El Fin de la Semana

I had my classes of Latin American Political Systems Compared and Tango Theory. Both were very interesting because the teacher tells a story of the history of Latin America and Argentina. I liked the Tango Theory class better, the teacher is a bit more entertaining. I met a girl in this class named Sam, she is from Chicago and speaks excellent Spanish. So, buddying up with her wouldn't hurt my acquisition of the language. Yesterday was a calm day here, its pretty cold still, Spring doesn't start until September 21st and yes I am counting down the days! Last night at dinner, I asked Cristian and Tito about the president and if she is well liked, and about what side of the spectrum Argentina was on. To my surprise, I learned that Argentine is more center-right according to them. From all my reading and classes in Sacramento, I had thought that most Latin American countries were all going towards the left when it comes to politics. Of course, there are the countries of Venezuela, Bolivia, and the most left Cuba, and Nicaragua is starting to move towards that direction as well. Cristian and Tito debated about the position of Honduras and then we talked about healthcare and the reform that president Obama wants for the United States. Honestly, I need to brush up on my United States current politics and news because I'm not quite sure what Obama wants for the reform. Of course, I know that he wants universal healthcare but I'm not sure of all the specks. But then again who is? So, then Cristian was asking me why we don't have universal healthcare, what happens to a person who doesn't have healthcare but is seriously injured or sick, and topics such as this. I actually thought I explained everything quite well in Spanish, so that's good. This is how I am going to learn about Latin America, by talking to Latin Americans about these hard subjects. I probably never would learn any of this staying in the United States, so I'm really glad I came here. Especially to a country that is so enthusiastic about talking about politics. Well, today I don't have school and its Friday yay! However, I'm going over to the school to ask the English department if they need any volunteer tutors for the Argentine students. If given this opportunity, I could meet Argentines, work on my Spanish with them, and have something to do since I find myself with lots of sparetime. But its hard to budget travel because the tuition fees just got raised another $1,000 a year! That basically cut my scholarship in half, what a bummer! I need to graduate soon and get a scholarship to study at a private university. Here's to hoping! O and I'm going to buy my one book I need for the semester, its photocopy book for my Literature class: 73 pesos so about $15 USD. So awesome! Anyway, talk to you all soon! Love and miss you lots, especially the fact that everytime I talk to any of you, you tell me how hot it is there, I miss the sun!
Chau chau!
Raquel

La Clase de Tango y Tradiciones Argentinas

So as I write on this blog, it's getting harder to think and write in English, and this is a good thing. Today, I had my Tango class which was a bit awkward because there were more girls than boys in the class. Luckily, I had it with Nicole, my buddy from Sacramento, and she really wants to speak Spanish, so we only spoke in Spanish. Everyone else around us was from the US besides some French girls and one Romanian, I think, and they were all speaking English. Well, as the class progresses I'm sure it won't be as bad as the first day. The first day is soooooo awkward, and at first I am a really introverted person but soon I'll be cracking jokes at people and being sarcastic like always. Anyway, afterward I went to my second class, which I had with Nicole as well: Argentine Traditions and Culture. I loved this class, the teacher was really nice and friendly and says everyday he tries and learns something new. He always wants to continue learning, he reminds me of myself. I'll probably never stop taking classes in school! Well, he told us a little about the current type of people in Argentina and some stereotypes the country has. Then he asked the majority of the class specific questions about our lives. He asked me what is a point in my life that I will never forget from my childhood? I talked about how me and my sister were in a car accident and I will always remember it forever. I was sooooooooooo nervous, I hate talking in front of people and there was about 50 ppl in class. Anyway, I made it through and now I'm here, exhausted and burned out from my day in school. I'm going to sleep so well tonight. O, one thing I noticed is if the class is too big, like both of my classes so far, the teacher asks the administration to make a second class. In the US this would NEVER happen. The teacher just waits for people to drop the course and I have taken government classes with 40 plus people in it. It's just not fair to the teacher. Anyway, around 30 students is about what Argentine professors prefer, and this is great for our education. The teacher can focus more on individual students that need help and the class is a bit more intimate. Anyway, tomorrow I have Political Systems of Latin American Compared and then Thursday is my class on the Theory of Tango. I love that I have started my classes, it makes me feel less like a bum! Buenas Noches todos!
Chau chau
Raquel

