Well I have almost been here 4 months now...crazy to think about. Heres how the rest of december has gone so far.
A while back, I believe it was the 18th of 19th, a few family friends of my Moms passed through Còrdoba. Susan and Tom are members of our Temple and were taking a swing through Argentina. Well the morning they left I went over to their hotel for `breakfast`(which consisted of a cup of coffee) and we had a chat. It felt really really good to be able to see some of the people I know from the States in this context, and we had a lengthy and intensive discussion about the societies of these two countries. I explained to them what I have learned; about the stereotyping, state of maintenance, political and economical crisis's and the great attitude of the people. I told them a few of my funnier stories and they gave me a few trinkets. 1) Thanks to Mom for sending me that stuff. It gave me some gift fuel for the holidays and was nice to see. Susan and Tom also gave me some Cow memorabilia from some sort of milk company they visited. It was cool.
The next thing I knew it was already Christmas time. For Christmas in Argentina, or perhaps the Catholic religion, they do all their celebrating the night of the 24th. So we traveled to a little town on the outskirts of Còrdoba to a nice house of the Uncle and Aunt and had a big 23 person family dinner. We at Asado (which is the staple meat product of Argentina, a very rich cow meat cooked slowly over coals) and generally had a good time. They also had a ping pong table and it felt good to be able to play again. For Christmas there was a lot of gift exchanging. I personally received some nice after shave and a few other trinkets, and when we got back to our own house I gave my own presents to my family. Earrings for Silvina, a Rolling Stones shirt for Mariano, a thumb drive for Pablo, a hat for Marcos, a diary for Julieta, and the promise of omelets at a moments notice for Roberto, the father. The next day, funny enough, was like any other day and one only knew it was Christmas because you added ``Feliz Navedad`` to Hola when greeting someone.
On December 27th I officially finished my college applications. What a mountain of relief that was. I am excited and anxious to find out where my future lies. Thinking about that kind of change is great, but seems a little less...I dont know...like a complete reverse of what I know because now I have this experience abroad. If I can live with 6 other people in a house, 2 others in a tiny room with people constantly shouting and having issues then I can surely survive dorm life.
Now...my 18th birthday is only 5 days away...wow. Its kinda crazy thinking about being an ``adult`` and how fast time goes by. I am a little bummed I wont be able to spend it with my family but I will have a great time and I look forward to it.
The next time I write I probably will be 18...soo this is my last Chau as a minor.
Im finally legal.
Haha.
Just kidding guys :).
Chau
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
December so far
This month has been pretty awesome so far.
We got out of school Dec. 5th, so now I have even less of a permanent schedule than I did before. My days normally are filled with tennis, college work, and friends. That suits me fine.
Some specific adventures I have had so far are...
A week ago Pablo and I went out together both Friday and Saturday nigh. Friday night was fun, but uneventful. We went to a club called La Osa (The Bear), and had an ok time dancing and playing some pool. But the next day was more interesting.
We went out at around 2 am. to the center. We were supposed to meet up with a group of Pablo's friends for a birthday party. Well...the friends took a really long time in coming to the center, and we ended up waiting like 2 hours in the middle of the city. Kinda dangerous.
At one point, a fairly ragged looking guy came up to us. He offered us a few small pieces of paper with drawings on them. This is one way that poor people ask for coins here in the city. When we told him we didn't have anything, he seemed to get angry. He proceeded to very obviously put his bare finger under his shirt and tell us he had a gun. He asked us to give him more. That just pissed me off. I told him I didn't have anything to give him. He proceeded to feel my pockets and when he felt my cell phone, he asked me to take it out, claiming he just wanted to see the time. I am not an idiot. I refused to take my cell phone out of my pocket. That seemed to make him angry, and he grabbed me. Not in a very threatening way, but in a way that said, ''You are not leaving yet.'' Well I was already angry, and now I was just intolerant. I shoved the bloke and tried to walk away. He grabbed my by the neck, and I turned around sharply. I am not stupid enough to start a fight. But is stood there looking at this guy and was angry enough that in the moment I wouldn't really have minded if he tried to attack me, because I was more than willing to defend myself. But he didn't do anything, so I shoved him again and walked away. He shouted and yelled after us, but since we were in the middle of the city with people walking by all around us he couldn't really do anything. Later that night we passed by the same spot and I checked to see if he was around. He wasn't. Better for both of us.
