It has been a busy month. Today I have a day off, but I plan on spending it only doing a small bit of writing and catching up. The rest of my day will have to be outside in my sunny yard by the pool. As much as I love keeping you all updated, there are some things my soul needs. :)
In a nutshell:
Tourists are coming to Mendoza in floods so it seems, and since I am a tour guide, I am busy working nearly everyday. I must say though that I never get tired of meeting the tourists (sometimes get tired of the wine, tho. I still don't understand how that happens..). Every morning when I look at my "guide sheet" and see the names of my passengers for the day, I always fabricate a personality for each one. I usually am incorrect but happily so, since they tend to be much more interesting that the characters I come up with.
My English classes continue to be the highlights of my week. I really enjoy my students and the stimulating dialogues we have. buena gente.
And Mendoza, of course, is still beautiful. The sun, mountains, and miles of vineyards still take my breath away. I am pretty ecstatic to show it to my dad in November and my mom in March.
I am sending sun and good livin vibes to all of you! Remember to take life easy and enjoy what you have around you.
besos to all.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
soplando la vela
So lately I've been contemplating... I’ve fallen behind on the updates, so do I wait until I have time to write one long one to catch everyone up, or do I just do one short one so I don’t get completely behind? …..
I’m going with a short one, folks. My two favorite English students are on their way over, so it really will be quick. Highlights of the last few days are pictured below: Al Gore visiting Mendoza and presenting at my old University, and my 23rd birthday celebrating with two amazing families who treat me like one of their one.
(At my ex-host families house with mi mama Carmencita and baby Maxi after a delicious birthday lunch.)
Besides politician-chasing and cake-eating, I fill my time teaching English (aka my platform for social activism; this was not intentional, but that is how it has turned out) and getting trained to be Mendoza’s next tour guide! Really guys, I’m offering you all a hostel to stay at AND tours by yours truly… I’ll be waiting for your visit soon!
I’m going with a short one, folks. My two favorite English students are on their way over, so it really will be quick. Highlights of the last few days are pictured below: Al Gore visiting Mendoza and presenting at my old University, and my 23rd birthday celebrating with two amazing families who treat me like one of their one.
(At my ex-host families house with mi mama Carmencita and baby Maxi after a delicious birthday lunch.)
Besides politician-chasing and cake-eating, I fill my time teaching English (aka my platform for social activism; this was not intentional, but that is how it has turned out) and getting trained to be Mendoza’s next tour guide! Really guys, I’m offering you all a hostel to stay at AND tours by yours truly… I’ll be waiting for your visit soon!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
some more fotitos
Me and the roomies! :)
Yes, Karla broke her leg.
Karla broke her leg and likes to eat her cast. (It was too sad for us the first day to make her wear this awful lamp-looking piece of work, but when we went to the vet the next day and died of embarrassment when he found pieces of the cast in her mouth, we decided it was for her own good.)
The empanadas I made!
Yes, Karla broke her leg.
Karla broke her leg and likes to eat her cast. (It was too sad for us the first day to make her wear this awful lamp-looking piece of work, but when we went to the vet the next day and died of embarrassment when he found pieces of the cast in her mouth, we decided it was for her own good.)
The empanadas I made!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Greetings again from Mendoza!
Today is the eve of spring and also a nationwide holiday for students. I absolutely love Argentine holidays. The best thing about them is that they occur at least once a month. And as opposed to American holidays where most people are still working, going to school, etc., an Argentine holiday actually means a day off. No wonder the quality of life is much higher here, huh?
Holidays here (my favorite being Friend Day in July) is one thing I definitely missed about Argentina. Now that I have been back for over three (!!) weeks, I have had the chance to enjoy the small things about the city, country, and culture that I missed without even realizing it. Of course when I left last time, I desperately missed the people: host family, boyfriend, friends… I also immediately missed the night life and in general the ability to stay up late and take siestas during the day. There are other things, though, that I missed that I didn’t realize until now that I’ve been back.
