Do Mexican, Argentine style

Ah, Sunday, the day of rest. I really took this lesson to heart, not doing anything all day long. It was beautiful. I just sat in my room and watched trashy Spanish television (because nothing teaches you a language faster than watching Julio get bitch-slapped by Gloria for cheating with Marisol). For lunch we had empenadas and during siesta, I watched more trashy television before going out with a friend to Carrefour, which is like Wal-Mart: Argentina Edition. There we discovered an entire corner of the store dedicated to booze (as well as at the registers where there are usually sodas). I've now discovered why siestas are so important to these people - everybody is in a constant hangover! Our trip to Carrefour also resulted in our discovery of High School Musical: El Desafio. It's basically the High School Musical the we all love to hate, accept with an Argentine Cast. I couldn't handle it and decided right then and there that we needed to GTFO on the double.

We played in the park for a bit, just kicking the 'futbol' around, with moves that could rival the World Cup Finals, and then broke for dinner. A big group had decided to eat at "Taco Tabasco" which had the Mexican food that a large portion of the group was craving (things like nachos with cheese which is a delicacy that isn't really big here). It was actually pretty good and just as rich as the rest of the food here.

I left before everyone else (story of my life) because it was getting late and we have another day of orientation tomorrow at 9 (which is beginning to look more and more un-Godly the more I wake up at 11:30).

Let's see what another day brings!

Have you met my new friend Balto?

It was so cold today that there were actually flurries falling from the sky all day. Evil little pieces of frozen water taunting me and reminding me of the hot weather in Colorado that I am not experiencing as a part of my summer. Bastards. Anyway, I woke up at 11:30 today after my long night of drunken debauchery and wild bar hopping... yeah, it totally happened... Breakfast passed without any sort of significance, as did lunch, which were only about an hour apart. I wanted to take a siesta but my body apparently thought that I had had enough rest and I decided to wander the streets, which are near deserted during this time. I walked around trying to find something/some place new in the city to enjoy. I really do like walking through this city. There is just something about it that makes the time fly, and the more familiar I become with it, the more I enjoy it. On my way back, one (of the millions) of stray dogs in the city decided that I was interesting and began following me. Everywhere. For an hour. Nothing I did would get the dog off my tail (hooray pun!). At times, it would wander in front of me and look back at me as if it was showing me the way home. I'm sure it thought it was real clever... until it was almost hit by a car. Not so clever now, are ya?

When I got home, I had to slip through the door so that my new friend, Balto as she is to now be known, wouldn't follow me inside. She was a pretty dog and all, but this was so not a "mommy-can-I-keep-it?" situation. I relaxed for another hour until I got a text from my friend Bryan asking if I wanted to do anything. We decided to hit up a cafe as a way to combat the cold and get out of our houses. As I was walking to meet up with him I heard something sneak up behind me... Balto had found me again. How was that possible! With as many dogs as there are in this city, you never see the same one twice! and now the same dog is following me! I introduced my new friend to Bryan, and she accompanied us to the cafe that was closest. Inside, we, and another friend we had seen along the way (James), sat down and enjoyed cappuccinos, cafe con leche, and dulce de leche cupcakes (yes, I said it, cupcakes). While we were talking, James looks out the window and says "Hey, look at that dog." Sure enough, Balto is just walking back and forth outside cafe, right next to the window we were sitting next to. Bryan called it companionship. I called it stalking. We paid for our snacks and walked to a nearby store (sans-Balto) to look at boots and outdoors-y clothes. On the walk back, guess who creeped up on us. Simba! just kidding, Balto... This dog has officially been following me around for 4 hours! She followed us down the main street (once more, almost getting hit by a car [girl really needs to knock that off]), and followed us up until Bryan's house, were I was able to get her to follow him instead of me (Am I a bad person for feeling relieved that I got her off me by saddling her with a friend?.. nah). I've decided to just relax about the entire situation for now. After all, books, movies, and songs have been written about these kinds of occurrences... maybe it was pure coincidence. However, if she is waiting for me, looking through my window, when I wake up tomorrow, we will officially have a problem.

