Mis Aventuras: 11

¡Hola todos!

Well the day has finally arrived.  I am extremely sad to announce that this will be my last post from Buenos Aires.  I have absolutely loved my time here and I am so thankful I was able to have this once in a lifetime opportunity.  I have learned so many new things, met so many amazing people, and I feel like I am returning to reality in the States as a brand new person.

The majority of the last week and a half has been filled with exams, essays, and presentations, all of which have gone very well.  I received an A in three of my four classes, and I will find out tomorrow my grade in the fourth class.  I surprisingly received an A in my history of economics course!

On Thursday I took my family out for dinner as a thank you for all they have done over the past four months.  I took them to La Querencia, a common restaurant for the girls and I, which serves typical Argentine food.  My host-mother and I bonded on a whole new level over a bottle of wine.  We spent the evening boy shopping throughout the restaurant with my mother consistantly asking why she has not received a free drink from the abundance of men in the room.  Afterwards, I went out with a group from API to Palermo.

Sadly, our last weekend was filled with despedidas (going away parties) for some friends as well as for ourselves.  Friday's night at Crobar turned into an unofficial despedida with about half of our university in attendance.  It was great to spend it with them!

On Saturday we received medals as a graduation from our univeristy.  Only in Argentina will you graduate to Shakira's "Waka Waka" song.   

On Sunday a group of us went to the Boca v. Arsenal match.  Boca matches are known to be very dangerous, so we went with a tour guide.  We met the group in Palermo and took a bus to what we were told was a bar about a block from the stadium.  This bar was actually a laundromat look-alike,   but they did serve us tasty food and drink for nearly three hours before the match started.  As game time approached, more and more tour groups joined us.  If Boca won the match they would win the league cup, sadly they lost 3-0.  They did not play well at all as Arsenal's goals were made due to the silly mistakes of Boca players.  Although they lost and the weather was chilly and drizzly, the atmosphere was incredible.  Everybody in the stadium was constantly chanting, shouting, or jumping.  I would highly recommend attending a match for anybody visiting Buenos Aires! 

 

On Monday a group of us had a despedida for Madison, a friend in API, at her apartment with dinner and champagne.  She left yesterday to spend the next three weeks traveling around Bolivia and Peru before going back to the States.  This  was just the start of the good byes I will face this week. 

Last night was my despedida which my family arranged with some friends.  We had an asado (variety of grilled meats) and everything was delicious!  Kansas may be meat country in the States, but there is no competition when Argentina is in the game.  The meat here is fabulous!  It still amazes me how lucky I am to be with this family, I could not have asked for a better host-family.  They, along with their friends and family members, are incredibly generous.  Afterwards, I met up with the girls at the wine bar where we met a group of French professional rugby players who were, by the looks of their table, trying to consume every bottle of hard liquor the bar had available.  We met up with a couple of Lauren's friends and spent the rest of the evening in Palermo.

Today is a national holiday, so everybody is off work and school.  For me, it has been spent packing and buying last minute gifts..the day I have been dreading for the entire time I have been here.  It has been a tough week as I am starting to face the realization that my life and the people that have been in it for the last four months will soon change.

My final post of my last few days here will be written poolside from the States.  So Argentina, this is not a chao, but an hasta luego because I will return soon.

¡Hasta luego!

     

Mis Aventuras: 10

¡Hola todos!

My life has not been nearly as exciting as it was several weeks ago when Laura was here.  Sadly, I have school projects and presentations to blame for that.

Last weekend we had a movie night at our program director's home.  We watched Secretos de sus Ojos.  It received several awards and we all really enjoyed the film!  I highly recommend it to anybody who enjoys watching foreign films.  That evening, a group of us went to Jet Lounge as VIPs.  It is located on the water surrounded by yachts and is described as an exclusive lounge which apparently has been the hot spot for designer parties.  We had a great time enjoying two hours of free appetizers and drinks as well as a live band.  However, once happy hour finished we left as we knew the prices of everything would be a little out of our range, so we took a visit to Crobar, a local bariloche.  On Sunday the girls and I went to La Boca to visit the market.  I must say, I am really going to miss the weekend markets with local trinkets and people's artwork and personal creations.

This past week has been fairly busy with school as tomorrow marks the start of finals week...where has my semester gone?!?!?  On Thursday we went to an orchestra show at Colon Theatre.  Despite not being able to see over the balcony, it was a great time soaking in the arts and the magnificent theatre.  Afterwards we ate empanadas for dinner -- which have made me ill for the last three days -- and went out with Madison and Lauren in Palermo. 

Friday was a day of R&R and homework.  That evening we watched the Lucky One at Sarah's house.  It was a little too sappy for my taste, however the girls tell me I need to read the book as it is far better than the film.  Yesterday morning we decided to finish writing our papers at El Ateneo, an old theatre that is now a bookstore/cafe, but sadly we had to leave after 30 minutes as we were told off by our waitress that we were unable to use the outlets for our computers, any my battery was almost dead.  How they expect customers to buy food and get their work done is beyond me.  Luckily, Buenos Aires is full of little coffee shops, so we had endless options on where to spend our lunch money.  That evening, I had a delicious vegetable soup for dinner.  Soup is not very common here and despite having a few Campbells soups for sale at the grocery store, it is very expensive.  Needless to say, we were in heaven after spending two months trying to find real soup. 

Today we spent the afternoon at the markets in San Telmo and Plaza de Mayo for some last minute shopping.  I finally purchased my tango art piece!  I cannot wait to frame it and hang it in my apartment! 

Fingers crossed all goes well with my exams! 

¡Hasta luego!

