This past week has been a bit stressful b/c I am trying to figure out which classes I actually want to take and which to drop or switch. I am keeping my general spanish and writing workshop classes b/c I want to get better at my spanish. I am also keeping my theater class b/c it fulfills an arts 1 gen ed. I think that I am dropping sculpture and picking up either digital photography or tango. And I am trying to switch my poetry class for a human rights internship which sounds really intersting. I just need to get permission, but like I said about organization, I havent been emailed back with a response yet. If I dont get permission I am dropping poetry anyway b/c I dont like it and have no interest. I sat in on the human rights internship class and was on the edge of my seat so I hope they let me take it! The internship includes a 2 hour lecture once a week and 6 hours of interning. I think it would be a great experience.
I also attended my first bible study here. We didnt actually study the bible but we will in the future. Instead, we had dinner together and just hung out. It was great. I am so thankful to have met these campus crusade girls. They are tons of fun and we laugh a lot. Their spanish is impressive as well. The bible study as well as the friday night meetigns will help me get to know local Argentines too which is an added bonus!
I also went to Tigre again. Tuesday was a national holiday so we had no school. However, no one told us why it was a national holiday so I didnt think much of it. I went back with a differnt group of people and we got to swim! It was great except the water is brown...no worries, its not poop, its mineral water. We also ate a nice lunch again but I didnt like my asado (some kinda meat). I think that we are going to go back b/c they also have an amusement park you can go to and we want to check it out!
One of my biggest annoyances here is the blatant stares from men. It doesnt matter what you are wearing either. They will look at you. Maybe even comment. Whenever I see a man and I'm alone I just stare straight ahead like I dont even see him and I have a glare on my face. I feel like a grinch or something and its no fun.
Another annoyance: Dogs poop on the sidewalk and people may or may not clean it up. It is so gross. I see smooshed dog poop on the sidewalk all the time! GROSS.
Interesting fact of the day: At many of the drug stores around here they ring up your purchase in one line then you have to get in another line to actually pay for it!
~Lizzie
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Exploring the Outdoors
Yesterday I went on a day trip to El Tigre. I belive it is the name of the river...maybe not, it might just be the neighborhood. I never got a guide book so I dont know too much about what is around me. It was a fun and exhuasting day. I went with a group of 8 girls and we took two trains to get there. Then, we took a boat that was like a bus down the river to eat some lunch. I had a $7 steak that was really thick and really juicy and delicious. Afterwards, we walked around a bit and found a place where we could rent canoe's. At first I was hot and tired and all I wanted to do was swim in the river so i wasnt that excited about canoeing. However, it really made the trip and I'm very glad we did it. It only cost $5 per person for an hour! What a deal.
Friday night I went to the Campus Crusade meeting. Here in Argentina it is called "La Vida Estudill" which I think means student life. It was a lot of fun. They gave a talk about time management in spanish and I understood the general idea, there were powerpoints too which helped a lot. Then, we just hung out and met the students who went. It was very informal after the meeting ended. I got "besos" -kissed- by people I didnt even know. This was my first experience being with more Argentine's than Americans. A few people came and introduced themselves and we spoke in english and spanish. Right before the Vida meetings they have an english club where students can practice english if they wnt so alot of the students can speak pretty well. I think that I will contnue to attend as long as I am not traveling.
I have a place here. It sells pizza by the slize and empanadas. Both are less than $4 pesos each which is like a dollar. It is ridiculous. I've gone a couple times a week so far. Every time but one I've had the same waiter. he is great. Now he greets us as soon as we walk in.
I went shopping again. I got 4 shirts and a dress for I think $30 dollars total. it is crazy. I wanted to get shoes too but it seems like they dont go past size 40 and I'm like a 43! It is so not fair b/c right now with their sales you can get 3 pairs of shoes for $40 dollars!
Since being here I really miss little kids. I think it is because I see them everywhere but I cant hold them or play with them b/c I dont know them! Basically, I miss babysitting. It was never that bad at Hope but I think that is because I only saw other college students!
