Universidad del Museo Social Argentino- Pintura I

Bad news: I sound like Darth Vader and I'm currently addicted to Sudafed. The crazy weather is really getting to me. But...

Buenas Noticias: I finally bought a camera!! Sarah had to pick up ID pictures at the Kodak store and they had cheap EasyShares in the store. And since I'm going to Chile on Monday, I figured it would be a good "investment." I brought it to my painting class this morning so you can see what my Wednesday mornings are like.

Naturaleza Muerta I (first assignment)

Naturaleza Muerta II (our second project)

Naturaleza Muerta III (in progress)


Hard at work haha

The studio

Meghan and I get hot chocolate and medialunas on our break

The museum next door

I love the murals

Well I have two midterms tomorrow and a presentation on Friday, pickup on Saturday, and class on Monday. But then I'm going to visit Bobby in Santiago (Chile), Kennedy in Valparaiso (Chile), and a frisbee tournament in Cordoba (Argentina). It's going to be a busy week, but I will update as soon as I get back. Without stealing all Sarah's pictures haha!

Cheee

It's midterm week!!?? What??? Well I guess I only have three midterms- one with the IUNA class and two with my study abroad program. The UMSA classes have a different schedule. But I still feel like I just got here!

Last weekend I went to Iguazu with some friends from the program. The mosquitos really seemed to enjoy my blood, and the 20 hour bus ride wasn't exactly thrilling. But the waterfalls were incredible! It was absolutely a spiritual experience. The next day we went rapelling, ziplining, and "trekking" and we also went to Tres Fronteras (three borders) where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet.

This is not a green screen:

Tres Fronteras

This is only half!

Sarah taking the leap of faith (I'm the light blue dot at the bottom):

I had a little friend in the hostel when I rolled over to fall asleep:

There has been a whirlwind of birthdays! I went to our new favorite bar/restaurant to celebrate Emily's birthday. I love that place because it's in a neighborhood farther away from the microcentro and there are absolutely no tourists or other exchange students. I also went to a porteno friend's house for a birthday asado. He's on my frisbee team, and it was fun to be with the team off the field. I bought a torta (birthday cake) with chocolate cake, chocolate mouse, chocolate fudge, chocolate icing, and chocolate shavings on top. It was a hit!

Feliz Cumple!

Reflection:

Going to school in North Carolina forced me to open up to new people and new experiences. There was certainly culture shock at first, but going to school in Argentina is just a whole different level of newness. Whenever the oh-so-chatty taxi drivers ask if I like their city, of course I tell them yes. But actually, Buenos Aires and I have a love hate relationship. I hate struggling every day to express myself, not understanding jokes, not having deep meaningful conversations because I don’t have the vocabulary for it, unreliable public transportation, the moneda crisis (there’s a bizarre shortage of coins that you need to use the buses), playing frisbee in 80 degree weather one day and in 45 degree freezing rain the next, Argentine girls who ignore me in their classes, etc. I really lose a part of my personality due to the language/culture barrier. But what I’ve been posting in this blog is everything I love. To me, this city is like a relative that you absolutely love to death but it drives you crazy at the same time!

That’s where Iguazu comes in. You can’t stand in front of something so giant and majestic and not feel something. It sounds silly, but it was reassuring to see something constant because it was such a contrast to the city. Calming, like those sound machines people use to sleep but you can’t turn off the water! I remember standing next to the edge of the falls thinking, this never stops. I could barely hear my own breathing from climbing all the stairs against the roaring falls! It was just an experience that commands attention. After living among concrete and pavement, walking around in that forest reminded me that we're a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Life update

I’m coming home!

…in December. I finally booked my plane ticket! I will be leaving Buenos Aires on Dec 21. I’m flying through Mexico City again, but I’m not sure what I want to do the three weeks after my program. Since it will be freezing at home, I'd like to volunteer and paint en plein air- that would be ideal.

Nothing like Niagara

Speaking of travel plans, we don’t have any games this weekend, so I’m going with some friends to Iguazu (Ig-Wah-Zu). It’s on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and we’re taking a bus 20 hours overnight because there is no class on Monday. I'm sure I'll steal someone's pictures after we go but here's a general idea:

Salsa Class

On Thursday, I went to my grammar class and a girl mentioned that she’s going to salsa classes that night. She gave me a flyer, and it turns out it’s just a short walk from my apartment! So I went and took some beginner level classes for the equivalent of $3. I was really nervous, because I remember I tried to do clases with Josh and there’s not much connection between my brain, the music, and my feet! But Kelly is really good and she knows everyone who works there, so it wasn’t too bad. After, we went to Abasto (the mall) to eat with a new porteno friend. My madre said she wants to come this week, so I can’t wait for our “family bonding time!” This is the new move I'm working on ;)

El Teatro Ciego

Friday night I went to a really unique theater with Kristen, Emily, and Eduardo (my neighbors). It’s called a blind theater, and we sat in darkness during the performance. We could only hear the performers speak, but during the ocean scene, for example, they spritzed us with water and we could smell the sea salt. During a romantic scene, it smelled like flowers. You get the picture. Most of the actors were blind, so it was something different.