Mis Aventuras: 9

¡Hola todos!
Wow, what a busy yet very eventful last two weeks I have had!  I will start where I left off on Sunday 13, which was my host-sister's 20th birthday.  The girls left to spend the day with their father so I spent the afternoon baking cakes and preparing dinner with my host-mother.  It was great to finally bake/cook after not having much of an opportunity for the past three months, as well as a great conversation with my mother.  That evening, about 12 family and friends came over for dinner.  It was somewhat awkward as I didn't know anybody, but it was still a good time.

I know mum and dad will be pleased to hear that I passed all my mid-terms!  I received three As and one B.  Not too shabby! 

Sarah's parents and sister were in town for a majority of the week and on Thursday they took Rebecca and I out to dinner.  It was great to finally meet her parents who I have only spoken to via Skype.  Afterwards we went to the Buenos Aires Pub Crawl, similar to a bar hop.  There is a meeting point and then as a group spend an hour or so at five different bars throughout the area.  I was surprised, it was very enjoyable.  Thursday was international night so we met a mixture of English and Spanish speaking people.

On Friday we had an API tour of La Boca, the poorest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires.  We toured the city visiting people who live there, admiring the multi-coloured houses, and ate lunch at a local cafe.  The cafe was started by a woman back in 2001 during the economic downturn when the government gave money to new companies to try and keep the economy alive.  This woman decided to start an alfajor shop, hiring young boys and girls trying to keep them out of trouble and off the streets of La Boca.  Now she has expanded to an actual restaurant with employees which are still youngsters.  They also make hand-made boxes for the alfajores where one person puts the box together, another paints, and another decorates.  It's a great cause and I bought a bright yellow one for my kitchen! 
This was also the day Laura arrived!  It was great to see her!  I met her at her hotel after La Boca.  My mother invited her over for dinner and made my favourite coconut and dulce de leche dessert, it's to die for!

On Saturday Rebecca joined us for the touristy sites of Buenos Aires.  Sadly, the whole time Laura was here it was either raining or overcast, but we made it work!  We started with Casa Rosada where Cristina Kirchner works.  It is a beautiful building with so much history.  All we could think about was the Evita movie with Madonna and expecting CFK to jump out and say hello, sadly it never happened.  Fun fact: she takes a helicopter to and from Casa Rosada everyday..wonder if my future employer would pay for that?  We then walked around Puerto Madero.  That evening Laura, Rebecca, another Rebecca from our group, and I ate at our usual Argentine restaurant.  We then went over to my friend David's house and then showed Laura the Palermo night life.  It was a great time, although Laura needed a bit of adapting to this way of life.  No worries, she was fine by the end of the trip.

On Sunday Rebecca joined us again to visit the Recoleta cemetery and market.  To our surprise, the cemetery was massive!  Obviously, our main reason for going was to see Evita's tomb, but it was interesting to see the elaborate workings on different people's tombs.  The market was great and we were all able to buy hand-made, Argentine items.  That evening Lauren's family invited a few of us from the group over for drinks and appetizers.  It still amazes me how nice everybody's family in API are!

On Monday we walked around the various plazas throughout BA and did a little shopping.  For dinner, I introduced Laura to real empanadas.  She loved them and I was informed how terrible OTB empanadas were compared to the real ones.  Afterwards we met Rebecca and Sarah for Laura's introduction to our friends at the wine bar. 

Tuesday was a very relaxed day.  Since I have class in the early afternoon we were only able to walk around the parks in the Recoleta area.  That evening we went to Cafe Tortoni for the tango show.  Laura loved it! 

On Wednesday we had originally planned for a trip to Tigre, but weather was not permitting.  So, I still decided to take the day off from school and we spent the day shopping, visiting El Ateneo, and Havana.  We both were able to buy gifts for friends and family in the States and I finally found my boots!  I have been searching since last autumn for brown boots in the States and could never find any.  I walked into one shop tried them on and I was sold!  El Ateneo is a bookstore which used to be a theatre.  It's a stunning building!  Laura also experienced Havana and their famous alfajores.  I sent some to mum for her birthday and I have been told to bring her another box when I return..they're delicious!!

Starting Tuesday or Wednesday, Laura was starting to get the sniffles so Thursday was very limited. We went to La Flor, a metal flower which opens and closes when the sun rises and sets and the Hard Rock Cafe for a last minute gift for her father. Afterwards I sent her home to rest as we had plans that evening. We went out with some of the girls from the group to 69, a gay/drag club. It was great! I've never been to anything like it before, but we all had a great time!

Friday was Laura's last night in Buenos Aires so we spent the day visiting the Evita museaum.  It was also my host-mother's birthday so she was busy cooking for another group of friends and family for dinner.  I bought her some flowers and Laura and I ate a delicious meal with the family.  I can't wait to try the recipe when I get back!  We then went to the wine bar with Sarah for a relaxed evening.

On Saturday we went to an API welcome lunch for the summer students.  There are four new girls here for the summer.  It's strange as two of them are here for one month and the other two for two months.  The ones here for a month are leaving on the exact day we are, something we all found odd.  I still can't understand why you would study somewhere for a month as it takes the best part of that time for you to settle down and learn your way around the city.  I'll be here for four months and that is no where near long enough!  That afternoon Laura and I did some last minute touring around 9 de Julio with the Colon Theatre and Obelisco de Buenos Aires.  That evening I went with her to the airport, very sad day!!  But, it was great to see her!!

Well I'm not sure if any of my other posts will be this full of festivities!  But, I only have a month left, so I'm going to make the most of it.

¡Hasta luego!

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!