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAy: I have seen Amish people here in Argentina...I did not see that coming!
Friday night I went to the Campus Crusade meeting. Here in Argentina it is called "La Vida Estudill" which I think means student life. It was a lot of fun. They gave a talk about time management in spanish and I understood the general idea, there were powerpoints too which helped a lot. Then, we just hung out and met the students who went. It was very informal after the meeting ended. I got "besos" -kissed- by people I didnt even know. This was my first experience being with more Argentine's than Americans. A few people came and introduced themselves and we spoke in english and spanish. Right before the Vida meetings they have an english club where students can practice english if they wnt so alot of the students can speak pretty well. I think that I will contnue to attend as long as I am not traveling.
I have a place here. It sells pizza by the slize and empanadas. Both are less than $4 pesos each which is like a dollar. It is ridiculous. I've gone a couple times a week so far. Every time but one I've had the same waiter. he is great. Now he greets us as soon as we walk in.
I went shopping again. I got 4 shirts and a dress for I think $30 dollars total. it is crazy. I wanted to get shoes too but it seems like they dont go past size 40 and I'm like a 43! It is so not fair b/c right now with their sales you can get 3 pairs of shoes for $40 dollars!
Since being here I really miss little kids. I think it is because I see them everywhere but I cant hold them or play with them b/c I dont know them! Basically, I miss babysitting. It was never that bad at Hope but I think that is because I only saw other college students!
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAy: I have seen Amish people here in Argentina...I did not see that coming!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
School is for fools :)
Today was my second day of classes. and let me tell you it felt LONG. Tuesday I had class from 11-1 HOWEVER that was the day I had to go to immigrations to get my visa. Long story short, it didnt happen. The good news is that I can write my own "F my life."
"So I waited in line for 3 hours at immigrations only to find out they had no more numbers for the day and couldnt get my visa. Little did I know that I had a group appointment and got to cut the line. If I had done that I'd have my visa right now. F MY LIFE." It sounded better when I made it up yesterday but oh well!
That basically sums up the story. I got up at 6:30 am to go to immigrations. Then waited in a line with a million people for about 3 hours. Apparently there was a miscommunication about where to meet. There are ALOT of those with this program that I am with. Now my weekend plans to leave the country are ruined b/c I am in the process of getting my student visa. And now I have to go back to immigrations and who knows how long that will take.
Anyway, back to classes. Tuesday I went to my general spanish and it was alright. Mostly review right now. I also had my sculpture class. I think that I will be dropping that. It was 4 hours. We talked in spanish for about 2 about boring thigns. Then we had about an hour to design and I quickly learned that I do not like to design thigns creatively and sculpture is not my thing. haha. Then today I had a spansih writing workshop which is ok too and my spanish class again. Plus a poetry class. ew i hate poetry in english let alone spanish but i need an english class for my cultural heritage credit. Tomorrow will be poetry again. and my theater class. I'll keep you posted.
On a lighter note, the other day on the bus some older woman sat down to me and her pants had somehow gotten unzipped. It then took her about 10 minutes to zip them back up. It was a side zip and they almost fell off. I couldnt keep from giggling so I turned away so she couldnt see.
My host mom is so great. She is just super sweet. Last week I had a few long days and when I got home from orientation activities all I wanted was a shower and a pepsi. Luckily for me there is a little store underneath our building so after I got clean I'd go get a pepsi to relax. After a few days of this Christina started buying pepsi for us to drink with dinner. I love her!
I am a bit nervous that I am going to get fat. I feel like I eat a lot here. Some kids are complaining about losing weight. I dont know how that is happening. I eat 3-4 meals a day if you add up all the snacks I eat. it is ridiculous. And my last meal is around 8-9 and I go to bed only a couple hours after that so it just sits in my tummy! ahhh.
