Lesson #31 (Indians, only you will understand this one): Its inevitable... we will eventually become just like our parents. Lately, I have found myself doing things that I used to make fun of my parents for doing or found strange. For example, I have been packing snacks for traveling and taking food for later when it's been free. My huge ass purse is now packed full with a random assortment of things that my mom always used to carry on her "just in case": a variety of medicine for almost every ailment, Neosporin, bandaids, tweezers, nailclippers, lotion, sunscreen, bugspray, glasses case, extra case for contacts, floss, pens, and at least 4 different maps on top of all the usual stuff (minus the wallet cause it got stolen). Also, I noticed that my feet had swollen during the bus ride to Mendoza, something that my mom always complains about on long car rides. I've started to get heartburn, have stolen hot sauce whenever I find it (nice restaurants included), wash and refill water bottles, wear sneakers and long socks when sightseeing, and take super touristy pictures of everyone when they don't want their picture to be taken. It's actually really scary. Who knows, maybe I'll end up coming home with really short hair and an Indian accent...
Lesson #32: Taking things from bars is just as fun (and gratifying) in another country as it is back home. Don't act shocked or baffled to hear me say such a thing because lets be real, whether its the drink mats behind the bar, beer glasses, or a book that's part of the decor (you know who you are), you've all done it. At the house, we have graciously been provided with lime green plastic mugs to hold our liquids. Needless to say, beer and wine and other such drinks don't taste as well when sipped responsibly from such containers. In an effort to provide ourselves with a classier, tastier way to drink, the residents of the house have taken it upon themselves to take glasses from the bars that we go to. This means that 1) beer is ordered from the tap, never in a bottle 2) girls take big purses and 3) girls hold any jackets and purses containing the glasses when entering clubs and bars because only guys get pat searched. For those of you that are shaking your head disapprovingly, don't expect me to bring you a glass back.
Lesson #33: A kiwi a day keeps the doctor away. The kiwis here are incredibly delicious, and have replaced the banana/apple that I eat with yogurt for lunch everyday. I'm not sure why, but they are seriously so good. Nom.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
lessons 26-30
Lesson #26: Don´t carry a lot of money, or your fake ID, around with you in your wallet. Why? Because it sucks to have your wallet stolen from your purse when you´re in the Subte (subway) and then realize that you have no money, and no way to go out when you go back home. It was so upsetting because I felt the guy stick his hand in my purse and because the subte was so crowded, I couldn´t even move away from him or turn around or anything. I even made eye contact with the guy who did it. It was the worst feeling in the world. The only upside to my getting robbed was that I got to use it as a reason to go home and not go to work (to cancel credit and debit cards, freeze accounts and travelers checks, contact the embassy, etc) when I was hungover.
Lesson #27: Argentines are actually just Carolina fans on a different continent. It´s hard not to feel somewhat at home amongst the Carolina blue and white that adorns this city as they cheer on their beloved soccer team during the World Cup. We went to Plaza San Martin to watch the game, along with thousands of Argetines, on a big screen. Read Shiwani´s latest blog and you´ll totally understand why the sea of blue was a reminder of home.
Lesson #28: It is impossible to eat healthy here because even if you want to eat a salad, the only "dressing" they have is olive oil. Honestly, if I wanted to die from a clogged artery or become obese, I wouldn´t be eating the salad. In a desperate effort to get some flavor and vegetables in our lives, Shiwani and I set out to find some dressing for our salad for dinner. After about 3 different markets, we stumbled upon a bottle of Newman´s Own Ranch Dressing... for 35 pesos. Seriously? Neither of us like Ranch, and even if we did, I wouldn´t pay the equivalent of $10 for a bottle of it. Maybe its a good thing the hospital is right across the street from our house... with carbs (rice, potatoes) and oil in the salads, who knows when my heart will fail on me.
Lesson #29: Alfahores (these delightful little cookie cake things that are incredibly delicious and a staple in every Argentines diet) have beef fat in them. EFF BEING A VEGETARIAN IN THIS COUNTRY.
