A simple exchange experience...

Being back in Elisa brings back so many memories, and all good... I was just a teenage girl looking to get away from my family for awhile wanting to experience something different than the typical high school experience (yes, it is quite ironic that I am back in high school as a profession)... when we had an assembly on exchange programs I couldn´t think of anything else more perfect- living with a new family, a place where no one knows you and learning to speak another language.  I never imagined it would turn into what it did and affect my life as it did... if I had never begged to study abroad, and the program to Spain hadn´t been full, and Mexico to close thanks to my mother saying how she could visit me, and Ecuador only having a 1 year program while I was only allowed to go for 6 months...I would have never ended up in Argentina.  I would have never experienced the all night boliches, or the asados en el campo (beef barbecued on farms), finishing school at 6:30 in the the afternoon, the endless rides in bike, moto, and car around town, the most perfect jeans that exist for women in Argentina, the most fabulous Italian food you will ever find outside of Italy, what it feels like to have endless amounts of grapefruit and orange trees in your backyard, or the warm sun pouring over you while drinking mate with your friends.. ah mate... or the endless countryside views, riding bikes down dirt roads, the Sunday afternoon soccer games or the all night soccer tournaments in the summer (everyones parks around the field, wait, around 10 pm there is an asado con cuero if you want to eat first, then entry to the field, teams from other towns come and it last until the last game is played around 5 am), the afternoons by the club pool, or what it feels like to sleep with a hot water bottle at your feet!  Or what it feels like to have an entire town know who you are and welcome you each time you come back as if you are one of them and they give you a piece of them each time you visit and you leave a part of you behind each time you go, and to this day, children saying hello as you ride by knowing who you are without you knowing them. I can´t imagine a life without all those experiences I never would have had if I didn´t beg to go on an exchange program, and the program to Spain hadn´t been full, and Mexico to close thanks to my mother saying how she could visit me, and Ecuador only having a 1 year program while I was only allowed to go for 6 months...I would have never ended up in Argentina... Elisa, Santa Fe, Argentina, a place that feels more like home than anywhere else, even my real home... 

Cementerios

Today I went and visited the cementery in Elisa.  There is something about cementeries here in Argentina that is different.  It can be because most are buried above ground in shrines that seem like little houses?  Or the pictures posted next to their name?  Or small children that catch your eye? Today I rode my bike with little Guillermina (my friend´s 6 yar old) down the dirt road surrounded by farms out towards the cementery.  We went during the siesta when most were sleeping but I wanted to take advantage of the warm sun.  The blue sky and the farmland for miles surrounded us as we rode our bikes.  Going through the cementery, visiting the people I knew that had passed, and seeing their familiar faces was somehow comforting being able to visit them.  Guillermina was my little tour guide and knew almost everyone (she almost knows everyone in town too, who is going out with who, etc... my little ball of information)...riding bikes to cementery is something to do in a farm town of 1,000 in the middle of Argentina.
After our return to the town Elisa there was a viewing for someone that had just died the night before.  Within 24 hours there is a viewing, mass and burial, so quick and nothing like the US. 

Argentina-Mexico...and now Germany!