The first example is the media tarde. I guess I would explain that by calling it “tea time”. It’s tea, coffee, mate, milk, or soda if it’s hot out accompanied most commonly by pastries of some sort. The media tarde (or “tomando la leche”) happens after the siesta, usually anytime between about 5 to 7pm (but when does actual time matter here, anyway?). Since dinners are served late, it’s the perfect mid-day event to boost your energy and wake you up after your siesta. It’s also a great excuse to meet up with a friend and spend the afternoon together.
Secondly (which is similar to the first example) is the culture of going to cafes. This is the best when it’s warm out, so you can sit outside of a café with a friend, coworker, classmate, family member, etc., etc. and sip on a café con leche (my favorite) while enjoying conversation or people watching. The best thing about this is that everyone is doing it. If you are sitting at a table, you are surrounded by people who are likewise enjoying a drink and the company of a loved one. If you are just walking by the café, you can watch the Argentines take a break in their day to sit and chat, which is almost just as fun as being there yourself. Coffee to go is extremely rare (hopefully it stays that way despite the fact the Starbucks is attempting to take over Buenos Aires); the culture of sitting and enjoying the coffee and the company is highly valued. I have been able to enjoy many a café with some of my favorite Mendocinos these last few weeks, and I always leave feeling extremely energized and refreshed.
The last example of things I missed is the crazy things Argentines say. Most of the idioms used would be considered dirty or inappropriate when translated to the English language, but here they fill the conversations of just about everybody. For example, if someone is bugging you, being demanding or in any way annoying, feel free to say they are making your balls swell or call them a “ball sweller”. If you don’t give a shit about something you can say “me chupa un huevo”. In order to keep the blog PG I won’t go on anymore, but it is refreshing to hear people speak their minds (of course with a wide variety of hand motions to go along, just in case the words didn’t get the point across) whenever and however they want to.
On a more update-ey note things in Mendoza are still going very well. Besides enjoying all the things listed above and the company of some amazing (and I mean AMAZING) Argentines that I’ve been reconnecting with, I have kept busy planning for our hostel (update soon), taking care of Karla who has broken her leg (pictures soon… be ready for a good laugh/cry moment), networking for jobs (stay tuned, it’s getting close!) and getting paperwork done to get legal residence. I also have been experimenting with cooking/drink-making and am extremely encouraged after making a successful batch of empanadas de pollo and some tasty (yet fatal) margaritas for some friends. Enjoying life here has definitely not been a problem for me. Not being employed has let me get back in the swing of Argentiness, and I am enjoying it while I can. Oh yes, and I drove yesterday (and lived to tell about it)!
In addition to what’s above, this coming week I am going to take some wine classes, volunteer at the Food Bank, and get our yard ready for springtime and our hostel. Yippee!
Maybe next time I will make a list of things I did NOT miss about Argentina…. That would be entertaining to say the least (especially if you want to hear about near-death situations in public busses, waiting in line for just about… everything, and getting ardently followed by stray dogs). Until then, I’ll stay on my cloud nine!
Besos to all!
Today is the eve of spring and also a nationwide holiday for students. I absolutely love Argentine holidays. The best thing about them is that they occur at least once a month. And as opposed to American holidays where most people are still working, going to school, etc., an Argentine holiday actually means a day off. No wonder the quality of life is much higher here, huh?
Holidays here (my favorite being Friend Day in July) is one thing I definitely missed about Argentina. Now that I have been back for over three (!!) weeks, I have had the chance to enjoy the small things about the city, country, and culture that I missed without even realizing it. Of course when I left last time, I desperately missed the people: host family, boyfriend, friends… I also immediately missed the night life and in general the ability to stay up late and take siestas during the day. There are other things, though, that I missed that I didn’t realize until now that I’ve been back.
The first example is the media tarde. I guess I would explain that by calling it “tea time”. It’s tea, coffee, mate, milk, or soda if it’s hot out accompanied most commonly by pastries of some sort. The media tarde (or “tomando la leche”) happens after the siesta, usually anytime between about 5 to 7pm (but when does actual time matter here, anyway?). Since dinners are served late, it’s the perfect mid-day event to boost your energy and wake you up after your siesta. It’s also a great excuse to meet up with a friend and spend the afternoon together.
