A few more pictures!

Now, you believe me when I said the waters were brilliant!

Awww...a baby capibara! Aren't they adorable? Sorry Adam, they wouldn't let me take one home for you though. Maybe we can buy one on ebay?

This is the lodge that we stayed at. You can't really see the lodge itself, but the grounds were gorgeous! And yes, a pool, except it was colder than the lake. But oh so relaxing to lay next to in the sun!

Some pictures of the Posada Aguape

All of us little campers in the boat ready to go out and see some Alligators!!










A gorgeous sunset and a picture of the rainforest where we saw the monkeys.










An Alligator!! And some vultures on a dead tree. (how symbolic)

So, a month went by and I hardly noticed!

Wow, so sorry for not posting more recently! This is ridiculous! I cannot believe that the last time I posted something was almost a month ago! The time is really flying by down here and I am amazed that I only have less than two months left! It seems like I just got here. And at the same time, like I have been here for a lot longer than only two months.

But anyway, I made it through my midterms which were unbelievable! I had to write a 5-page paper for my "History of Argentine Politics and Government" class as well as an 8-page paper for my "Cultural Icons of Argentina" class! I have never written so much in spanish in two days in my life! And then on top of that, I had to take a test in my Spanish class on verbs and conjugations. It was quite the week.

Then after killing myself for my midterms, we had a week break this past week. I took a trip to Ibera, a marshy area in the northern province of Argentina, Corrientes. It was GORGEOUS!! I have lots of pictures to upload, so make sure you look at them! But, we stayed at this wonderful lodge that was right on the lagoon and I have never been so pampered for a week in my life! We slept in comfortable beds with good sheets and blankets (which I am not used to at all in my homestay) and I ate myself silly every day! Toast and biscuits, freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade yogurt and cereal for breakfast everyday. Lunch was a complete three course meal with an appetizer, a main dish (usually pasta or a casserole) and then a scrumptious desert. Then after we came back from our afternoon activities, there would be coffee/tea and cakes waiting for us. And promptly at 8:30, dinner would be served which was another three course meal. The last night (Thursday) we had an asado or a barbecue with lamb, chorizo (sausages) and steaks accompanied by a huge salad bar. It was fabulous!

During the day, we took two little excursions out on boats, walking, or canoing to see the wildlife in the lagoons and the jungles. I saw capibaras (carpinchos, the largest rodents), tons of alligators (caymanes), howler monkeys (monos), and lots of other bird species. It was so nice to be out of the city and breathing fresh air! The lake was gorgeous hence the name Ibera which means brilliant waters in Guarani (the native language in the north of Argentina). And it was so nice to be in such a comfortable and relaxing place for a whole week! Sorry mom and dad, you guys get the bill in the mail when I go home!! But, I think it's only $300 total, which is a steal because this resort was $320 a night normally!!

So, I'm back in Buenos Aires now and just finished making some scrambled eggs with Maria. Our outing today is to take a random bus to somewhere we don't know and then walk back. Sounds like fun!!

Besos and I miss you all!
Ciao Ciao!
Audrey

TIA

The air has a slight hint of smoke, for the past two days! They started a controlled burn of the grasslands in the delta yesterday, and of course, this being Argentina, it got OUT of control! So, there has been smoke in the air here since yesterday afternoon! We Americans have a saying that we use for situations like this, as well as many other ones....TIA (This Is Argentina). It pretty much explains any situation that happens to you here. Like for example, you are late to class one day by about ten minutes. So, rushing into the room, you quickly take your seat and get out your homework only to realize that the teacher isn't there yet either! TIA, TIA.

Another example: I take the bus (un colectivo) to class on Wednesdays when I go to my ceramics class, and it's always an experience. The bus drivers (los colectiveros) are some of the best and the worst drivers I have ever seen! So, I was got up before my stop to go ring the bell to signal that I wanted to get off, and the driver slams on the breaks because we hit a red light. I topple into the ladies in front of me with all of my ceramics gear, a little embarrassing, but it happens all the time so no one seemed to care. Then, the doors open and the bus is still moving at about 20 miles per hour. The bus driver slams on the brakes again and signals with his hand for me to get off...while the bus is still moving!! So, I fling myself out onto the street and almost fall onto the sidewalk. It must have been quite the sight. TIA, TIA. That is all that can be said of situations like this.

Some more pics.

Myself and some IES people in front of the Casa Rosada in Plaza de Mayo.

This is a picture from inside the Reserva Ecologica del Rio outside of Buenos Aires. But, you can still see the sky scrapes of Puerto Madero in the background.

This is a picture of the Pampa grass in the Reserva Ecologica del Rio. Mom, I thought you would appreciate these! They're as tall as I am and beautiful in the setting sun!

This is El Obelisco in the center of the city. Look familiar?

