I Hate Goodbyes

Here we are at the EZE airport for my 10:30 pm flight home. We wrapped my 49.6 pound suitcase in bright green saran wrap to appease my host mother, which ended up making the search for my luggage at Dallas customs nearly impossible. With backpack and pillow and vase in tow, I said my tearful goodbyes (a severe understatement) to Mamá Eugenia, Euge and Fernando before venturing through the security checkpoint, but not before some last words caught on camera. We made promises to keep in touch, email and skype often, and plan future visits. It was difficult to leave Buenos Aires and missing people and places is always unpleasant, but I've realized that it truly is a good thing. It proves you've made a connection. That something matters. And that you care.

Hasta luego, Buenos Aires! Nos vemos super pronto...

A Family Occasion

The other night we went to a nearby Italian restaurant to celebrate my host mother's birthday. It was the whole crew: Diego, Eugenia, Fernando, Euge, Nico and I. We spent the evening eating pasta and tiramisu and taking random photos and videos and talking about customs and cultures and laughing. I didn't want it to end.

Here I should mention how amazing my host family is. I am unbelievably fortunate. Everyone is so warm, patient, kind and happy to be of any help to me at any time. Family is a priority and they have made every effort to include me in theirs. It is remarkable how close I have become to them in just a month.

Love these people.

In the following videos, try to ignore my constant laugh. I couldn't help myself. Note their "hellos" to "Carolina y Roberto, Guillermo y Colin, Curtis y Chep". The last video is an attempt to capture my pathetic pronunciation of the verb "ronronear" (meaning "purr"). Not so easy, and a little embarrassing, but I'm happy to provide some entertainment.

May I Stay a Bit Longer?

Calling mom to ask: 34 pesos
Fee to change an international flight: $300
Difference in airfares: $1000
The feeling of wanting to spend an extra week with new friends & family in a beautiful city: Priceless

No go :(

The Bedroom I'll Miss Dearly

...complete with my adorable little teddy bear, Anthony. I've been through a lot with that little guy. You should also know that my room is never this tidy.

Thunder Storms and a Few Odd Dreams

The thunder storms here are truly impressive and I love falling asleep and waking up to the sound of pouring rain and roaring thunder and lightning that creates daylight at midnight. And I've woken up twice now to the cat, Salem, scratching at my window to escape the flooded streets. But getting to and from school is not a walk in the park. Taxi companies run out of cars because nobody wants to take public transportation if it means spending the whole day cold and wet. I don't mind much, though. I'll take thunder storms to the constant drizzle that permeates Seattle skies.

One day I learned from my host brother, Fernando, that smoke detectors are not used here. This got me thinking. I know nothing about heaters, but can see an open flame at the bottom of the one in my bedroom and figure that it is a potential fire hazard. My host mother insists that it's better to keep it on during the night in order to prevent an unhealthily cold morning. So I went to bed that night after turning the knob to the very minimum and was kept up thinking about the bars on my windows and what one could possibly do in the case of a fire. Pretty much nothing. Nevertheless, I finally got to sleep...only to be frighteningly awakened by the sound of my own scream. Not shout. SCREAM. I had a vivid dream (with an identified origin) in which my heater set fire to my bed, trapping me from the door and leaving me no option for escape but my barred window.

El Dia del Amigo

"Friend Day" exists! Whether this holiday in Argentina is actually of any historical/cultural importance is up for debate. Some say it's just another excuse to get together and celebrate, but--whatever the case--I enjoyed the day! I went with Euge to her friend's house and spent the evening with a group of her best friends from high school. We listened to reggaeton, ate tapas, took loads of pictures and played a game called "juego de la llave". The game involved a long list of characteristics to be secretly assigned to different members of the group. I was slightly hesitant at first, as some of the adjectives weren't exactly positive (clumsiest, most likely to make poor decisions drunk, most awkward...) but it was all in good humor. My name ended up under "best English speaker" (surprise, surprise!), "most indecisive" (these people really know me) and a few others. It was a good time and Euge and I were sorry to say goodbye at the end of the evening...

Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is the new, ritzy part of the city. I went with my host mother and Euge and met up with Jennifer and Adrienne. We had a blast wandering around and took lots of pictures around the Tango bridge. The bridge that looks like a Tango dancer. If you don't see it, look closer.

"Nos pisan seguro." --Euge Travaglini

Tango Porteño

Here's to another sophisticated evening dedicated to Tango! Impressive.

After School...

La primera promocion, por favor. Y una coca.

Coby el Cobayo

Soooooooo cute.