That was the first time in my life someone had tried to rob me like that in the street. How pathetic people can be...
This weekend (today is Sunday) was fun. Last night, Mariano, Pablo, and I took a bus to Carlos Paz, a city about 45 minutes away that has some really amazing clubs. We went to a club called Molino Rojo (which means Red Windmill...). I met up with some exchange student friends of mine, a boy from Germany, Moritz, and a girl from Denmark, Nannah. We all hung out in a group in the club and generally had a great time. It was a really fun night. We met lots of cool people and the music was really good.
Now I have to work on college apps. Chau
We got out of school Dec. 5th, so now I have even less of a permanent schedule than I did before. My days normally are filled with tennis, college work, and friends. That suits me fine.
Some specific adventures I have had so far are...
A week ago Pablo and I went out together both Friday and Saturday nigh. Friday night was fun, but uneventful. We went to a club called La Osa (The Bear), and had an ok time dancing and playing some pool. But the next day was more interesting.
We went out at around 2 am. to the center. We were supposed to meet up with a group of Pablo's friends for a birthday party. Well...the friends took a really long time in coming to the center, and we ended up waiting like 2 hours in the middle of the city. Kinda dangerous.
At one point, a fairly ragged looking guy came up to us. He offered us a few small pieces of paper with drawings on them. This is one way that poor people ask for coins here in the city. When we told him we didn't have anything, he seemed to get angry. He proceeded to very obviously put his bare finger under his shirt and tell us he had a gun. He asked us to give him more. That just pissed me off. I told him I didn't have anything to give him. He proceeded to feel my pockets and when he felt my cell phone, he asked me to take it out, claiming he just wanted to see the time. I am not an idiot. I refused to take my cell phone out of my pocket. That seemed to make him angry, and he grabbed me. Not in a very threatening way, but in a way that said, ''You are not leaving yet.'' Well I was already angry, and now I was just intolerant. I shoved the bloke and tried to walk away. He grabbed my by the neck, and I turned around sharply. I am not stupid enough to start a fight. But is stood there looking at this guy and was angry enough that in the moment I wouldn't really have minded if he tried to attack me, because I was more than willing to defend myself. But he didn't do anything, so I shoved him again and walked away. He shouted and yelled after us, but since we were in the middle of the city with people walking by all around us he couldn't really do anything. Later that night we passed by the same spot and I checked to see if he was around. He wasn't. Better for both of us.
That was the first time in my life someone had tried to rob me like that in the street. How pathetic people can be...
This weekend (today is Sunday) was fun. Last night, Mariano, Pablo, and I took a bus to Carlos Paz, a city about 45 minutes away that has some really amazing clubs. We went to a club called Molino Rojo (which means Red Windmill...). I met up with some exchange student friends of mine, a boy from Germany, Moritz, and a girl from Denmark, Nannah. We all hung out in a group in the club and generally had a great time. It was a really fun night. We met lots of cool people and the music was really good.
Now I have to work on college apps. Chau
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A brief history of my life this month
This month has been pretty full of stuff for me.
First of all, I have moved families. A little over a week ago, on a Friday, I was told by Rotary that I was moving families...the next day. They did not tell me, however, where I was going or who I was going to be living with. The next day I got in the car of my Rotary counselor still not knowing where I was going. He explained on the way that I was going to a family who lived on the other side of the city. When we got there, I noticed the proximity of the house to a very nice sports club with tennis courts. Also, the house is literally in between a hair cutting place, bakery, and video rental store. As I walked in a greeted my host dad and one of my host brothers for the first time, there was that inevitable few moments of slightly uncomfortable conversation as I met for the first time the people who I would spend the next four months with in their house. My counselor left, and there I was in the kitchen with all my bags. They showed me around...kitchen, living room, my room (which I share with my 20 year old host brother Pablo and 15 year old host brother Mariano), parents room, bathroom, and the bedroom of nine year old Julieta and 13 year old Marcos. That makes seven of us in this house. A little crowded, but I like it here.
