Mis Aventuras: 8

¡Hola todos!

Apologies for not updating for nearly two weeks, it has been a mad house around here!  I'll pick up from Dad's weekend visit:

Thursday (3rd), the group had a going away dinner at our resident director's house for Nicole who returned to the States that weekend (she was in a different academic program).  That evening we all went to Lost, a local bar/night club to celebrate Sky's birthday.   

On Friday morning we were up early for the API Gives Back event.  We spent the morning and afternoon cleaning, organizing, and painting a home for young girls who are drug addicts and/or neglected by their families.  The girls were a bit hesitant towards us at the beginning, but by the time lunch came around they were very friendly and enjoyed us being there.  It was definitely a sight to see and really puts life into perspective.  That evening we celebrated Nicole's last night in Buesnos Aires at Asia de Cuba, a club in Puerto Madero.  It was enjoyable, but being located in a rich neighbourhood brought an array of 35+ year old men with a lot of money looking for younger women, something nobody was interested in. 

Saturday was 5 de mayo!  Our festivities started with the girls and me cooking pasta for dinner at my house (dinner is not provided by our families on Saturdays).  Dinner was followed by going to Maddie's apartment and yet another club.  Sunday, as you can probably imagine, was a day of some much needed rest.  Sadly, instead of lying in bed and being lazy, it was spent studying for the following week of midterms.

Midterm week in Buenos Aires went pretty well, I think/hope.  I wasn't too pleased with a B on my history of economics exam, but the exam was nothing like she had prepared us for, so I suppose I should be thankful.  Sadly, I am not enjoying the course, although I think if the professor were different I would enjoy it.  However, I am half way through with a final paper left to go so it is almost finished!  On a brighter note, my tango dancing test went well!  I am definitely going to be a professional once I return to the States! 

The best news I have heard since being here was from my youngest host-sister.  While we were both studying she told me how much my Spanish had improved from when I first arrived.   I had not realized that I can understand the girls when the jabber 100mph whereas upon arriving I was absolutely terrified!   It was a great compliment to hear from her and has greatly boosted my confidence!

Thursday evening I went out with the group to Liquid, a dance club, for Nikki's 21st birthday.  I have been there once before, and it was a great time.  The club has two floors and plays English music until about 2am and then plays Spanish, salsa-like music which is a lot of fun to dance to, especially if you have a good partner!!  Also, a happy 51st birthday to my mother!!!!

On Friday morning I offically got my visa!  It was a great way to start my morning with such joyful people...(sarcasm).  That afternoon we had a group tour of the Colon Theatre, a famous ballet and orchestral concert hall.  It's absolutely stunning!!  Afterwards the girls and I stopped for coffee and medialunas (what Argentines we are!)  That evening we went to Lauren's house before going out with the rest of the group to Palermo.

Today has been very relaxing.  Rebecca came over to work on a presentation for class and then we cooked dinner at Sarah's house.  I think cooking instead of going out for dinner on Saturdays is going to become a regular event.  It is great and we can actually eat vegetables (Argentines do not know what veggies are). 

Tomorrow is going to be another relaxing and homework kind of day.  It is also my host sister's 20th birthday, so I will be helping my host mother cook and bake for the family birthday dinner.  Also, a happy mother's day to my mummy!!!!

On Friday, my friend Laura is arriving for a week long vist!!!!  I cannot wait to see her and show her this fabulous city!  I will update after her visit!

¡Hasta luego! 

Mis Aventuras: 7

 ¡Hola todos!

Well I had a slight change of plans from my previous post.  I had several problems with my plane ticket to Chile, so I ended up not going.  Instead, my dad came down for the long weekend!  It was great to see him!! 

I went to the airport and picked him up on Friday morning and we spent the rest of the afternoon around the city seeing the main sites.  He also met my host family as we returned to the apartment to collect my things - I was not turning down three nights in a Hilton with free food, drink, and a gym.  That evening (well, every evening) we enjoyed cocktails for two hours before going out for dinner.

On Saturday we were hoping to go to Tigre, however the weather forced us to change our plans.  Instead, I showed him around the neighbourhood of Belgrano where we stopped at my university, China Town, and a couple of shopping malls.  That evening we went to Cafe Tortoni, a historical, well-known cafe which used to be home to tango performances.  Now, it is a restaurant with a tango show twice per week.  The tango show, which is performed by my tango professor from university and his partner, was very fantastic!

On Sunday we went to a local market.  The markets here are great and consist of an array of Argentine items with a great price tag, especially on leather goods.  That afternoon we met my host mother and sister - only the middle one could come as the other two were away for the long weekend - at Victoria Cream, my favourite local cafe.  My sister and I played translators (I obviously played translator all weekend) as dad and María don't know English/Spanish, but the everybody understood what was being said.  That evening I took dad to my usual wine bar.

Monday was our R&R day as it is mid-term week for me.  That afternoon I took him to the airport where we watched the Man United and Man City match before we went our separate ways.  It was a great weekend spent with him!!  I look forward to him coming back down in the coming months!

Today has been spent studying for my history of economics exam with a girl from my class.  My exam is on Thursday, so fingers crossed I pass it!!

Overall, it was a great 5 day weekend - I could definitely get used to having them more often!   ¡Hasta luego!