Current Location: My new bedroom.
(Neighborhood): Palermo; a trendy, lovely part of Buenos Aires full of gorgeous restaurants and a family environment. A mall, thirteen restaurants, two supermarkets and too many kiosks are on just my block alone. It’s safe, lovely, and very European in architecture. However, the cobblestone streets, friendly people, attitude and culture scream South America.
Mi duele la cabeza… or in English: My head hurts.
I cannot express all of the emotions I felt today as my plane landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a 10 hour flight, struggling through Jane Eyre dubbed in Spanish (I figured out hours later that a simple turn of the channel would have given me English… joke’s on me), and a nice 6 hour nap, our plane landed in a city that, from above, looks just as sexy as in the center. And let me tell you: (Mom, don’t read this) the Argentinean men are even sexier than the view from 10,000 km. Tall, dark, and prettier than any girl I’ve ever seen.
The thing I was most worried about was the Spanish. And rightfully. From the get-go, it’s been a headache. I’ve realized though, it’s not the accent (the accent is chocolate to my ears)—I simply suck at Spanish. Hence the title of this post. Despite the obvious language barrier though, all of the graceful and friendly argentines I’ve met so far have helped me hopscotch through the gates of Spanglish and we laugh as I use only the present tense because I’ve forgotten the rest. The same Argentineans have assured me that “con tiempo” (with time) it will get easier. And it has become easier and more fun already—today I made mistakes and got more comfortable in my Spanish skin. That’s the first step, I think—realizing you’re not a genius (tough one for me to swallow) and I’ve taken it. I’ll give you updates on my whereabouts in fluency as time goes on. Con tiempo….
A note on ISA (International Studies Abroad): they are some of the most helpful people I have ever met. If you are reading this and are considering studying abroad, ISA is the way to go. www.studiesabroad.com
Ah, my host family. So so so so so wonderful. Graciela is a beautiful homemaker with big blue eyes (the only ones I have seen so far) and very limited English, but not limited patience for my terrible Spanish. Carlos is a doctor and is the most friendly, caring man I have ever met. Belen is their youngest daughter, who lives in the house and studies at the University of Buenos Aires. Today was her 24th birthday, and we celebrated with pizza, gorgeous empanadas, two grandchildren (of the other daughter, Lorena) with the biggest brown eyes, black curly hair, and everlasting patience for my Spanish. And finally, a new treat: fermet—a hard liquor made only in Argentina that is mixed with coca-cola and is very, very “amargo” which means bitter. I’m telling you, it was love at first sip.
This party is where I met my first Argentina friends—over 40 of them! I sat in awe (and confusion) with the other ISA student living here, Kelly, as they conversated in their infamous tense of vos and the “shh” instead of “y” sounds. I finally got the guts to introduce myself, speak (horrifically) in Spanish and learn a little about prettiest group of people I’ve ever seen. They taught me new words and introduced me to fermet, and spoke English (bless their hearts) which lessened my headache minimally.
As I sit writing this, they are still in the living room, partying away—waiting to go to “el boliche” which means “club”. (I have orientation too early to go, ay caramba) Note: it is 1:55 am here. This is completely normal—Porteños (locals in Buenos Aires) wait until approximately 3 am to go to the clubs, party until 7, dance their asses off (real, South American dancing) and sleep all day. Unless you have school or work, in which case you “just deal with it”. Guess I’ll be a night owl by the time I get back.
Can’t complain.
This truly, is the life.
Jealous yet?
Xoxo, B
 |
| Perfecto! |
Should be interesting to say the least.
Sometimes it is hard getting an apartment since we don´t know the country or how they manage things and we end up getting something really price and not in downtown. To me, the best way to get buenos aires apartments is through a rental company that you trust in. If people recommend it, there you are. If there is a lot of advertising, but not word of mouth, you may have doubts. The one I used was recommended by my best friend. I will be forever greatful!
ReplyDeleteLindsay