After a few days I started to get a better feel for the family. The parents are both very nice, and the kids are all cool. The family is very fun and engaging and they really enjoy having me here, so I am happy. Also, I was able to start tennis classes at the local club. Tennis being my favorite activity, I am now really happy with my schedule because I am doing a sport that I love.
Everyday for school I wake up at 6 to take a bus with Mariano. He goes to school very near my school, so we bus together and hang out a bit before school starts. Then when I get out of school, I walk 7 blocks along a very cool canal to my bus stop, and take a bus home. At home, I usually sleep a little siesta, and then eat something. Then its off to tennis most days. After tennis I work on college stuff or hang out with my family.
Yesterday was a day to remember, unfortunately. I got home from tennis, and went to a cyber cafe to check my email and work (they have a computer here but the atmoshpere at the house is too hyper to do work in). I saw an email from my father that was sent 16 hours ago. My Uncle was in the hospital and wasn't going to make it this time. My uncle broke his neck at 17 and has lived with many medical problems for many years. This time, he couldn't recover and choose to pass in peace. I ran out of the cyber cafe after buying some phone cards and started calling my family to try and talk to my Uncle before he passed away. Because of the time difference and the fact I didn't get a chance to check my email until later in the day, I found out that he had already passed away. They told me it was very peaceful and he had all his family with him, but I am very sad I couldn't have at least talked to him one last time over the phone. My Dad gave him my love and told him all about my adventures here in Argentina. I know he liked that because he too was an exchange student in South Africa, and I grew up hearing stories from my dad (exchange to Thailand) and my Uncle. Dealing with this situation is hard, but having a fun schedule and lots of people I like here in Argentina helps. I will continue having a good time and making the most of my experience here, because I know that is what my Uncle always wanted for me.
First of all, I have moved families. A little over a week ago, on a Friday, I was told by Rotary that I was moving families...the next day. They did not tell me, however, where I was going or who I was going to be living with. The next day I got in the car of my Rotary counselor still not knowing where I was going. He explained on the way that I was going to a family who lived on the other side of the city. When we got there, I noticed the proximity of the house to a very nice sports club with tennis courts. Also, the house is literally in between a hair cutting place, bakery, and video rental store. As I walked in a greeted my host dad and one of my host brothers for the first time, there was that inevitable few moments of slightly uncomfortable conversation as I met for the first time the people who I would spend the next four months with in their house. My counselor left, and there I was in the kitchen with all my bags. They showed me around...kitchen, living room, my room (which I share with my 20 year old host brother Pablo and 15 year old host brother Mariano), parents room, bathroom, and the bedroom of nine year old Julieta and 13 year old Marcos. That makes seven of us in this house. A little crowded, but I like it here.
After a few days I started to get a better feel for the family. The parents are both very nice, and the kids are all cool. The family is very fun and engaging and they really enjoy having me here, so I am happy. Also, I was able to start tennis classes at the local club. Tennis being my favorite activity, I am now really happy with my schedule because I am doing a sport that I love.
Everyday for school I wake up at 6 to take a bus with Mariano. He goes to school very near my school, so we bus together and hang out a bit before school starts. Then when I get out of school, I walk 7 blocks along a very cool canal to my bus stop, and take a bus home. At home, I usually sleep a little siesta, and then eat something. Then its off to tennis most days. After tennis I work on college stuff or hang out with my family.
Yesterday was a day to remember, unfortunately. I got home from tennis, and went to a cyber cafe to check my email and work (they have a computer here but the atmoshpere at the house is too hyper to do work in). I saw an email from my father that was sent 16 hours ago. My Uncle was in the hospital and wasn't going to make it this time. My uncle broke his neck at 17 and has lived with many medical problems for many years. This time, he couldn't recover and choose to pass in peace. I ran out of the cyber cafe after buying some phone cards and started calling my family to try and talk to my Uncle before he passed away. Because of the time difference and the fact I didn't get a chance to check my email until later in the day, I found out that he had already passed away. They told me it was very peaceful and he had all his family with him, but I am very sad I couldn't have at least talked to him one last time over the phone. My Dad gave him my love and told him all about my adventures here in Argentina. I know he liked that because he too was an exchange student in South Africa, and I grew up hearing stories from my dad (exchange to Thailand) and my Uncle. Dealing with this situation is hard, but having a fun schedule and lots of people I like here in Argentina helps. I will continue having a good time and making the most of my experience here, because I know that is what my Uncle always wanted for me.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
South Trip
I just got back to Còrdoba from the Rotary South trip, and it was amazing. I will try to comment on a few of the more memorable experiences.