Lesson #30: Sometimes it´s easier to text people in Spanish because the T9 on our cell phones here don´t predict English words. Pro: Your Spanish seriously improves because you use it all the time. Con: Sometimes you just want to be able to cuss in English in a text message.
Lesson #27: Argentines are actually just Carolina fans on a different continent. It´s hard not to feel somewhat at home amongst the Carolina blue and white that adorns this city as they cheer on their beloved soccer team during the World Cup. We went to Plaza San Martin to watch the game, along with thousands of Argetines, on a big screen. Read Shiwani´s latest blog and you´ll totally understand why the sea of blue was a reminder of home.
Lesson #28: It is impossible to eat healthy here because even if you want to eat a salad, the only "dressing" they have is olive oil. Honestly, if I wanted to die from a clogged artery or become obese, I wouldn´t be eating the salad. In a desperate effort to get some flavor and vegetables in our lives, Shiwani and I set out to find some dressing for our salad for dinner. After about 3 different markets, we stumbled upon a bottle of Newman´s Own Ranch Dressing... for 35 pesos. Seriously? Neither of us like Ranch, and even if we did, I wouldn´t pay the equivalent of $10 for a bottle of it. Maybe its a good thing the hospital is right across the street from our house... with carbs (rice, potatoes) and oil in the salads, who knows when my heart will fail on me.
Lesson #29: Alfahores (these delightful little cookie cake things that are incredibly delicious and a staple in every Argentines diet) have beef fat in them. EFF BEING A VEGETARIAN IN THIS COUNTRY.
Lesson #30: Sometimes it´s easier to text people in Spanish because the T9 on our cell phones here don´t predict English words. Pro: Your Spanish seriously improves because you use it all the time. Con: Sometimes you just want to be able to cuss in English in a text message.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Lessons 21-25
Lesson #21: Do whatever it takes to win BINGO on the 16 hour bus ride to Mendoza. Why? Because instead of candy or something lame, the prize for the winner is a bottle of wine.
Lesson #22: When doing bike tours and wine tasting in the vineyards of Mendoza, BUIs (Biking Under the Influence) are likely so make sure at least one person is coherent. Knowing where you are when riding bikes from vineyard to vineyard after tasting wonderful wines, numerous chocolate liquors, and absinthe can be difficult, especially when the roads lack signs and your bike is about to break.
Lesson #23: If you slip while trekking to and repelling down 120m cliffs in the Andes, try not to land on the nearby cacti, especially when the only thing you have on your legs is yoga pants.
Lesson #24: Old people love natural hot springs. After trekking and repelling out in the middle of nowhere, our guides took us to an even more remote location where we found this awesome natural hot spring water park thing (hard to explain and describe, but it was fabulous). Despite the numerous people that were grilling and hanging out nearby, the only people in the pools were old people. Maybe it was a good thing we didn't bring our bathing suits...
Lesson #25: Don't become so attached to a stray dog that you name it Alejandro. This precious dog followed us around all night, to the point where he waited outside the hostel for us. Given our obsession with the Lady Gaga song "Alejandro", we decided to name him Alejandro. Sadly, we never saw him again.
Lesson #22: When doing bike tours and wine tasting in the vineyards of Mendoza, BUIs (Biking Under the Influence) are likely so make sure at least one person is coherent. Knowing where you are when riding bikes from vineyard to vineyard after tasting wonderful wines, numerous chocolate liquors, and absinthe can be difficult, especially when the roads lack signs and your bike is about to break.
Lesson #23: If you slip while trekking to and repelling down 120m cliffs in the Andes, try not to land on the nearby cacti, especially when the only thing you have on your legs is yoga pants.
Lesson #24: Old people love natural hot springs. After trekking and repelling out in the middle of nowhere, our guides took us to an even more remote location where we found this awesome natural hot spring water park thing (hard to explain and describe, but it was fabulous). Despite the numerous people that were grilling and hanging out nearby, the only people in the pools were old people. Maybe it was a good thing we didn't bring our bathing suits...
