La Viruta

Studying abroad here in Argentina has been both rewarding and challenging. Challenging for more reasons than one including being away from my family. However, lately I have also found it challenging being here because I really have to know myself to be here partly because I don't drink or smoke. Because of this I've had to distance myself away from my friends becasue they like all the places that I can't stand. And in order to stay true to myself, I stopped going out after we have dinner on the weekends.

However, last night three of my friends and I went to a place called La Viruta. Its like a place where you learn different dances. We were there for the Tango class which was an absolute blast. It was difficult at first because my first dance partner was an Argentine and I was scared and embarrassed to talk with him. One because I don't speak spanish that well and two because I wouldn't have known what to say in spanish about Tango. As if speaking it isn't hard enough, but we got through it. Then I began dancing with my friends which was an experience in itself. I know I was their worst dance partner but I am OK with that. It was just so much fun to just be free of all inhibitions that is of course once they began playing American music.

I can definitely see myself going back there. It was nice to enjoy myself and not wory about blackened lungs from smoke inhalation. I'm just joking, but on a serious note it's being true to yourself which many people find hard. It's definitely a crucial part of studying abroad. I'm glad I'm here.

Hasta Luego

Yaszy

Just One Small Kiss

So since I've been here I've continuously said that the Argentine men are weird. I know that isn't nice to say but it's true. Tuesday for instance, was like any other day. However after having lunch with a couple of classmates since we didn't have class, I met the most interesting man. I don't know how long he was behind me, but I kept hearing somone talk. Needless to say he was talking to get my attention and he did. So for about 8 blocks he walked and talked with me IN SPANISH. I mean granted I am in Buenos Aires learning spanish, but I'm not that good, but I understood the gist. This man was crazy. He kept asking me for a "besito" which is a little kiss. Who in their right mind just kisses a complete stranger? Who did he think I was? And get this everytime I would tell him NO he responded "feo?" to see what I would say. Funny, but I'm not that easy so we parted ways. However, while standing on the corner waiting for the light to change I saw a man with a camera. Something just told me that he was going to try to take my picture so I turned my head and waited a while, but when I turned back I heard "CLICK." What is wrong with them? I don't get it and my host brother wonders why I don't want an Argentine boyfriend. No Thank You.

The rest of that night wasn't so interesting. I was sick. I think it was from the primavera tarta I had earlier. I think the diner gave me bad ham or something. It was a bad scene, but I was happy that I had such a sweet host mother because she knew exactly what to do. Immediately after she gave me medicine came up and I felt so much better. I was saddened however to think about when my aunt and boyfriend would take care of me. Man I miss being home. Soon enough I keep telling myself, but soon just isn't soon enough right now. Oh well, you do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do. That's another think I keep telling myself. Well until next time....

Hasta Luego

Yaszy

Puerto Iguazú

Last time I wrote, I said that I would be going to Iguazú Argentina. Well I went and it was absolutely amazing. It was so beautiful. Before arriving in Buenos Aires, I had a picture of what i thought everything would look like. Needless to say that everything was different, but Iguazú was definitely what I had pictured for a typical South American city. We arrived in Iguazú at noon after a 18 hour bus ride. It sounds really painful, but it wasn't that bad. We went cama which basically means that your seat goes down 180 degrees. It was definitely like first class. On the bus they served candy, champagne, wine, dinner and breakfast. We stayed at Marco Polo Inn. It's a hostel which is like a step down from a hotel here, but it was really nice. The amenities included Wi-Fi, a kitchen, a pool and continental breakfast. It was really nice especially because we got the chance to meet other travelers. Granted they all spoke english, but I was ok with that. For me, learning a different language is so tiring and sometimes you just need a break.

Upon arriving me my friends and I decided to go to the national park. There we did a nature trail which was nice, but long. When we finished we reached a natural pool. It was so cold. Part of me didn't even want to get in it and once I did I was stumbling everywhere from the big bolders. There was a small waterfall there that my friend wanted to take a picture under. I was definitely hesitant because black people just dont't do that type of thing. I was there for the experience though so I got under the waterfall and took the picture and hoped that my hair didn't get too wet. It didn't which is good since I still have some ways to go before I can go home and get it done. For dinner we went to an Italian restaurant which was really good. I ordered Lasagna. It was good, but I do not understand Argentines' obsession with putting ham in everything. It was good but I just wanted the simple meat sauce, cheese, and noodle lasagna that my aunt makes.

The next day we started our day early since we had another day planned at the park. We bought a package that included several things such as another nature trail, boat ride, and an ecological tour. It was really good some parts better than others, but it is to be expected. The best part of the trip was the boat ride. There we got a chance to see las cataratas (waterfalls) up close and personal. It was amazing. I have never seen anything like it. We probably saw every angle of the waterfalls and I couldn't stop but to be amazed at everything. It was absolutely breathtaking and all that I had expected it to be.

While I had a lot of fun, I definitely paid for it the next day. I woke up feeling horrible. Everything on my body hurt and what made it worse is I had a fever. I was horrible especially since my friends were going to ride horses that day. I wasn't too thrilled in the beginning about it, but i have only been on a horse once and that was here so I thought it would be a cool experience to spend 2 hours on one. Oh well.

Sunday was our last day in Iguazú. This was the day that I realized that I was in South America. I feel like it is so easy to forget because Buenos Aires looks like Times Square to me. It's a city and a big one at that and being from the city it didn't really amaze me. However our last stop of the day was to the Triple Frontier. It is a place where three rivers cross and while standing on the Argentina side, you can look to your left and see Paraguay. Then when you look to your right you see Brazil. Each place had an obelisk so that you can know exactly waht you're looking at. Something so simple had me in aww. It was amazing to think that if I could swim a little bit I would be in Paraguay or Brazil which is where I really want to go. Hopefully I will get a chance because that would be hot.

Hasta Luego

YASZY

One Month Down...A Couple More To Go

So I've past the one month mark....Wooo Hooo! While it seemed like such a long time it has honestly gone by pretty quick. In the month that I have been here I have seen so much including more PDA that I honestly care for. It's amazing how often you will see people making out on the streets here. I mean they just don't care streets, clubs, bars it's whatever whenever. I mean some say that it's like that in the states, but I have never seen it this month. Apparently some of the Americans are following the trend too. I guess they are REALLY trying to make the best of their study abroad experience. Hey it's different strokes for different folks.

This was my second consecutive weekend going out and I definitly enjoyed my self. My friends and I went to a buffet style restaurant called "Tenedor Libre." For 17 pesos (a little over 5 USD) the food was pretty good. They had everything from empenadas to meatballs. They also had desserts which were amazing. I had bannanas and dulce de leche as well as a baked pear.

Upon leaving the restaurant we headed over to this little bar called "Antiguas Lunas" which I enjoyed. I don't drink or smoke so I must admit that I felt a little out of place, but they had great music by the way which was from the United States. You definitely hear more english music here than you would expect. They also had a live band which I wasn't really listening to. At one point me and my friends began making up dances. It may sound a little boring, but it definitely helped pass time.

Hopefully next time I write it will be about my amazing trip to either Mendoza or Iguazú. Originally we were going to go to Mendoza, but apparently it's freezing there now and none of us has the clothes for that. Now we are thinking about Iguazú which has the most breath taking water falls that I have ever seen. I am so pumped. However, today I broke my boyfriend's camera which kind of takes the fun out it, but he just told me to have fun. What a great boyfriend!!!

Abrazos y besos

Yaszy