I’m sorry about my blog posts being late, but between finals and travels, the past weeks have been crazy.

My last week in Argentina, I had my written and oral finals, but I also wanted to check off my list the things I hadn’t done yet. Therefore, I went to the Museo de las Bellas Artes, where I saw the works of famous artists like Orozco, Siqueiros, and Rivera, among others. The same day, I walked to La Flor, a giant metal sculpture of a flower, and waited about an hour in the cold until sunset to see its petals close. It was worth it.

My last night in Argentina (at least what I thought would be my last night), my roommates and I went out to celebrate being done with classes and passing our exams.

We met up with some friends that we had met two weeks earlier, and I was told that my Spanish had considerably improved; I now understood them better and I was more easily understood. That night, I also went to a boliche (nightclub) with them, because I wanted to try it out. It was confirmed that I like Latino music and dancing.

The next day, we packed and went to our favourite bakery to get a few empanadas for lunch and some cookies and pastries for the road. We said goodbye to the workers there, and it was kind of emotional. We had been to this bakery everyday for weeks. We were for sure going to miss them (and the food), and they would miss us too (and the business we brought a.k.a every international student at the university). They wished us safe travels and good luck.

As we rode to the airport that day, I looked outside the window knowing I would miss this place. Despite the cold, the dog poop everywhere, the crazy drivers and the weird shoes, I had loved my stay in Argentina, the people, the food and especially the language.

As I waited in the airport lounge that day, I learned that my flight was delayed 30 minutes. “That’s okay,” I thought to myself. That okay-feeling was replaced by anger, exasperation, tiredness and desperation, when five hours later, at 2a.m., they cancelled the flight and told us that the next one was not until 8.45p.m. the next day. I guess Argentina did not want to let go of me. The airline booked us a hotel right in the city centre for the night and offered us meals. Although it was stressful, I made it back safely to the US a bunch of hours later after missing two different connections. The thing is, airports can be really boring but they’re also cool places to meet really interesting people. I met a man from Bath, UK who works for a translation company and gave me good advice on a potential career path. I also met a couple from Argentina who needed help communicating with their friend who was supposed to pick them up in the US. So, as they talked to me in Spanish, I texted their friend in English. Fortunately, I was not alone during my airport adventures. A girl I had met earlier in the program was also there, and we travelled together all the way to Houston and became good friends.

From start to finish, this trip has been incredible! I learnt a lot about the country, but also about myself (travelling alone does that). I’d really love to be able to go back for the people, the history, the culture, the food, and the snapchat geofilters.

I hope you like my collection, and thanks for reading about my adventures. If you’re considering the SLA program or going on a similar trip, I would 10 out of 10 recommend it!

¡Adiós amigos!

 

I’ve already spent two weeks in Buenos Aires and I feel like time is flying, but at the same time going by slowly because of all the stuff I’ve been able to do. School is going really well. I have no problem understanding my professor at all (and most people here), and I also feel a lot more comfortable speaking the language. Pictured below is me giving my first oral presentation on a piece of art, titled ‘Tactics of non-existence’ that caught my eye at MALBA.

One of my favourite things about Argentina is the food. Because they love bread here, you can find a bakery on every block, on top of all the cafes and restaurants around every corner. Fortunately (or unfortunately), there’s a bakery right next to my apartment and my roommates and I go there at least once a day. I already said goodbye to my summer bod. It’s not like I need it here since it’s getting cold here, with the daily temperature varying between 35 and 55 Fahrenheit. To be honest, I did not expect it to be this cold, and as a result did not pack adequately. Thankfully, I have lived in South Bend for 2 years now, and have built a tolerance for cold, while mastering the art of layering.

Argentina also made me drink tea (about 3 cups a day). It warms me up and is kind of essential for merienda, (tea time). The eating habits of Argentines are very different from that of Americans. First, breakfast usually only consists of a cup of tea or coffee with toast (or nothing). Then, everything else is pushed back a couple of hours. Lunch, which is an important meal, is eaten at around 1 or 2 p.m., and dinner is normally served at 8.30 or 9 p.m.. Due to this very late dinner time, one has to have merienda, also very important, in the late afternoon to make it through the day. The first week, this confused me, but I have now found a good rhythm that prevents me from starving when then clock hits 7 p.m..

Another interesting thing about Argentina is that a lot of people here are of Italian descent. This explains why they really like pasta and also why Argentines sound like Italians speaking Spanish. It’s a very peculiar accent.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit La Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, a beautiful Cathedral located on Plaza de Mayo, where the mausoleum of San Martín (guarded 24/7) can be found.

What else is new? I joined a interexchange conversation program where I get to practise my Spanish while students from La Universidad de Belgrano practise their students. I love it because it’s a good way to meet new people from Buenos Aires and to get advice about things to do in the city.

Looking to get to know more of BA in the coming weeks!

P.s. A porteño is someone from the city of Buenos Aires