Yo soy...

(I am...)

Author´s note: I appologize for the lengthyness of any and all of my blogs. There is so much that happens, even within a week, that at times it is hard for me to narrow it down. Even when I do narrow it down, there is SO much more that I have not even discussed, not to mention my thoughts/feelings/perspectives/and everything else that happens. But I will do my best to share a bit of my life. Oh! And for those that are curious, I am about 10º closer to the equater than you, so it reaches 15º w/95% humidity by 9 in the morning (I laugh at you who had snow!) I am also 4, not 5, hours ahead of you. Thus, even when I have dinner at 9, some of you may be dining as well.

Mi familia (my family:)

So, I have already mentioned some about my family. Well, I have meet all of the siblings, and the mother of my host mom. Luis, Gloria and Maria are the siblings of Mariela. Her mother, "mamita," is about all I hear of her name. (Mariela told me her name, but I have absolutely NO idea how to spell it, or make it sound anything like what it is...sorry about that.) Below is a photo of Mariela, Maria and I.

Buena vista (a good view:)
This is a look out from the window(s) of my room and that of the balcony.

Okay, so maybe this really isn´t the view from my window, but I wouldn´t have any objections if it were. This is actually looking out to Rosario from the top of the flag monmument. It is such a beautifl monument, with so much history behind it, and to go up to see the view is more than worth the time and energy. This was actually part of my class. For my literature and art class, one week we talk about literature, and the next about art. My "art" teacher is an arquitect, and he takes us around the city to show us important places, and we also get a mini history lesson as well to better understand what was going on at that time.

Mis amigos (my friends:)

Here is a photo of my new friends.

Ha ha ha ha ha! Okay....so they aren´t, but I think the mannequens here are quite interesting. These are actually very common and is something that one sees in almost every clothing shop. I really do have friends, just not these. :o) I have at least a few from the program, but not any, yet, from Rosario. It has only been two weeks, but I know that others have already made connections, (mainly from going out every night to drink.) I just need to find mine though other avenues.

Las calles (the streets:)
Speaking of avenues, or in this case, streets, one has to be very careful. Cars don´t stop. Pedestrians are not important. But a few good things that I have noticed are this: the city is more or less a quadrant of squares. Each street intersects with another to form blocks, which, look like squares, and this is relatively consistant throughout the city. On top of this, every other street goes the opposite direction, and the arrows with the street names, which are normally on the buildings, show which direction the traffic goes. (I figured that one out all on my own!) I am able to now navigate through the streets with little difficulty. If I come to a street, I can tell if I am headed in the wrong direction or not. At a corner, I can tell which way I need to turn in order to arrive where I need to, and thus, am able to look whichever way I need to when crossing the street due to the pattern of traffic. It is much easier to cross the streets now. I do have the nickname now, though, from my friend of "Juana la loca" because I am daring and fearless when I cross the streets. (My friend still doesn´t feel too comfortable crossing the street.)

Regresar (to return:)

I have already fallen in love with the city, it will be hard for me to return. I still can´t imagine what it will be like three months from now. I might have to call home to try to get someone to convince me to come back. Since we are on this subject, I ask that everyone be patient with me upon my arrival back. I have already changed so much and in so many ways already, I cannot imagine how much I will change in three monthns, not to mention experiencing reverse culture shock and adjusting to a totally opposite lifestyle. Returning will be an adventure in and of itself. Oh! And please nobody take offense if I don´t want to talk about anything or be around anyone. I experienced this when I went away to Australia and then came back. It isn´t as if I don´t want to talk, but it is more of adjusting to coming back, and then being emotionally ready to talk.

El tiempo (the weather:)

I have previously noted in my "Author´s note" that the weather is lovely here. Sunny all day, maybe some clouds at times, but overall great weather. I was walking home from somewhere some time once, and as soon as I stepped into the appartment, it started to downpour. This lasted about 20 minutes or so, but it was the most beautiful storm I had ever seen!

It was about 8 in the evening or so, and the rain just came down in sheets. I opened my window and smelt a smell I miss: the smell of rain, of the vegetation when it is wet out. On top of this all, there was lighting and thunder which added to the beauty of it all. I tried to take a picture of the lightning, but it didn´t work. A streak of white would light up the sky and turn it a beautiful purple, and a second or two later, a clap of thunder would follow. There was even a bit of hail mixed in. It was probably one of the most peaceful moments I have had here in Rosario.

Las clases de baile (dance classes:)

By no means am I a great dancer, but because I fell in love with tap and hula in the states, and to maybe make some connections, I sought out dance classes that of, or similar to tap. They didn´t have tap, but they do offer jazz classes. I have never taken jazz, but I thought it would be fun to try. So I went for a trial class and I loved it! Now, every Monday and Thursday night at 9:30 for an hour, I ride the colectivo (or city bus...one of them) to my class, then walk back. I am looking forward to this. It gives me someting fun and enjoyable to do that gets me exposed to Rosario and her people.

Closing thought: Thank you to those who have stuck it out until the end. I think that is about it for now. I will have heaps and heaps of stories to tell, and many thoughts and feelings to express. That which I don´t write here, I will write in my personal journal so that I can always look back to it as a reference. I hope this finds you all in good health. Until I blog again: ¡nos vemos!