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!