Todo Mundo y el Primer Dia de Escuela

Last night I met up with my Argentine friend Ivanna and went with her, her roommate Ryan, and friend Mareni to this reggae club called Todo Mundo. To get to her house, I took the colectivo (bus), which was great! I like it better than the subte because it takes you directly and you can see the city while you ride in the bus. Anyway, I met up with Ivanna and I think she was getting annoyed that I don't know the city well enough. She told me I need to sit down and read a map because its really easy. She is right though! The city is really condensed but its just like San Francisco, all one way streets which makes it easier to know how the buses come and go. Anyway, so we met up and went, free of cost to get in (bonus!) and a cab ride split amongst four people, very very cheap. It was fantastic, we shared a pitcher of Sangria which was $40 pesos so about $12 pesos per person which is like $3 USD. What a nice price for wine! The alcoholic drinks like mojitos and rum and coke are about the same price as in the US, so to find something to have while watching a great band that was this reasonable, was great for me. Anyway, we watched the band and then shared a cab ride to Ivanna's pad, where we sat around chatting until about 3 am. I didn't know how staying at someone's house late at night on a Sunday works here in Argentina so I told them I didn't want to warm out my welcome. This is where they explained to me that Argentines stay up late chatting and never will kick anyone out and besides they wanted me to stay. Ivanna's friend Mareni is very sweet and when I couldn't stay up any longer, she walked me out. I like hanging out with them because they speak both Spanish and English, so if I don't know how to say something in Spanish, they will help me out. But we never speak English more than that! So its a great tool. We're going to a kareoke bar on Thursday night because Ivanna is a singer of a Tango band, she loves music. Friday we going to see her profesor perform in a play as well. Anyway, so I got home around 330 and fell asleep around 4, so obviously I slept in late. It didn't matter because I had class today at 5pm hehe, I walked to school, which I noticed all the walking is making my legs super sore but more in shape. I love it but I do notice myself getting really tired at night for all the walking. Anyway, I got to school and went to the student store to buy some notebooks from my reggae rasta friend Jonas. One day, me, him, and Nicole are going to go to a reggae club. Anyway, after I had him help me out with the colectivos (buses) I left and waited for my class to start. The class I took today was Argentine and Latin American Literature of the 19th Century. Such a mouthful! The teacher is really really sweet, young, and funny. She read us the syllabus and I noticed that we are going to read books that I already read in my literature classes in Sacramento with Senor Blanc, my profesor from Argentina. We had to fill out a paper with our name, why we chose Argentina, and Latin American authors we had read. She noticed I put quite a few and asked me when and where and why and all that jazz. I told her about my Argentine professor and she smiled and asked his name. I understood everything she said, which is great, and I know being in the classroom and having lectures all in Spanish (5 classes!) always improves my Spanish 100%. Anyway, I met a girl from San Diego and Denmark, they both seemed really interested in Literature and focused on school, not just into partying and drinking and meeting boys. So I got their emails and added them on facebook. It would be nice to make friends that want to travel around and read about the history and so on. So I took the colectivo home, which was really easy, and then went to kickboxing. When I got home, Cristian and Tito had a lovely dinner prepared and I gobbled it up because I was soooooooo hungry from my long day. Before I had way to much time on my hands, today I felt like I barely had time to eat. So, that's a good change for me because I hate being bored. Anyway, I have Tango tomorrow and Argentine Traditions and Culture, its my longest day of school 4 hrs. Every other day is only 2 hours. I'm really excited, now I can see why they say one semester isn't enough time, with school the day goes by so much faster! So a lot happened last night and today as you can see from my long post. I'm really happy now and starting to immerse myself into the population and culture a little more. I'm going to help Cristian with his English, he has a test on Wednesday. Chau chau!
Rachel

La Feria de San Telmo

Today, I went to the San Telmo fair, it's something that the city has every Sunday and its huge with lots of little stands where people sell things. There was a part where people were selling things that were antiques and this part was great! I took some great photos that can be seen at my photobucket site. There was one photo that I took that was funny, someone was selling money from different countries and one was of Evita Peron, the countries national treasure and then right below it was money with a picture of Saddam Hussein on it, kinda an odd pairing. Anyway, then we went to this place called a Parilla where they serve meat that's barbequed among other things. Me, Nicole, and a Columbian named Diego, shared a helping of meat that said for 2 to 3 but really could've fed the whole table! Anyway, they brought out the barbequed meat and it was an assortment of chicken and various parts of the cow. Well, I was a sport and tried everything, but I will say that I didn't like the majority, it was a required taste. I tried tripe, cow intenstine, blood sausage, and kidney. The ones I liked were chorizo, chicken, and regular old steak, old that other stuff I will leave for the Argentines. I wished I could like it but it was just too much meat for me. But what I did like is Chimichuri sauce and Criollo sauce, two sauces that you put on top of the meat to enhance the flavor, very delicioso! Anyway, then we walked around the whole part of San Telmo and I bought some earrings for diez pesos. What a deal! They are very cute, very rasta or Latin American. Then we went to the Plaza De Mayo and took the subte home. Tonight, I'm returing back to this same area to meet an Argentine friend at a bar to watch a band. We aren't meeting until 1130 and I hope I can make it. I'm so exhausted! Tomorrow I start school but not until 5 pm so I should go, atleast make an appearance. I want to make Argentine friends and if I tell her I'm too tired she might think I'm flaking. Anyway, I'm going to close my eyes for a minute so I can rest for tonight. I will write about my first day at school tomorrow night, I don't get done until 7pm my time (3pm California time).
Well, I missssssssssss you alllllllll so much! Visitanme en pronto! Chau chau!
Besos
Raquel

