(That which I want to say)
Hello all! I am so sorry it has taken me a while to write, but life has been crazy busy and everything is so new. Not only that, but I have had a difficult time adjusting to this new way of life, but all is well now, and I should be able to drop in every now and then. There is SO much that I could share, but I will try to sum it up as best as I can. If at any point you want to stop reading, feel free to do so at any time. :o)
El vuelo (plain ride):
I made all of my flights just fine and had no problem taveling. I selpt most of the way on each of my flights and every journey was safe. Upon landing in Buenos Aires, although my suitcase was still in the states, I was able to arrange to have it deliverd and proceeded to buy my bus ticket through Manuel Teinda Leon. After waiting about 20 minutes, we headed for Rosario. I could have slept all 4 hours of the bus ride, but I was too fascinated with the countryside, even if it was jsut feilds and farmland. In the dullness of it all, I found a beauty.
El primer dia (the first day):
After arriving at the hotel, I had some time to relax a bit before the reception for the students. We met our professors and just chatted amongst ourselves. The following day (26 march) we took the placement exams, took a quick tour of el centro (the center part of Rosario where we would be staying) and then had lunch. We then returned to the hotel where we were introduced to our host families and then went home with them.
Mi familia (my family):
I live with a single female. She is not married and has no kids, but she is the sweetest thing since sliced bread. She is so caring and compassionate. I live in an apartment on the 8th floor. (The elevators are very interesting here.) Her name is Mariela, and already I have met her youngest sister Maria Luz. She, too, is a very lovely person. Maria is married and has three sons. I will be meeting other members of the family as time passes.
Las listas (lists):
For those that might be interested, I have been making a list of foods I am trying, things I have noticed that are different than that which is in the states, and other observations and thoughts.
Huelga (strike):
Some of you may or may not have heard, but there is a nation-wide farmers strike here in Argentina. Basically what is happening is that the government thinks that the farmers are pocketing money from their produce (milk, meat, grain, etc.) So the government decided to raise the impuestos, or taxes, by 10%- the biggest raise at one point in time. Instead of 35% the government wants the farmers to pay 45%. There are NUMEROUS shortages of food in places, and the government refuses to budge. As of today, it will be 21 days that the farmers have decided to strike. In some areas, they have blocked the streets, and there have been several arrests and fights in the street. I am safe and sound, away from all of it, but Rosario, like everywhere else, has been affected by it all. Everyone is hoping that the government will actually be smart, stop thinking about how much more money they can demand from the farmers, and decrease the taxes. Not too many people are happy with the way in which the la presidenta Cristina is handling it.
Las clases (classes):
I am taking three classes: Grammer & Conversation IV and Literature & Art. Each will be a challenge in some way, but I feel that these are the best for me, and I enjoy them. Most of my classes are in the afternoon and last about an hour an a half each.
Las excrusiones (excursions):
Every month we will be going on about 2 excursions. From what Marila tells me, I will be going to the southern most city in the world (el fin del mundo.) AND, for those to whom I´ve disclosed my desires, I will get to see the penguins!!!!! I believe our next excursion is in another week, and we get to go see a tango show. I´m not too entirely positive, but I know we will see it in April sometime. Our first excursion was last week. We toured northern Rosario and saw many parks, monuments, plazas, and even walked through the flag monument, the only flag monument in the world. I had the opportunity to see it at night, and it was SO beautiful!
Perdida (lost):
So, after my first day of classes last week, on Thursday (yes: I only have classes Mondays thru Thursdays) I tried to find my way home. My probelm was that I thought that they would take us back to the meeting point, at the university site, but they didn´t. I then proceeded to stumble my way around el centro to find Italia y Urquiza (the two streets in which my home is located.) After about an hour and a half, and looking at the two maps I had, one given by the program, and the other my host mom drew, I finally made it back. By then, I was SO exhausted, that I laid down on my bed and fell asleep. Looking back, though, I am glad I got lost, for I recognize so many more things. I am more familiar whith the streets and neighborhood than I was before. Granted, I sometimes get turned around and head the wrong way, but at least when I do, I know I am headed in the wrong way and know (relatively) which way to turn.
5 cuadras lejos (five blocks away):
Where my house is located, where the gym is, where we eat lunch, and the program site, too, is within five blocks. Also within five blocks is Cordoba, one of the main streets in Rosario, heladarias (ice cream shops,) pharmacies, small shops that sell crackers, cookies, and ceral bars (can´t think of what to call them,) and many other things. Some things are farther away, but it doesn´t take long to walk. I walk, pretty much, everywhere, and have grown accustomed to the fact that cars don´t stop in Rosario. Pedestrians have to watch out for cars, and one as to be very careful whcn crossing, ´cause no matter on which corner one stands, there are about 8 different combinations in which the cars can be coming.
Otras cosas (other things):
So, I have met SO many people, and they are so nice. The man who does my laundry is friendly and patient with me. All of the clerks and shopkeepers that I have ineracted with have been very lovely, and I am loving Rosario more and more each day. It will be very hard for me to leave. You (those who are still reading this) may not see me again......ha ha ha ha ha. Just kidding. Yes: you will see me again, but if I already don´t want to leave, what will it be like in 3 months from now? I think that is it for now. I will do my best to come by once a week and give some more details as to what is happening. I forgot my camera back in my room at home, so I can´t show any pictures, but I will try to remember the next time so you can see a veiw or two of where I live, and of Rosario, el Rio Parana, my host mom, and whatever else. I hope this blog finds all of you at home well. Until I blog again, un besito. ¡Cao!