For the rest of the night I decided to stay in. I actually did want to go out, but it was so freaking cold that I decided that my only semi-freezing house would make for a good substitute. After a satisfying dinner, I stayed in my room and relaxed on my computer. A warm shower is the best thing for days like today, so that is exactly what I took. It really was nice to just soak in the warmth and get ready for bed. I thought that this warm shower was the perfect end to a day without any major incident... and then I went to turn the shower off, and the handle fell off....

Jesus. H. Christ.

In my warm, relaxed state I had forgotten one, crucial detail about my life: Argentine bathrooms hate me. There is, of course, no way that they would let me have a happy day. That would just be wrong. God, sitting on his La-Z-Boy up in the sky, better be laughing his ass of right now, because somebody should be enjoying this giant cosmic joke.

Whatever. The day is done, and it's bed time for Brendan. Tune in tomorrow, when the city pigeons decided to reenact a scene from "Birds" and the bathroom sink tries to drown me! Can't wait!

¿Podemos tomar 'Nom-Noms? is not a real question in any language...

It's FREEZING in Mendoza today! The forcast is calling for rain and snow! What!? I was under the impression that all of South America was a year-round paradise! Who lied to me??? Anyway, after breakfast, I went to get ready and had to use the bathroom. Now, for some reason, bathrooms have not been my friends for the last couple of days. Surely they have had their fun with me and are content to let me just coexist with them. False. As I was getting ready, the toilette decided that I wasn't good enough to flush it. Great. What kind of awkward conversation starts with, "Thanks for breakfast!... I broke your toilette..." I went to my host mom and told her that the toilette wasn't functioning, thinking this was going to be all kinds of uncomfortable, but to my surprise she tells me, "Yeah, it does that sometimes."... excuse me? Apparently, sometimes the toilette just doesn't feel up to filling itself with water. Maybe it gets tired? Anyways, what you need to do is take the little trash bin next to the toilette, fill it with water, and then just throw the water into the bowl so that the water pressure pushes everything down... So now, I have a lazy toilette to go with my petty lock. Next thing I know, I'm going to be dealing with a passive-aggressive sink. AWESOME ARGENTINA! So far I'm like 0 for 3...

Moving right along, I had my interview about the classes that I wanted to take at 10:40 this morning, then went into the city with some friends so that we could go to the bank and run a couple of errands. After I got home, I just relaxed for a bit, before eating lunch, which was a warm soup with rice and vegetables and meat. It was just what I needed on a cold day like today. I wanted to siesta today, but I just wasn't feeling it, so I just relaxed on my computer. My host mom came into my room a bit later and told me that I had to try maté, a very Argentine drink. It's like tea, and you sip it through a metal straw. It's a both bitter and sweet at the same time... but it's warm, which is good on days like today. But the jury is still out.

I left for my next day of orientation at Universidad Congresso which was held for all of the international students who would be attending the University for the coming semester. There were students from the United States (hollah!), Germany, France, and Colombia and Mexico (#cheaters #allyoupeoplegoingtoEngland/Scotland/Ireland). The French and German students were particularly impressive, speaking not only their native languages, but Spanish and English to us Amurrikans... show-offs. Anyhooo, we had a brief orientation, after which we had a demonstration of a cultural dance, the samba, and the tango. Then we broke off into little groups to just talk and get to know one another. My group had two French students and one German student who were really cool. After our getting to know you session (where they had the best desserts, i.e. dulce de leche sandwiches) we made plans with the French students to go out later that night.

At dinner, I helped my host family figure out whether to use Day-Quil or Ny-Quil (they only had a box w/ English instructions) It feels good to be needed. After dinner, we made plans to go out. I'm going to end my blog post here, because I don't know how late I'll be out and everyone knows Brendan at any hour past 12:00am will not be a happy blogger. Nos vemos mañana.

That's Like Chocolate!... No, no it's not...

Since today was a free day, I got to wake up whenever I wanted. It was a good feeling. I woke up around 10, had breakfast, and met up with a friend from the program. We walked around the main part of the city for an hour or so and then walked to the IFSA office to look at classes and the books that they offered. Afterwards, we left for lunch and siesta making plans to meet up with some more IFSA students in the city. Lunch was good as usual, as was my siesta! Our little group of people met up at a cafe and decided to have a little snack there. There were a lot of options that all looked good. I settled on empenadas with ham and cheese, but they didn't have ham or cheese anymore, so the waitress gave me more options. I couldn't understand a bunch of them, but one of them sounded like "choco" to which my friend Bryan said "Oh that's like chocolate!" Ok, I'll get the weird sounding chocolate empenada. Just as the waitress left, Lian, another IFSA student, looks over and says, "Wait, I don't think that's chocolate... I think it's a vegetable..." Well, life is an adventure so I decided to just take whatever they give me. It actually didn't end up being bad at all. It was like mix of vegetable and was a bit sweet, so overall I'd count this as a win for Brendan!