Frisbee

Joining a team has been really stressful, because I live so far from the parks where we practice and it’s difficult to travel at night unless I want to take a taxi every time. It took a while for me to finalize my class schedule and on top of that, before the league started, not all the teams had decided on their practice schedules. Anyway, Aqua seemed to work out best and this was my first week practicing and playing with them. They play with 3 handlers back and a vertical stack, and I had a lot of trouble understanding the motion offense and double sided defense. And during the first point, I ripped off my pinky toenail because I hadn’t yet put on my cleats. That baby hurts!! I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to be “that girl.” But despite my bloody foot, I couldn’t imagine NOT playing when the weather is this beautiful. The team is really fun, even if they do make jokes that I don’t understand!

Mexican food

Sunday night I went to get Mexican food with Sarah, Emily, and Kristen. It was good, but definitely not the best I’ve had. I had a drink, the special (tacos pastor), and we split nachos as an appetizer and it came to less than $6 USD for my meal. I also went to an Arabic place near the IES center for lunch the other day, and the swarma (wrap) I had was to die for. And I had sushi two days ago. Next on the list is thai. I love the food here, but I'm used to a little more variety.

Fighter Jets?

Sarah and I were walking downtown when all of a sudden I heard a guy shout shut up in spanish and we noticed that everyone on the street had stopped moving and were staring at the sky. It scared me at first, but then some fighter jets trailed blue smoke across the sky right above the obelisco (it looks exactly like the Washington Monument). In the restaurant, they said something about France on the news but I couldn't see because we were sitting directly under it. When I find out what was going on, I will keep you posted!

Buenos Aires, Mi Amor

I think I’m going to have to suck it up and buy a camera even though they’re so expensive here because Sarah is going to start charging me royalties!

Check out my new gym: http://www.keltia.com.ar/

The first week, I tried to join a gym but they wouldn’t let me because you need A) to be examined by one of their doctors or B) a medical certificate. I’m glad I didn’t join then, because I just got a copy from IES and haven’t had time to actually go until recently. I’ve been going when I don’t have frisbee practice, and the cool thing is that you don’t have a card to enter- they take your fingerprint and you scan your finger to get in!

San Isidro

IES took us to San Isidro, which is a barrio outside of the city. I found a ginormous pinecone. We went to a few museums and a small feria, but the best part was having tea and pastries over the water. There was a great view of the city skyline, and the sun setting over the water was so beautiful. The day was kind of boring (I prefer to explore rather to listen), but the end made it all worth it.

Food fight!!!

This happened a while ago, but I forgot to write about it. Sarah and I went to the Facultad de Medicina after I went with Matt, because the plaza is a great place to study. While we were reading, we noticed there were small groups of families and students in the middle of the plaza. All of a sudden, people started clapping and hugging. I thought it was an engagement, but then they started throwing eggs at each other! They also had bags of flour and dumped it on each other’s heads- some students chased each other around with food and wrestled on the ground! We found out later that this is the custom when students graduate from med school- apparently their reward for passing their exams was a giant food fight!

IUNA Class- La Historia Socio-cultural del Arte

I realize that I haven’t written much about my classes- yes, I’m actually studying here! I’m taking a class that’s kind of like the philosophy of art, or the history of the concept of art. It’s very interesting, and it’s held at IUNA Movimiento, which is the school of dance, so the other students are training to be professional dancers. Some things about this class:

• I understand the professor and the readings pretty well, but the students are more difficult to understand because they talk so fast! We have a group project coming up, but of course Sarah and I were the kids picked last for gym class and don’t really have a group yet.

• The class is 4 hours on Fridays, which I actually don’t mind. Perks: during the break, there’s an amazing empanada place next door where the empanadas are less than a dollar. Also, after class it’s fun to walk around the school and look in on students learning modern, tap, tango, ballet, etc.

• It’s close to my apartment! I can walk there in 20 minutes. It’s also close to Abasto, the mall. After class on Friday, I went with Sarah and David (a student we met in class from Ecuador) to the mall. David and I watched an Argentine film called “El secreto de sus ojos” which was really good. He was helpful whenever I needed a translation because he speaks English.

UMSA Class- La historia del arte argentina del siglo XIX

I also had my first “parcialito” which is like a unit test! I was so nervous because it was for the 19^th century argentine art history class and Brittney and I are the only non-native speakers in the class. But we studied together, and I wrote about 2 pages worth of everything I knew about new artistic techniques that emerged from European artists in Buenos Aires before Argentina officially became a nation. Wish me luck!

