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!