I'm back in the US experiencing some reverse culture shock. I miss the language and my host family, but I am happy to be home with my friends and family-- experiencing summer! Six weeks was the perfect duration of time. Due to my appreciation for lists, I'll leave you all with a few.

My final experiences in Buenos Aires included:
- Teatro Ciego
- El Museo de Bellas Artes
- A tour by María including malls, embassies, & a Jockey club
- Many visits to Biblos
- La Estancia La Mimosa
- Colonia, Uruguay
- The Spa

A few words of advice I would give to anyone studying abroad:
- Make friends with the locals and spend as much time as possible with them.
- Do a program where you are in class with locals.
- Take less credit hours, do more traveling.
- Bring a self filtered water bottle.

Places I wanted to go in the city, but didn't have time:
- Kirchner Cultural Center
- Bosques de Palermo
- Teatro Colon
- Lujan Zoo

The coffee was better, the people were nicer. I was so lucky with my group of classmates and my host family. I love the city and hope to be back sooner rather than later!

Ciao Ciao

"Familía de allá"

After much anticipation, my parents and brother finally arrived to the city! Being a tour guide was not easy, but I think they enjoyed their stay. They were here for a short time so our days were very full. My family was able to have dinner with María and her sister. Although there was a language barrier, it went very well and I'm happy they were able to witness 1st hand how awesome María is. We made it to a soccer game, thanks to the help of one of my teacher's friends. The team, Atlanta, is at the third level so it was not as intense as River or La Boca but I enjoyed it. Within the city of Buenos Aires my family experienced El Mercado de Las Pulgas, La Casa Rosada, El Cemetario del Recoleta, La feria de Recoleta y San Telmo, La Catedral de San Martín, and El Caminito en La Boca. On their final full day here, we took a 2 hour flight north to Iguazu Falls to be astonished by the widest waterfalls in the world. The thing that they seemed to note most positive about the city was the people. I am very lucky that I was able to share some of my experience here with my loved ones from home!

As we have had a new teacher for our literature class, we have gone on fun little field trips during the day and the work load has been much lighter. Last week during class we visited El Museo de Bicentenario and Parque de la Memoria. This week we visited el Cabildo, Cafe Tortoni, and we're going to el Museo de Bellas Artes.

Today marks the last day of my grammar class, which is quite relieving; but I am sad to see my time here approach the end. Nevertheless, it will feel so good to get back in Comfort Colors t-shirts, drive my own car, eat American food, and most importantly be around all the people I love!

"¿La hermana de Alemania?"

The term "struggle bus" has acquired a new meaning, which is much too literal. Last week closely resembled what finals week would look like; however, with dinner at 10p.m. and teachers that don't hold office hours. Additionally, we had two planned group excursions to the La Boca soccer stadium ("La Bombonera") and a tango class. Unfortunately I had to miss the tango class because I had two exams the next day, but visiting the stadium was an awesome experience. The Buenos Aires rivalry is between La Boca juniors and River Plate. The stadium radiates passion and tradition, and I'm really hoping I can make it to a fútbol game soon. Furthermore, María and I got invited to have dinner with her friend that lives on the 7th floor of our building, who is also hosting a US exchange student. When I heard word of the invitation I was overwhelmed at how I could possibly fit that into my schedule. The girl on the 7th floor is a vegetarian, studying spanish, and a Chi Omega from Duke. Explaining the concept of a "sorority" to our host moms was one of the harder things I've done here, but getting to know her and relating to her provided so much relief to my week. I'm looking forward to spending more time with her.

After this crazy week, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Mendoza, Argentina with my friend Lauren for a weekend of wine-tasting in the Andes. I had not realized how amazing it would feel to escape the city and all of it's commotion. The town was quiet, the greenery was beautiful, and the wine was plentiful. When we got off the plane our private driver was waiting for us with a sign in hand reading my last name…. the rest of the weekend followed in similar fashion. We were so spoiled this weekend as we visited 5 different wineries and stayed in the cutest hotel. But I think the best part was that we could take long hot showers as long as we wanted, we didn't have to make our beds, and cars yielded us as we crossed the street.

I could write a novel about all of the information I learned this weekend. I learned about the history and culture of Mendoza, the differences between wine and the wine making process. I learned that if the droplets in your wine glass are close together the wine contains more alcohol and if the droplets fall more slowly then the wine contains more sugar. Mendoza is a town in the middle of the dessert, but they manage a system of canals in order to have grass and trees. I also learned that you don't have to show your ID even once before you get on the plane and you can carry-on as many liquids as you please when flying within Argentina because "we're too far south for any terrorists."

Counting down the days until the homies arrive!!
Ciao!

"Yanqui"

I could really go for a manicure with mother right now. School is quite challenging; in terms of both the content and the workload. On Wednesday’s we’re in class from 10-4:30. Thursday, we were in class from 10-2:30, then went on a walking graffiti tour and returned home at 8 to read 80 pages for homework. After an evening of this sort, 3 cups of coffee is hardly enough to keep me awake in class the next day. What I’m getting at is, taking 8 credit hours in 6 weeks is not something I would recommend.

