No, it was not anything like Rawrr or tiger. However, it was a very cool weekend in Tigre. This trip was put on by IES abroad (cost 60 dollars) and we left on Saturday and spent some hours in the artisan market called Mercado Fruto I think? It was basically just walking around and such, with a visit to the Museo de Tigre that use to be a Yacht club, which turned into a club for high society. You could tell it was for the elite because the ballroom on the top floor was gorgeous. Now it is filled with some nice artwork and contemporary exhibits.
After this we went via boat to our hotel. www.labecasina.com this is the website if you want to check it out. SOO nice. I roomed with Paulina and Alibe in our own Bungalow! There was a really nice pool and basically we could do whatever we wanted. On Sunday we had the option to kayak, sit by the pool, fish, go hiking or go in the paddle boats. I went kayaking and midway down the canals of the delta switched with people in the paddle boat (not a good idea, because I forgot my pulled calf muscle on my left foot would hurt when I paddled). It was just a really beautiful and relaxing weekend. I may or may not have gained about 2 pounds or felt like I did because they had non stop good food at all times. As for our return to Buenos Aires we went all the way in boat and were able to see the sunset and arrive in Puerto Madero via Rio de Plata.
I think I am going to try and sign up for the two trips during Spring break put on by IES as well. At first I thought, no way I want to do my own trips, IES trips will probably be lame, etc. However, with regards to cost (way cheaper to travel in groups) and that all the food included is AMAZING and the lodging is AMAZING I am thinking about doing those trips. Plus, my planned trip to Salta can wait for another time in Argentina, or when I plan on returning in the future.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A woman and soccer? A woman wearing a jersey?!
When I get dressed up in a ¨sexy¨ dress or something that may show my figure off a little more, I get looks and comments every once in a while. However, today I went outside with my Inter jersey and I think I received the most looks in any one day since my arrival in Argentina. I walked out of the door and BAM peopl were staring longer than usual. At least this time, no one was actually commenting or whistling. However, out right staring was more the fashion. I was stopped and waiting for the cross sign to change and this woman just stared at me for about 2 minutes. Ok, maybe like 30 seconds...but it felt long. I almost wanted to just turn towards her and ask, can I help you?
It almost feels like I should wear this jersey more often and create a stir within Buenos Aires. But at the same time I am sort of embarassed or scared to wear the jersey because of the amount of stares I get. We shall see how the rest of the day goes.
It almost feels like I should wear this jersey more often and create a stir within Buenos Aires. But at the same time I am sort of embarassed or scared to wear the jersey because of the amount of stares I get. We shall see how the rest of the day goes.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
San Patricio and a little Rant
Saint Patricks day...the one day I fit perfectly, red hair, white, obviously some Irish in me. Ah, I was so excited to join in the festivites because I heard at 6 pm Plaza de San Martin begins with dancing and music and than the festivites move towards the street Reconquista where there are some Irish pubs. Well, during my cinema class it seemed that this would not happen...torrential rain and thunderstorming halted the festivites at Plaza de San Martin but did not stop the other parties on Reconquista.
Later on towards 11 I met up with some friends and we went down to see what was going on. The street is already a pedonal or pedestrian street, so no cars. But they still closed off about 5 blocks and the street was packed with drunken ¨Irish¨. I use quotes because I think I saw only 4 people who looked Irish and 2 were friends of mine. That does not matter though, because the spirit is what matters. As we headed down towards the street, already some people took it upon themselves to begin climbing the lamppost, I think maybe 3 guys tried this. While everyone around watched and started chanting them on. Very entertaining and ridiculous.
As we strolled along the street trying to figure out what bar to enter I began to question once more, as I always do here. Who started the tradition of commenting, whisteling, of men? They are obsessed with women and at least show it more than other cultures I have traveled to or know, even today I put on a shirt that is a little low cut and I walk out the door, and BAM comments or blatant stares of appreciation for my choice in shirt. Last night, a friend had a low cut dress and as she walked all eyes on her other counterpart. At one point in the night I was entering a bar and I got stopped and kissed on the hand. I waved him off and told him ¨boludo¨, which may not have been ¨correct¨ usage, but whatever. And another incident, I was surrounded by 6 guys talking to me and luckily Lyons (friend) comes over puts his arm around me and starts talking as if we are boyfriend/girlfriend. They immediately walked off. This happens all the time and I wonder, do the guys ever tire of it or is it a game that they play all the time? Instead of Halo, instead of other video games...do they just enjoy futbol and the chase of women or do they deal out points for certain things? 1 point if the woman looks back at you, minus 1 if they dont even acknowledge you, 2 points if they reply, 3 points if they stop and say something...etc.