After the cafe, we walked around the city for a bit looking at all of the street vendors that have some genuinely cool stuff, eventually stopping into a supermarket to buy a bunch of necessities. Afterwards, Bryan and I decided to take a micro back to our houses. This was an exciting affair because neither of us had ever taken one before and weren't sure where they all went, but my host family did tell me that the 31 and the 32 stop close to the house, so I decided to start there! We boarded and rode the micro like pros, only faltering when we had to get off (there are two doors, and you need to get off the one in the back, not the front... next time!). At home, I got an email with the results of my Spanish Diagnostic. I was placed into the top group! This should help me get into the type of volunteer work that I want to do.

Dinner has failed to disappoint here, and afterwards some of the Mendoza crew wanted to go out later. I was down to go until they changed the time to 11:30. I'm still getting used to everything and I have an interview tomorrow about classes so... I'm gonna say no. Next time!

Argentina: Lugar con Baños Complicados

My day started disgustingly early for me today. I woke up at 8 (which sucked after an exhausting night) so that I could eat and get to the bank early so that I could FINALLY change my money. I got to the bank, found the line I needed to be in... and was told I had to be a member of the bank in order for them to change my money. Not a problem! As I knew a 'Casa de Cambio' (exchange house) that was close to the school I was going to at 9. The best part was I only had to wait 15 minutes for them to tell me that they couldn't change it unless I was a member of the bank (and I'm not being sarcastic... really, a 15 minute wait time for disappointing news is kind of like a God send here). So I walked to the exchange house, changed my money (which p.s. goes in favor for the United States: 4.12 to 1 [#winning!]) and then was off to Unviersidad Congresso for the next day of orientation where we went over the Spanish Diagnostic that we would be taking today, as well as the classes that were available in the various schools/departments that we had access to. Afterwards, a group went with Sabrina again to purchase cards that would put minutes on our phones after which two of my friends and I walked home together because we lived in the same area. They actually helped me discover a new way home which I think is quicker and along busier streets (which are good for shops and light for when it's getting dark).

After another great lunch consisting of baked chicken and delicious mashed potatoes, I took a siesta (which is a practice that we really need to adopt in the United States) and then I went to Universidad Nacional de Cuyo where the Mendoza Crew took our Spanish Diagnostics. It consisted of one 50 minute written portion and a 10 minute oral portion. I don't think that I did too poorly on the written portion and there were only a few questions that I felt confused about. The oral went about the same. I had to tell the proctor about where I was from, my school, what I was studying, the classes I wanted to take, and then I had to describe a picture to her, what I think happened, and the colors within it. Like I said, I don't think I did too poorly and we'll find out our groups (there are four possible classes to be placed into) in about 2 days. After I took my oral portion, I decided to use the bathroom before trekking back to my house. I thought it would be easier and save me some discomfort. I was wrong. Why? Well let me tell you...

First, there isn't toilette paper in the stalls, it's outside the stalls and there is only one dispenser so apparently you have to take what you think you need before you go. Awkward? I think 'yes'. Second, they made the handle to flush the toilette impossible to find. I spent a good 4 and 1/2 minutes looking for the flushy lever, actually leaving the stall to see if there was some kind of 'Master Flush' button outside the stall along with the 'anticipate-your-own-needs' toilette paper dispenser. All I found was the soap dispenser. I returned to the stall where I eventually found a button hidden on the side of the toilette that I had to both press and hold because all the button did was release water, so you have to release enough water to push your "business" down the pipes. You'd think my my ordeal with the bathroom would end with my victory over the toilette, but you'd be wrong. The next hurdle was washing my hands. Now, I had already found the soap (remember, I thought it was the 'Master Flush') but when I pushed the button at the sink for water , it came out at such a rapid stream, I was actually afraid to put my hands under it for fear of physical pain. What's more is that the water splashed of the porcelain sink so much that it seriously wet my jacket, leading me to my new theory that you are supposed to hold your hands up to the back-splash instead of using the direct stream like a normal human being. Just when I thought there was nothing more this bathroom could throw at me, I approached the dryer. I could almost hear it laughing at me as I tried to get it to release hot air to dry my hands. For the record, no amount of movement will get it to activate. It will dry your hands when, and if, it damn well pleases. All you get to do is hold your hands beneath it and hope that it's feeling generous today. Just as I was swearing to never use this bathroom again no matter what affliction of the bowel or bladder I had, I was reminded that we would be having Spanish classes in that building. Of. Course.