Friday night I got to hang out with my argentine doppelgänger. I had a blast with her friends and took part in my first pub-crawl. Then, she came with us on Saturday as we spent the day in El Tigre on the Paraná Delta.

Before coming to Buenos Aires, I was unsure what to expect. I had anticipated major/significant things to be quite different. However, that is not the case. In the big picture, Buenos Aires is a Castellano speaking NYC. What’s different is the many small things; such as, how to use your silverware, how to use the elevator, how to flush the toilet, how to stand in line for the bus, and the list goes on and on.

Some things I’ve learned:

• -       It’s obligatory to vote.
• -       Water is not free; however, occasionally orange juice is.  
• -       People park wherever they want: sidewalks, middle of the street, etc.
• -       Sometimes a 4-lane street turns into a 1-lane street in a matter of seconds. I find the best thing for this is to close your eyes and hold your breath.

     Ciao!

"Cambio cambio"

How lucky are we, to be able to experience two independence days in one summer. I'm so glad we did not end up traveling this weekend because celebrating 25 de Mayo has been a blast. Plaza del Mayo has been full of live music, champagne, parades, political speakers, fireworks, and patriotism galore. The celebration was a surreal experience, I'm so lucky to have been a part of it.

What's even luckier is how amazing my host family is. María reminds me of a modern day Mother Theresa and her family is so loving. 

Have I mentioned how much I love my group of fellow KU Students? On multiple occasions this weekend people have taken pictures of us or asked us to be in their selfie. Although I don't exactly blend in, I love this city. One week down, 5 to go. 

Fun fact:

- While in some settings it is deemed inappropriate for American's to discuss politics, religion, or sports; it can be assumed that Argentines in similar situations will discuss politics, religion, and sports. They enjoy loud, heated discussions regarding the topics they are passionate about. 

- They say that the person that finish's the bottle (for us it is usually the bottle/jug of pomelo juice) will get married soon.  

Ciao!

 

"No te pierdas"

People here are not so intimidating after all… they're not so smiley either; just how I like it. Yesterday and today has consisted of much exploring for me. Soon I will blend in and seem as though I always know where I am going ;) Yesterday was my first day with the professor from the University de San Andrés and I LOVE her. We had two breaks during the day and I ventured out to a different restaurant/cafe both times that were awesome. Whoever said I would have a lot of trouble being veg. in the beef capital of the world was wrong. After class, we stopped for a merienda and had a glass of wine at Biblos. The food and drinks are super inexpensive, but material items in the stores are much more costly than in the states. I met Maria's 10 year old grandson who attends a bilingual school and he taught me so much; I'm looking forward to his next visit. My friends talked me into going out after dinner last night and even walked all the way to my apartment so that I didn't have to walk alone, and did the same on the way back to our apartments. I got so lucky with this group.

Today was the best day I have had in Buenos Aires so far. We spent the day at the actual main campus of the university instead of a smaller branch. At the end of the day we spent nearly 2 hours learning to drink Yerba Mate with other students from San Andrés. It was such an incredible experience to get to know them and spend time with them. We hit it off and weren't ready to stop talking so when the professor forced me to leave two of the students ended up walking with us all the way to the train station so we could finish our conversation. We exchanged numbers and I made plans to hang out with one of the chicas next weekend.

This weekend is the weekend of 25 de Mayo, perhaps comparable to 4th of July in America. It was the start of the first war of the revolution for their independence from España. I am pumped to be able to experience an Argentin holiday while I am here. We are starting off the weekend celebrating a girl's birthday in our group… we may even stop by a "fraternity" party.

Somethings that I've learned about the city:
- Starbucks exist, but drinks to go do not.
- Nearly all ice cream places deliver. (María conveniently just invited me to start going to her gym)
- Graffiti is legal.
- Just because a destination can be found during the day, does not mean that will be the case at night.

Ciao!

"Choque cultural"

About the time I got off the bus and walked into my host family's apartment yesterday was when I began to question what exactly I had gotten myself into. I assume a similar thought to the argentinian woman stuck aside me for 10 hours on the plane. Those feelings quickly subsided after a long nap. María, my host mom, is such a good cook! And much to my appreciation the meat has been very minimal. We took a quick tour around the neighborhood, ate dinner at 9:00p.m., and I was in bed soon after. The apartment is located in Recoleta, one of the nicest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Right in the heart of the city where there are many cars, many loud cars. Nevertheless, the view is beautiful.

For a moment I had forgotten I am here to complete 8 credit hours of Spanish. That was a harsh reality this morning… After class, we went on a tour of the whole city. From La Boca to Plaza del Mayo; from soccer to cemeteries, we covered a lot of ground. I love the city but it made for a long day. We'll see if I can make it to dinner. 

Ciao!