I think I would make a game of it, maybe I should make a game for the woman´s position. I dont know, 1 point you tell them off. 2 points you stop and pretend to talk and than immediately walk away...etc, etc.
Later on towards 11 I met up with some friends and we went down to see what was going on. The street is already a pedonal or pedestrian street, so no cars. But they still closed off about 5 blocks and the street was packed with drunken ¨Irish¨. I use quotes because I think I saw only 4 people who looked Irish and 2 were friends of mine. That does not matter though, because the spirit is what matters. As we headed down towards the street, already some people took it upon themselves to begin climbing the lamppost, I think maybe 3 guys tried this. While everyone around watched and started chanting them on. Very entertaining and ridiculous.
As we strolled along the street trying to figure out what bar to enter I began to question once more, as I always do here. Who started the tradition of commenting, whisteling, of men? They are obsessed with women and at least show it more than other cultures I have traveled to or know, even today I put on a shirt that is a little low cut and I walk out the door, and BAM comments or blatant stares of appreciation for my choice in shirt. Last night, a friend had a low cut dress and as she walked all eyes on her other counterpart. At one point in the night I was entering a bar and I got stopped and kissed on the hand. I waved him off and told him ¨boludo¨, which may not have been ¨correct¨ usage, but whatever. And another incident, I was surrounded by 6 guys talking to me and luckily Lyons (friend) comes over puts his arm around me and starts talking as if we are boyfriend/girlfriend. They immediately walked off. This happens all the time and I wonder, do the guys ever tire of it or is it a game that they play all the time? Instead of Halo, instead of other video games...do they just enjoy futbol and the chase of women or do they deal out points for certain things? 1 point if the woman looks back at you, minus 1 if they dont even acknowledge you, 2 points if they reply, 3 points if they stop and say something...etc.
I think I would make a game of it, maybe I should make a game for the woman´s position. I dont know, 1 point you tell them off. 2 points you stop and pretend to talk and than immediately walk away...etc, etc.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Orientation Over
The weeks of orientation have come to an end. Classes will begin next week and I just finished registering for my classes. I have the option to end classes on Thursdays at 1 in the afternoon and thus have the weekend to do what I want. I am tempted by this because I could have long weekends and do traveling on my own.
However, I have two options, Thursday night drawing or Monday night painting. I am not sure which one to choose, because I think I would rather take the drawing class but the time of that class is worse than the Monday night painting classes. Ah, what to do.
I leave today for Rosario to stay with Matteo´s friends and to see Nico and Mono once again. I am excited to meet all of Matteos friends and excited to see Rosario. Hopefully I can get into the swing of things once classes start and figure out what painting or drawing class to take.
However, I have two options, Thursday night drawing or Monday night painting. I am not sure which one to choose, because I think I would rather take the drawing class but the time of that class is worse than the Monday night painting classes. Ah, what to do.
I leave today for Rosario to stay with Matteo´s friends and to see Nico and Mono once again. I am excited to meet all of Matteos friends and excited to see Rosario. Hopefully I can get into the swing of things once classes start and figure out what painting or drawing class to take.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Drunk Students
Hmm...so last night I went out with a girl that literally lives right across the street, so this situation is nice for when we want to return or something. We got lost a little on out bus ride, but this Venezuelan guy basically guided us to where we wanted to go, he got lost too because he is not from here. Carina and I followed a Pub Crawl into a bar and just hung out for a little, talking. It is difficult to be in two when the other person does not speak very well Spanish. Thus, I could not really just leave her and begin talking with Argentians. So that was a little bit of a bummer, but I got to know her and she is very cool. Coming from Penn State.