On a positive note I met a girl today from campus crusade, alexis, who is on a stint here in Bs. As. It was great to meet another christian here in argentina b/c my program seems to have few if any, that stand out anyway. I'm hoping to get involved with what she is doing around here. They have meetings every friday night and a few other events as well! It sounds like a lot of fun. They also volunteer at an orphanage once a month and I'd love to do that. As long as I am in town this weekend I think that I'll go to their friday meeting and see where that leads. I think that this is my opportunity to meet locals and maybe get involved in the community around me. :)
Interesting fact of the day: Alexis told me that some homless people "rent" out their kids to others b/c kids can make more money begging. It is so sad. There are a lot of homeless people around and even families
~Lizzie
"So I waited in line for 3 hours at immigrations only to find out they had no more numbers for the day and couldnt get my visa. Little did I know that I had a group appointment and got to cut the line. If I had done that I'd have my visa right now. F MY LIFE." It sounded better when I made it up yesterday but oh well!
That basically sums up the story. I got up at 6:30 am to go to immigrations. Then waited in a line with a million people for about 3 hours. Apparently there was a miscommunication about where to meet. There are ALOT of those with this program that I am with. Now my weekend plans to leave the country are ruined b/c I am in the process of getting my student visa. And now I have to go back to immigrations and who knows how long that will take.
Anyway, back to classes. Tuesday I went to my general spanish and it was alright. Mostly review right now. I also had my sculpture class. I think that I will be dropping that. It was 4 hours. We talked in spanish for about 2 about boring thigns. Then we had about an hour to design and I quickly learned that I do not like to design thigns creatively and sculpture is not my thing. haha. Then today I had a spansih writing workshop which is ok too and my spanish class again. Plus a poetry class. ew i hate poetry in english let alone spanish but i need an english class for my cultural heritage credit. Tomorrow will be poetry again. and my theater class. I'll keep you posted.
On a lighter note, the other day on the bus some older woman sat down to me and her pants had somehow gotten unzipped. It then took her about 10 minutes to zip them back up. It was a side zip and they almost fell off. I couldnt keep from giggling so I turned away so she couldnt see.
My host mom is so great. She is just super sweet. Last week I had a few long days and when I got home from orientation activities all I wanted was a shower and a pepsi. Luckily for me there is a little store underneath our building so after I got clean I'd go get a pepsi to relax. After a few days of this Christina started buying pepsi for us to drink with dinner. I love her!
I am a bit nervous that I am going to get fat. I feel like I eat a lot here. Some kids are complaining about losing weight. I dont know how that is happening. I eat 3-4 meals a day if you add up all the snacks I eat. it is ridiculous. And my last meal is around 8-9 and I go to bed only a couple hours after that so it just sits in my tummy! ahhh.
On a positive note I met a girl today from campus crusade, alexis, who is on a stint here in Bs. As. It was great to meet another christian here in argentina b/c my program seems to have few if any, that stand out anyway. I'm hoping to get involved with what she is doing around here. They have meetings every friday night and a few other events as well! It sounds like a lot of fun. They also volunteer at an orphanage once a month and I'd love to do that. As long as I am in town this weekend I think that I'll go to their friday meeting and see where that leads. I think that this is my opportunity to meet locals and maybe get involved in the community around me. :)
Interesting fact of the day: Alexis told me that some homless people "rent" out their kids to others b/c kids can make more money begging. It is so sad. There are a lot of homeless people around and even families
~Lizzie
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Dancing in Chinatown
The system here for doing laundry is great. All you have to do is separate your lights and darks into two different hampers. Then you walk it over to the lavanderia where you leave it with the chinese inhabitants of buenos aires and its clean AND folded by the next day, sometimes even the same day! I love it. Plus it only costs about 8-10 pesos per load which is less than 3 dollars! At Hope I had to pay about half of that but I also had to fold my own clothes and wait for the machines to be available. This is much more convienent.
One thing here that really grosses me out is that while walking around you get dripped on by water. And no its not rain water, it could be water from anything. gross. But I think it mostly comes from air conditioners and watered plants on balconys. Who really knows. It just makes me feel dirty and germy!
