looking like a tourist!

Today... I saw A LOT.

After five insanely long hours of class, Michaela, Daniel and I set out to explore some sights.

First stop was the Obelisco. This is a historic monument located on 9 de Julio (which is the widest street in the world. go go useless facts!) here are some pics:

After that we walked to the Plaza de Mayo. This is the place in Buenos Aires where people "fight the power" and hold protests... march... etc. There had been some kind of protest today because when we got there, there were about 75 armed police officers patrolling. this is also where las madres de los desaprecidos march every thursday. We are going there with my program on Thursday.I can't wait to see it. By the plaza is la casa rosada. This is the president's house and it's literally PINK. (rosada = pink) It even has pink lights at night... crazy! More pics:

From there... we headed to Puerto Madero. This is the "newest" and most expensive area of town. The most expensive restaurants and apartments are here. It's such a fantastic area... after we crossed the most dangerous street I've ever seen... and fought the plumes of pollution, we hit tranquility! The whole area is along a river... it's really nice. There is also a very cool bridge - La Puente de Las Mujeres (bridge of the women). apparently it swings open when a boat comes. even more pics! (are you sick of them yet??)

As you can see, today I was busy sight seeing... and if you didn't notice... it was stupid cold. I'm really glad I bought a coat and hat. Although the weather thursday and Friday is supposed to be near 70! woot! also, I'm going to buy more hats because it's literally the only way that I don't look like a hot mess. This humidity is killing me!

Two side notes: I saw a dog almost get hit by a car and then a bus... I would've been scarred for life. I also saw what appeared to be some feral children on the subway. they smelled like poop. FABULOUS!

gloves... or a coat

well today was freezing. It rained and was extremely chilly. I feel like such a baby because of the cold. It's not like it doesn't get insanely cold in St. Louis... I dunno, the cold here isn't typical cold. It's very damp... and because it's winter the sun doesn't ever warm the earth... and there's lots of shadows... so yeah I couldn't get warm today. so I ended up dropping 468 pesos (114 US) on a coat. I hope I actually use it.. I was looking at the weather and it's supposed to be a bit warmer. Regardless I don't think "warmer" will happen... so the coat will probably get used. and if it doesn't... it'll get used in about 5ish months back home.

class was decent today. just so long to sit there... and my brain can literally only process spanish for so long before I just shut down...

my only other comment before I log off... as cool as Argentina is... and as unpatriotic as I am... i'm really glad I live in the US... just saying. =)

short post today... didn't do much.

Miss everyone. free to call me! =)

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Tigre and the Fair!

Well it's been a fun last few days.

saturday I had a group trip to Tigre. It's the largest river delta in the world. I rode the train north out of Buenos Aires for about 45 minutes. It was so peaceful and COLD! We took a boat ride around the rivers in the area and got to see the vacation homes in the area. It's quite an experience... if you stay in these homes you can't drive to them - you take a water bus. There are supermarket boats, gas boats, school boats... it's pretty cool. After the boat ride we went to visit a local market/fair. there was SO much stuff... I was overwhelmed.

today I went to the Recoleta Fair with two girls from my program. It's basically a giant fair with tons of local artists and handmade crafts. I bought quite a few things... My favorite is a picture... it's of a group of dogs (from a dog walker) that are tied to the fence of a really cool building... it's so cool. I especially love it because there's a boxer who's woofing something. haha i really had a good time. http://www.buenosairesfoto.blogspot.com that's the link to the artist's photos... mine is the first one that is posted! yea! the rest of his work is really cool too.

The weather here is getting reallyyyyy chilly. I think I'm gonna buy some gloves..

tonight I'm just vegging... did some homework... I'm getting ready for a long day of classes tomorrow and i'm sure a busy week of activities.

Posted a couple pics from yesterday. again, I look like crap. I think I'm half frozen.

always an adventure

well, so far... everyday here is an adventure. Usually one that involves copious amounts of walking. I'm pretty sure I'll be about ten pounds lighter and need a month to recover.

Yesterday I went to the Recoleta cemetery to visit Evita Peron's grave. Then went to the Evita Museum and finally to have dinner with the group from my program. We had empanadas, yerba mate (a traditional tea-like drink), and homemade dulce de leche desserts. (seriously, I'm addicted to dulce de leche. it's pretty amazing) The group watched a movie, but I decided to head home. (I'm old)

Today in class my professor showed a video of a song by an Argentine singer, Leon Gieco called "La Memoria". The song is absolutely beautiful... Even though I can't understand every word, it was so moving... He sings about "Los Desaparecidos" here in Argentina and the repression in other countries around the world. Here in Argentina, over 30,000 people went missing during the dictatorship of the late 70's early 80's. That's an unbelievable number.... It was a horrible time in Argentina... they called it the Dirty War...if you have the time, do some reading on the subject.... you'll be moved to tears.

