Second impressions

I think the most indicative sign that I am having an incredible time here is my blog sitting decrepit and abandoned on the web.

Muchisimo has happened since I last wrote, and I will share a few highlights.

First of all, my birthday was fantastic! I've always wished I could celebrate my March birthday when it was warm, so i was thrilled to think that i would be able to here since the southern hemisphere is totally radical and has summer when up north has winter. CHISTE! (Just kidding!) All day it was raining hard and i froze my booty off! It actually rained so hard that they had to shut the subway due to flooding, and the street collapsed in a two or three places around the city. Despite all that, I had a pretty great time. I got woken up by a jazz rendition of Happy Birthday played on the sax:

(photo of rafael)

After classes I went out to a Polish restaurant to celebrate with some of my awesome new friends and my amazingly awesome Argentinian family.

(photo of me and monica)

Speaking of the homestay family: I am in love. That entire not-talking-much thing has not only passed but I've actually chosen to stay home some nights to chat with them and listen to them practice (they play primarily Bossa Nova) instead of exploring every inch of BsAs nightlife. Rafael loves to talk (to the point that he will come find me if Monica isn't home) and has heaps of patience and seems to enjoy figuring out what i am trying to say half the time. Monica has been smiling a lot more, and I like making her laugh. We occasionally talk about how i basically have a super homestay situation, because i have many freedoms (i can go about as i wish) but also have a very active and present family who wants to spend time with me and talk to me.

In addition to being challenged culturally and linguistically, I'm also taking classes. Our program is based in IDES, el institucion de desarrollo economico y social (the institute of economic and social development) We have two classes a day, but 2 to 3 hours each, usually one is Spanish and the other is either our history/economics/social change in Argentina seminar or a seminar about anthrolpoligcal field studies. During breaks and lunch i try to be outside because the neighborhood IDES is in, Palermo, is very pretty, like a modern Paris. There are plenty of parks and beautiful buildings.

(out back and balcony photos)