Speaking of which, yesterday I ate my a burrito that I bought in the street from a man. This goes against everything that I am. I hate germs and dirtiness but I was hungry and thats what everyone else ate. It tasted good but I'm just hoping there are no side effects from this decision.
I love how cheap desserts can be here. I have previously mentioned media lunas which I still adore. And then there are cookies. I was able to buy 5 small but bakery made cookies for 3 pesos which is less than a dollar. I was shocked. In the US they'd be like a dollar each!
I'd have to say that the biggest fashion mishap here is parachute pants. These pants are hideous and have a dangerously low and loose fitting crotch. I do not understand the desire but I see them everywhere. The girls love them and they do not look attractive at all!
This past weekend I went to Buenos Aires own Chinatown. I dont know why but I figured that even in Buenos Aires would they call it Chinatown. Turns out they dont. Its called el barrio chinese (the chinese neighborhood). However, while trying to tell my host mom I was goign to chinatown and straight up using that word she thought I said the Sheraton, as in the hotel. and Asked me if I was going to get dinner and go dancing. I was like what? They dance in chintwon? eventuallywe figured it out but it was a funny misunderstanding. Now try to imagine ordering chinese food in spanish. haha. The food was great. I went with 8 other girls and we split a bunch of different things which I love to do!
On Sunday I had a bike tour. I was really excited for it becuse I love to bike plus I figured I could get tan at the same time. The day was great b/c it wasnt too hot and had some nice wind. However, an hour into the tour I began to regret my decision. I have not worked out actively ever really. This tour kicked my butt. It was 3 hours and the guide was like a speed demon on the bike. I thought I was going to pass out. I'm glad I did it but I dont think I could ever do it again. I also figured that I didnt need sunscreen b/c it seemed kinda cold out. BAD MOVE. I am now burned and sore. Its a great combination.
After the tour I had to get home. This meant that I had to find the same bus that I came on but going in the oppposite direction which is tricky. You just have to ask people where it is and surprisingly they usually know. I was able to find it but I didnt know where to get off. There was a stop a block from my house but I thought there was another one literally across the street so i decided to stay on teh bus since I had nothign to do and could wiat a bit longer. Another bad move. I took the bus for like another 20 blocks before I was like oops, I guess I should hvae just gotten off. It took me like an extra hour to get home.
I do not know what I did to deserve this but I wake up every morning around 8 am give or take an hour. I think that while I was adjusting to the jetlag I messed myself up and now I cannot sleep in. It doenst matter what time I go to bed I wake up around 8 am and cannot go back to sleep. This will not cut it with the argentine lifestyle of staying up till 6 in the morning. Given, I havent actually stayed out till 6 yet but 3:30 is pretty close!
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY: Argentina's Pizza is really really yummy. I eat it a few times a week for lunch!
~liz
One thing here that really grosses me out is that while walking around you get dripped on by water. And no its not rain water, it could be water from anything. gross. But I think it mostly comes from air conditioners and watered plants on balconys. Who really knows. It just makes me feel dirty and germy!
Speaking of which, yesterday I ate my a burrito that I bought in the street from a man. This goes against everything that I am. I hate germs and dirtiness but I was hungry and thats what everyone else ate. It tasted good but I'm just hoping there are no side effects from this decision.
I love how cheap desserts can be here. I have previously mentioned media lunas which I still adore. And then there are cookies. I was able to buy 5 small but bakery made cookies for 3 pesos which is less than a dollar. I was shocked. In the US they'd be like a dollar each!
I'd have to say that the biggest fashion mishap here is parachute pants. These pants are hideous and have a dangerously low and loose fitting crotch. I do not understand the desire but I see them everywhere. The girls love them and they do not look attractive at all!
