Vamos Che!

As I sit here in my newly acquired denim/patch work vest, I reflect on the past two and half months.  While I was still in the States, planning my trip, I distinctly divided my 6 months in South America into 2 halves. The first three months were dedicated to the program I am currently in. Travel Patagonia for one month, go to school for two months, get a Spanish minor. Sweet. The second three months of my trip were going to be me versus South America. I have now figured out a more solid plan for my last three months--but holy shmokes, the second three months are here!


I have eight days left of school. EIGHT. Where did the time go? I look back at when I boarded the plane from Jackson, that seems like yesterday.  I can not believe how quickly time is moving by. It is being ripped from grip, and I can't stop it. I want to press pause, live in this wonderland forever, endlessly speak spanish, feel free from obligation. I know I still have three months left, but I feel like I need to grasp at every second. There is so much to do in this country, I guess no amount of time is long enough to conquer all of South America. Unless I never come back. MUAHAHAH. Chistes, Chistes (mom, I'm coming home, don't you worry!)


Though I fear not being able to see everything South America has to offer, I have done some pretty amazing things since I have been here. Especially in these past couple of weeks. Last weekend, for Semana Santa, I travelled North 10 hours to visit my friend Luke in Argentina's second biggest city, Córdoba.He is a great friend of mine from Missoula. We did some pretty spectacular things together. We went zip lining, river swimmin, and sky diving! 

La Tirolesa

Luke and I

Gettttting all prepped up and ready to go!

This poster was hanging above the front desk.  We asked why they had a poster from U of M, the school we attend. The guy in the left corner of this poster, with the parachute, is one of the men who used to land in the middle of the field before football games started.  He now lives in Cordoba, and has jumped with this company many times. Just goes to show how incredibly small this world is!

Best 32 seconds of my life weeeeeee!

I also went to El Tigre, an hour train ride from Buenos Aires. This city revolves around the river.  It is a place where Portenos go to experience a bit of nature. For someone that has never been fortunate enough to experience the real outdoors, I can see how this place may resemble a nature-esque scene. In my eyes, this place was nothing like the wild outdoors I'm surrounded by at home. Yes, there was a river--brown,rough,trash infested. There was no way I was going swimming in that. And from the looks of it, no one else dared to enter. Boats were speeding by each other, passing so close you could high five the other passengers. I think the only people willing to take a swim in that river would be those asking for a death wish.

The very nice Train Station

House in a glass box? Que Pasa?!

 It was hard to capture the insanity of the river, but here is my attempt.  On a narrow river there were motor boats, jet skis, kayakers, large yachts, transporters all trying to get through. 

I also spent a lot of time wandering around Buenos Aires.  The city is huge. Made up of 48 different neighborhoods. I spend most of my time in Recoleta, where I live and go to school.  Recoleta is known for its cemetery, which holds many of Argentina's prominent figures.  One being Eva Peron. The cemetery is like nothing I've seen before. I guess I haven't been to many cemetery's, so I don't have much to compare this to. Crooked rows of tombs, winding their way around.  Some reach up to 8 meters deep. Generations of families lie in one tomb.  Some tombs are cared for meticulously, the marble so clean you can see your reflection. Others have been left to whither away. Broken hinges on doors symbol a perfect place for a homeless man to rest his head. Spiderwebs form as intricate designs as the buildings themselves.

I also wandered through the botanical garden of Buenos Aires. A lush way to escape from the sometimes harsh feel of the city.

I also went to dinner at the Argentine Experience--something I recommend if any of you are planning on coming to BA. We learned all about Argentine delicacies. How to make empanadas and alfajores, meanings of some obscure hand gestures (which the Argentines are obsessed with), drank delicious wine, and ate the most delicious steak ever.

Every Saturday and Sunday Recoleta has a market.  It is almost comparable to the Saturday morning market in the zoo--almost.  It lacks all of the fresh food. But this is the closest Buenos Aires comes to feeling like Missoula.  Artisan crafts, juice stands, and chorro stands stretch until the eye can no longer see. Friends hang out in the field, drinking Yerba and chatting. Musicians are scattered about--everything from jazz to bluegrass to tango. It is a lovely scene, but dangerous for the wallet.

Another Missoula-esque item...

 

There is still so much to do in Buenos Aires. Someone would have to live here for at least ten years to do all of the amazing thing this city offers. Though I have only experienced a sliver of this city, I am so grateful for everything I have done. I can't even begin to thank my parents enough for letting my go on this mindblowinglycrazmazingawesomtastic adventure. 


With only two weeks left of school, I have finals to get prepared for! 


Besos,
J