WEEK ONE:
The first full week has finally come to a close. It has been a long, eventful, fun filled 7 days. This is how it began…
I arrived early Monday Morning, after completing a grueling 24 hours of travel. My anxiety of flying had me in a nervous wreck even before I stepped on the plane, but quickly wore off during the flight to Washington as I counted to a hundred several times during take off and landing. Then I was back at it as I departed to Argentina. Same routine, counting to a hundred several times reminding myself it was all in my head. As I counted I kept telling myself that if I didn’t get it together I was going to give myself a heart attack because 10 hours of straight panicking is strenuous for anyone! Although I had very little sleep for the past 3 days, I was unable to get any rest on the way down. Every time I closed my eyes I was quickly reminded of my phobia and began worrying. So I countered my fear by watching three movies and reading The Innocent Man. The amount of relief I felt when the wheels of the plane finally touched down cannot be described. Stepping into the terminal one cannot help but notice the sun shinning and the beautiful landscape that surrounds the airport. People working outside were actually looking for shelter underneath shade to keep from the heat… I was instantly reminded of why I choice Buenos Aires over Europe! COPA administrators were waiting at the airport like they said, they provided us with already paid vouchers for cabs, unlike David! Haha. I quic
kly arrived at my destination. 2252 Arenales 7B. Santiago (Tato) greeted me at the door. I didn’t know what to make out a first. A 25 year old burly looking man, (he hadn’t shaved in a month in a half). Tato is built much like David; tall, about 180, thick head of hair, and athletic looking. Later on all my suspicions of Tato would be put to rest, after unpacking we made a quick stop at the supermarket and got inexpensive but scrumptious meat, potatoes, and onions. During our walk to the supermarket and eating lunch we talked and tried to find things we had in common. Soon realizing we had more in common than previously imaged (strictly from first glance). Other than the fact that he is studying to be a doctor, we both enjoy tennis, sports, girls, partying, hanging out with friends, and drinking! He whipped up a delicious meal within an hour. Stuffed like a pig and knowing we had common interests were the first signs of knowing that my Buenos Aires stay was more than likely going to be an amazing experience! Sleep finally made its way in, and I took a well needed 5 hour snooze. I met the rest of the family later that night, Manu, who is 23 is also studying to be a doctor. Marie, 22 moved out and lives by herself not to far away. We had dinner with 4 friends. The accent was/still is hard to pick up. They speak very quickly, endings are cut off, and some words are different.
The rest of the week I spent most mornings, afternoons, and late afternoons at the COPA orientation program. I met most of the 130 students from all over and quickly made friends. For some odd reason, my intellectual level of conversation is heightened here. We discuss politics, school, culture differences, goals (I’m kinda quiet during that part) but speculating and taking notes none the less. Without getting into the boring parts of the orientation… which there is a lot of, we have gone out on excursions of the city, seeing beautiful buildings and plazas. Buenos Aires has so much to offer. It is truly amazing. It’s the gem of South America, and I have probably seen less than 5 percent of the city! Being here is a constant reminder that I was born to live in a warm weather city. I am so much more alive here.
THE WEEKEND:
After a long week of 10-12 hours of orientation I was ready to party and see the night life! And what a life it is. There are thousands of different bars and clubs. And thousands of people to go along with it. I pulled a Michael Jordon and came out of retirement and strapped on my dancing shoes and once the music started I couldn’t stop till 5. My shirt was completely soaked by the end of the night. I woke up the next morning with sore feet and legs! What a work out. And Saturday night was no different. Just as crazy, just as much fun. We celebrated Tato’s 26th birthday Saturday afternoon at his country club. We bar-b-qed outside, listened to music, talked, enjoyed the beautiful weather and company of friends and family. The food was once again mouth watering. Not to mention the wine and beer. Argentineans’ truly know how to take advantage of a good thing. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. This was truly how life was meant to be enjoyed. And I know that it’s only going to get better. With more time here, my Spanish will improve and I will be able to partake in more conversation and immerse myself more fully into the Argentineans way of life. With much love from Buenos Aires, Beto! Besos! Nos vemos!
