Okay, so I'm not actually ready to leave South America, but it does seem like the most recent events have taken on a "glass half-empty" character.
First, the ATM's here have retained my debit card...twice. The first time it happened I didn't think much of it because I tried to withdraw from a distinct bank for convenience. But yesterday, I made the trip downtown to use the ATM's at the bank I've been using the whole time, and it happened again! It's a good thing I instinctively revert to English when using profanity, because I probably would have offended anyone understanding me when the little ticket printed reading "su tarjeta fue retenida". Because the bank itself was already closed, that means a trip down there today to get it back and hopefully get some money...I'm down to 15 pesos and I need to buy texts for my next test (on Monday, gah!). What was I thinking coming to Argentina for 5 months with nothing more than a Bank of America account?
Also, it seems I've stumbled upon a month of paper-writing and test-taking. It's not so bad, but I have no enthusiasm to write for my literature class; after the last paper I got back I stayed to talk to the teacher about it after class. Her main points for docking my grade were that "students don't use figurative language" and there were some instances where my word choice wasn't the best. And she knows Spanish is not my native language. I just have to pass though. But it still makes me cringe at the idea of turning in another paper to the same person who pointed out that it is strange for a biochemistry exchange student to take a literature class.
To finish ranting and leave my pessimism behind, the swine flu has hit Argentina, particularly Buenos Aires, probably due to the fact that it is "winter" here. There are around 1,500 cases in the country and 21 deaths so far (20 of which have occurred in the province of Buenos Aires). I don't understand how a developed country couldn't have been more prepared after seeing the outbreak in the northern hemisphere months ago. I'm not certain, but my guess is that most of the cases are spreading in the outskirts of the city, or at least that's what I'm telling myself.
In a note of interest related to the country, it seems some argentina has led to the political demise of South Carolina Governor Stanford...pretty scandalous. I really hope that whatever form of political punishment he receives is based on the fact that he disappeared without informing anyone rather than his relationship. It kind of reminds me of the question I've pondered about why the Clinton "scandal" received more publicity and meant more career problems for Bill than, say, the use of torture by the Bush administration...or the fact that he openly admitted making false statements about the entering Iraq...I could go on, but I think I'll step off the soapbox now.
In other news, my roommate's parents are here for the week. It's interesting because they speak to me in Portuguese and I reply in Spanish. There's a little communication barrier, but speaking slowly and the use of hand gestures fills the gap when Joyce's not around to translate. As much as I like the quiet nature of our apartment, it's nice to have a little more activity and a family-type setting around here. Although, it has made me miss my family a little more than normal.
I need to start taking more pictures again. I'll try to get on that since I've only got a month left here!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Just a general update on things going on here.
So, I thought maybe I was just being a baby about having cold water in the shower. Turns out, the water heater was totally destroyed and had to be replaced. It's much better now, but there were a few days in the process where the water was about the same temperature as Tahoe in May or early June (Brrrr!) which also meant that there were a few days when cleanliness was relative...
National legislative elections are coming up at the end of the month, so it's pretty impossible to leave the apartment without campaign ads/bulletins/propaganda getting shoved in your face. I want to wear a sign that says "I'm not from Argentina; I can't vote" to avoid it. In light of this, manifestations, protests, and paros (strikes that usually only last a day and are announced beforehand) have seemed to be more frequent.
About a week and a half ago, my 4-hour long history class got cut short (after only 1 hr) by a bomb threat at the school. When the security guard entered the classroom and told us that, my face must have shown the shock/panic I was feeling. My friends in the class laughed and quickly assured me that this happens all the time and that it just means that someone has to take or turn in an exam they aren't ready for. Wow. There's a cultural difference. I had to remind them that we've actually had serious cases of violence in schools in the United States. Apparently, here, they just make empty threats instead of faking sick.
The winter here seems to be really mild. I get asked all the time "Aren't you cold?" because everyone else is bundled up from head to toe, but I'm comfortable in just a sweater or light jacket. Also, standards of promiscuity change drastically with the weather. Or maybe the cat-calling just increases. I'm not sure. But I feel like if more than my hands and face are showing, way too much is showing...how can this be the same country as a few months ago? Then, some of the things other women would wear would be enough to make me blush, but weren't out of place for the argentinos. Now, I wear a dress with tights, and I feel like I'm in one of those dreams where you go to school naked.
We've got a pretty busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow, we're going to Recoleta to see the cemetery and some of the museums (because Joyce has never been!) and then to an artisan market in the afternoon that is here in the barrio. On Sunday, we're off to Tigre to go to an amusement park! Also, Tigre is supposed to have a more jungle-like environment, so it should be really pretty and a nice break from the enldessness of faded buildings and cracked sidewalks in the city. It should be good to have fun this weekend, because then, it's study time once again. Blah.
I miss you all!
So, I thought maybe I was just being a baby about having cold water in the shower. Turns out, the water heater was totally destroyed and had to be replaced. It's much better now, but there were a few days in the process where the water was about the same temperature as Tahoe in May or early June (Brrrr!) which also meant that there were a few days when cleanliness was relative...
National legislative elections are coming up at the end of the month, so it's pretty impossible to leave the apartment without campaign ads/bulletins/propaganda getting shoved in your face. I want to wear a sign that says "I'm not from Argentina; I can't vote" to avoid it. In light of this, manifestations, protests, and paros (strikes that usually only last a day and are announced beforehand) have seemed to be more frequent.