Although Argentines don't like this sculpture, I think it's interesting! It's called the Flor de Lis and is across Avenida Del Libertador from the Museo de Bellas Artes which has a surprising good collection of impressionist and modern artworks! A good place to go for free on a Sunday afternoon!

a little update...

Because I know you have all been wondering, we have meat again in the city! From what I understand, there are going to be 30 days of negotiations between the farmers and the Government. If an agreement is not reached by then, then they go on strike again. So, we here are all hoping for this to end. Vamos a ver!

Other than that, things are moving right along. School is getting more difficult as I am getting more and more huge packets of Spanish to read. I started my ceramics class yesterday and am really excited to get going with it. They are going to teach us lots of techniques for working with different kinds of clay and glazes, as well as on aesthetics and design, so it should be really interesting! Hopefully my works will make it back to the states in one piece. But this art school is crazy! It's this kind-of dilapidated old building in the heart of La Boca (a neighborhood in BA) that is completely covered on the inside with drawings, paintings, sculpture, graffiti, you name it! There are people milling around there all the time just drawing on the walls and working on their artwork. Quite an inspiring place!

This past week, I did lots of exploring around the city. On Saturday, I went with some friends to a town outside of Buenos Aires called Tigre. This is in the heart of the Delta so there are rivers all over the place, and they use them almost as much as the streets to get from one place to another. They had a huge market (una feria) there that had lots to look at. I also went to Palermo (another neighborhood in BA) to their feria and picked up a couple of gifts ;)

Tonight, I am going to an Argentine folk music event with a friend and a group of Argentines, so Castellano, here I come!!

Keep in touch!
Ciao Ciao!!

Plaza San Martin

Here is a quick pic of one of the parks by my house, Plaza San Martin in Retiro.

la carne ha desaparecido...

Welp, we are still waiting for word here in Bs.As. about the disappearing meat and dairy. So, no news really to report there...

Some news about me though...I am now enrolled in a ceramics class!! Since I was going to take one when I got back to the States anyway, I figured I would just take it down here since I have some extra time to kill! So, we'll see how this goes, ceramics in spanish. Can't Wait!!

Other than that, same old, same old. Classes are moving along, although slowly and with lots of work on my part. And I am getting to see quite a bit of the city with my almost daily walks around my neighborhood and surrounding parks. I might be going to Tigre this weekend, which is a small suburb on the coast of the Atlantic. It has some good beaches as well as an interesting downtown full of great Argentine gift shops. So, I might pick up some gifts for a couple lucky sisters!

So anyway, that's about it for now! I'll post again soon!

Ciao y Besos!

Riots and Protests...part of daily life in BA.

So, I don't know how much of this news is reaching the US, but for the past 14 days now, the farmers of Argentina have been on strike. The city is suffering from a huge lack of meat, dairy, vegetable, and grain products. They are saying that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight at this point because Christina, the president of Argentina, is refusing to give in to the demands of the very powerful farmers. Until a resolution has been reached, we all have to conserve on our meat and dairy intake here in the city and hope for some sort of end to this strike.

Last night, there was a major protest by the citizens of the city. They were marching from all corners of the downtown neighborhoods to the central plaza, Plaza de Mayo, to protest in front of the Casa Rosada (the government house). There were thousands of people thronging the streets with pots and pans and making a racket you wouldn't believe! I guess an all-out riot happened in the Plaza de Mayo and some people got hurt. As an American, this was quite the site to see because nothing of this sort would happen in the States. But in Buenos Aires, protests are not uncommon at all. In fact, they happen on a weekly basis in the Plaza de Mayo.

So, I'll keep you posted on the latest. At least, that which I can understand!

Ciao Ciao!

A few pictures from the past couple of weeks!

This is the view from the top of an apartment building where some guys from the IES program are living. There is nothing but buildings as far as the eye can see in every direction. This pictures is looking out towards the Rio de la Plata, the huge river on the North east side of the city.

A view from the ports at Punta del Este in Uruguay. This is where a lot of the bars and restaurants were and in the background are all apartment buildings on the beaches that surround the city.

A marvelous view of Casapueblo. This place is huge!! But it was built all by hand by Carlos Paez Vilaro, who you will se in the next picture standing right next to me!! He signed my poster that I bought and I talked to him briefly in his store at Casapueblo. If you ever get a chance to do some research about this man, he is something to behold. His life is full of interesting tales from all parts of the world and his artwork is quite amazing as well!

So, I've come to the conclusion I stink at Blogging!

Hello there all!

I have come to the conclusion, after almost three weeks without posting, that I really suck at blogging. But, I want to try and get better! So, for all of you that have been ripping out your hair in anticipation for my next post, please save your mane and enjoy!