El Viernes en la Noche

So we didn't end up going to La Pacha. Instead, we met up at Mike's for dinner, where he cooked us this amazing dinner! Curry chicken and vegetables. We sat around chatting for a couple hours and then Nicole departed us :( But it was better on her part because when we got downtown the bars and clubs still weren't alive. Clubs don't usually get going until about 230 am and we arrive around 145. So Melissa said we should try to go to the Reggatone Bar that she went to the night before that is in Palermo Soho, and I live in Palermo Hollywood, so great closer to my close. I literally could've walked home if it was sooooooooooo freeeeeezing, its 2 degrees celsius omg! Anyway, we went over there hoppped a couple cabs but didn't really find a place to dance. So, we were getting tired from running around and decided tomorrow night that we will get the guys, my roomies, to come with us and take us to a good place for dancing since obviously we don't know much about the scene in Buenos Aires yet. I will learn! Anyway, I'm starting to really love this place and feel like it is my home. I have my things I do daily and am meeting people from all around the world. It really feels like I have a second life. Things are far better than they were yesterday when I was feeling homesick. I'm really glad the girls and Mike are here with me. It's making this experience so much better. I wish we all spoke fluent Spanish though, so as to not make ourselves look like total idiots haha. O my god, after dinner, Nicole and Melissa brought this postre (dessert) that was Dulce de Leche covered in chocolate and topped a cookie crust. O my gosh, I could take more than one bite it was sooooo rich! Anyway, I'm off to sleep. Its 3 am and its still early in Buenos Aires haha. One night I'll do the out all night thing. Tomorrow I have Hattha Yoga (I think its supposed to translate to Hot Yoga) I'm so excited. Chau chau!
Raquel

El Dia de los Estudiantes Sacramentos

Yesterday I was feeling homesick and didn't feel like leaving the house, I went to the gym for two hours and did kickboxing. But when I got home, I was supposed to go out to a club with the girls from Sacramento. It was sooooooo cold and I wasn't feeling well emotionally, so I stayed in and slept. This morning when I woke up, I was feeling a lot better and went over to the part of town where the girls live. We ended up meeting Mike, the other Sacramento State student and went to the Avenida Florida, the greatest shopping area in Buenos Aires. A bit too expensive for my taste, but great place to check out clothes. We ate pizza and had a beer at this place in the downtown area. It was pretty cold today but not cold enough not to walk around. Tonight, I'm going to eat dinner at Mike's apartment with the girls and then later we are going to take a cab to a club. It's called Pascha or something like that. I will post how it was later on. Tomorrow, I'm going to take a yoga class at my gym. Not much too exiting going on. Can't wait for school! Chau amigos! Les amo!

Class Schedule

Today I went to meet with a counselor to choose my classes. I go Monday through Thursday so I will be quite busy. Here is a list of my classes:
Monday 5-7pm is Latin American Literature from the 18th century
Tuesday 3-7pm Tango and then Argentine Traditions and Culture
Wednesday 1-3pm Comparison of Latin American political systems
Thursday 5-7pm Tango Theory

Today was freezing! It was between 3-5 degrees Celsius, you do the math haha! I went with another student from Sacramento State and walked around the Cabildo area where the school is. We went to a coffee shop where we had some creeper as our waiter. He was only paying attention to Nicole and was so distracted by her he brought out the wrong dish and forgot to bring something I ordered. Anyway, so Nicole ended up paying twice as much as she intended because he charged her for something she didn't order and her Spanish isn't well enough to tell him no I didn't order that. Anyway, it wasn't a great experience but now we know never to go there again! Anyway, so we walked up the street more and I bought a planner for school for 15 pesos so about 4 dollars in the US, not bad not bad. I signed up for a gym and tonight at 8 pm I'm going to the kickboxing class, we will see what its like! I know it won't replace kickboxing with my teacher in Sacramento but it will be a fine substitution. Hopefully! Well, I can't wait to start school on Monday and hopefully it won't be sooooooooooo freezing tomorrow! Can't really do much walking around when its so cold! Well, chau for now!
Raquel

Fotos

Ok, I can't seem to figure out how to put photos on this thing so I'm giving the direct link to my photobucket page: http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b282/surferchik21/?action=view&current=93d6292c.pbw

Just copy and paste that and you can look at my pictures, I made a slideshow for it. There are about 40 up there now so hope you like them!
Chau bellas!