When I got home I just relaxed. A few friends and I had made plans to go out later, but the second I sat down in my room, I was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen. I passed the time by writing parts of this post and then watching random videos on YouTube (some in Spanish, I am trying to learn over hear) and then went to dinner, which consisted of chicken w/ an egg on it (an odd combination but satisfying nonetheless). After dinner, I went to the bathroom to "freshen up" and nearly locked myself in the freaking bathroom! The lock wouldn't move for me to leave, and I began to panic because I couldn't remember how to say "Somebody help me! I've locked myself in your bathroom! Call the Power Rangers!" en Español. Is this county trying to tell me something? What the heck Argentina! I definitely think I need to go to bed!

Tomorrow is a free day because we have 'entrevistas' (interviews) regarding our classes and mine isn't until Friday. I think a few friends and I are going to figure out the Micros tomorrow... wish us suerte!

The best way to draw attention to yourselves is to form a giant line of Americans outside a cellphone shop.

Today I thought I'd start the day by eating breakfast and then going out and changing my money (finally!). After walking around in a circle (it really was a giant circle) I got to the bank and the line was out the door... Argentina does not want me to change my freaking money! Around here, I was told, the banks close after siesta, which is about 2:00pm. So I'm either going to have see if there is somewhere else that can change my money OR wait until tomorrow, which I really don't want to do, but it looks like I have no choice.

After lunch, which consisted of pasta, potatoes, bread, and butter (YAY CARBS!) I took a siesta (the best thing about this country) and then when to Universidad Congresso for the next part of our orientation. I accidentally walked two streets two far and had to double back but thankfully this meant that I didn't have to miss the cute couple trying to smash their faces together in the most violent way possible. Ah, young love, when looking like a group of people attempting imprint dental records on one anothers tongues is not only cute, but acceptable [el sigh].

At orientation, we discussed 1.volunteer options, which I would really like to get involved in, 2. ways of taking "micros" which are the buses around here, and 3. things relating to health and security. Afterwards a group of 30 of us went with Sabrina, one of the advisers, to a cellphone shop. Nothing screams "We're Not From Here" quite like a mass of 30 Americans speaking broken Spanish to one another walking through the city and waiting outside a tiny little cellphone shop. The best part was waiting an hour so that the store could get enough phones to give to us, and then standing around while everyone paid. After this, I had to walk back home, which I was less than thrilled about because, yes, I had seen the city before, but that does not make me familiar with it at night and when I left it was about 9:30. I made it home without incident but I'm definitely going to make use of the micros at night... and possibly in the day, my shins are beginning to hurt from all the walking (their streets and sidewalks are not even). When I got home, Sylvia (my host mothers friend who is always here) made dinner for me and gave me a card for the micros on which she put 20 pesos (she had been talking about this with me earlier but at the time I hadn't understood her).

Now, I'm exhausted and am about to go to bed seeing as I have to wake up at 8 tomorrow in order to change my money (fingers crossed) and make it to my next program event. Spanish placement tomorrow! Wish me suerte!

Walk the city, see the city, BE the city!

Today was a holiday here in Mendoza in honor of their patron saint, so everything was closed and no one had to go in to work. After breakfast, I walked around Parque San Martin so that I could familiarize myself with the area that I'm staying in. It is just like a park in Colorado, and it felt like Fall in Denver! After walking around and acquainting myself with the various streets I found Universidad Nacional de Cuyo which is one of the schools that I will be attending. After walking around some more, I happened upon another student in my program with her host parents. It was cool seeing somebody familiar out and about in the city. Her host parent directed me back to the correct street (I was only a little bit lost and I couldn't see any street signs so the map I had was doing nothing for me) and then I arrived back at the house in time for lunch.