Hello all! I am so sorry it has taken me a while to write, but life has been crazy busy and everything is so new. Not only that, but I have had a difficult time adjusting to this new way of life, but all is well now, and I should be able to drop in every now and then. There is SO much that I could share, but I will try to sum it up as best as I can. If at any point you want to stop reading, feel free to do so at any time. :o)
El vuelo (plain ride):
I made all of my flights just fine and had no problem taveling. I selpt most of the way on each of my flights and every journey was safe. Upon landing in Buenos Aires, although my suitcase was still in the states, I was able to arrange to have it deliverd and proceeded to buy my bus ticket through Manuel Teinda Leon. After waiting about 20 minutes, we headed for Rosario. I could have slept all 4 hours of the bus ride, but I was too fascinated with the countryside, even if it was jsut feilds and farmland. In the dullness of it all, I found a beauty.
El primer dia (the first day):
After arriving at the hotel, I had some time to relax a bit before the reception for the students. We met our professors and just chatted amongst ourselves. The following day (26 march) we took the placement exams, took a quick tour of el centro (the center part of Rosario where we would be staying) and then had lunch. We then returned to the hotel where we were introduced to our host families and then went home with them.
Mi familia (my family):
I live with a single female. She is not married and has no kids, but she is the sweetest thing since sliced bread. She is so caring and compassionate. I live in an apartment on the 8th floor. (The elevators are very interesting here.) Her name is Mariela, and already I have met her youngest sister Maria Luz. She, too, is a very lovely person. Maria is married and has three sons. I will be meeting other members of the family as time passes.
Las listas (lists):
For those that might be interested, I have been making a list of foods I am trying, things I have noticed that are different than that which is in the states, and other observations and thoughts.
Huelga (strike):
Some of you may or may not have heard, but there is a nation-wide farmers strike here in Argentina. Basically what is happening is that the government thinks that the farmers are pocketing money from their produce (milk, meat, grain, etc.) So the government decided to raise the impuestos, or taxes, by 10%- the biggest raise at one point in time. Instead of 35% the government wants the farmers to pay 45%. There are NUMEROUS shortages of food in places, and the government refuses to budge. As of today, it will be 21 days that the farmers have decided to strike. In some areas, they have blocked the streets, and there have been several arrests and fights in the street. I am safe and sound, away from all of it, but Rosario, like everywhere else, has been affected by it all. Everyone is hoping that the government will actually be smart, stop thinking about how much more money they can demand from the farmers, and decrease the taxes. Not too many people are happy with the way in which the la presidenta Cristina is handling it.
Las clases (classes):
I am taking three classes: Grammer & Conversation IV and Literature & Art. Each will be a challenge in some way, but I feel that these are the best for me, and I enjoy them. Most of my classes are in the afternoon and last about an hour an a half each.
Las excrusiones (excursions):
Every month we will be going on about 2 excursions. From what Marila tells me, I will be going to the southern most city in the world (el fin del mundo.) AND, for those to whom I´ve disclosed my desires, I will get to see the penguins!!!!! I believe our next excursion is in another week, and we get to go see a tango show. I´m not too entirely positive, but I know we will see it in April sometime. Our first excursion was last week. We toured northern Rosario and saw many parks, monuments, plazas, and even walked through the flag monument, the only flag monument in the world. I had the opportunity to see it at night, and it was SO beautiful!
Perdida (lost):
So, after my first day of classes last week, on Thursday (yes: I only have classes Mondays thru Thursdays) I tried to find my way home. My probelm was that I thought that they would take us back to the meeting point, at the university site, but they didn´t. I then proceeded to stumble my way around el centro to find Italia y Urquiza (the two streets in which my home is located.) After about an hour and a half, and looking at the two maps I had, one given by the program, and the other my host mom drew, I finally made it back. By then, I was SO exhausted, that I laid down on my bed and fell asleep. Looking back, though, I am glad I got lost, for I recognize so many more things. I am more familiar whith the streets and neighborhood than I was before. Granted, I sometimes get turned around and head the wrong way, but at least when I do, I know I am headed in the wrong way and know (relatively) which way to turn.
5 cuadras lejos (five blocks away):
Where my house is located, where the gym is, where we eat lunch, and the program site, too, is within five blocks. Also within five blocks is Cordoba, one of the main streets in Rosario, heladarias (ice cream shops,) pharmacies, small shops that sell crackers, cookies, and ceral bars (can´t think of what to call them,) and many other things. Some things are farther away, but it doesn´t take long to walk. I walk, pretty much, everywhere, and have grown accustomed to the fact that cars don´t stop in Rosario. Pedestrians have to watch out for cars, and one as to be very careful whcn crossing, ´cause no matter on which corner one stands, there are about 8 different combinations in which the cars can be coming.
Otras cosas (other things):
So, I have met SO many people, and they are so nice. The man who does my laundry is friendly and patient with me. All of the clerks and shopkeepers that I have ineracted with have been very lovely, and I am loving Rosario more and more each day. It will be very hard for me to leave. You (those who are still reading this) may not see me again......ha ha ha ha ha. Just kidding. Yes: you will see me again, but if I already don´t want to leave, what will it be like in 3 months from now? I think that is it for now. I will do my best to come by once a week and give some more details as to what is happening. I forgot my camera back in my room at home, so I can´t show any pictures, but I will try to remember the next time so you can see a veiw or two of where I live, and of Rosario, el Rio Parana, my host mom, and whatever else. I hope this blog finds all of you at home well. Until I blog again, un besito. ¡Cao!
1 comment:
Hey Joanna! Glad to hear that all is going well-and that you will get to see the penguins :) Looking forward to seeing some pictures...
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