Lesson #25: Don't become so attached to a stray dog that you name it Alejandro. This precious dog followed us around all night, to the point where he waited outside the hostel for us. Given our obsession with the Lady Gaga song "Alejandro", we decided to name him Alejandro. Sadly, we never saw him again.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Lessons 16-20
Lesson #16: In a foreign country, sometimes people won’t be able to understand or say your name, so you must learn to respond to other names. Exhibit A: Shiwani and I have grown accustomed to being called Giovanni (Shiwani) and Jimmy (Me) at bars and such. After trying to correct people, we’ve just accepted the fact that Shiwani is an Italian mafia man and I am… well, Jimmy.
Lesson #17: When making empanadas, don’t put too much stuffing. Random? Yes. Important? Absolutely. Blanca, one of the workers at the house and the sweetest woman ever, taught us how to make empanadas last night. With more than 25 drunk American students in the kitchen and over 100 empanadas to make, she did an amazing job and let everyone make their own. It was amazing and I learned how to fold and press empanadas like an Argentine. The key: not to put too much stuffing otherwise its just a ooey gooey mess.
Lesson #18: Don’t bother using one of your sick days to watch the World Cup because around here businesses close when Argentina plays. Thus, I will be using tomorrow morning to drink and watch the game, then show up to work at noon. If only we could adopt this attitude in the US during March Madness…
Lesson #19: Your Spanish improves (or at least you think it does) when you drink. Perhaps its because you don’t feel as conscious, perhaps its because you really do get better. Whatever it is, it’s awesome.
Lesson #20: When walking home from bars at night, don’t expect to get a warm response from the flower vendors on the street after yelling “Hola Senor!” to them. In retrospect, it makes sense. How would you feel if you were standing out in the cold all night trying to sell some flowers to some guys that were trying to get lucky or had messed up, and some tourists who were obviously having more fun than you, yelled at you?
Lesson #17: When making empanadas, don’t put too much stuffing. Random? Yes. Important? Absolutely. Blanca, one of the workers at the house and the sweetest woman ever, taught us how to make empanadas last night. With more than 25 drunk American students in the kitchen and over 100 empanadas to make, she did an amazing job and let everyone make their own. It was amazing and I learned how to fold and press empanadas like an Argentine. The key: not to put too much stuffing otherwise its just a ooey gooey mess.
Lesson #18: Don’t bother using one of your sick days to watch the World Cup because around here businesses close when Argentina plays. Thus, I will be using tomorrow morning to drink and watch the game, then show up to work at noon. If only we could adopt this attitude in the US during March Madness…
Lesson #19: Your Spanish improves (or at least you think it does) when you drink. Perhaps its because you don’t feel as conscious, perhaps its because you really do get better. Whatever it is, it’s awesome.
Lesson #20: When walking home from bars at night, don’t expect to get a warm response from the flower vendors on the street after yelling “Hola Senor!” to them. In retrospect, it makes sense. How would you feel if you were standing out in the cold all night trying to sell some flowers to some guys that were trying to get lucky or had messed up, and some tourists who were obviously having more fun than you, yelled at you?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lessons 11-15
Lesson #11: No matter where in the world you are, chocolate is a universal comfort food. I've found myself feeling a little more homesick and out of place than I was expecting amidst the hustle and bustle of new people, new places, and a new language. But, thankfully, a petite and preciously packaged chocolate torta (cake) from the corner store is a lovely reminder of my mom's wonderful desserts. Sometimes, all you really need is a cup of cafe con leche and some chocolate to get out of your rainy day slump.
Lesson #12: No matter how little you know about soccer, especially in a soccer crazy country like Argentina, David Beckham can always be brought up to start a conversation. At work today, my boss argued with me for almost a half hour about how he thought David Beckahm was gay (much to my dismay). Fortunately, the handful of other young women who were sitting with us came to my defense. No body talks shit about my man.