After lunch, I had my first siesta. In Mendoza, the entire city stops for a few hours and everybody takes a nap and, well, what can I say? When in Mendoza, do as the Mendocinians do! After my nap, I went out again, this time looking for Universidad Congresso. It wasn't labeled on my map, and my host mom only knew the general direction so this one really was a kind of adventure. I got a little lost again, but asked a security guard in one of the buildings that I was closest to and she told me that it was the next street over. Success! I know knew the location of the two schools that I was attending. After basking in my glory and marveling at how amazing I am to orient myself in a foreign city all by my lonesome, I decided to explore the street I was on (San Martin) because it had a lot of interesting looking cafes and shops. I walked along a few other streets before making my way back to my house and along the way I saw two more students in my program! The first was with her host mom, and while we were talking, another student came up to us having seen us as she too was familiarizing herself with the city. We compared stories about host families and how overwhelmed we were, and then went our separate ways as it was getting dark.

For dinner, we had a delicious combo of soup and chicken. Conversation consisted of beliefs in God, the family, and the differences between Argentina and Chile (my host mom is Chilean). I'm getting confident because I'm able to understand more of what they say and am able to give my thoughts and opinions quite well (at least I hope it's quite well!). What I love most is that when my host mom and her friend have a conversation, they mostly look at each other but still make sure that every now and then I pipe in. I love it because there is no pressure to speak, or make small talk in a language that I'm not fluent in, and it gives me a chance to just listen and get used to the cadence of their speech.

Tomorrow is the first day with the program and we'll be having an orientation at Universidad Congresso for a few hours. Afterwards, I'm sure a group of us will go and do something in the city, but first things first; I need to change my money already! After that, I need to get a phone and then I'll finally be "settled" here in Mendoza.

Mi Cuarto

The REAL fun begins!

I'm finally in Mendoza! After touring more parts of Buenos Aires, we ended our stay with a lunch along River Platte. It was freezing, but the food was good, and the river/rest of the view was beautiful! After an amazing dessert of dulce de leche, we drove to the airport and finally left for Mendoza. At the airport, many of us discussed how weird it was that our program really hadn't begun yet. After all of the activities and stuff that we had learned, we had felt that we had already experienced a good portion of the program. Not the case, as our five month stay here has barely begun!

After a forgettable 2 hour flight, we arrived. Everybody was nervous, excited, anxious, and ready all at the same time. My host brother Dan was there to meet me with his girlfriend Diana and his aunt and uncle, who are also host parents. Dan took me to our house for the next 5 months were I met my host mother Lucy and her friend who made dinner for us. Lucy showed me around the house and asked my about my life. It was overwhelming and nerve wracking talking to her (I didn't want to sound like an idiot, but in my flustered state I got in my own way, didn't pay attention, and asked her what "hombre" meant... really...), but this is why I'm here! To Learn! At dinner, it was a very relaxed affair with Lucy and her friend having a conversation, and me chiming in every now and then. I can understand bits and pieces and so far I don't think my contributions suck!

I'm loving my time in this country so far! Tomorrow is a holiday here in Mendoza, so there isn't anything I have to do as far as the program is concerned, but there are still a lot of things I need to do, like change my money and buy a list of things that I don't have but do, in fact, need.

Tomorrow is my first full day in Mendoza and I can't wait to see what it brings!

You should wear pants and maybe... a shirt.

Day two in Buenos Aires does not disappoint! After a quick breakfast, Team Mendoza packed onto the bus and traveled all over the city... literally! We visited the heart of thel city were we saw the Catederal Metropolitana, Casa Rosa (the equivalent of our White House), and their "Congresso". Then we took the bus and visited La Boca, which had buildings that were painted all different colors, Puerto Madero, and Recoleta before breaking for lunch at the amazing Il Ballo del Mattone which further solidified that I would, in fact, be adding an additional 15lbs before returning to the US.  They had an amazing pasta w/broccoli and mushroom sauce and a delicious tiramisu. Greatest thing EVER!

