The Lone Traveler

I went out yesterday all over downtown Buenos Aires or el centro. I started by taking the Subte (subway) and getting off at Plaza de Mayo, walking around the Plaza, looking at Casa de Rosa (a high up top government location/house for president and others) and wandered over to the Catedral.

From there I meandered around and got lost...in my attempt to find the pedonal de Florida, a main busy street built for just pedestrians. Finally I figured out what the street signs meant and realized I had been on this street! Kept walking around and stopped by the Galeria de Pacifica, an indoor shopping center with a really beautiful mosaic/painting on the top ceiling. It reminded me a little of the Galeria in Milano (not as pretty though). After that I headed over to Plaza de San Martin to wait for my friend Coti.

She was getting off work and was going to meet before we went to the bus station (Retiro) to figure out my trip details down south. As I was waiting I met a nice Italian couple (I overheard them speaking Italian) and talked about travel plans and where they are from in Italy.

From just this morning by myself I am realizing how hard it can be to travel alone and also the first few days of traveling. I understand it will take patience and down time, but it is hard knowing that I left comfort of home and family. And now I walk alone, wanting to have someone to share this experience with and to lean on when I get lost. In reality, it really is not that big of a deal, but I just feel a little lonesome to not have a traveling companion.

I think my trip down South towards Patagonia will be better, I'll have nature as a friend and after that I'll be heading towards Chile and meeting other people my age who are going to be experiencing the same things.

Un beso. (I also think the US needs to get on top of greeting each other with a cheek/kiss 'hello'. It is just more friendly and creates an easier transition into talking)