First of all, we travelled in a pretty nice double decker bus for the entire trip, logging more than 5,000 kilometers (about the same as going from the west coast to the east coast of the States, roughly). There were 49 exchange students, 2 coordinadors, 2 drivers, a Rotary counselor, and the counselor´`s wife and daughter. I thought it was BS that the counselor got to bring his wife and daughter FOR FREE on the trip and do everything we got to do while 2 more rotary students had to stay home because the trip was too expensive. But thats how it goes.
After a couple days of traveling by bus and staying one night in cabins in route, we arrived in Puerto Madryn, a nice ocean front town. We had the day off, so Joseph from New Zealand, Hans from Germany and I all walked around the city and found a pool hall to have some fun. We all played each other, and we all won exactly once. Joseph beat me, then Hans beat Joseph, then I beat Hans. That was a lot of fun.
During our time there, we took a day trip to a national park on the coast where we got to see Sea Lions, Sea Elephants, and lots of penguins. We went to a special penguin park where we walked on a walkway directly through a penguin colony with penguins all around us. It was very cool because I had never been that close to penguins in the wild before. Also, the sea elephants where massive and we had fun watching them fight each other in the water.
The next day we took a 4 hour bus ride to Puerto Piramedes to watch whales. We went on a nice sized boat out into the ocean and came very close to a pod of small blue whales, sometimes as close as 10 to 15 feet from the boat. Once, I saw the dark shape of a whale pass directly beneath our boat before surfacing on the other side. I had a lot of fun watching the whales and took some cool photos that will be on facebook soon.
After Puerto Madryn, we traveled a day and a half by bus to Calafate, a town on the shore of Argentina´s biggest lake, Lake Argentina. There we all stayed in cute cabins, and out of luck I got put into a nice little shack with another guy, Robert from Germany, so I didn`t have to share with many people. The day we arrived we had free, so Robert, Hans, Mo (also Germany) and I decided to take a run, which turned into the longest run and the most beautiful run I have ever taken. We ran from our cabins around a bend in the lake and up a small hill. At the top, we had a view of the entire town along with the snow capped mountains and the beautiful lake all together. It was very very pretty. In all we ran about 5 miles up and down hills in the freezing cold (at time snowing lightly) but it was a good work out and a lot of fun.
The next day we took our bus to the National Glacier Park, home of the worlds largest growing glacier, Perito Moreno. This glacier we got to take an exclusive hike on, which was amazing. We took a boat ride right along the glacier to a forest encampment, where tour guides helped us put on crampons that help your feet grip the ice. Then we began to hike up on the glacier itself. I have amazing photos of the surface of the glacier and the vistas that we saw. The glacier itself was more than 110 feet tall out of the water and had a completely alien landscape, with deep blue pools and jagged ice teeth everywhere. It was one of the most beautiful and unforgettable experiences I have ever had. After hiking the glacier for an hour and a half, we returned to the lodge to eat, and after that went back to Calafate. There, I bought a nice beanie hat that says Patagonia on it.
After another day and a half of traveling, we arrived in Ushuaia, the southermost city of Argentina. We stayed in a small hotel close to the center, and when we arrived had a day off. I bought a nice necklace with a small metal figure of a dragon head in the artist fair, and later that night we ate at an All You can Eat seafood buffet. Bad idea for me, because I love seafood. That night I got terribly sick, and vomited a lot. It passed the next day, but a large blood spot appeared in my right eye, and while it is going away, it is still there today. I feel fine though. In Ushuaia we had a chance to go to another national park and see a group of amazing lakes and forests. This national park reminded me a lot of Oregon, with pristine lakes and large forests all around me. The normal scenery of that trip was flat grassland and shrubbery, nothing more.
After Ushuaia, we went to Bariloche, a famous town in Argentina for its clubs and its chocolate. It is tradition here that when you graduate high school, your entire class goes to Bariloche to party. In light of this, the tour guides allowed us to go out to a club one night in Bariloche and it was very fun. We met many graduating classes, all of whom were dressed up in costumes of some sort. They had sky dancers performing and live music along with a great space. Earlier that day we had a chance to visit a chocolate factory. I bought some amazingly good chocolate, and I´m sorry I couldn´t save any for my mom and grandmas. It was quite exquisite.