Last Sunday was one of the best days here… Argentina was set to play against Mexico in the “octavos”. We decided with other students in my class to go to the plaza San Martín to watch the game because there they had HD screens for the public to gather and watch the game. In reality they put screens up all over the city, well 3 but if you included every TV that you can see from the street in every restaurant on every corner, it is a lot. They also opened movie theatres and people could watch the game in HD there. We wanted to be in the center of it all, to have the best experience possible since we were in the heart of Argentina! We arrived at the plaza by subway and upon making it to the street we saw a big tent. There were promoters and advertisement people everywhere and people roaming about with the celestial blue and white colors. Amazed we moved inside the tent to find multiple plasma tvs everywhere with pre-game coverage and people roaming excitedly about. There was a kid sections with games and mini chairs and tv´s at a lower level and an area for old people with chairs. We made our way through the tent looking for our friend Ayumi that was there already. Upon exiting the tent we entered yet another phase of the excitement, an extremely large HD screen at the bottom of the hill with tons of spectators taking their positions. The music, the costumes the drums, it was as if we had arrived to the field itself with the yelling and the worries and the excitement being expressed! Argentina started off the game playing not so well and the atmosphere was tense. Everyone worried by every goal Mexico almost made. The seleccion nacional this time did not seem as prepared or read as they did in the other 3 games. However, after waiting a period of time, goal Argentina! The screams and the relief filled the air. Yes it was an offside goal no one refuted that but as FIFA does not approve the use of technology to review plays and remake decisions as in other sports, what could they do? Argentina was winning 1-0! Mexico was so mad they fell apart it seemed. When the second goal occurred once again the entire plaza celebrated and we, my friend Grace and I, almost ended up at the bottom of the hill! From all the excitement the crowd moved about like a mosh pit and a landslide of people almost occurred and we were almost all toast-wheh! With the third goal by Tevez and that one this time, was fair- take that Mexico- everyone k new the game was ours but still waited till the final whistle to celebrate! With the rest of the people we walked down the middle of 9 de Julio, an avenue otherwise always occupied with traffic towards the Obelisco where everyone gathered to celebrate things. Everyone was hugging, cheering and beeping their horn- the walk was almost magical as if we had already won the world cup! As Maradona said, today we celebrate the victory and tomorrow we worry about Germany! People kept coming as dusk hit and the celebrations continued. People brought their dogs dressed in Argentina little puppy jackets! As the news said that night, in that moment we were all Argentina, we were all one!


So today, in less than 2 hours is the next challenge for the seleccion nacional. Since last night everyone has been very nervous and tension is high… vamos Argentina! VAMOS!!! Please please don´t let the journey, or as Maradona says, the story or the history in the making, end today…

Crepúsculo- Eclipse

So up until now I have kept myself out of the Twilight series, why?  I don´t know cause I read and follow everything else that is popular in the world and feel I need to take a stand somewhere maybe?  Despite me being a hopeless romantic and LOVING this kind of stuff, and friends raving about it, and then all the hooh hah with the movies... well tonight I went to see Eclipse.  I´m in Argentina, what the heck I thought.  So we run to the movies across the shopping mall to get in line over an hour before the start time.  If you are not there early you might get bad seats, or even worse, have to watch the dubbed over version- eck!  In a line of about 400 women and 10 men I thought this should be interesting... they started to let people in and everyone, including Marina and who I was with made a made a mad dash for the theatre to get the best spot possible!  When the only rows left were those undesirable front ones people sat in the isles!  When the movie started, applause!  Now is it just because of this anticipated movie?  No clue... With the first appearance of Channing Tatum, screams and shrieks throughtout the theatre!  And basically everytime he appeared after that with no shirt on... I can see why!  I just found it very interesting and wondering if this went down in the US when the movie was released?  The other funny thing was at certain parts when people would get super hyped there were others shushing them to be quiet!  The movie was in English with subtitles!  Really funny...anyway, I´m going to start book one in Spanish and my resistence has dimished against the Twilight series! Oh and of course when the movie was over, applause!

El transporte en Argentina

Ok, so traveling around the city in itself is an experience.  The subway trains have their windows open for air to pass through and it is very easy to get motion sickness in the buses above ground.  They never come to a complete stop when you have to get on and you are still hanging off the front if there are a lot of people getting on when they start up again!  Luckily if you are traveling to Buenos Aires you can buy the Guia T that tells you how to get to anywhere inthe city you want to go by train or bus with every street and number elaborated.  It is like my bible here!

Last night I took the subte A from El Plaza de Mayo and I sware it was as if I stepped backinto the 1920s.  The train conductor whisteld for everyone to board.  Everything was made of wood, the benchs, the doors, the exterior of the windows that rattles as it went along and there were even mirrors throughout.  The pols had a certain details that were so beatiful especially the part that connected them to the ceiling.  I tried to take pictures but it was hard to do without anyone noticing.  It was seriously like a train you would find going around disneyland, a repulica of the old ones but still in use.  It was so beautiful and amazing that it is still being used?  Why did we get rid of the old and replace it with "new and modern" but in no way replicates the beaty of the craft from before?  That I will never understand... My ride in the subte last night was quite memorable and to that placeslike that still exist, unbelievable.