COPA TRIP:
COPA took half the students Wednesday and the other half Thursday. I was apart of the first group to go. Our itinerary was to fly into Bariloche, a very touristy ski place, and then take a 3 hour bus ride to San Martin de los Andes. Both are located on the western border of Argentina by mountain ranges that separate Chile and Argentina. A magnificent site for eyes that haven’t seen a mountainous terrain in years. The landscape is absolutely precious. Grass is green, trees are in abundant supply, and the air is crisp and wonderful to breath. San Martin is a lovely little town of about 12 thousand. It reminds me of The Shire. Small homes and small friendly people. The cabanas we were staying in were four star hotels with one star prices. We were truly living the life of luxury. I had my own room, with a large bed, my own bathroom complete with sink, toilet and shower, and a TV, with all the cable channels. It was like the Holiday Inn. Upon arriving we took a tour of the town and mountainous terrain, but within an hour my camera died and I was heart broken. Seeing as how I am not a good writer, I was going to show you everything I saw through pictures. It’s going to be a challenge to describe the beauty I witnessed, but I will try my best. The lakes are as blue as the ski, and in some parts it’s hard to tell where they separate. Sun sets were incredible. With the glow of pastel colors in the sky, and shades of darkness of the horizon, the full moon came out, and I caught a glimpse of heaven. It was super surreal. Our days consisted of early rising and a lot of hiking through somewhat dangerous terrain. No wonder they made us sign waivers that said they weren’t responsible for anything happened, even death. Waterfalls were abundant, but freezing cold, cause the water is the runoff from melting glaciers. A few crazy kids jumped in, but I just don’t have the body fat to keep warm long enough before hypothermia settles in. As usual, the food was delicious, and conversations were prevalent. I meet a lot of nice new people, and made some really great friends. And those that I was already close to, I became even closer. It’s like high school all over again. At night we ate like kings; an assortment of meats, wine, bread, cheese, salad, potatoes, and ice cream. After that we were free. Free to stay and chat with COPA friends, and organizers in the cabanas, and free to roam the small town and meet locals. I found a nice little pub, and soon found a group of young gentlemen enjoying some what of a bachelor party. Although the guy already got married, he was on vacation with his best friends, and band. I quickly befriended them and we had a blast. Drinking and taking about life, cultural differences, music, married life, single life, and non sense till the wee hours of the morning. Argentineans are very friendly and easy to talk to. It is getting easier to decipher their accent and chopped off endings, but my limited vocabulary keeps me asking questions none the less.
With the girls in San Martin no where near the gorgeousness of Buenos Aires girls, the girls of COPA soon began looking better and better with each passing night, and each beer. They are all very friendly, and since I have not made that many guy friends yet, I am keeping it cordial. I don’t want to ruin friendships and start wars just yet. And plus it’s only been two weeks. Truth is I am still holding out for an Argentinean princess that will sweep me off my feet, ask me to stay in Argentina with her, and life a long and happy life with a huge and loving family. But so far, no luck.
The first full week has finally come to a close. It has been a long, eventful, fun filled 7 days. This is how it began…
I arrived early Monday Morning, after completing a grueling 24 hours of travel. My anxiety of flying had me in a nervous wreck even before I stepped on the plane, but quickly wore off during the flight to Washington as I counted to a hundred several times during take off and landing. Then I was back at it as I departed to Argentina. Same routine, counting to a hundred several times reminding myself it was all in my head. As I counted I kept telling myself that if I didn’t get it together I was going to give myself a heart attack because 10 hours of straight panicking is strenuous for anyone! Although I had very little sleep for the past 3 days, I was unable to get any rest on the way down. Every time I closed my eyes I was quickly reminded of my phobia and began worrying. So I countered my fear by watching three movies and reading The Innocent Man. The amount of relief I felt when the wheels of the plane finally touched down cannot be described. Stepping into the terminal one cannot help but notice the sun shinning and the beautiful landscape that surrounds the airport. People working outside were actually looking for shelter underneath shade to keep from the heat… I was instantly reminded of why I choice Buenos Aires over Europe! COPA administrators were waiting at the airport like they said, they provided us with already paid vouchers for cabs, unlike David! Haha. I quic
kly arrived at my destination. 2252 Arenales 7B. Santiago (Tato) greeted me at the door. I didn’t know what to make out a first. A 25 year old burly looking man, (he hadn’t shaved in a month in a half). Tato is built much like David; tall, about 180, thick head of hair, and athletic looking. Later on all my suspicions of Tato would be put to rest, after unpacking we made a quick stop at the supermarket and got inexpensive but scrumptious meat, potatoes, and onions. During our walk to the supermarket and eating lunch we talked and tried to find things we had in common. Soon realizing we had more in common than previously imaged (strictly from first glance). Other than the fact that he is studying to be a doctor, we both enjoy tennis, sports, girls, partying, hanging out with friends, and drinking! He whipped up a delicious meal within an hour. Stuffed like a pig and knowing we had common interests were the first signs of knowing that my Buenos Aires stay was more than likely going to be an amazing experience! Sleep finally made its way in, and I took a well needed 5 hour snooze. I met the rest of the family later that night, Manu, who is 23 is also studying to be a doctor. Marie, 22 moved out and lives by herself not to far away. We had dinner with 4 friends. The accent was/still is hard to pick up. They speak very quickly, endings are cut off, and some words are different.The rest of the week I spent most mornings, afternoons, and late afternoons at the COPA orientation program. I met most of the 130 students from all over and quickly made friends. For some odd reason, my intellectual level of conversation is heightened here. We discuss politics, school, culture differences, goals (I’m kinda quiet during that part) but speculating and taking notes none the less. Without getting into the boring parts of the orientation… which there is a lot of, we have gone out on excursions of the city, seeing beautiful buildings and plazas. Buenos Aires has so much to offer. It is truly amazing. It’s the gem of South America, and I have probably seen less than 5 percent of the city! Being here is a constant reminder that I was born to live in a warm weather city. I am so much more alive here.
