La BOMBA!

I met up with my friend from kindergarten the other night. It was soooo amazing, like we didnt miss a beat. Just chatted about what we have been doing lately and whats going on in Salinas haha. I met her boyfriend and friends, they dont speak much Spanish which isnt good for me because I dont need friends that speak English, I need hispanohablantes! But it was still good to talk to her and see her. Then last night I went to La Bomba with my friend Tomas who is from Germany and is heading back home on Monday. Awwww man so sad! But it was soooo great! Its an Argentine percussion band who plays African Tribal Music really amazing and they played for like 3 hours until 5 in the morning! I loved it! And I met two more buddies who only speak Spanish thank god! One Argentine and one girl from Germany who has been living here for 2 years and guess what she lives one block from me! How strange huh? Anyway, she doesnt speak English so thats perfect for me yay! And she is really sweet. So it has been really easy to go out to the clubs and bars and not drink anything, I actually like it better, I can get home at whatever 6 am, go to sleep and wake up feel fine. The only thing that bothers me still is all the smoking here in the clubs. I got a real bad headache last night from it and my chest hurt, but atleast I wasnt smoking so thats all that matters but not like second hand is all that much better for you. I feel really good lately, really healthy, no meat, no alcohol, no cigs, I feel amazing and lots of yoga. I thought that my Spanish was really bad after having Jannie and Steven here for so long and speaking English but after last night I realized I will never lose it no matter how much English I speak, the Argentine asked me how long have you been here? Two years because you speak so well! I said not even a year, so that makes me happy. Anyway, today Im going to practice my portuguese pronunciation haha and start on making my slideshows of my trips for you guys for when I get home. For those who dont know we are going to have one night of pictures per trip so get ready! haha! I started making my scrapbook of my travels here in Argentina, now I will be collecting little memorabilia in the city to put into it, like pictures of the flag, labels of dulce de leche and quilmes, etc. It is going to be great! I pick up my pictures that I had printed out for it on Monday. I have about 20 sections so far: all my trips from Cordoba to Salta and then my apartment, my roommates, the city, the subway, gay pride in Argentina, my birthday, the trips on the buses, mate pictures, friends, the university, and then I made a section for my going away party, the 200th yr anniversary of the South Americas Independence from Spain which is the 25th of May, and then my arrival back to Sacramento. I really like how it is turning out. Gotta find a place to put the picture of my Visa that says Im from France haha I love you Argentina. Anyway, talk to you all soon!

Love Rachel