So much has happened since I have been in this lovely city. Something that I have noticed--the major changes I never thought I would get used to, I am now very used to. The daily schedule of a Porteno is very different then a regular day in America. You wake up, leisurely, around nine--I normally stretch this out until ten. Then, you drink some mate or coffee, and maybe eat a piece of pan, or more commonly, a medialuna. Breakfast is a very undervalued meal. I find myself craving waffles, bacon, eggs, hash brown, pancakes, oatmeal...but those luxury items don't really exist down here.
Then the day starts. I leave the apartment and take the elevator down to the first floor. This is not an elevator like these ones we are used to in the states. They have the sliding doors that you have to close, and only fit two people. As i leave, i say ciao to the portero (the guy that sits at a table "guarding" the building). School is only a twenty minute walk. During these twenty minutes the noise of the ciy fills my ears. When I walk to school in Missoula--silence. More bikes than cars pass, the only "busy" street I have to wait to cross is Higgins. In the city, you walk to the door and are instantly in a swarm of people rushing to get to whothehellknows where. When I walk, I am used to having space. I used to think being on U of M campus around 12, right after class gets out, was hectic. Having to dodge people/bikers left and right. Here, it is that feeling x 10. people are on a mission. If you don't lean your shoulder out of the way at the perfect moment, you will end up on the ground. It is almost as if everyone is playing the game chicken. Who is going to move out of the way first? You, me, you, me...my heart starts to race, and it tends to be me that ducks out of the way,
I get back from school around 6pm, hungry. But wait--dinner isn't until 9pm. I busy myself with homework, and the gym. They offer the most amazing spin classes I have ever been to. They turn off all of the lights, and put on a blue laser light. Crazy, trashy techno music is blairing out of the speakers. These people like to party. By the time dinner roles around I am starving. Rosario, my host mom, makes the most delicious meals! Then, on the days I go out, I wait until 12 or 1am to meet up with friends. And this is only to go out to the bars. When we're going to a boilche, we leave at 2 or 4 in the morning. This means I don't get home, and into bed until 7! At first, I thought this was ridiculous--i was falling asleep by 4::30. Now there, is something about walking back from an amazing night, seeing the sun rise...
Other little difference--the police cars drive with their flashing lights on. at all times. Whenever I am driving in a taxi, I feel like we are getting pulled over. I begin to wonder why the driver doesn't move to the side of the road. I then remember that the police just keep their lights on--why? I have no idea.
Drinking. You can drink anywhere at anytime and not be looked at like you're an alcholic. Glass of wine at 11am--sure! Caipirina with a snack--why not? (this is an amazing brazilian drink that they serve all over here) My friend asked me to get her a beer while we were waiting for this bus. Within the terminal, a man passed me pushing a hotdog cart, which also sold beer. I politely asked for a can of Quilmes, and after the ten peso exchange, I had th beer in my hand, open for the world to see. It felt odd. He also asked if I wanted a straw for my beer--no matter what drink, the portenos always use a straw. I returned to my friend with her beer, and she cracked it open. Completly normal.
I went tp the zoo the other day. I cant remember the last time I was at the zoo--back when I lived in Michigan? It was nice in the way that it felt like a little oasis away from the city. Even though it was right in the middle of BA. You looked in the cage, saw an elephant, then looked above at the towering buildings. It was also so sad. Having traveled to Africa two years ago, I was fortunate enough to see most of these aniamls in the wild. free. alive with energy of survival. In the zoo, the animals were fat, had no muscle, lazy, and barely moving. The look in their eyes, espesially the elephant (my favorit animal!) was so sad.
Here is a sad zebra, waiting to get fed by the tourists
Sad Elephant, stuck in a cage
Here are the happy, wild Zebras (Masai Mara, Kenya)
Here is a rogue, male elephant--he stormed our car. Nevertheless, he is free to roam wherever he feels (Samburu National Park, Kenya)
As I look out the window of the bus I see stars! These are the first stars I have seen since I left Patagonia--feels refreshing. I do miss the stars. It is a comforitng feeling knowing i will be in a place without tall buildings, bright lights, and loud noises. Though I love love love BA, I am learning that I am a country gal. I yearn for the stars, and the ability to see horizion, to watch the sunset everynight, and breathe fresh air. The city life is osmething I want to experience, but not place I will settle down in.
I guess it is time to start my first paper. I have only been putting it off for three days. Analyzing the story El Sur by Borges A beautiful story to read, and write about in English--the whole spanish part is going to be a bit tricky. My Spanish has improved immensely. I can't believe how much I have learned, and how quickly my ability to hold a full conversation has appeared. However, i am not quite sure that I have the vocabulary to write a philosophical paper. Wish my luck!
P.S. the mosquitoes have been attacking me non stop since my arrival to Argentina. With just my luck, I was bit on my eyelid this morning--how you may ask, I have no idea.
Besos,
J.