Lesson #13: As long as you're not blonde, people will think you're from Buenos Aires. For the third time during this trip, somebody has stopped me to ask me for directions or help. I mean seriously? Apparently the confused, distraught, and forelorn look across my face is not a dead giveaway that I'm not from here. However, my feeling of accomplishment quickly faded when, for the third time during this trip, I had to say "No se" (I don't know).
Lesson #14: A monument or statue of some sort should be built for the two brilliant individuals that invented blowdryers and straighteners. Because of the different voltage and plugs here, Shiwani and I were unable to bring any hair appliances. We figured the break from the damaging heat would do our hair some good. But without them I've been looking like one of the homeless people that line the streets around here. So in any pictures, be forewarned, the crazy looking hobo with a birds nest on her head is actually me.
Lesson #15: If you're from Buenos Aires, you will kiss everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) on the cheek upon entering or leaving a building. It's the most wonderful custom because it's impossible to not feel like you're a part of the people. As one of the first people into the office today, I received and returned almost 40 kisses as my coworkers arrived and left. Note to self, don't smell bad.
Lesson #12: No matter how little you know about soccer, especially in a soccer crazy country like Argentina, David Beckham can always be brought up to start a conversation. At work today, my boss argued with me for almost a half hour about how he thought David Beckahm was gay (much to my dismay). Fortunately, the handful of other young women who were sitting with us came to my defense. No body talks shit about my man.
Lesson #13: As long as you're not blonde, people will think you're from Buenos Aires. For the third time during this trip, somebody has stopped me to ask me for directions or help. I mean seriously? Apparently the confused, distraught, and forelorn look across my face is not a dead giveaway that I'm not from here. However, my feeling of accomplishment quickly faded when, for the third time during this trip, I had to say "No se" (I don't know).
Lesson #14: A monument or statue of some sort should be built for the two brilliant individuals that invented blowdryers and straighteners. Because of the different voltage and plugs here, Shiwani and I were unable to bring any hair appliances. We figured the break from the damaging heat would do our hair some good. But without them I've been looking like one of the homeless people that line the streets around here. So in any pictures, be forewarned, the crazy looking hobo with a birds nest on her head is actually me.
Lesson #15: If you're from Buenos Aires, you will kiss everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) on the cheek upon entering or leaving a building. It's the most wonderful custom because it's impossible to not feel like you're a part of the people. As one of the first people into the office today, I received and returned almost 40 kisses as my coworkers arrived and left. Note to self, don't smell bad.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Lessons 1-10
Sooo I thought that I had been posting on this thing for a week now but apparently not. Anyways, with one week and one day down, this trip has so far been nothing short of ridiculous. There are so many things that are unbelievably different as well as surprisingly the same. So with that being said, I'm going to take a "lessons learned" approach to this blog.
Lesson #1: Being a vegetarian is a foreign concept here. If you order a dish, explaining to the waitress that you don't eat meat, expect to receive chicken.
Lesosn #2: You WILL eat carbs with every meal, salads included. After craving some vegetables in our lives, Shiwani and I ordered an "ensalada completa" at a steakhouse. Living up to its name, the salad was complete in that it included carbs in a variety of forms such as rice and potatoes. This is great if you're planning on running a marathon but not so much when every meal consists of bread and cheese.
Lesson #3: iPods aren't needed. American music will be playing on almost every bus and in every restaurant, grocery store, and bar. On the way to work, I found myself grooving to the pleasant beats of Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffet, and of course Justin Beiber. I also heard some of my coworkers singing some Lady Gaga... which is interesting considering they don't know English.
Lesson #4: If a porteno/a (person from Buenos Aires) is in a relationship, you will know about it from their incredibly public display of affection. Boob grabbing, straddling, canoodling, and the like are to be expected from a couple in restaurants, on the bus, in the subte (subway), on the street, and in every public place imaginable. But then again, who can blame them considering the people here are beautiful and ooze with sex appeal.