After Bariloche we started making our way back to Còrdoba. We spent many long hours on the bus watching movies and attempting to sleep. On our way back, we stopped for dinner in a town called Cipolletti, where an exchange student from my district in Oregon is staying. Alyssa (my friend from Oregon) was able to meet us for dinner and it was nice seeing her and talking about our experiences.
The next day around 2 in the afternoon we arrived back in the city and I took a taxi to my house and promptly fell asleep because I was so exhausted. In all, the trip was absolutely amazing and the experiences I had in the national parks and the coast of Patagonia are unforgettable and I am so glad I had this opportunity on my exchange.
First of all, we travelled in a pretty nice double decker bus for the entire trip, logging more than 5,000 kilometers (about the same as going from the west coast to the east coast of the States, roughly). There were 49 exchange students, 2 coordinadors, 2 drivers, a Rotary counselor, and the counselor´`s wife and daughter. I thought it was BS that the counselor got to bring his wife and daughter FOR FREE on the trip and do everything we got to do while 2 more rotary students had to stay home because the trip was too expensive. But thats how it goes.
After a couple days of traveling by bus and staying one night in cabins in route, we arrived in Puerto Madryn, a nice ocean front town. We had the day off, so Joseph from New Zealand, Hans from Germany and I all walked around the city and found a pool hall to have some fun. We all played each other, and we all won exactly once. Joseph beat me, then Hans beat Joseph, then I beat Hans. That was a lot of fun.
During our time there, we took a day trip to a national park on the coast where we got to see Sea Lions, Sea Elephants, and lots of penguins. We went to a special penguin park where we walked on a walkway directly through a penguin colony with penguins all around us. It was very cool because I had never been that close to penguins in the wild before. Also, the sea elephants where massive and we had fun watching them fight each other in the water.
The next day we took a 4 hour bus ride to Puerto Piramedes to watch whales. We went on a nice sized boat out into the ocean and came very close to a pod of small blue whales, sometimes as close as 10 to 15 feet from the boat. Once, I saw the dark shape of a whale pass directly beneath our boat before surfacing on the other side. I had a lot of fun watching the whales and took some cool photos that will be on facebook soon.
After Puerto Madryn, we traveled a day and a half by bus to Calafate, a town on the shore of Argentina´s biggest lake, Lake Argentina. There we all stayed in cute cabins, and out of luck I got put into a nice little shack with another guy, Robert from Germany, so I didn`t have to share with many people. The day we arrived we had free, so Robert, Hans, Mo (also Germany) and I decided to take a run, which turned into the longest run and the most beautiful run I have ever taken. We ran from our cabins around a bend in the lake and up a small hill. At the top, we had a view of the entire town along with the snow capped mountains and the beautiful lake all together. It was very very pretty. In all we ran about 5 miles up and down hills in the freezing cold (at time snowing lightly) but it was a good work out and a lot of fun.
The next day we took our bus to the National Glacier Park, home of the worlds largest growing glacier, Perito Moreno. This glacier we got to take an exclusive hike on, which was amazing. We took a boat ride right along the glacier to a forest encampment, where tour guides helped us put on crampons that help your feet grip the ice. Then we began to hike up on the glacier itself. I have amazing photos of the surface of the glacier and the vistas that we saw. The glacier itself was more than 110 feet tall out of the water and had a completely alien landscape, with deep blue pools and jagged ice teeth everywhere. It was one of the most beautiful and unforgettable experiences I have ever had. After hiking the glacier for an hour and a half, we returned to the lodge to eat, and after that went back to Calafate. There, I bought a nice beanie hat that says Patagonia on it.
After another day and a half of traveling, we arrived in Ushuaia, the southermost city of Argentina. We stayed in a small hotel close to the center, and when we arrived had a day off. I bought a nice necklace with a small metal figure of a dragon head in the artist fair, and later that night we ate at an All You can Eat seafood buffet. Bad idea for me, because I love seafood. That night I got terribly sick, and vomited a lot. It passed the next day, but a large blood spot appeared in my right eye, and while it is going away, it is still there today. I feel fine though. In Ushuaia we had a chance to go to another national park and see a group of amazing lakes and forests. This national park reminded me a lot of Oregon, with pristine lakes and large forests all around me. The normal scenery of that trip was flat grassland and shrubbery, nothing more.