Escuela y Orientacion

I went to orientation on both Monday and Tuesday. Both days were filled with a lot of information and there are a lot of people from different parts of the world. I don't think a lot of people spoke Spanish very well and they were speaking in Spanish, so a lot of people were talking in their own language during the presentations. Anyway, I had to take an exam to test my level of Spanish and I think that I did pretty well, I will find out the results tomorrow when I have my interview with my counselor to choose my classes. Today it is RAINING CATS AND DOGS!!! O my gosh, it is raining so hard and the streets are flooded. On my way to school, I didn't have an umbrella and I was soaking wet by the time I got there. I tried to get home as soon as I could so I could change because my clothes were soaking wet. Hopefully I won't get sick, I'm drinking Airborne right now. Anyway, orientation was ok, they basically did what most teachers do the first day of school: explain the classes and what would be expected blah blah blah. Tomorrow I have my interview with the counselor, I am looking forward to that. Anyway, we can't really do much today because it is raining so hard, I wish I had bought some rain boots before coming here, now I'll have to find some on the street. So, here's something interesting: here in Argentina, the people eat a snack and drink coffee or tea around 5-6 pm and its called entre comidas or between meals. This usually consists of something sweet and is accompanied with either tea or coffee. So, yesterday at 5 p.m, I went to a cafeteria by myself to have a cup of cafe con leche and a crossaint, o my gosh its so rich! I need to sign up for the gym soon, its only two blocks from the house, I haven't gained weight because of all the walking but if I continue to eat like that I will! haha! I'm going to check out the yoga studio and the gym and see which was is better. I was thinking if the yoga studio is a better price, I would rather go there. Anyway, its raining so not much is going on and I stayed in last night to rest and get a good nights sleep. Hopefully, I can do something fun tomorrow!
Chau amores
Raquel

La Feria de Los Matadores

Well, a lot has gone one since last I wrote. On Saturday, it was a gloomy day and it rained but not too heavy, like a light sprinkle. Cristian and I went to get the veggies and fruits at the stand that sells them in bulk. We got 4 large bags of fruits and veggies all for 70 pesos, that's like less than 30 dollars! I may have already mention all of this so I'll move on. That night, I went to Tito and Cristian's friend's house: Rodrigo and Alexe, Alexe is the painter whose artwork I posted on my facebook. They ended up having a large dinner party and served ground beef, yuca with garlic, black beans, and rice. Everything was Cuban food, it was all so rich and delicious! The Yuca won the award for the night of being the best dish. Anyway, so we were all chatting, well I was listening and following along, and someone brought out the Dulce de Leche to put ontop of the orange budin cake. Cristian told everyone it was my first time trying it, how embarrassing! I had to try it infront of everyone and make a happy little yummy smile at the end. I'm not lying when I say that it was magnificent, its like caramel but creamier and not as sweet. Its awesome but it was embarrassing to have them all staring at me at the same time! lol. Anyway, so some cuban guy said, wait she's not from Argentina? Where are you from? You look so Argentine!! I said California, and he said your parents, well they are from California more or less as well. Then Cristian, my roomie helped me out by saying that she has ansestors from Italy, Chile, and various others places in the world. The cuban said, oh I see it now! You look very Argentine because you are very Italian and Chilean looking. Anyway, I was sitting there all night trying to understand everything which is tough. The people say are you ok, do you understand, its all very sweet but this is how it will be for the first 2 months, me sitting looking feeling stupid, and you all feel like I don't understand you. But its not all true. I understand mostly what is being said and can speak if I have enough time to prepare myself. I know it all sounds exactly what language is not about. That when one speaks they don't need time to think, its natural. Well, I'm working on my natural aspect of the language now.
Anyway, we eneded up staying there chatting, drinking, eatting, talking more, until 4 am in the morning! then I went to bed at 5 and had to wake up at 11 to rush down to the bus stop to take a trip to the Feria de los matadores. It was a fun day there, we took two buses, one correct one and one totally out of the way but we made it. I bought a hat like Che Guevera, a ring, dulce de leche, and nutmix. Dulce de leche is by far the most favorite of what I bought. Too bad I have to stop eatting it otherwise I'm going to turn into the cow who made the milk for the dulce de leche. Anyway, bad joke. When we got home from the Feria, which is every Sunday, we met up at 10 to have dinner at this Chinese food place caledl Todos somethings. Anyway, the food was good but they put ground beef in Melissa's tofu dish and said that's how its served here. Whatever? Veggies can even order veggies dishes in Argentina, it still comes with meat haha. Anyway, mine was good I ordered a veggie, tofu soup. Nicole ordered this pumpkin juice thing, man it was sweet, it tasted like pumpkin pie and honey mixed together and then 2000lb of sugar dumped on top. It was dulce! Anyway, then we went to this bar/music place and they were playing funky 80s music and it was really loud and it gave me a panic attack. So I left and hopped on the taxi for 7 pesos and now I'm here with you fine ladies and gentlemen and its just about time for bed. I'm so tired and tomorrow is the first day of orientation at the school. Yay! I have something to actually do!
Chau chau chau

Amigas Nuevas y Son Argentinas!