Secondly (which is similar to the first example) is the culture of going to cafes. This is the best when it’s warm out, so you can sit outside of a café with a friend, coworker, classmate, family member, etc., etc. and sip on a café con leche (my favorite) while enjoying conversation or people watching. The best thing about this is that everyone is doing it. If you are sitting at a table, you are surrounded by people who are likewise enjoying a drink and the company of a loved one. If you are just walking by the café, you can watch the Argentines take a break in their day to sit and chat, which is almost just as fun as being there yourself. Coffee to go is extremely rare (hopefully it stays that way despite the fact the Starbucks is attempting to take over Buenos Aires); the culture of sitting and enjoying the coffee and the company is highly valued. I have been able to enjoy many a café with some of my favorite Mendocinos these last few weeks, and I always leave feeling extremely energized and refreshed.
The last example of things I missed is the crazy things Argentines say. Most of the idioms used would be considered dirty or inappropriate when translated to the English language, but here they fill the conversations of just about everybody. For example, if someone is bugging you, being demanding or in any way annoying, feel free to say they are making your balls swell or call them a “ball sweller”. If you don’t give a shit about something you can say “me chupa un huevo”. In order to keep the blog PG I won’t go on anymore, but it is refreshing to hear people speak their minds (of course with a wide variety of hand motions to go along, just in case the words didn’t get the point across) whenever and however they want to.
On a more update-ey note things in Mendoza are still going very well. Besides enjoying all the things listed above and the company of some amazing (and I mean AMAZING) Argentines that I’ve been reconnecting with, I have kept busy planning for our hostel (update soon), taking care of Karla who has broken her leg (pictures soon… be ready for a good laugh/cry moment), networking for jobs (stay tuned, it’s getting close!) and getting paperwork done to get legal residence. I also have been experimenting with cooking/drink-making and am extremely encouraged after making a successful batch of empanadas de pollo and some tasty (yet fatal) margaritas for some friends. Enjoying life here has definitely not been a problem for me. Not being employed has let me get back in the swing of Argentiness, and I am enjoying it while I can. Oh yes, and I drove yesterday (and lived to tell about it)!
In addition to what’s above, this coming week I am going to take some wine classes, volunteer at the Food Bank, and get our yard ready for springtime and our hostel. Yippee!
Maybe next time I will make a list of things I did NOT miss about Argentina…. That would be entertaining to say the least (especially if you want to hear about near-death situations in public busses, waiting in line for just about… everything, and getting ardently followed by stray dogs). Until then, I’ll stay on my cloud nine!
Besos to all!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
pictures as promised
This is a picture I took from my front door. Behind the trees is the pool, that of course isn't in use yet. I didn't take a picture of the front yard entrance because they are re-modeling it now.
Same thing, different angle, different day.
A place for cooking asados...
Entrance to la casita:
Yes, you've seen this, but isn't it cute with Karla in it?
Taken from the front door. To the left is our room, to the right our roomie's
Kitchen area. Only one at a time, please.
Living room/dining room.. haha
My room! So cheery!
The bathroom. I've included this just to share a daily laugh of mine... it's so narrow in there that I have to sit to the side on the toilet. It makes me laugh every, every time.
And it's meeee. I thought maybe you'd want to see my face, maybe. It's for you, Mom and Dad. xxoo.
Same thing, different angle, different day.
A place for cooking asados...
Entrance to la casita:
Yes, you've seen this, but isn't it cute with Karla in it?
Taken from the front door. To the left is our room, to the right our roomie's
Kitchen area. Only one at a time, please.
Living room/dining room.. haha
My room! So cheery!
The bathroom. I've included this just to share a daily laugh of mine... it's so narrow in there that I have to sit to the side on the toilet. It makes me laugh every, every time.
And it's meeee. I thought maybe you'd want to see my face, maybe. It's for you, Mom and Dad. xxoo.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
wishing for winter's goodbye
No, Dad, not falling behind!
