I’ve been here a week now, and I have definitely learned a lot about living in Buenos Aires. I’ve gotten use to the crazy schedule (staying out until 5am and going to class at 9:30) and have perfected the art of napping. I have learned how to avoid accepting counterfeit money as change, that Argentine guys are ridiculously persistent in the bars
Luckily, another girl from my program lives near me so we make the trek to orientation classes together.
and must be given a very cold shoulder and fake phone number, and that you have to push the button on the bus for your stop or you will end up going way too far. (Yes, I learned most of these things the hard way.) I can navigate my way through a menu a little better (the empanadas are delicious), and quickly found the local dessert- alfajores. These are cookie sandwiches filled with the carmel-like dulce de leche which are sometimes covered in chocolate. Yum… I realized quickly that it isn’t rude to yell for the waiter when he’s across the room- if you don’t he’ll never come over because he doesn’t want to bother you.
I do love that ordering a tea entitles you to the table for the afternoon, and today I took advantage of this to enjoy a lazy Sunday reading at a café.
I’ve already done a little too much shopping, but it is hard to resist as the prices are amazing. And you have to buy leather boots when you’re here, right?
There was a power outage two days ago (yes, I survived a whole day with no phone or computer as both were in need of a charge.) Though there was no water or light, it was kind of fun to live by candlelight. And unfortunately, a neighbor realized I was borrowing their wireless internet and password protected it, so I am now unconnected- grr… Guess I have another excuse to go to a cafe.
Yesterday my program gave us a bus tour of the city. We got to see the historic area of La Boca where the first immigrants lived and painted their houses with random paint that came in on ships. (Hence the different colored sections on the walls.) We visited the Casa Rosada (the equivalent of the White House) in the Plaza de Mayo where the mothers/grandmothers of the disappeared still protest. We also toured my neighborhood a bit where street performers draw spectators and booths sell useless crafts.
I started my Saturday night at a traditional parilla, where meat is the specialty. I went with a big group of girls and we ordered a bunch of entrees to share. With several different types of meat and potatoes, I was left a-yearning for some veggies. The beef, chicken, and pork were tasty for sure, but meat alone doesn’t really do it for me. We did order some tomatoes, but for some reason the tomatoes here have a distinct twang that does not quite appeal to me.
I start classes next week, so I’ll keep you posted about all-Spanish lectures!