So, when I was looking for a roommate about 6 months ago, I put an ad up on craigslist. I got several inquiries and had to choose between two houses, La casa de Cristian and La casa de Ivanna. Obviously, I chose the one with Cristian and Tito but I told Ivanna once I arrived in Argentina that I wanted to meet and become friends. As soon as I got my cellphone yesterday, I sent her a text to see what her plans were for the night. I met her and her friend Irene at McDonalds, don't worry I didn't eat there, and we chatted and tried to figure out a plan. We ended up going to her apartment where she lives with a fellow Californian named Ryan. He is from San Diego and speaks Spanish very very well. This is his second time in Argentina. Well, him and his friend were going out to a club and Ivanna, Irene, and I stayed behind and chatted for a while, we were waiting for some guy friend of Ivanna. It was getting late, not in Argentine time but in US time, and I didn't want to push myself to staying up late into the night. I had woken up pretty early that morning so I told the girls that I was going to head home for the night and that I needed to ease myself into the nightlife in Argentina. They told me that the clubs aren't alive until around 3 am, and I told them that I will work on adapting to this time. I have only been here for a week and a half and I'm use to the clubs closing at 2 am and everyone going home to bed. Anyway, it will take time, maybe if I take a nap first haha! They totally understood everything and we had a great time, I really like them, it was nice having girls to chat with that are my age. So about 2 am, I took a cab home and as soon as I got home I passed out. I slept really well because that day I ran for about 45 minutes to the park and back and then walked from my house to the University. It was a long day! Today is Saturday and I think Cristian, Tito, and I are going to do something tonight like see a show or something. I know we are going to buy the 2 week supply of fruits and veggies from this place that sells them in bulk, like Denios. Well, I'm having fun, just a bit exhausted! Getting use to walking everywhere instead of biking is exhausting on me. Well, les mando muchos besos! Chau!
Raquel

Nuevo Celular!

Well, today I got the cellphone and it was such a great deal! It's practically brand new since the kid I bought it from was only here for 3 weeks. Brand new probably 50 bucks, I got it for 10 priceless! And it already has minutes on it! It has 25 pesos on it and that should last me like a month. Wow what a deal! Now I can continue to be a texting junkie like before haha. Anyway, today I tried to take Melissa to Palermo Soho where I bought my Argentine clothes for a nice price. However, I couldn't find where Cristian and I had gone before so I felt really bad that I took her over there and wasn't really much help to her task of finding grey boots. She said it was ok because she got to discover more of this huge city. What we did find was this great coffee shop that serves Empandas, pizza, coffee, sandwiches and has Wi-Fi. It is really close to my apartment, a great place to go to study and have a cup of joe or cafe con leche. There was a promotion or special: cup of cafe con leche, two crossaints (media lunas), and a glass of orange juice for 9.50 pesos, that's about 3 dollars. Anyway, I got that and Melissa got a soda and an empanada. The best part of it all was we met two Americans, one from Florida and one from San Francisco. The one from Florida studied here for 6 months and is leaving in September but offered to show us around town and take us out to dinner one night. Very nice guy! And he prefers to speak Spanish, which is a bonus because most Americans speak English here with each other. Anyway, I was noticing today that since Melissa is this little blonde haired, blue eyed American, all the guys are always checking her out and flirting with her because she looks different that all the girls here. I on the other hand can assimilate easier because of my European looks and dark hair. The guys that seem interested, not that it matters, are the ones from the US. haha! Because in the US, I look different than all the other girls (blonde hair, fake tans etc.) Anyway, it doesn't really matter, it just was something I noticed. Well, Melissa spoke more Spanish today, I wonder if she noticed that I was getting frustrated that she wasn't trying to speak more. Maybe she feels more comfortable. Anyway, tonight is Friday! We will need what is in store for the night. Cristian says he gets home at about 9 pm but that's early in the night, last time we went out at 1 am and came home at 5 am. Melissa said there is one club that doesn't even open until 2 am! What a life! I love it! Well, hasta manana familia y amigos! Les mando muchos besos!
Raquelita