THE WEEKEND:
After a long week of 10-12 hours of orientation I was ready to party and see the night life! And what a life it is. There are thousands of different bars and clubs. And thousands of people to go along with it. I pulled a Michael Jordon and came out of retirement and strapped on my dancing shoes and once the music started I couldn’t stop till 5. My shirt was completely soaked by the end of the night. I woke up the next morning with sore feet and legs! What a work out. And Saturday night was no different. Just as crazy, just as much fun. We celebrated Tato’s 26th birthday Saturday afternoon at his country club. We bar-b-qed outside, listened to music, talked, enjoyed the beautiful weather and company of friends and family. The food was once again mouth watering. Not to mention the wine and beer. Argentineans’ truly know how to take advantage of a good thing. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. This was truly how life was meant to be enjoyed. And I know that it’s only going to get better. With more time here, my Spanish will improve and I will be able to partake in more conversation and immerse myself more fully into the Argentineans way of life. With much love from Buenos Aires, Beto! Besos! Nos vemos!
COPA TRIP:
COPA took half the students Wednesday and the other half Thursday. I was apart of the first group to go. Our itinerary was to fly into Bariloche, a very touristy ski place, and then take a 3 hour bus ride to San Martin de los Andes. Both are located on the western border of Argentina by mountain ranges that separate Chile and Argentina. A magnificent site for eyes that haven’t seen a mountainous terrain in years. The landscape is absolutely precious. Grass is green, trees are in abundant supply, and the air is crisp and wonderful to breath. San Martin is a lovely little town of about 12 thousand. It reminds me of The Shire. Small homes and small friendly people. The cabanas we were staying in were four star hotels with one star prices. We were truly living the life of luxury. I had my own room, with a large bed, my own bathroom complete with sink, toilet and shower, and a TV, with all the cable channels. It was like the Holiday Inn. Upon arriving we took a tour of the town and mountainous terrain, but within an hour my camera died and I was heart broken. Seeing as how I am not a good writer, I was going to show you everything I saw through pictures. It’s going to be a challenge to describe the beauty I witnessed, but I will try my best. The lakes are as blue as the ski, and in some parts it’s hard to tell where they separate. Sun sets were incredible. With the glow of pastel colors in the sky, and shades of darkness of the horizon, the full moon came out, and I caught a glimpse of heaven. It was super surreal. Our days consisted of early rising and a lot of hiking through somewhat dangerous terrain. No wonder they made us sign waivers that said they weren’t responsible for anything happened, even death. Waterfalls were abundant, but freezing cold, cause the water is the runoff from melting glaciers. A few crazy kids jumped in, but I just don’t have the body fat to keep warm long enough before hypothermia settles in. As usual, the food was delicious, and conversations were prevalent. I meet a lot of nice new people, and made some really great friends. And those that I was already close to, I became even closer. It’s like high school all over again. At night we ate like kings; an assortment of meats, wine, bread, cheese, salad, potatoes, and ice cream. After that we were free. Free to stay and chat with COPA friends, and organizers in the cabanas, and free to roam the small town and meet locals. I found a nice little pub, and soon found a group of young gentlemen enjoying some what of a bachelor party. Although the guy already got married, he was on vacation with his best friends, and band. I quickly befriended them and we had a blast. Drinking and taking about life, cultural differences, music, married life, single life, and non sense till the wee hours of the morning. Argentineans are very friendly and easy to talk to. It is getting easier to decipher their accent and chopped off endings, but my limited vocabulary keeps me asking questions none the less.
With the girls in San Martin no where near the gorgeousness of Buenos Aires girls, the girls of COPA soon began looking better and better with each passing night, and each beer. They are all very friendly, and since I have not made that many guy friends yet, I am keeping it cordial. I don’t want to ruin friendships and start wars just yet. And plus it’s only been two weeks. Truth is I am still holding out for an Argentinean princess that will sweep me off my feet, ask me to stay in Argentina with her, and life a long and happy life with a huge and loving family. But so far, no luck.