Well, I have started my classes here in Buenos Aires, and I must say that they are not what I expected at all! Apart from being taught in Spanish, they are very difficult and time-consuming. Now, this is not what I signed up for at all. I didn't really want to spend a bunch of time working on homework and reading countless articles about "the gauchos". But, I have decided to embrace the challenge and try my hardest to experience this awesome culture as well as study my butt off for these classes.

So, as far as social life goes, things are quite a bit different down here than I am used to in lovely Minnesota. Basically, I don't leave the apartment on a weekend night until about midnight or after, and then don't get home until 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning!! By the time I crawl into my bed, the sun is starting to rise, and normal people are beginning another day. I'm not sure how I feel about this way of life, but I guess it is something to experience while I am down here.

Last week, we got to go on a bici-tour around the river area of the city. They have a huge ecological reserve that is open to the public for walks and recreation, so we went through that as well as through on of the most expensive neighborhoods (Puerto Madero) along the ports. Now, as a testament to how Argentine life is, I must tell you about this little bici-tour. First, I arrive with two other girls at the office of the bike-rental store about 5 minutes before we are scheduled to begin our tour. An hour and 15 minutes later, we start our tour. Then, in the states, if one has paid for a bike with a tour guide and a set route around the city, one can expect a little bike path or piece of road in which to ride safely. NOT HERE!! We were right on the main drags in the middle of traffic on these cute little orange bikes with taxis, buses, and other drivers zooming around us. I was just a little nervous!!

But, I am also adjusting to the Argentine lifestyle of being very laid-back and taking my time. I am always the fastest walker on the sidewalks, blowing past old couples and business people on their morning stroll, and have since tried to relax a little. And, I love to sit at a cafe and drink my "cafe cortado" in the afternoons with my homework and just watch the people go by.

This past weekend, we had a five-day break, so I went with some girlfriends to Punta del Este in Uruguay. It was a good time relaxing on the beach and taking in some sun. I also was able to visit Casapueblo, this amazing hotel/gallery/store built by the painter and sculpture Carlos Paez Vilaro. Also, I got to meet him in person!! He signed my poster that I bought and I got a pic with him!!

Ok, well, now that I have written a novel for you all to labor over, I will return shortly with more news and updates! Disfruta las fotos!!

Ciao Ciao!

First Impressions...

I arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, March 2 without any problems but very tired and ready to sleep. After my 8 hour layover in Washington D.C. and a 10 1/2 hour flight, I was definitely feeling the burn. The taxi strolled down a tree-lined street with shops and flower stands and said I had arrived at my apartment. Seriously? This is where I am going to live for the next four months? I really could not believe it. So, I lugged my things onto the sidewalk and rang the bell for number 2.

A couple of minutes later, a young girl (my house-sister Paz) opened the door and we proceeded to carry my heavy bags up the three flights of stairs to the entrance of the apartment. The apartment is very European and really nice! I have my own bedroom and bathroom with lots of space for my clothes and other things. My house mom's name is Matilde and she and her daughter live in the apartment with a brazilian model named Sara. Matilde has 6 daughters and Paz is the youngest (19). So there are plenty of extra rooms here for her to have students live with her. There is actually another American student who is in the same program with me. It's nice to have someone else here to talk to and hang out with!

OK, so breakdown of the most frequent questions:
The People: FABULOUS! All the women are skinny and gorgeous. I feel like a giant. And the men are very nice and good looking as well, most of them.

The Food: Lots of meat! Everyone eats steak and chicken here all the time! And there is a lot of bread! I really don't know how they stay so skinny with all the carbs and meat, but I like it a lot. My favorite are medialunas, which are like croissants with a sweet coating on them. Very good with coffee.

The Weather: It is really humid with very moderate temperatures. Yesterday and today were warm, but otherwise, it's very comfortable. There isn't a lot of sun and it rains almost everyday, but I'm happy not to be in below zero weather anymore!

Ok, well I have to go eat some dinner now, it's 10:00pm/the normal hour for dinner.
I will write more soon and load some pictures of my apartment and Buenos Aires!

Ciao!!

They are expecting me!

So, I talked to my housekeeper earlier today and she said that they are expecting me to come on Sunday afternoon and everyone will be there to welcome me! How great is this??

Pics of where I will be staying!

Hopefully you can see the little green markers, that is where I will be!! How exciting is that??

Packing can get dangerous...

Well, I am leaving for Buenos Aires in just a few days and can't be more excited! I'm going to miss all my friends and family, but these next four months will be definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life. As I prepare for the long 20+ hours of travel, I can't help but think of the warm, sunny weather in B.A. I would really appreciate any advice you can give me about what to pack as well as places to see while I am down there and things to explore. I've got my trusty travel books and a little knowledge of the city to guide me, but it's all a mystery for the most part!!

Welp, think of me on Saturday at 11:ooam, I'll be departing from Chicago O'Hare to Dullus Airport in Washington D.C. for a wonderful 9 hour layover. But then, it's off to Buenos Aires!!