Casi Todo (Day 23)

So i've neglected the blog. I'm sorry; I feel it too.

My birthday was excellent. Maybe in the next day or two I can document the extravagant weekend that surrounded my 22nd. Now, however, I'm just checking in with you before I dig into the presentation I'm making for class tomorrow. If you know what the Dirty War is, I'm talking about that; more specifically the two faces of Argentina during the World Cup it hosted and won in 1978. I wish I had a month to do this project. It's fascinating, really. But the reality is that I have a day. Read up on it if you like. Plugging Wikipedia.

A good side-effect of this trip is that I haven't touched a musical instrument for almost a month. Nor have I been able to sing aloud, for that matter. What I'm saying is, as soon as I return, Swing States is going to get the biggest push I've ever given it. It's like putting your thumb completely over the mouth of a running hose and then promptly pulling it away. Good image? Great. There's another blog for that stuff anyway.

In other quick news, the food here continues to be excellent. The nightlife is so outrageous you wouldn't believe me if I told you about it. One day I'll put on the tourism suit and take pictures of my way to school so you can get a feel for what I see everyday on the streets.

This weekend is Iguazu, a waterfall that sits between Argentina and Brazil. We'll see it from both sides. Do yourself a favor and Wikipedia that as well. I think I'm in for quite a treat, and you probably are as well by association with my blog (and Daniel's camera).

And now that I've wasted 15 minutes blogging, it's time to buckle down. From Aroma Cafe on the corner of Santa Fe and Uruguay, Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina--Chau. Nos vemos!

Las Calles (Day 15)

I've made a discovery:

Walking through this city at its busiest hour through giant waves of people each with solitary missions is an incredible experience, only amplified by wearing headphones. I can't believe I hadn't thought of it earlier. With my favorite songs in my head, the city plays itself out like a film for which I chose the score. IT'S SO FUN.

In other news, this country loves its football. The World Cup is so much more fun here than in the States.

I've got some pictures from our weekend trip to Uruguay here. And now that this page has been open for 20 minutes as the first 5 of them load, I'm just going to vow to make a good facebook album soon with scores more of them. This should do for now, though.

Chau!

Hay Mucha Tarea (Day 8)

Over a week into this thing now. I'm comfortable in my cozy room in my Italian family's 5th floor Buenos Aires apartment. I'm accustomed to the feel of going to class and eating in the school cafeteria and walking the city like a porteño taking care of his business. All of these things I love. In fact, it could become problematic. Here's how:

I'm going to school every day for a very long time and coming home with a disgraceful amount of homework. I know, I know, I'm here to learn. Don't get me wrong, the classes are incredible and the teachers here are some of the best I've ever had. But when 5 hours of free time each day become 1 hour (and I'm really needing a nap) my days seem more like that of a high school student. One without a car or extracurricular activities or many friends.

Again, it sounds like I'm complaining. It's the opposite. I'm enamored with the city. My only qualm is that I don't have enough time to simply enjoy it. Live in it. Hopefully I can learn to manage my time better and achieve something extra, something other than just schooling (which is still great). Maybe it just means I'll need to come back.

After all of that, here's an easy to read, much less annoying LIST of things that were great about our last weekend in Colonia, Urugay:

Sunset over the river/ocean with gelatos

Falling asleep on the hotel roof sharing wine with friends

Southern Hemisphere constellations

Renting a golf cart and driving it on the beach (there are pictures, don't worry)

Soon I should do a post about the food here. Oh, the food. I love food. Lots of people love food.

More from La Boca (Day 4)

Pictures (Day 1)

A couple of pictures from the brief city tour we had today:

Bienvenidos! (Day 1)

After the whole Houston fiasco, we're finally in Buenos Aires. I've just moved in to my new family's home. They seem wonderful; I'll have to get some pictures of everything soon enough. We're about to meet up at the University to start our tour of the city, then I forget what comes after that. Something great, I'm sure. Pictures soon!

Hello, Houston (Day -1)

What should be day 1 of Buenos Aires is in fact, day 2 of Houston. Our Saturday night flight was delayed until 6AM this morning, so we woke up before four just to spend hours in the airport until further delays turned into an outright cancellation of our flight. We're trying again, tomorrow night at 9. Until then, it's all about food vouchers at the Greenspoint Marriott and a King-sized bed to myself. Wish me luck!