About a week and a half ago, my 4-hour long history class got cut short (after only 1 hr) by a bomb threat at the school. When the security guard entered the classroom and told us that, my face must have shown the shock/panic I was feeling. My friends in the class laughed and quickly assured me that this happens all the time and that it just means that someone has to take or turn in an exam they aren't ready for. Wow. There's a cultural difference. I had to remind them that we've actually had serious cases of violence in schools in the United States. Apparently, here, they just make empty threats instead of faking sick.
The winter here seems to be really mild. I get asked all the time "Aren't you cold?" because everyone else is bundled up from head to toe, but I'm comfortable in just a sweater or light jacket. Also, standards of promiscuity change drastically with the weather. Or maybe the cat-calling just increases. I'm not sure. But I feel like if more than my hands and face are showing, way too much is showing...how can this be the same country as a few months ago? Then, some of the things other women would wear would be enough to make me blush, but weren't out of place for the argentinos. Now, I wear a dress with tights, and I feel like I'm in one of those dreams where you go to school naked.
We've got a pretty busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow, we're going to Recoleta to see the cemetery and some of the museums (because Joyce has never been!) and then to an artisan market in the afternoon that is here in the barrio. On Sunday, we're off to Tigre to go to an amusement park! Also, Tigre is supposed to have a more jungle-like environment, so it should be really pretty and a nice break from the enldessness of faded buildings and cracked sidewalks in the city. It should be good to have fun this weekend, because then, it's study time once again. Blah.
I miss you all!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
GUEST BLOG- Miss Cindy Sue
So not even a week after departing Norman for the summer, I was off to Spain, accompanied by my faithful sidekick, Elix Mcgehee (jk). Spain was pretty much nothing of what I expected...A) because I have a twisted idea of all Spanish speaking countries from my time in Mexico and B) because I was too busy freaking out about finals and moving out and packing that I didn't have time to formulate expectations.
Elizabeth and I made our way to Zaragoza pretty smoothly, despite my first mistake. Almost my first chance to use Spanish with the locals, a lady asked me (i must have looked Spanish) how to use the buses, to which I responded ¨No sabes...NADA¨to expresses emphatically how I really didn't know anything. Then i was actually able to help her figure it out. Once on the way to Cara's apartment, I realized that translated into ¨You don´t know...ANYTHING¨. I was mortified.
Zaragoza is amazing...probably because Cara lives there, but also it has its own attributes, like beautiful architecture, statues abound, Roman ruins, and quaint plazas. Also a crazy night life which I was not prepared for but got acquainted with fast! It was basically like a huge hand had picked up Norman and placed it in Spain (with the exception of a few awesome people that were gravely missed). I couldn´t believe I was in Spain..and I made sure everyone knew it.
Hanging out in Zaragoza for four days was pretty awesome. I great way to start my summer, but probably not the best way to start my Spain experience. I´m in Alcala now, where i will be studying for 4 weeks, and things here just don´t hold up against my awesome time in Zaragoza and in Barcelona. Don´t get me started on Barcelona...it just might be my favorite place ever...for now. But of course, every new place I visit becomes my new favorite place. The day I spent solo in Barcelona was refreshing..I was able to rely on my spanish and my sense of direction to have a successful day and got to experience probably the craziest riot I could imagine when FC Barcelona won their championship game.
Since I've been in Alcala, I've made it out to Madrid to meet up with Lauren and Elizabeth before she flew home to Dallas. I also got to meet Jano...about time! Lauren and him are really good together and I´m super jealous lol. We saw parts of Madrid but I plan to acquaint myself more with the city. Its sad but I´m already counting down the days until my program is over so I can be back with friends and travel Europe with them!! Alcala is lame, everyone is taking ridiculous trips every weekend, and I live alone. (that's my only pity me sentence..be proud lol). Good thing I've got Don Quixote here to keep me busy.
Lots of love!!!
Cindy
Elizabeth and I made our way to Zaragoza pretty smoothly, despite my first mistake. Almost my first chance to use Spanish with the locals, a lady asked me (i must have looked Spanish) how to use the buses, to which I responded ¨No sabes...NADA¨to expresses emphatically how I really didn't know anything. Then i was actually able to help her figure it out. Once on the way to Cara's apartment, I realized that translated into ¨You don´t know...ANYTHING¨. I was mortified.
Zaragoza is amazing...probably because Cara lives there, but also it has its own attributes, like beautiful architecture, statues abound, Roman ruins, and quaint plazas. Also a crazy night life which I was not prepared for but got acquainted with fast! It was basically like a huge hand had picked up Norman and placed it in Spain (with the exception of a few awesome people that were gravely missed). I couldn´t believe I was in Spain..and I made sure everyone knew it.
Hanging out in Zaragoza for four days was pretty awesome. I great way to start my summer, but probably not the best way to start my Spain experience. I´m in Alcala now, where i will be studying for 4 weeks, and things here just don´t hold up against my awesome time in Zaragoza and in Barcelona. Don´t get me started on Barcelona...it just might be my favorite place ever...for now. But of course, every new place I visit becomes my new favorite place. The day I spent solo in Barcelona was refreshing..I was able to rely on my spanish and my sense of direction to have a successful day and got to experience probably the craziest riot I could imagine when FC Barcelona won their championship game.
Since I've been in Alcala, I've made it out to Madrid to meet up with Lauren and Elizabeth before she flew home to Dallas. I also got to meet Jano...about time! Lauren and him are really good together and I´m super jealous lol. We saw parts of Madrid but I plan to acquaint myself more with the city. Its sad but I´m already counting down the days until my program is over so I can be back with friends and travel Europe with them!! Alcala is lame, everyone is taking ridiculous trips every weekend, and I live alone. (that's my only pity me sentence..be proud lol). Good thing I've got Don Quixote here to keep me busy.
Lots of love!!!
Cindy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