After Ushuaia, we went to Bariloche, a famous town in Argentina for its clubs and its chocolate. It is tradition here that when you graduate high school, your entire class goes to Bariloche to party. In light of this, the tour guides allowed us to go out to a club one night in Bariloche and it was very fun. We met many graduating classes, all of whom were dressed up in costumes of some sort. They had sky dancers performing and live music along with a great space. Earlier that day we had a chance to visit a chocolate factory. I bought some amazingly good chocolate, and I´m sorry I couldn´t save any for my mom and grandmas. It was quite exquisite.
After Bariloche we started making our way back to Còrdoba. We spent many long hours on the bus watching movies and attempting to sleep. On our way back, we stopped for dinner in a town called Cipolletti, where an exchange student from my district in Oregon is staying. Alyssa (my friend from Oregon) was able to meet us for dinner and it was nice seeing her and talking about our experiences.
The next day around 2 in the afternoon we arrived back in the city and I took a taxi to my house and promptly fell asleep because I was so exhausted. In all, the trip was absolutely amazing and the experiences I had in the national parks and the coast of Patagonia are unforgettable and I am so glad I had this opportunity on my exchange.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Octoberfest
This weekend I decided to let some stress off and take an adventuer. A friend of mine, Joseph from New Zealand, invited me to go to Villa General Belgrano, pretty much a German colony here, for Octoberfest. He told me Friday morning and we had to leave Friday afternoon on a bus, so it was short notice. But my host parents thought it would be a great experience and literally 5 minutes after I asked them about it I was heading into town to meet him. Elisabeth from Texas came too, and we all took a bus to the city. About 2 and a half hours.
When we got there, things were crazy. It was a beautiful European style town with awesome shops and stuff (see pics on facebook). We wandered around, then decided that even though it was a little bit expensive, we were going to buy Octoberfest Beeer Mugs, authentic. I bought a nice sized black one with gold and silver emblems on it that say Octobefest 2008, Villa General Belgrano Argentina and Germany. We then entered the festival. These people really like there beer. There were more types being displayed than I knew existed by far. Even though the festival was to celebrate beer, it was interesting in other aspects. First, they had performances from some really random countries. Arabic dancing, and even a Ukranian troupe haha. Also, it was a large tourist attraction so we got to see other people from other countries walking around. The atmosphere was very relaxed and festive. Even though I wasn´t drinking out of my mug, carrying it around with my little mug strap (thats right, they come with shoulder straps so you can just sling it around your back haha) made me feel a part of the festival, and it was fun to raise your mug to other tavelers, even if you didn`t have anything in it.
Later that night we took a bus back towards home. I was invited to spend the weekend in Alta Gracia with Josephs family, so Joseph and I got off in Alta Gracia and Elisabeth went back to Còrdoba. The rest of the weekend was relaxing. I got to play ping pong for the first time in forever at a club on Saturday, and tried a game called Paddle. Paddle is played with tennis balls on a court roughly half the size of a tennis court, with a tennis net...but the paddles are short and fat and solid. There are back walls to that you can bounce the ball off. It was different, but fun. That night we went to a friends birthday party, which was nice. Sunday was also relaxing, and Elisabeth came to Alta Gracia to hang out with us. Monday morning Elisabeth and I took a bus back to Còrdoba. A very fun and unforgettable weekend in Argentina.
When we got there, things were crazy. It was a beautiful European style town with awesome shops and stuff (see pics on facebook). We wandered around, then decided that even though it was a little bit expensive, we were going to buy Octoberfest Beeer Mugs, authentic. I bought a nice sized black one with gold and silver emblems on it that say Octobefest 2008, Villa General Belgrano Argentina and Germany. We then entered the festival. These people really like there beer. There were more types being displayed than I knew existed by far. Even though the festival was to celebrate beer, it was interesting in other aspects. First, they had performances from some really random countries. Arabic dancing, and even a Ukranian troupe haha. Also, it was a large tourist attraction so we got to see other people from other countries walking around. The atmosphere was very relaxed and festive. Even though I wasn´t drinking out of my mug, carrying it around with my little mug strap (thats right, they come with shoulder straps so you can just sling it around your back haha) made me feel a part of the festival, and it was fun to raise your mug to other tavelers, even if you didn`t have anything in it.