Here I am warming up from the chill Mendoza has brought me the last two days. I hear it's the last cold front of the winter, so please keep your fingers crossed that that is the case.
I am attaching some pictures to give a less verbal and more visual effect of mi vida mendocina. The highlight of the week is a new addition to my house, Karla (see pictures). We found her on the street and she is now the newest resident of our apartment. The decision for her name was difficult, since we wanted to keep up with the political trend we had, but after she went a few hours without a name (and "Hillary" sounded too painful with a Spanish accent), we decided to simplify things. I am training her in English and so far she knows sit and stay.
I also have been taking pictures of the apartment, but I want to make sure to take them on a sunny day so the beauty is captured the best way possible. That should be tomorrow, so keep a look out!
Besos to all from a happy me!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
la vida buena
So, I have already fallen behind on my blogging. This week I attempted to write something about 5 times and got bored with it and didn't finish. So, let's see if I make it this time (I promise I will try hard).
Buenos Aires was wonderful. It was so fun to be in a huge, busy city like that and of course to see my friend Brad in his "element". I spent the days catching up with the Argentina culture. It was so easy and natural that it seemed weird that I had traveled for more than 30 hours to get there.
On Friday afternoon I flew into Mendoza. When the plane landed I burst into tears. After so many months of deciding what I was doing with my life, if I were going to Mendoza or not, always trying to use my head over my heart... I even remember times talking myself out of living in Mendoza to a point where I was almost convinced... But, finally I made it. When the plane landed and I realized that, I got so happy and excited that I cried like a baby. Yes, it was embarrassing. But it felt so so good. I wanted to bottle up the emotion that I had that first few hours, ya know to use on rainy days. It was a damn good feeling, and I was so overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity.. for my family that let me do crazy things like this.. for such a loving support group in Mendoza.. so so thankful. I am one lucky girl for sure.
This weekend has flown by so far. I haven't even unpacked my bags yet. Yesterday I spent the day in the mountains and even tried to snowboard a little bit! I am just finishing up a lazy Sunday complete with a tasty asado (meat, meat, meat) and a long siesta. It sure is wonderful. But, tomorrow is Monday and I am going to get work looking for jobs, organizing, and of course catching up with everyone here (I so far have only spent time with Bruno, his family, and our adorable new roomie from Colombia).
My new motto for now is to live in the moment. I know that highs like this in life don't last forever, so I want to take in every second that I can. I don't know where or how I will be in a month, or a few months, or a year. But for now, I am so damn happy to be here. And I only cuss because I mean it.
That's all I have for now. I am leaving out lots of fun details, but you get the idea. :) pics of snowboarding fun to come soon.
And YEAH! I finished a post!!! Cheers for me! :)
Buenos Aires was wonderful. It was so fun to be in a huge, busy city like that and of course to see my friend Brad in his "element". I spent the days catching up with the Argentina culture. It was so easy and natural that it seemed weird that I had traveled for more than 30 hours to get there.
On Friday afternoon I flew into Mendoza. When the plane landed I burst into tears. After so many months of deciding what I was doing with my life, if I were going to Mendoza or not, always trying to use my head over my heart... I even remember times talking myself out of living in Mendoza to a point where I was almost convinced... But, finally I made it. When the plane landed and I realized that, I got so happy and excited that I cried like a baby. Yes, it was embarrassing. But it felt so so good. I wanted to bottle up the emotion that I had that first few hours, ya know to use on rainy days. It was a damn good feeling, and I was so overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity.. for my family that let me do crazy things like this.. for such a loving support group in Mendoza.. so so thankful. I am one lucky girl for sure.
This weekend has flown by so far. I haven't even unpacked my bags yet. Yesterday I spent the day in the mountains and even tried to snowboard a little bit! I am just finishing up a lazy Sunday complete with a tasty asado (meat, meat, meat) and a long siesta. It sure is wonderful. But, tomorrow is Monday and I am going to get work looking for jobs, organizing, and of course catching up with everyone here (I so far have only spent time with Bruno, his family, and our adorable new roomie from Colombia).