This past weekend I went to Buenos Aires own Chinatown. I dont know why but I figured that even in Buenos Aires would they call it Chinatown. Turns out they dont. Its called el barrio chinese (the chinese neighborhood). However, while trying to tell my host mom I was goign to chinatown and straight up using that word she thought I said the Sheraton, as in the hotel. and Asked me if I was going to get dinner and go dancing. I was like what? They dance in chintwon? eventuallywe figured it out but it was a funny misunderstanding. Now try to imagine ordering chinese food in spanish. haha. The food was great. I went with 8 other girls and we split a bunch of different things which I love to do!
On Sunday I had a bike tour. I was really excited for it becuse I love to bike plus I figured I could get tan at the same time. The day was great b/c it wasnt too hot and had some nice wind. However, an hour into the tour I began to regret my decision. I have not worked out actively ever really. This tour kicked my butt. It was 3 hours and the guide was like a speed demon on the bike. I thought I was going to pass out. I'm glad I did it but I dont think I could ever do it again. I also figured that I didnt need sunscreen b/c it seemed kinda cold out. BAD MOVE. I am now burned and sore. Its a great combination.
After the tour I had to get home. This meant that I had to find the same bus that I came on but going in the oppposite direction which is tricky. You just have to ask people where it is and surprisingly they usually know. I was able to find it but I didnt know where to get off. There was a stop a block from my house but I thought there was another one literally across the street so i decided to stay on teh bus since I had nothign to do and could wiat a bit longer. Another bad move. I took the bus for like another 20 blocks before I was like oops, I guess I should hvae just gotten off. It took me like an extra hour to get home.
I do not know what I did to deserve this but I wake up every morning around 8 am give or take an hour. I think that while I was adjusting to the jetlag I messed myself up and now I cannot sleep in. It doenst matter what time I go to bed I wake up around 8 am and cannot go back to sleep. This will not cut it with the argentine lifestyle of staying up till 6 in the morning. Given, I havent actually stayed out till 6 yet but 3:30 is pretty close!
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY: Argentina's Pizza is really really yummy. I eat it a few times a week for lunch!
~liz
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tomorrow will be my two week mark. That is crazy! 4 months to go! I got my class schedule yesterday. I will be taking spanish, spanish writing, a argentine poetry class, a sculpture class at a universtiy, possibly a tango class at a universtiy, and a theater class for 18/19 credits. As of now I do not have class on monday which sounds like it would be good to travel but a lot of people have friday off instead so unless I find a few more like me I wont really get 3 day weekend trips. I hope it wont be a bit deal but who knows. I am continuasly disapointed with the IES organization but so far I've been able to survive.
I got a cell phone yesterday which is super exciting! I really like it too. Everyone else got theirs like 2 weeks ago when we got here but I was going to unlock my phone from home and it just wasnt working so I finally just bought a new one! It is nice b/c I felt so isolated without a way to contact new friends.
Also, on thursday we went to a estancia which I think is like a ranch. Anyway, it had an outdoor pool so that is all that matters. I dont think that Argentina has outdoor pools. I am shocked b/c its so gosh darn hot here! We had another great lunch of every kind of meat possible and desserts and salad and fruit! It would have been a $50 per person meal back in the US but I dont know what we paid for it b/c it was covered by IES!
I went out again last night. First, I met up with a bunch of girls and we went to dinner. Then, w went to a kiosko which is just like a sketchy store that sells many things including my favorite, alcohol. lol. We eventually left and went to a bar and then tried to continue to a club but it just was not working so I just went home. And now only 6 hours later did I wake up on my own. Its crazy, some nights I sleep like 10+ hours and then others when I got to bed late I wake up early. Now I am 2 for 2 for almost going clubbing. I really want ot go to a club with american hip hop. :)
Today is a free day! I think that I will go shopping for that jean skirt I've been wanting.
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY: I'd say that I've seen about 2/3 of the women population in jean mini skirts.
~liz
I got a cell phone yesterday which is super exciting! I really like it too. Everyone else got theirs like 2 weeks ago when we got here but I was going to unlock my phone from home and it just wasnt working so I finally just bought a new one! It is nice b/c I felt so isolated without a way to contact new friends.