Here is the link to a similar video that we watched... I couldn't find the actual video, but this one is pretty close.... the song is talking about how wars like this should never be allowed to happen again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JeJS5FtGCw&feature=fvst

on a lighter note... the Subway totally broke down today on my way to class. It was awful... Everyone had to get off and then CRAM into the next train. I basically said "F**K THIS" and took a cab. Well, there weren't any cabs empty.... so I thought I'd try to walk... yeah.... I was at the 5500 block... and had to go to the 1900 block... lol that wouldn't work. I basically walked until I found an empty cab. I was 45 minutes late to class... for real... I miss my car.

So after that insanity, I decided I needed a taste of America. After class my friend Michaela and I got some starbucks. IT WAS HEAVEN.

Tonight... I'm relaxing at home.

v=9JeJS5FtGCw

well it was bound to happen

today, I had my first "completely lost" moment. They moved the campus that I have to go to for class... well, I thought "oh I can take the subway. EASY" Well, long story short, I went left when I should've gone right.... wandered aimlessly for over 30 minutes. Thank God people here are super nice and pointed me in the right direction. I was 30 minutes late to class.

I'd also like to add... the train here is absolutely insane. First of all, it's hotter than hell. Second, people literally SHOVE their way on the train. This morning I was in the doorway by a railing and everyone just shoved and pushed me into it. I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE!!! But they just kept shoving. It was fairly awful. I don't know why I even bothered fixing my hair... I was a hot mess by the time I got to school.

The building our classes are in is realllyyyy beautiful. I guess it's an old house (and by house think mansion) it's really amazing... I'll try to snap some pictures of it tomorrow.

I finally got out and did some exploring today. I went to see the "flower" - a statue given to the city by a French architect. I guess it opens and closes like an actual flower. Its pretty cool. We also stopped by the Museum of Art but they wanted me to leave my backpack at a counter and I Just didn't feel safe doing that. I think we're gonna go back another day (without my backpack).

I'm glad I finally found some people that I can do some exploring with... they want to see lots of the cultural stuff (think nerds). I'm pretty stoked about that. we're already making plans for the week. yea!

ok, off to bed. I literally hurt.



I've attached a pic from today. Please forgive how completely disheveled and messy I look...

hmm... apparently I can speak spanish

Well today was the first day of classes. Well, actually not "class" per se but I went to campus. We had to take a placement test to gauge our level of Spanish. There are four levels: beginner, intermediate I, Intermediate II and advanced. I was stunned that I got placed in intermediate II.That works perfectly for my credits to transfer back to the states.

After the test, we had lunch in a local mall and toured the neighborhood. Pamela, from CEA, told us a lot about the city and the history of Argentina. I, of course, found it very fascinating. Others in my group - not so much! But that's to be expected. I'm a huge nerd afterall.

I took the train home and I found that much easier to handle/navigate. Pretty sure it's going to become my main form of transportation (along with cabs). No me gustan los colectivos. lol

I've also decided that I'm going to make a list of things that I want to see and how to get to them. I need organization! That way I can make sure I get to do stuff while I'm here and that I arrive there safely.

My other decision is to buy a kick ass pair of leather boots. =) Priorities, right?

Off to bed. got a long day of class tomorrow.

primer vino!

Wasn't going to post today, but I can't sleep... feeling anxious about my first time venturing out tomorrow on my own and my first day of class.

Today, I had lunch with my friend Tony who lives here in Buenos Aires. I really had a wonderful time. We talked and talked and talked and I ate entirely too much! I really hope I don't get fat on this trip... I also had my first glass of Argentinian wine. HOLY CRAP it was delicious!

Didn't do much else today... I'm giving myself time to get adjusted still and not overdo it. I figure I have a month to see the sights. Also, I'm here to study spanish! That adventure starts tomorrow. I'm really excited and I hope that I can learn a lot. We shall see!

My last comment to sign off: there is an insane amount of dog crap on the sidewalks here. I was so pissed that I stepped in a giant pile in my brand new sneakers.

Off to bed... stayed up too late as it is!