Later that night we took a bus back towards home. I was invited to spend the weekend in Alta Gracia with Josephs family, so Joseph and I got off in Alta Gracia and Elisabeth went back to Còrdoba. The rest of the weekend was relaxing. I got to play ping pong for the first time in forever at a club on Saturday, and tried a game called Paddle. Paddle is played with tennis balls on a court roughly half the size of a tennis court, with a tennis net...but the paddles are short and fat and solid. There are back walls to that you can bounce the ball off. It was different, but fun. That night we went to a friends birthday party, which was nice. Sunday was also relaxing, and Elisabeth came to Alta Gracia to hang out with us. Monday morning Elisabeth and I took a bus back to Còrdoba. A very fun and unforgettable weekend in Argentina.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Yom Kippur
Wednesday night I attended Yom Kippur service at a small synagogue in the center. Jewish festivals here are kind of dangerous with the Anti-Semitism, so there were lots of police around the synagogue. Just to get in, I had to answer a series of questions about Judaism, including my Bar Miztvah, what holiday we were celebrating, why I was in Argentina, what street I was living on...basically they just confirmed I wasn´t a terrorist and I actually knew something about the city and the religion. Then I had to show my passport. Once inside...I politely stood at the back of the synagogue for a bit to get aclimated. Everyone was looking at me, and I guessed it was because of my natural beauty and presence, right? WRONG. I kinda forgot that most synagogues are separated between men and women...it turns out I spent 10 minutes standing in the women´s section. Hurray for me. So when I finally figured that out and moved to the mens section things settled down. The ceremony itself was interesting, but uneventful. They didn´t have instruments or even tone. It was more wailing and shouting than singing, but I recognized a lot of stuff anyways. Thats pretty much all that happened. The ceremony went on for a while, ended, and I went home. Im glad I got to see that though. It was definetly a new experience.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Over a Month Down and Stressing Alot
Well...I have been here for almost a month and a week now. It has been an amazing experience so far. Here is what happened this week...
Thursday I started basketball. I decided Rugby was too dangerous because I don´t want to miss out on any of my year to injury, so I joined my host brothers club in the Promocionales team. Its a team of 17-18 year olds, and it seems pretty fun. I haven´t played basketball since elementary school, but I am not actuall that bad. Friday, I had another basketball practice. In basketball, I am using muslces I haven´t used in a long time in new ways, so I have been pretty sore since Thursday. Everyone tells me that this will pass. I hope that is true. Friday night I was invited to a house party but didn`t go, seeing as I am not a huge fan of just drinking alcohol.
Saturday was...eventful. This is gonna take some explaining so hold on tight. Tanager is a girl who goes to Ashland high school who was a debater. Policy debate, not my style. During our years of debate we knew who each other were, but never actually talked. When I started Rotary, I met Alyssa. Alyssa is the other girl from Oregon going to Argentina. We are good friends. Turns out Tanager and Alyssa are best friends. It also happens that Tanager also is going to Argentina for half a year. So this weird triangle of people all wound up in Argentina...and Tanager came to my city Saturday morning to work some stuff out with her program. Well I met her in the center...and we had never actually met before. So meeting someone you know all about from your friends and through debate and who knows all about you for the first time in a foreign country randomly is really weird. But we had fun that day and all went out later that night. We went first to a bar to a birthday party, but none of us liked the atmoshpere, and since I dont drink I got the group to go to a club, the same club I went to the first time I went out in Cordoba, the Mitre. It was crowded and dirty. Sometimes I forget why I go out to clubs...I always end up going out slightly angry. All of you back home probably can`t imagine club life cause it doesnt exist there. But in clubs, everyone is kinda crazy. All the stupid drunk guys walk up to random girls and try to dance with them or kiss them. That to me is extremely annoying because I have way too much respect for girls to ever try that. But its so normal here girls expect it and it works...that makes me angrier. The music was decent. Tanger however has shock blond hair, blue eyes, and looks stereotypically American, so she got mobbed my Argentinian guys and I couldn`t hang with her the whole time. Then...something funny happened. I was talking to a girl who asked me where I was from because she heard me talking in English. After a few drunk guys wandered up to her and tried to dance, I remarked to her that to me all the guys here seem over aggressive...Well apparently that means I am gay. She proceded to introduce me to all her gay friends...that was just awkward. I got out of there quick. Now I know to keep my opinions about respecting women to myself...because unfortunately it is such a cultural norm here eve the women expect it.