Also, on thursday we went to a estancia which I think is like a ranch. Anyway, it had an outdoor pool so that is all that matters. I dont think that Argentina has outdoor pools. I am shocked b/c its so gosh darn hot here! We had another great lunch of every kind of meat possible and desserts and salad and fruit! It would have been a $50 per person meal back in the US but I dont know what we paid for it b/c it was covered by IES!
I went out again last night. First, I met up with a bunch of girls and we went to dinner. Then, w went to a kiosko which is just like a sketchy store that sells many things including my favorite, alcohol. lol. We eventually left and went to a bar and then tried to continue to a club but it just was not working so I just went home. And now only 6 hours later did I wake up on my own. Its crazy, some nights I sleep like 10+ hours and then others when I got to bed late I wake up early. Now I am 2 for 2 for almost going clubbing. I really want ot go to a club with american hip hop. :)
Today is a free day! I think that I will go shopping for that jean skirt I've been wanting.
INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY: I'd say that I've seen about 2/3 of the women population in jean mini skirts.
~liz
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ready, GO!
So when I decided to come to Buenos Aires I was told that everything was slower here. People didnt rush and were more event oriented and not time oriented. Since I've been here I've found out that that is only partially true. All of the stop lights give a heads up before they turn. The red lights flash yellow as well as red right before the light will turn green. Alot of the cars, especially the cabs will go when the light turns yellow before its even green to go! When cars dont go right away they then get honked at by everyone until they speed off.
The weather here has been about 70;s and 80's during the day and cooling off to around 60's at night. Its been great for my skin! I am getting tanner by the day and I haven't even tried. I love it.
Also, I dont know what is wrong with me but I feel like my feet always smell. I shower twice a day but it is so dirty here and I really dont know what else could be causing it! The dirt is also getting to my computer. I have a white mac and I can only get internet if I sit by the window and I think that dirt just like flies in!
Interesting fact of the day: There are a lot of dogs and babies here in BA. I dont know if its a city thing and it just seems like there alot or if its a cultural thing. :)
~lizzie
The weather here has been about 70;s and 80's during the day and cooling off to around 60's at night. Its been great for my skin! I am getting tanner by the day and I haven't even tried. I love it.
Also, I dont know what is wrong with me but I feel like my feet always smell. I shower twice a day but it is so dirty here and I really dont know what else could be causing it! The dirt is also getting to my computer. I have a white mac and I can only get internet if I sit by the window and I think that dirt just like flies in!
Interesting fact of the day: There are a lot of dogs and babies here in BA. I dont know if its a city thing and it just seems like there alot or if its a cultural thing. :)
~lizzie
Monday, March 9, 2009
One tequilla, two tequilla, three tequilla... floor...or not. :)
So much to say today. Saturday night I did not go to the bar crawl. I'm mostly bummed b/c they supposedly had a "party bus" and I never got to go to a dance in one so it is one of my life goals to ride in one. Its a bit silly but oh well. Instead, I went out to dinner with a few girls at 11 pm. Yes, that was our dinnertime. I had a pizza, an empanada, and half a strawberry daqari (which unfortunately did not settle very well) Then we met up with another larger group at like 12:30 at another resturant. The waiter gave everyone 3 free shots. I have no idea why, even those of use who came late got them for free. I only had one though b/c I wasnt feeling that well. These shots were on top of the almost one bottle of wine each that had already been dranken. We definatley were the obnoxious and very loud Americans but we had been seated in the basement almost alone so it wasnt too bad. The dinner for 13 people including all the wine only cost $30 per person. Money here doesnt seem real. I've heard some Americans compare it to monopoly money, everything seems so cheap that you dont mind spending and spending. However, sooner or later it will add up! We then left the resturant around 2 and proceeded to a bar and eventually the group split up. Some went to a club but there was a cover charge and I was low on cash so I stayed behind with some others. We went to a local cafe (let me remind you of the time, 4:30 am) and I eventually made it home by 5 am.
