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