Avenida Florida y Plaza de Mayo

Today I went with Cristian to the downtown area where he works. He went to work and I went exploring around town. I walked up this busy street named Corrientes where all the theaters are located and took lots of pictures. Then I arrived at the biggest shopping area in Buenos Aires: Florida. I walked up a ways until it crossed with Nueve de Julio, on this street lies the Casa Rosada and the Plaza de Mayo. I went to this area and took photos of the buildings, they are magnificent. There I saw lots of people from the United States, they are each to spot since they speak English and they are wearing shirts that say football, how embarrassing haha! Then I returned back to Florida and walked the other way on the avenue. I was trying to find some new jeans, something real stylish with Argentine character. But all the prices were too overpriced because it seemed to be a tourist area. It was like Times Square, there were people everywhere!!! I walked around for about 3 hours then I met back up with Cristian and together we headed home. We stopped at the market to get some things for dinner and breakfast. After we went to a health food store where the person working in the store gets the items for you and they are by the kilo. I haven't yet mastered the conversion of lbs to kilos and I was so tired that I mixed up dollars with pesos. So when the total came to 15 pesos (I was thinking dollars), I freaked. Then I got all confused, o it was a mess. I felt so embarrassed and stupid, I need to study the conversions! Tonight I will study them because I don't like feeling incompetant and I should be prepared for this type of situation. Anyway, no need to worry its over. So every student here uses cell phones with a tarjeta, pay as you go, so I felt I should too. However, you have to buy your cell phone and then put minutes on them, they cost about 160 pesos for the basic one which is about 50 dollars USD. My friend Nicole just told me that a guy wants to sell me his phone for 40 pesos because he is leaving. I offered to give him 10 bucks for it because I forgot to exchange it at the airport and its not worth exchanging less than 100 dollars. Anyway, he accepted and I'll get my phone tomorrow! Yay! And it already has minutes on it. Que bueno! Alright, well tomorrow is Friday and hopefully we do something fun. I will let you all know my plans for the weekend. I know on Saturday we are going to buy fruits and veggies at a place that sells them in bulk sooooo hasta manana!
Chau
Raquel

Dia de Nada Importante

Today was really cold in Buenos Aires, it rained a bit, nothing too heavy. I met up with a fellow Sacramento student and I took her to the University to fill out paperwork and get information about obtaining her Special Transitory Visa. I was able to do all this because my lovely roommate helped me yesterday locating the University and took me to the office of International Studies. Anyway, the woman that helped me yesterday was real friendly with me because I speak Spanish well and with Melissa I think she was getting annoyed because her level isn't as advanced as mine. But she did just arrive so in time it will improve. However, all day I was trying to speak Spanish with her and she kept answering me in English and when an Argentine named Leo came to her apartment she kept saying: I need to practice my Spanish but she kept speaking English, the only way to practice is if you practice. Anyway, the girls from Sacramento are sweet but are only 19 so I don't know if I will spend much time with them. Especially if they are going to speak English all the time. I'm so glad that I'm living with two fluent speakers, it really improves my Spanish. This honestly is the only way to be truly immersed. Anyway, today was a day kinda lazy, even though I did walk all over town and me and Cristian did Taebo Abs this morning. He liked it but he said it killed him, me too though. Well, on Monday I have orientation for school and it will be great to meet up with some other students from around the world. So I was talking with Cristian and Tito and I told them that my school ends in November and then I have a break from December to the beginning of March. They asked me what I would be doing and I said that I would be the housewife haha. Tito said, yeah you cook, clean, and teach us English and we will let you stay hahaha! But I was thinking about my time that I will have on my break, and I will try and find a Non-governmental Organization to volunteer for, it would be great for my resume and for narrowing down what I want to do for the future. Anyway, any ideas or comments, let me know.
Bueno, well today was a dia tranquilo. Manana tal vez con muy accion.
Chau, nos amo!
Raquel
o PS: The American films on TV all have subtitles and they don't bleep out all the curse words. It's like really watching the movie. Que magnifico!

La Universidad De Belgrano

Well, now I have wi-fi internet yay! It only took us talking to like six people but we reconfigured it so bueno! Anyway, Cristian took me to the University and it is a lot closer than I thought, I could walk there on a nice day for exercise. Its a lot closer than I was to Sacramento State and I always rode my bike there. The campus is very nice and up to date, very modern. I filled out my paperwork for the school and I received the information in order to obtain my Special Transitory Visa. What a pain! Haha! Anyway, the director said that my Spanish was great and that most students couldn't understand what she was saying, so that's a good thing! After Cristian and I went to a restaurant, well more like a sports pub, and we ate the best meat I have had so far. I told him when my mom comes I want her to come here, he laughed and said there are far better places than this joint. O yeah, we did yoga this morning and that was fun having someone elses energy with me, it makes the intensity greater. Well, in one week I have orientation and after that I start school the 27th. I'm very excited! Tonight, I am going to good a leek salad for the guys. I'm glad for two things: that they like to share because I would be eating out more often if not, and that they are very healthy and eat a similar diet to me. Bueno, everything is great and I'm adapting very well. Cristian has an exam in English next week so I'm going to help him with the past tense and the oral part. Like me, that's his worst part of the language. I love you all! Chau y nos hablamos!