I only got 6 hours of sleep because I went to a mall with my host mom and host sister. I also woke up feeling a bit nauscious even though I barely drank anything. That is just my luck! I guess the alcoholic genes dont run in me b/c if they did I'd have a very high tolerance which I dont believe I do! I just get sick and shakey not tipsy.
The mall sounded like a good idea but it was a bit of a bust. It was huge and had a lot of stores but a lot of it was expensive. If you were to walk around town you'd find stuff a lot cheaper. I still need to take the time to go shopping but I am very busy with orientation.
Once we got back from the mall at 6 pm I took a "nap" that lasted until the next morning. Haha. I am still adjusting to the culture and time differences.
This morning I took a placement test at a local universtiy to see if I could take a class there. I found out that I can and I placed a 3 whatever that means. After the test myself and another friend walked about 25 minutes in the wrong direction so it took us about an hour or so to get back to orientiation. It didnt matter that we were late but my legs got tired b/c I had also walked 45 minutes to the schools location too. I've been walking a lot around here which I enjoy but it tires me out.
Then I ate some lunch with friends and we ewnt to a park. We bought magazines in spanish on the way and tried to read them without much luck. I tried to translate but itwas tricky. I think I need a sentence translator like you can get online. :) At the park a man tried to sell us some jewelry. We didnt want any but he wouldnt go away right away so we talked to him a bit. There were a lot of people around so I figured it was ok, plus it was nice to talk to a local a bit. I think he actually invited us to his house to watch movies but I pretended not to understand. haha.
Later on, I got to take a tango lesson as part of an optional orientation program which was the highlight of my day. I think I did pretty well too considering my dancing skills. There were more girls than guys but it worked out because just rotated. It was nice because I usually have to be the guy b/c of my height! We have another lesson on friday and I cannot wait!
Interesting fact of the day: In many public bathrooms they have a bar soap in the shape of an 3D oval attached to the wall. See my pictures for a visual.
~Lizzie
p.s. I guess I lied about the two way streets being non existent. However, they are definatly in the minority.
I only got 6 hours of sleep because I went to a mall with my host mom and host sister. I also woke up feeling a bit nauscious even though I barely drank anything. That is just my luck! I guess the alcoholic genes dont run in me b/c if they did I'd have a very high tolerance which I dont believe I do! I just get sick and shakey not tipsy.
The mall sounded like a good idea but it was a bit of a bust. It was huge and had a lot of stores but a lot of it was expensive. If you were to walk around town you'd find stuff a lot cheaper. I still need to take the time to go shopping but I am very busy with orientation.
Once we got back from the mall at 6 pm I took a "nap" that lasted until the next morning. Haha. I am still adjusting to the culture and time differences.
This morning I took a placement test at a local universtiy to see if I could take a class there. I found out that I can and I placed a 3 whatever that means. After the test myself and another friend walked about 25 minutes in the wrong direction so it took us about an hour or so to get back to orientiation. It didnt matter that we were late but my legs got tired b/c I had also walked 45 minutes to the schools location too. I've been walking a lot around here which I enjoy but it tires me out.
Then I ate some lunch with friends and we ewnt to a park. We bought magazines in spanish on the way and tried to read them without much luck. I tried to translate but itwas tricky. I think I need a sentence translator like you can get online. :) At the park a man tried to sell us some jewelry. We didnt want any but he wouldnt go away right away so we talked to him a bit. There were a lot of people around so I figured it was ok, plus it was nice to talk to a local a bit. I think he actually invited us to his house to watch movies but I pretended not to understand. haha.
Later on, I got to take a tango lesson as part of an optional orientation program which was the highlight of my day. I think I did pretty well too considering my dancing skills. There were more girls than guys but it worked out because just rotated. It was nice because I usually have to be the guy b/c of my height! We have another lesson on friday and I cannot wait!
Interesting fact of the day: In many public bathrooms they have a bar soap in the shape of an 3D oval attached to the wall. See my pictures for a visual.
~Lizzie
p.s. I guess I lied about the two way streets being non existent. However, they are definatly in the minority.
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