On my way back by bus, it finally happened... it was only a matter of time in a country without stop signs and very little traffic lights that an accident would occur.  We were going along in the bus and there came the taxi from the side street slowing down but not stopping totally and rammed right into our bus.  Luckily no one was hurt nor was the taxi driver and a policeman happened to be at the corner.  They exchanged info, nothing really happened to the bus or us as it is huge and within 10 minutes we were on our way...as if nothing had happened.  Interesting.  That was around 1 in themorning...when I got off thebus everything was bustling as usual at that hour of the night on a saturday, people eating and moving about the city- who sleeps on a saturday ngiht?  The dance clubs were just getting started and the portenos were out and about!

Elisa - Dia del Padre 20-6-10

This last weekend I went to Santa Fe to spend time and see friends since the weekend before I had little time to see everyone!  I arrived Thursday night after the six hour bus ride and Marina was waiting for me in the terminal.  I thought Friday I would get some work done but she didn´t have class so we walked to the facultad, we had to cross the bridge ove the Parana River but it is such a cool walk and that is the university where I studied before so it brought back good memories!  In the afternoon I went and drank some mates with la Caro and Walter (my oldest host sister) and saw Valeria (my youngest host sister)...it was so nicw to see them after 2 years and of course lots to talk about.  When I got back home all the chicas were coming over for dinner...Gilda, Yanina, Marcela, Marina y yo!  We have all been friends for so long it was so nice to get together, we ordered some empanadas and pizzas and talked the night away!  Sometimes it is hard to believe that you are back in certain moments that have brought you so much happiness!  Marina got to show off her new house too so it was very fun! 

Saturday at one we took the bus to Elisa, another 2 hour ride but the buses were full for the long weekend and Marina and I didn´t get to sit next to each other but lucky me got to sit next to a law student so we chatted all the way back!  When we fgot to Elisa Marina{s mom was waiting for us with tons of food- ah soooo good! Seriously, there aren{t words to describe how amazing a cook she is.  She even made me a cake without milk, butter or creme, yum!  Seriously, with oranges and sugar frosting :)!  I went to see my host mom and hung out there for awhile with la Vale then we drove around in a few vueltas.  Seriously, it is amazing how your perspective changes in different environments!  Driving around the town (which consists of 6 blocks and 3 cross streets) and just checking things out and talking is really tons of fun.  After dinner I had to take a nap because they were having Play Disco, the new dance club in Elisa who I know people that organize it...it is on Facebook, very advanced :)  BTW I think facebook is more popular down here than the US.  But since it was going to start at 1 a.m. and I am old I had to take a nap especially in winter because it is cold (well really not that cold but yes cold!)- especially when you have your hot water bottle in bed and it is so warm and cozy!  Marina and I still share the room we shared before and we set the alarm awoke, got dressed and headed to the YPF.  About a year ago they added a resto bar there so we went for a pre drink before the boliche.  By the time we got to the boliche it was like 3 a.m.  I saw my law student friend from the other town that came...lots of people from surrounding towns come to dance and hang out and it was La Fiesta de Frizze.  Lala was working the entrance and I went and helped her out for awhile since people were coming in big groups.  Marina ended up working bar because they were short handed.  It was so packed it was hard to dance but lots of people were there, home for the long weekend and it was so so so good to see everyone!  We got to bed at 7 a.m. When we woke up Marina{s mom brought up breakfast in our beds maltas and cake and there are really no words to describe how amazing it feels to not have to worry about anything for a little bit of time! 

Marina{s sister arrived int he afternoon and we went to wait for her.  The funny thing it that no one wants to sleep in la abuela´s room because we all believe there are spirits in there!  So Marina´s mom brought the matress into the bedroom on the floor and all three of us slept there!  Just like old times!  I was muerta Sunday from staying up all night Saturday!

Sunday night my host family invited me for dinner and it was Mama, Vale, her boyfriend Bayo, Nati and her boyfriend Pablo (they came from San Cristobal to see me a small town closeby).  We had tarta and empanadas and it was so nice to hang out.  After we met up with people at the YPF and stayed a bit but I was still so tired I only lasted till 2a.m. Monday we returned to Santa Fe and Monday night I took the bus to Buenos Aires that leaves at midnight and got here Tuesday at 6a.m.  I then had class all day.  A fun weekend nontheless.

