On el Subte (subway), people pack themselves so tight it seems like a compressed can of people which spill out whenever the doors open. When on the subway during rush hour I've learned I have to be on heightened alert for pick-pocketers.

I've taken the subway a few times but I have not taken the buses (los colectivos). I'm pretty intimidated because there are over 300 of them in Buenos Aires, and they go everywhere. Buenos Aires, nevertheless, is a pretty easy city to get around--the streets are pretty well marked, and I have a very good sense of direction in 2 or 3 of the barrios (neighborhoods). It helps that I live on the corner of two main streets in the city, in a central place where almost every place is easily accessible.

Some more things I've learned:

1. The pen is an Argentine invention (I think). They call it a birome. This is a word that I forgot at least 10 times.

2. Argentinians like to steal stuff. Especially if you're an obvious gringo with blond hair that looks like an easy target. I've worn the same vest since I got here because it has a pocket on the inside that I feel safe keeping
my wallet in.

3. There is one bridge a few blocks from CEDES (where I take a few of my classes) that I should stay away from because otherwise I'll get robbed.

4. Dulce de Leche is my new favorite thing. It makes everything so much better.

5. There is no such thing as free water in Argentina. You always have to order it in bottles from restaurants. I'm pretty sure they charge as much as Coke for it.

Today, I met my host family! It consists of my host mother and her son, who share an apartment in Buenos Aires. They're both very friendly, and are going to show me around the city tomorrow! My host brother (who is in his 20s) looks very similar to how my dad looked in the 1970s. They both speak a fair amount of English, which is great because it really helps smooth over the communication process. My host mother even made me a map and wrote down all the buses and subway lines that I can take to various places. She's a philosopher and her son is a musician. It's almost too perfect.

I'm exhausted, which is why this post may seem less eloquent. I've been switching between languages for the past three days and though I'm pretty sure I'm improving, I'm starting to learn why people get tired of speaking a new language. However, the negative stages of culture shock haven't really hit me yet. For now, I'm really happy excited to find my place in this new city.

First day!

First off: Airplane food... not great. But I mean, at least I have something to talk about. What was worse was the inability to fall asleep without my legs doing the same.

So, this was my first day in Argentina. We are in this small polo club about an hour outside of the city. It was so quaint and picturesque--Spanish style brick houses, tile floors lined with animal skins, horses (which we would have gotten to ride if they weren't being used for polo practice), a frigid pool, and an-ever roaring fire place. This pampa paradise was quaint, amiable, and to top it off, there was a LITTER OF PUPPIES.

So cute! It was cold so they literally curled up in my arms for warmth and squealed in discontent when I got up! Ahhhhhhhhhhh

I've been able to use my Spanish a bit, but I'm still really nervous. I'll get over it though, and I'm really excited to get to the point that I can just attempt to carry on a conversation. All of my classes will be in Spanish, but the good news is that they're 3 hours long, two times a week. And I'm placed with people around my level of comprehension and such. What will make more of a difference will be my willingness to engage with my friends and host family.

I don't generally dislike a lot of people, but I still need to point out that there is literally no one on this program that I don't like. Everyone here is very open-minded and friendly, and though I've made this assessment without having known them an entire day, I think I'm going to make some really great friends with this experience.

Initial observations from the first visit that could be anything but inconclusive:
1. Sunsets here in the pampas are incredible. I'll post pictures later!
2. Argentinians eat A LOT. Lunch was course after course of empanadas, salad, and steak. The steak, as everyone kept telling me, was delicious, yet I was so full that eating it was kind of turned into a chore. Dinner was less heavy but still contained four courses (including a peach poached in red wine served with sweet cream).

I'm lying in a small bed, listening to the wind and freight trains lumber past, feeling completely satisfied. And sleepy. Tomorrow we get to see Buenos Aires!

Not much to say

I'll keep this brief, but I'll start just saying that sometimes I'm awkward around small children. This became obvious at times when I taught outdoor education to the Montessori kids my sophomore year. One time we were sitting at a table, and I was just nervously smiling and glancing around. One girl, obviously sensing the tension, suddenly blurted out "WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH AIRLINE FOOD?"

A regular Seinfeld sitting right across from me.

I've been thinking about this all day because I may finally be able to answer that question. Also, I gotta stay cool around the potential kids in my host family...

It's 4 AM

and about 5 days before I leave for my program. I have never left the country before and my overall grasp of the Spanish language seems minimal at best. A few nights ago, I dreamt that Argentina's rather authoritarian (but no doubt influential!) leader Juan Perón and his wife were my host family. Perhaps I should have called into question that both have been dead for quite some time. Instead it seems my stress about living with a new family was highlighted (I mean, what home stay gift would YOU bring for the ghost of a militaristic yet charismatic Argentinian president?).

I'm scared and I know that I'll dearly miss Wooster, my family, my friends, and my girlfriend. The last one probably most of all. 

However, despite the various concerns I have, I'm very excited. More excited than I've been about studying abroad so far, in fact. I originally decided to study abroad for peculiar-ish reasons. I've never seen myself as a "traveller" and I, unlike a lot of my friends, I didn't come to Wooster with any expectations of studying abroad. Rather, the concept of going abroad quickly became the castor oil that my caring nana (that is, my conscience) shoved down my throat, constantly reminding me that it is "good for you." I told myself that the ensured initial discomfort would pay off with incredible experiences that shape and develop my character.

This mindset isn't necessarily a bad one to have, but I now find myself quickly transcending to exuberance. I really am excited now. I'll get to make new friends, live in a thriving city, learn to speak Spanish with what I think is a very cool and suave accent, and for the first time ever I will truly feel like a global citizen. Maybe I'll even gain more of an appreciation for soccer.

I think writing all of this down got my thoughts in order. I'll get back to bed now. 

Maybe.