El Dia Sola

Today Cristian and Tito had to work so I was alone all day until about 4 p.m. So I decided that I would explore the city, atleast Palermo because that´s the zone I live in and the city is about 50 times bigger haha, a little exaggeration. Anyway, I woke up and went to get some cash and make copies of my health insurance for the school. After, I returned to the apartment and left the rent money for the guys and later returned out to explore the city. I tried to remember where Cristian had taken me to go shopping but of course I failed haha. I did end up finding the subway and took it home. I even loaded my transit card for the future. When I got home, I talked with Cristian for about an hour about things in the world and about Spanish and grammar. He is so sweet, I wish we could be friends and roomies forever. He is my Argentine gay husband haha. I already have a gay husband in Sacramento. Well, we just ate dinner and for some reason the Wi-Fi is not working right now so I will have to work on getting it fixed because I know that I haven´t been able to SKYPE to my family and friends and I feel really terrible about it. Anyway, tomorrow Cristian is taking me to the school and then to the immigration office. He is so sweet! And Cristian and Tito are so in love, its so adorable. They always call each other amor. I love it! Anyway, today was a very relaxed day. This weekend we are going to a drag queen show on Friday. I can´t wait! Pues, hasta manana amores! Nos hablamos en pronto!
Chau!
Raquel

Una noche del idioma Ingles

So, Cristian and Tito are learning English and its so adorable, they are actually really good at speaking the language. Cristian is taking classes and Tito is teaching himself. Its cute because they will argue, like an old married couple, about the rules of the language. Its great! Last night I was helping them with their English by showing them a book I read in English about the culture of Argentina. Anyway, one day a week we are going to have an English only day because I would like to help them as they are helping me. This weekend is pretty mellow. We haven´t really gone out much, just gone to the centro and they showed me the Casa Rosada and the Congreso, and Plaza de Mayo. We ate pizza yesterday, o my gosh it was so good! Normally in the US I try and eat quite healthy. The food here is so rich in flavor that it fills me up quick, Cristian and Tito´s friends think I´m on a diet because I don´t eat a lot of food. Haha I eat less but they are all skinnier than me! Oh well, in time. Anyway, then when I got home last night, I went running in the city, don´t worry it was at 6 p.m. It was nice even though I was scared of getting lost. I have both of my roommate´s phone numbers and the address in my pocket. This city is so huge and magnificent, I hope that I will learn it well. Also, the public transit is so dynamic, it will take time to get to know the system. Well, I did my first sleep walking experience last night and ran into a wall. This woke me up obviously haha. I´m such a clutz. But don´t worry Mom, I didn´t raid their fridge! I told Cristian and Tito this morning and they laughed. Well, today we are going to a friend´s house for a huge dinner, like a potluck. The owner of the house cooks and everyone brings money to help with the expenses. I finally got my scholarship money, thanks to my Dad, now I don´t have to worry about not having anything until my grant money comes. That would be the worst thing to not have money to pay for rent! I would feel so embarrassed! Well, I hope all is well with you guys! Chau muchos besos!
Raquel

Ir de Compras

For all of you who aren't Spanish savvy, I'm writing at the top of each heading what I did today in Spanish. This title means shopping. Today I went shopping because I have no winter clothes really with me. Cristian and I went about the city to go shopping and I bought two really great things. One green jacket and one shirt that is plaid red and gray pattern. They are both very European and very Argentine. We walked for hours and then took the Subway from where we were to home because we live two blocks from the subway. It is very packed, just like New York but it is great. The train comes every 3 minutes and when I told Cristian that in Sacramento it comes every fifteen minutes and after 7 every 30 mins he couldn't believe it.
We chatted today about health insurance in the US and he couldn't believe the cost monthly for a person to be covered and in some cases it isn't complete, like I had when I broke my leg with 70/30% coverage. Here in Argentina they have public health insurance that is free for anyone and free public colleges. What a life, go to school for free and see a doctor to help cure you for free as well! I know it probably has its flaws like having to wait for treatment but its better than having treatment that costs 100,000 dollars. Anyway, that is all that I will say about that. We also chatted about Bush today and Obama and all I said to Leo and Cristian is, well its better now that we have Obama and that is all I will say. And that I love him as our president.
Finally I found face soap, I couldn't find it for the longest time but now I have it. Well, tonight I am cooking for Tito and Cristian because they have both been so sweet and cooking me dinners and lunches and showing me the city. I want to show them how much I appreciate their kindness. Its the weekend yay! Well, I only took one photo today, I'll try and put it up but I don't really know how to yet on this blog. I will investigate.
Chau y besos besos besos
Raquel