…ETC

Other things I did this week…I’ll expand on them if you skype me- how’s that for an incentive ;)

Some students in my program met at a local bar to watch the soccer game against Brazil. They won, but I got to eat nachos for the first time in a long time! (Can you tell how passionate I am about soccer??) Me and Matt at the bar:

I went to Hallie and Sarah’s neighbor’s apartment to hang out after the game. Two of the crazy Argentine boys went to the balcony, spread their arms, held each other, and sang “My heart will go on” from the Titanic. And since they’re on the top floor, they pretty much serenaded the entire neighborhood at 3 am. No they were not drunk- I think people here just have less verguenza (less shy) than we stuffy Americans do!

It's Officially Been a Month!

Ahh sorry I haven’t updated in a while! Here’s a recap of the past week (and a half…). I think 90% of these photos are not mine so thanks to everyone whose photos I borrowed! :)

• I went to an Argentine birthday party and a grad party the past two weekends with friends from the city and friends from my program.
  
  Observations:
  Portenos know how to dance! The boys know how to twirl you around the floor, and everything is just so much more fun! It was perfectly acceptable that we didn’t know who the party host was, as long as we went with someone who had a friend who knew the party host! The parties were held at boliches (clubs) or bars that they rented just for the occasion. The time schedule is also different. We left at 2am for the party and got home at 6am after dancing all night.
  
  
  

• Every Sunday in San Telmo, there’s an antique fair with live music, tango dancers, drum circles, etc. I went both weekends because the atmosphere is just so cool. San Telmo has a lot of design shops. I bought two dresses for about $25 USD at one really cool artsy clothing store. The second time we went, there were Brazilian drummers and dancers dancing something I’ve never seen before- it was almost tribal. I love the feria, because there’s always something new (haha get it? It’s an antique fair!)

• Last week was Buenos Aires Fashion week (BAF) so I went with some friends to a fashion show. I can hardly begin to describe the episode that ensued, but basically we waited four hours in line and lied our way inside. I lied to an event organizer that my friend lost her VIP ticket, so he gave us two more. Then I had my friend lie that someone stole her ticket, etc. We ended up getting into the last show after waiting all day and paying only $5 USD. I don't feel bad because that's the only way we could have seen it. There were hundreds of people in line who paid the entrance fee, waited hours in line like we did, and then had to turn around and go home. And we made an awesome Argentine friend in line who has been showing us around the city! She came with us and her friends to the party last weekend.

• One free afternoon Matt and I went exploring. I looked up where we live on google maps and found a green square so we met there. It ended up being the University of Buenos Aires Facultad de Medicina (med school) with a big plaza in front. So he took some pictures since my old point and shoot died. We went to the top floor, climbed up on the windows, and Matt got some really cool shots of the city.

• So my classes are underway. I won’t bore you with details, but the painting class is pretty comical. I’m taking it with Meghan, another IES student. She just told us to set up and start painting a still life that was set up. Every time she came over, she’d critique my work very loudly and point out all the things wrong with it. I noticed she didn’t do that with the other students. But the next class she was really nice. I think maybe it was a test to see if I would stay or not. Anyway, I finished the still life and learned to bring my ipod. I listen to Spanish podcasts, because the Spanish immersion in this class is minimal, and the students don't really talk.
  

• After class one day, Eduardo and I went to this ice cream place that I pass everyday on my way to the bus stop. It was the most amazing ice cream I’ve ever had! It’s more like gelato than ice cream, but there are so many flavors. We have a list and check off the ones we’ve had with the ratings we give it. The guys who work there always laugh at my Spanish, but I don’t care because this stuff is better than anything I've ever had (this includes all the gelato we ate in Italy)! On the list:
  
  
• Chocolate Amagro- super rich dark chocolate but not too sweet for a whole cone
  
• Dulce de leche- almost like caramel. dulce de leche is to Argentina like peanut butter is to the US
• Samboyon- rum flavored ice cream. Strongest rum I've ever tasted- almost more rum than ice cream! Not a favorite.
• Banana split (bah-nah-nah splEET)- banana ice cream with dulce de leche swirl and chocolate chips
• Tramontana- my favorite so far! french vanilla ice cream with cookies covered in chocolate.

• My madre is cuter than ever. She got a slideshow from a friend’s email and started watching it. I heard a scream and came running into the comedor to see pictures of topless women on the beach and my madre with her hands over her eyes giggling like a little girl. I think it was a breast cancer awareness thing, but the whole episode was pretty funny.

• We’re having a few problems with the salad situation. Argentines don’t understand salad. The first day we had salad, I got a bowl full of lettuce with salt and olive oil. I explained that it was very good but usually I eat salad with dressing, for example olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The next time, I got a bowl of lettuce with olive oil and…get this…white vinegar! Like the kind you’d use to clean your kitchen sink! But wait, it gets better. Tonight we had salad again with lettuce and tomatoes. And ketchup! She told me she remembers that I like dressing so she squeezed a bottle of ketchup all over my lettuce!!!

PS this is my new favorite song: Te Amo (Makano) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg7M5wjHgBM