 You know how there are certain parts of your childhood that you will always remember with fondess and gives you that nastalgia?  Well my childhood memories are torn between Philadephia and Elisa.  Walking those streets brings back so memory memories of hanging out till all hours, playing guitar and singing in la plaza, the cold of winter and sitting in front of the electric heater- the nights filled with music and dancing and the afternoons with siestas and mates and cookies and cake.  I´m a part of that town just as much as anyone else that grew up there.  I don´t know why they took to me so much and me to them but it happened and they are a part of me as I am a part of them.  Even they say it, I´m just part of Elisa.  there was another American girl who did an excange program about 6 months after me, was int he same grade as my friends and even has been back to visit, but even my friends and the people in the town comment that our relationship is so different.  I guess there are those places in world where you are meant to end up, and they will always be a part of you for one reason or another.  I was lucky enough to have that happen to me... 

El cumpleaños argentino

Images of the first game of the Mundial

El comienzo del Mundial 2010

Being back in Argentina is unbelievable, but even more so that now it is FIFA 2010 and the Argentines´ hopes are higher than ever.  With Diego Maradona as the coach, Messi playing with Maradona´s number and other great players return such as Tevez, it makes for an explosive combination.  The other event that makes these Mundial even more memorial is that Argentina just celebrated its bicentenial, 200 years in existence as a country- May 25 1810-2010. Argentinean patriotism is everywhere!

For two weeks prior to the opening ceremonies, constant coverage was shown in the sports networks.  The training times, the speculations about the line-up, if Messi would actually play to his potential for his patria, etc.  Mundial mania hit the newsstands in special editions with magazines, posters, DVDs, CDs, etc.  Argentine flags everywhere, vendors in the streets with everything even doggie Argentina coats!  

Friday, the opening ceremonies finally arrived.  News was reported of big screens that would be being installed in three plazas throughout Buenos Aires and people anxiously made plans for where they would watch the game.   The game was set for 11:00am Saturday morning Argentina time against Nigeria.  As of Friday night, Maradona still had not released the line-up and announced he would only just before the game.

Saturday morning was filled with a combination of nervousness and anxiousness in the air.  The bakeries were full with people buying facturas (pastries) and other tasty treats to eat during the game.  Everyone moved about the streets with food, beverages and a destination.  I myself was going with Marina and Veronica to Sole´s house where Marina has tradition of always watching the game.    Upon arriving, her two sons opened the building´s doors with while and celeste painted faces wearing hats and blowing horns.  Lola, who just turned one, had her little jersey on.  There was food and mate and we were all anxious for the game to start.  The lineup was announced and everyone cheered to learn who was playing.  They showed the players faces before coming out and we all raved about the cute ones on the team!  Maradona had on a suit that everyone raved about how professional he looked!

Oddly enough, at that point everything stopped.  Not one car in the street or bus or person (well 1 that I will explain in a minute).  The world was still with all eyes focused on the game.  After some intense play and Argentina´s first goal there was some relief. At half time we went out on the balcony to wave the flag and for fresh air.  Other people also stepped out to see what was going on, but there was nothing.  Imagine, an entire country stopping for one game!

Ok, so the exception to this (which I had never seen before) was this old man painting the corner store.  As we were cheering for Argentina on the balcony he started yelling at us for celebrating!  How dare we watch the game and cheer on a country that is in a drastic economic state.  We are supporting the politicians and we have jobs and there are more serious problems at stake.  In disbelief my friends started yelling back and then the neighbors joined in that were outside!  Despite everything, it was the mundial!  Fútbol is what unites the country en frente the other countries.  Hard times yes, but everyone escapes them for a game that is more powerful that politics or economics.  It is the symbol of life, of hope, of unity.  It is the sign of hard work and patriotism.  Everyone was shocked at this man´s reaction.

Turning back to the game, the almost goals on both sides were torturous.  Learning there were 4 additional minutes at the end- worse!  However, Argentina held strong and proved victorious!  Throughout the game, Maradona had the rosary in his hand the entire time.  Want to know what girls talk about the game?  How cute the players are, if they are single or married or have kids, you know all the important stuff :) !  With the game over a sense of relief swept throughout the country that could be felt by everyone.  Horns, flags and the satisfaction that the first game was won put everyone at ease.  Suddenly cars started to appear on the streets, the buses were running again and people were walking.  Until Thursday at 8:30 a.m., the time of the next game...