After the club, I walked Tana back to where she was staying, and proceeded to head out on foot to find a taxi (this was about 530 in the morning). THERE WERE NO EMPTY TAXIS IN THE CITY THAT NIGHT. I walked basically through the entire city of Cordoba without getting a taxi... and at 7 in the morning, when the trolleys start working, I took a trolley to my house...but I was pissed. I spent and hour and a half walking around the city in the cold just barely missing every empty taxi I saw. It was all bad luck. Then to make it better...the next day the whole family took an outing to a nice little town for a big lunch...and a big walk. I had fun...but I am exhausted so I think I am going to sleep now. Chau
Thursday I started basketball. I decided Rugby was too dangerous because I don´t want to miss out on any of my year to injury, so I joined my host brothers club in the Promocionales team. Its a team of 17-18 year olds, and it seems pretty fun. I haven´t played basketball since elementary school, but I am not actuall that bad. Friday, I had another basketball practice. In basketball, I am using muslces I haven´t used in a long time in new ways, so I have been pretty sore since Thursday. Everyone tells me that this will pass. I hope that is true. Friday night I was invited to a house party but didn`t go, seeing as I am not a huge fan of just drinking alcohol.
Saturday was...eventful. This is gonna take some explaining so hold on tight. Tanager is a girl who goes to Ashland high school who was a debater. Policy debate, not my style. During our years of debate we knew who each other were, but never actually talked. When I started Rotary, I met Alyssa. Alyssa is the other girl from Oregon going to Argentina. We are good friends. Turns out Tanager and Alyssa are best friends. It also happens that Tanager also is going to Argentina for half a year. So this weird triangle of people all wound up in Argentina...and Tanager came to my city Saturday morning to work some stuff out with her program. Well I met her in the center...and we had never actually met before. So meeting someone you know all about from your friends and through debate and who knows all about you for the first time in a foreign country randomly is really weird. But we had fun that day and all went out later that night. We went first to a bar to a birthday party, but none of us liked the atmoshpere, and since I dont drink I got the group to go to a club, the same club I went to the first time I went out in Cordoba, the Mitre. It was crowded and dirty. Sometimes I forget why I go out to clubs...I always end up going out slightly angry. All of you back home probably can`t imagine club life cause it doesnt exist there. But in clubs, everyone is kinda crazy. All the stupid drunk guys walk up to random girls and try to dance with them or kiss them. That to me is extremely annoying because I have way too much respect for girls to ever try that. But its so normal here girls expect it and it works...that makes me angrier. The music was decent. Tanger however has shock blond hair, blue eyes, and looks stereotypically American, so she got mobbed my Argentinian guys and I couldn`t hang with her the whole time. Then...something funny happened. I was talking to a girl who asked me where I was from because she heard me talking in English. After a few drunk guys wandered up to her and tried to dance, I remarked to her that to me all the guys here seem over aggressive...Well apparently that means I am gay. She proceded to introduce me to all her gay friends...that was just awkward. I got out of there quick. Now I know to keep my opinions about respecting women to myself...because unfortunately it is such a cultural norm here eve the women expect it.
After the club, I walked Tana back to where she was staying, and proceeded to head out on foot to find a taxi (this was about 530 in the morning). THERE WERE NO EMPTY TAXIS IN THE CITY THAT NIGHT. I walked basically through the entire city of Cordoba without getting a taxi... and at 7 in the morning, when the trolleys start working, I took a trolley to my house...but I was pissed. I spent and hour and a half walking around the city in the cold just barely missing every empty taxi I saw. It was all bad luck. Then to make it better...the next day the whole family took an outing to a nice little town for a big lunch...and a big walk. I had fun...but I am exhausted so I think I am going to sleep now. Chau
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