Lesson #5: Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way. Be weary of speeding cars, buses, and taxis who often drive in the middle of 2 lanes because they will not stop. If the intense blaring of their horn is not enough to coax you back onto the curb and safe ground, then sprint as fast as you can to the other side of the road and hope that the driver doesn't want to end up with your intestines on their windshield.
Lesson #6: Just nodding and smiling and saying "si" is not the best approach when you don't understand something. Why? Because you may end up in your boss's office and awkwardly have to explain (in broken Spanish) why exactly you have nothing to show for 2 days of work.
Lesson #7: Traveling around the world is all about experiencing the culture and food. Thus, the best food we've had here in Argentina has been the Chinese food. And yes it was weird to see Chinese people speaking Spanish.
Lesson #8: The house wine is cheaper than the water. And a liter of beer costs less than $1.50US. Jealous? You should be.
Lesson #9: Be on the lookout for dog shit because if you're not paying attention, you will step in it and slip and bust your ass. Just as Shiwani :) However, in an attempt to put a positive spin on the situation, portenos say that its good luck. Yeah... ok.
Lesson #10: Make sure you know where the fuck you're going before you get into a cab because chances are 1) an American accent will piss him off 2) he doesn't really know where he's going 3) the combination of those two will make him drive around for almost an hour, driving up your bill and causing you to end up near the airport when all you wanted to do was go to a club (called a boliche here).
That's it for now :) Missing you all mucho
Lesson #1: Being a vegetarian is a foreign concept here. If you order a dish, explaining to the waitress that you don't eat meat, expect to receive chicken.
Lesosn #2: You WILL eat carbs with every meal, salads included. After craving some vegetables in our lives, Shiwani and I ordered an "ensalada completa" at a steakhouse. Living up to its name, the salad was complete in that it included carbs in a variety of forms such as rice and potatoes. This is great if you're planning on running a marathon but not so much when every meal consists of bread and cheese.
Lesson #3: iPods aren't needed. American music will be playing on almost every bus and in every restaurant, grocery store, and bar. On the way to work, I found myself grooving to the pleasant beats of Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffet, and of course Justin Beiber. I also heard some of my coworkers singing some Lady Gaga... which is interesting considering they don't know English.
Lesson #4: If a porteno/a (person from Buenos Aires) is in a relationship, you will know about it from their incredibly public display of affection. Boob grabbing, straddling, canoodling, and the like are to be expected from a couple in restaurants, on the bus, in the subte (subway), on the street, and in every public place imaginable. But then again, who can blame them considering the people here are beautiful and ooze with sex appeal.
Lesson #5: Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way. Be weary of speeding cars, buses, and taxis who often drive in the middle of 2 lanes because they will not stop. If the intense blaring of their horn is not enough to coax you back onto the curb and safe ground, then sprint as fast as you can to the other side of the road and hope that the driver doesn't want to end up with your intestines on their windshield.
Lesson #6: Just nodding and smiling and saying "si" is not the best approach when you don't understand something. Why? Because you may end up in your boss's office and awkwardly have to explain (in broken Spanish) why exactly you have nothing to show for 2 days of work.
Lesson #7: Traveling around the world is all about experiencing the culture and food. Thus, the best food we've had here in Argentina has been the Chinese food. And yes it was weird to see Chinese people speaking Spanish.
Lesson #8: The house wine is cheaper than the water. And a liter of beer costs less than $1.50US. Jealous? You should be.
Lesson #9: Be on the lookout for dog shit because if you're not paying attention, you will step in it and slip and bust your ass. Just as Shiwani :) However, in an attempt to put a positive spin on the situation, portenos say that its good luck. Yeah... ok.
Lesson #10: Make sure you know where the fuck you're going before you get into a cab because chances are 1) an American accent will piss him off 2) he doesn't really know where he's going 3) the combination of those two will make him drive around for almost an hour, driving up your bill and causing you to end up near the airport when all you wanted to do was go to a club (called a boliche here).
That's it for now :) Missing you all mucho
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