Later we started walking around Plaza Serrano and sat at a bar outside to just talking peacefully. We saw a group of students walk into the bar and joined them. However, the thing that bothered me was that they just wanted to get drunk. It was not even the first round for them, but they ordered tequila shots and quilmes. All they could talk about was drinking more and getting drunk. It is really bothersome, because I dont particularily want to get smashed and just continue hanging out with the students. Ya, I enjoy meeting new students, but I also do not want to be speaking english the whole time here.
Dilemma, I hope that the girls who I hang out with that speak Spanish very well will want to join me in going out somewhere and meeting some new people.
Later we started walking around Plaza Serrano and sat at a bar outside to just talking peacefully. We saw a group of students walk into the bar and joined them. However, the thing that bothered me was that they just wanted to get drunk. It was not even the first round for them, but they ordered tequila shots and quilmes. All they could talk about was drinking more and getting drunk. It is really bothersome, because I dont particularily want to get smashed and just continue hanging out with the students. Ya, I enjoy meeting new students, but I also do not want to be speaking english the whole time here.
Dilemma, I hope that the girls who I hang out with that speak Spanish very well will want to join me in going out somewhere and meeting some new people.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Reverse Culture Shock
Ah, is it possible to have a reverse culture shock? I think I am having one...the IES Buenos Aires program has about 140 students and maybe half of them are "advanced". I dont know how advanced they are because I have only met or seen maybe 5-6 people who can speak very well in spanish. I dont want to seem like I am better or anything like that, but I just really enjoy speaking Spanish and do not want to hang out with english speakers, constantly speaking in english or making comments that seem pretty stupid. I guess this is always the downside to being in such a large group of people while being abroad.
I hope I can meet people that also want to practice speaking spanish. And I hope that my senora in my host family (only one woman) is nice and will actually cook well. I already heard that another senora only made empanadas for dinner and nothing else. Does not sound very appetizing over a period of 4 months. I am going to be heading for the home stay tonight and will meet Cecilia Terrero.
Hope we get along!
I hope I can meet people that also want to practice speaking spanish. And I hope that my senora in my host family (only one woman) is nice and will actually cook well. I already heard that another senora only made empanadas for dinner and nothing else. Does not sound very appetizing over a period of 4 months. I am going to be heading for the home stay tonight and will meet Cecilia Terrero.
Hope we get along!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Decisions..
Do I stay here or go? Buenos Aires or Santiago? Argentina or Chile? Since the earthquake in Chile, I have been staying with Coti's family and went to the first day of orientation for IES Buenos Aires. They have invited me to stay in Buenos Aires and after emailing with UPS I have found out that they will accept Spanish credit from the courses here in Buenos Aires. I just finished talking with my parents, who before knowing I would get credit from Buenos Aires thought I should stick with Santiago, but now they are ok with either decision.
In the end I am staying in Buenos Aires, so maybe I should change the title of my blog? I finally decided that staying in Buenos Aires is easier and I want to have a more relaxed and fun time while abroad. Chile right now and even Santiago are in a situation that may affect people for a month or so. I dont want to be selfish or anything, but I dont know, it just seems easier to stay in Buenos Aires and deal with a country that has not been hit by a natural disaster than go to Chile. It would obviously be quite the experience, being able to volunteer, etc. However I also do not think IES would allow me to volunteer in the conditions right now, with riots and the army replacing the nonexistent police force.
So instead of here I come Santiago, I'm staying Buenos Aires y Argentina. Nos vemos manana. Un beso.
In the end I am staying in Buenos Aires, so maybe I should change the title of my blog? I finally decided that staying in Buenos Aires is easier and I want to have a more relaxed and fun time while abroad. Chile right now and even Santiago are in a situation that may affect people for a month or so. I dont want to be selfish or anything, but I dont know, it just seems easier to stay in Buenos Aires and deal with a country that has not been hit by a natural disaster than go to Chile. It would obviously be quite the experience, being able to volunteer, etc. However I also do not think IES would allow me to volunteer in the conditions right now, with riots and the army replacing the nonexistent police force.
So instead of here I come Santiago, I'm staying Buenos Aires y Argentina. Nos vemos manana. Un beso.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