Dia de Independencia

Yesterday was the day of independence in Argentina. People in Argentina really value their time with their friends and all day we spent with friends of Cristian and Tito, we talked, ate, and played Trivial Pursuit: Argentine Version. The only answers I knew were the ones about pop culture of the United States. I felt so dumb jk! Well I did know one about Argentina and Sarmiento! yay! Thank you Senor Blanc in Sacramento. Anyway, I ate yesterday at the Rio de la Plata, it was this stand that was in front of the river. The steak has so much flavor and so do the eggs. Hard-boiled are very common here in most dishes and they have so much flavor! I already loved hard-boiled eggs in the States but now I'm addicted. My Spanish is improving daily, I'm even finding it hard to think in English right now. I think I am going to have to go shopping for some more winter clothes, I was so afraid of being over the weight limit at the airport that I didn't pack nearly enough clothes and it is cold here! It is comparable to San Francisco or Lake Tahoe in the winter. Well, today is Friday and its my first weekend night in Buenos Aires, we will see what the night has in store. The other night was a holiday night and when we left the club at 5 am, it was still very active and people were still dancing so we will see. Well, Cristian and I are going for a walk with a friend's cousin from Sacramento. He speaks English and Spanish so he can be more help to bettering my Spanish and saying exactly what I want to say. Well, I miss you family and friends! I will talk to you soon! Chau y besos!
Rachel

Club 69

Club 69 is fantastic! It was like Las Vegas but 10 times better. There were these performers that danced very provocatively and the men were wearing as much makeup as the women and less clothes, the women were beautiful, the whole thing was amazing. As soon as I get pictures I will put them up because I didn't take my camera with me to the club. Then they played electronic/techno music all night and my roomates: Cristian and Tito, their two friends, and I danced until 5 am. Well, we ate dinner and chatted at 10 pm and got ready at midnight and left at one am so it is all relative to Sacramento, just hours later. The club was great, people in Argentina dance alone in a group, there isn't any bumping and grinding like in the United States. Anyway, if any of you come to Buenos Aires, Club 69 is the happening place and I highly recommend it! I met Tito last night and he is as sweet as Cristian, very kind and helpful. He helped me convert everything that I asked into meters. He is very smart and has his engineering degree in mechanical engineering. I gave them their gifts from Sacramento last night: they love Jelly Bellys, they think that have such a rich taste to them. O and I had my first Argentine steak last night that Cristian prepared, the taste was so rich I didn't even need sauce! I love it here, everything is so thoughtful and precise. They only buy what they need and what is healthy for you. I don't know how to explain this but its a very European lifestyle. Today is Independence Day and I'm not sure what we are doing as of yet, I will let you all know as soon as I'm home what it is like. My Spanish has already improved in the one day I have been here, speaking I need to practice my pronuciation but my listening and reading and writing have all improved. I don't really have a problem when I am listening to Cristian and Tito speak to me. But maybe they are speaking a bit slowly. I love my roomies and Buenos Aires!
I miss you all! Chau
Raquel

Llegada en Buenos Aires

I have arrived in Buenos Aires! The flight was real easy, I took an Ambien and slept the entire way! I woke up to the beauty of the sky and clouds overlooking Brazil then on into Argentina. The lands are flat and it reminds me of overlooking the Central Valley, like Salinas. Its pretty cold here but nothing I can't handle. I'm glad to be getting away from the heat in Sacramento. Sitting and chatting with Cristian, my wonderful roommate, shows how hard it is to continuously speak in Spanish. But I know that it will make me a better speaker, eventually fluent. Cristian is the nicest roommate anyone could ask for. He made me lunch and is going to show me the city in a bit after I rest. The apartment is so cute and I have already set up my room. I'm living next to beautiful parks and the subway. Wow, now its hard to think in English after speaking Spanish for so long. Well, I love you all and hope all is going well. I miss you too! Tonight we are going to go dancing. I can show off my American no-rhythm moves.
Chau amores!
Raquel

Delay in Sacramento

I'm at the airport and I have a delay for my plane going to Houston. Ugh thunderstorms, now I'm really nervous! Well, at least I won't have a layover in Houston for 3 hours. Straight flight from 3-830 pm then 9 pm to 9 am! O boy, now I'm really nervous. Wish me luck! Hopefully, I'll be in Buenos Aires by 5 am tomorrow. Chau!

Mi Fiesta

Yesterday was my going away party and I want to thank everyone for coming. We had such a great time and it really was better than I had imagined. I am now ready to depart on my journey to Argentina and to meet my new roommates and future friends of Buenos Aires. Thanks to all for the cards and gifts and support. I love my mother so much for throwing the party and being so supportive. I can't wait until you come down to see me in February. Well hasta luego todos y vos veo el año próximo. Chau y besos!

So I leave on Tues July 7th at 12:00pm. I am quite nervous about the flight but I know that I will be safe, I can't tell you how many times I have had a fender bender or car accident but I can tell you how many by plane: zero. So I need to be relaxed and prepared for the great change in my life that is about to happen. My roomies are being so great, Cristian is making this so easy for me, he will be picking me up from the airport when I arrive, I love having connections. The first thing I want to do is order a steak and drink a glass of Argentine red wine! I will let you all know how great they both are! My going away party is on Saturday, it will be a sad but great day because I can say goodbye to everyone at the same time! So this is my journal/blog, please follow me and write comments. I would love to hear what you think about my adventures. Chau amores! Besos!