My new motto for now is to live in the moment. I know that highs like this in life don't last forever, so I want to take in every second that I can. I don't know where or how I will be in a month, or a few months, or a year. But for now, I am so damn happy to be here. And I only cuss because I mean it.
That's all I have for now. I am leaving out lots of fun details, but you get the idea. :) pics of snowboarding fun to come soon.
And YEAH! I finished a post!!! Cheers for me! :)
Monday, August 24, 2009
Airports
Well, I have to admit it is pretty weird sitting in an airport (my third one of the day... two more to go in the morning!) knowing my still-in-college friends are back to school and my Centro Latino kids have their first day today. I say "weird" because I don't know how else to explain emotion right now. The travel from airport to airport is an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. It's a strange in between time where you've had your time to be sad about saying goodbye but the tears haven't yet been washed away by the joy of getting somewhere.
I didn't cry during goodbyes until this morning at 530 AM when I was going through security. I looked back and saw my adorably proud parents waving at me and I finally cried. A got a lot of strange looks from the people around me, which is annoying since I'm sure more people cry in airports than in any other public place. Now I am not sad anymore. I'm exhausted. I slept for a bit on the first plane to NY but had nightmares that I forgot my luggage. Sooo that didn't last long. And now, I get to wait about 7 hours before getting on the next plane ride. Waking up in Chile (my last stop before Argentina) will be when I really get excited. But now I am mostly numb and nostalgic thinking about the first day of school that I am not attending for the first time in 17 years.
Oh wait... then an Argentine family walks by me. I hear their accent and my heart melts and now I am excited again. See? Airports are a rollercoaster. But in the way that makes me happy to be young and alive. Argentina ya voy!!
PS. For those interested, both my bags weighed in at 65lbs this morning (see picture above for a visual). I got them both down to just above 50 by making my carry-ons heavier and leaving something clothes, books, and shoes behind. You'd think after traveling so much, I'd be a little better at packing...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Blog Title
"I don't even know where I am going, nor how, nor when. I just know that I am going."
.. it's just a catchy phrase that got stuck in my head awhile back that stuck with me. Sometimes Spanish phrases more accurately describe how my heart or soul feels in a certain moment, especially if those moments are monumental in some way. This phrase spoke something I was feeling, and I haven't forgotten it since.
Now, after a full, exciting, emotional and productive summer...(take a pause for a sigh)... me voy. I am going.
I am so excited about being able to go back to Argentina. When I left in 07, I promised myself that I wouldn't be just another study abroad student who went, had the time of her life, and only re-lived the moments while reminiscing with friends while sitting comfortably in America. I knew that I belonged there in some way, so until I figure out where else life will take me, I am going back. It could be for a month, it could be for 2 years. I am not sure what to expect, but I have a feeling it will great.
At the request of family and friends, I am going to attempt to keep a travel blog about what's going on in my faraway corner of the world. I am AWFUL at this sort of thing, but I am going to make a very brave effort to keep this up as much as possible.
Until then, I need to go back to packing, goodbyes, and slow, deep breathing..
Hasta pronto!
.. it's just a catchy phrase that got stuck in my head awhile back that stuck with me. Sometimes Spanish phrases more accurately describe how my heart or soul feels in a certain moment, especially if those moments are monumental in some way. This phrase spoke something I was feeling, and I haven't forgotten it since.
Now, after a full, exciting, emotional and productive summer...(take a pause for a sigh)... me voy. I am going.
I am so excited about being able to go back to Argentina. When I left in 07, I promised myself that I wouldn't be just another study abroad student who went, had the time of her life, and only re-lived the moments while reminiscing with friends while sitting comfortably in America. I knew that I belonged there in some way, so until I figure out where else life will take me, I am going back. It could be for a month, it could be for 2 years. I am not sure what to expect, but I have a feeling it will great.
At the request of family and friends, I am going to attempt to keep a travel blog about what's going on in my faraway corner of the world. I am AWFUL at this sort of thing, but I am going to make a very brave effort to keep this up as much as possible.
Until then, I need to go back to packing, goodbyes, and slow, deep breathing..
Hasta pronto!
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