Next, we walked through Palermo, where there were tons of shops and street vendors selling so many different things, ranging from baby toys, to coffee mugs. The city was so alive and the streets were packed with people and cars. I honestly don't know how both manage to be so aggressive on the street and not have a ton of accidents!

At our second orientation, we discussed different methods of culture shock and the many ways Argentines do things differently. Apparently, they like to stare at people who interest them. SCORE! I can be my normal creeper self and pass as an Argentine! We also discussed how Argentines are not fans of clothing and will wear very little when they go out, leading one girl to ask what typical "out clothing" looks like, to which our advisor replies, "You should wear pants and maybe... a shirt." I'm definitely in love with this country.

For dinner tonight we were allowed to go out and choose for ourselves. My group of people ended up at a cute little pizzaria around the corner, with good food and good service. I'm getting excited because tomorrow we leave for Mendoza and then the real adventure begins. I'll meet my host family and get used to the neighborhood that I'll be living in for the next five months! Can't wait!

The Mendoza Crew

The Longest Day EVER!

Well, I'm exhausted! It all started with a 2 hour flight from Denver to Dallas-Fort Worth. That flight actually wasn't too bad and before I knew it, the pilot was announcing that we were getting ready to land. The real battle began on my flight from Dallas to Buenos Aires. At first, I thought that my initial culture shock would come after arriving in Buenos Aires, but in fact, it was on the plane ride there, where at least 75% of the passengers were speaking Spanish around me. The directions on board were in Spanish and English which I thought was actually really cool. But then came 10 hours of misery as I sat, and sat.... and sat some more. It was terrible. It was impossible to get comfortable and every time I got sleep the plane would hit some turbulence and I would jolt awake, convinced that the plane was about to crash. Finally after what seemed like the longest day of my life, we arrived.

TOUCHDOWN ARGENTINA!

On to the next nightmare: Customs.
There were only about two tellers for a whole plane full of Americans trying to get through. The poor woman who was questioning me started asking me about visas which of course made me panic and launch into an explanation of why I don't need a student visa yet in barely passable Spanish and led me to pull out all of the documentation that I had. I couldn't understand her, she couldn't understand me and it took a minute before she could explain to me that she was just asking if I had one so she would know what to mark on my passport... Oh, my bad... I hadn't slept OK!

Another hour and a half later, and I was still waiting to have my bags checked. Everyone around me was getting impatient, and I was getting restless because I was worried that my IFSA-Butler contact would leave without me and that I would be stranded alone in this country with people demanding my student visa... this is where my mind goes. Luckily I met a nice Brazilian man (whose name I couldn't even pretend to understand, let alone spell) who couldn't speak English or Spanish very well, but we made due with a little bit of conversation. I even helped him fill out one of his customs forms. I'm such a giver. After FINALLY making it through "security" (let's face it... the guard wasn't paying attention to me) I found my IFSA-Butler contact, said goodbye to my Brazilian friend and met up with a few more students in my program. We waited around the airport for another hour and a half for the rest of our program to arrive and then we finally got to our hotel where we ate lunch, had a two hour break (i.e. NAP TIME) and then met up again for orientation and finally dinner.

Just so everyone knows, I am coming back to DU 15lbs heavier than when I left... if I'm lucky. God, that food was good! I've never experienced pizza and flan quite like that before. There must be something magical about the food here, because when everyone arrived, we were all grumpy and exhausted, but by the time we left we were laughing and having a grand ol' time! There are so many different types of people here, but we are all united by the fact that we are all experiencing this for the first time together.

I am already in love with this country! I can't wait to see what else is in store!

Tomorrow Never Dies

Well, here we are. My final night in the United States for the next five months! This day seemed like the one day that was always in the abstract, like the one thing that was always there, but I never really had to worry about because "I had plenty of time," but now that it's here, I'm wondering who pushed the fast forward button. I honestly have no idea how I'm feeling right now. Definitely some stress (I've been freaking out about everything from flights to paperwork), and definitely some excitement. I guess there really isn't much left to do other than soak up this final night here and prepare for my new adventure. They tell me that orientation is a bit hectic and there is a lot of stuff to learn so it looks like I'm going  to be coming out swinging, but first thing's first: getting there. Don't they say that's half the battle? Okay American Airlines, here I come. Please be nice!