Today.

Today my parents come.
Today I woke up in my own apartment.
Today I am completely done with school.
Today means I have ten days left in this country.
Wierd.

Finished my finals on Weds. and my Final grades were as follows:
Literatura-B
Castellano-A
Argentina Soceidad Abierto-A-
Comparative History-A+
Political and Social Change-A-

I wish my grades transferred, my GPA would be so so so happy.
Its kinda sad how easy school was here. I mean there was times when I was stressed, and I don't know why, it was slightly a joke. Oh well.

Mom and Dad come today and its kinda wierd but I am really excited. Last night I stayed in the apartment by myself and the plan was to have my friend come and stay with me but that didn't happen so I cooked to much veggies like always, ate them all, like always and drank a Liter of beer and watched TV, it was a nice night. Wierd, but nice.

Ten Days...

When you think everything is going good...Thats when the world crashes.

Well story of my life, i have bad luck combined with simple mistakes.
Thats just the way I roll apparently.
Yesterday morning I recieved an email from the UCLA study aborad office titled "Acceptance Letter" I was so happy becuase I thought that it had finally come in from UB (Barcelona), Unfortunately, that was not the case. As I opened the letter and began to read it, I slowly fell apart. Apparently for my application and had to also submit a hard copy of the application to the office which I did not do, thus my application was never fully submitted and I am not in the program. So I am not going to spain in January as planned. Wow. I understand that basically this is my fault because I didn't know that I had to submit a hard copy, however the EAP office is also to blame. During my spring quarter at UCLA I had sent numerous emails to the office regarding acceptance and visa requirements because I had not recieved any information. All of the replys that I recieved said that if I submitted the application then I was in the program because there was no cap. Aain during the summer after not recieving any official confirmation I emailed again to the head office and they told me that my application was not fully submitted. I then attached this email to one that I sent to UCLA asking about this. There response was that I was in the program if I had sent in the application. Throughout my time here in Argentina both my parents and I have been contacting the office trying to do the visa application for spain, and it wasn't until yesterday did the office check their files regarding my application and saw that I had not submitted the application. Not until yesterday!!! This is after the plane ticked was bought, without a place for me to live at UCLA, and 15 days before class sign ups...woohooo.

So I have options of what I can do in the months that come.
1) I can do the ISA program in Barcelona during the winter/spring (but I probaly won't get credit for any of the classes)
2) I can go back to UCLA for winter quarter, graduate on time or early, and travel after.
3) I can do a UC davis program in Madrid.
4) I can go back to UCLA for the winter and spring quarter and do the EAP Barcelona program in the Fall '10.

Now I have been thinking a lot about this in the last 24 hours, and after talking to my roomate I think I know what I am going to do.
I think that I will go back to UCLA for the winter and spring quarter and go to Barcelona in the Fall.
Here is why:
-I will only be technically missing 2 quarters which shouldn't really put me back from graduation.
-I will be able to get more classes to transfer by going through the UC
-I can travel throughout europe and beyond during the summer before the program and in the winter after the program with my parents and hopefully my brother
-It will give me a break to be home and recover from Argentina
-I think it would be a smoother process.
-I also think they will let me into the program because of this whole fandango also, and I will know what I have to do :D

So thats what I am thinking right now. (also lizzy will be in paris at the exact same time so that would be exciting)
Now here is what I have to do in the next 2 months.
-Take finals
-Sign up for classes
-Find a place to live
-Move back down to LA
-Find a job
-Get healthy again.
-Recover from Argenitna

Also I think that I am going to go back to being a vegan when I get back to school. It will be alot easier if I have an aparment and can cook and shop for myself.

Well good news...I have gotten word from my uncle that my grandma has FINALLY decided to more to Humboldt and live with us. Well not with us because I think the whole would die then, but in Fortuna. So that is really really good!!!

Ok well tonight is Halloween and Lizzy and I are hosting a party and I am pretty excited so I'll tell you how that goes.
Ciao!!!

Iguazu

One of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Huge Falls cascadig over a Jungle.
Standing in Argentina, seeing Brazil and Paraguay.
A monsoon-esq storm, closing a park, shutting down a train track, and completely soaking you from head to toe.
A second day of sun, of waterfalls, and of exhaustion.
That was my weekend.
I went to the Iguazu National Park this weekend.
We arrived first at an estancia where we "tomared" sol and ate a lot (of course) checked out a Mate plant and pretty much relaxed. We then headed to Puerto Iguazu. We arrived exhausted just in time for the Buffet at the hotel. And this was danger. There was vegetable (yummy ones) and pasta and bread. It was bad. Let me jsut say we had bought wine for after dinner, but I was so full that I couldn't drink it, jajajaja. So the next day (saturday) we went to the Falls. Well I woke hearing thunder, not a good sign. And as the day progressed it didn't stop, lightning, thunder, downpour, we got it all. However, because it hadn't rained much the week the water hadn't risen above the bridges and we were able to go to the highest trail and see the waterfalls. To get to the waterfalls you have to cross several bridges. And because it was basically a monsoon it was windy. You were walking across the bridge and had rain pelting u so fast that it was painful and wind blowing, feet slippy, the whole nine yards. But we made it to the falls and it was pretty cool. once we returned to where the train was to take us to the next section, we were informed the the park had been closed because of the weather and the trains weren't running now because there was debree (?) on the tracks and they had to clear it before we could go back. So wewaited outside in the cold for about 2 hours before we got back on the bus to go to the hotel. The next day we were supposed to go to a village with natives, but because we missed so much yesterday we went back to the falls again. We walked to more paths in the sun and were able to view everything. Before we came back to the airport we stopped at a location where to rivers meet and you can stand in Argentina and see Brazil and Paraguay, which was pretty cool. Then we came home, and died of exhaustion.

Overall the trip was good. I had a good time and it was pretty. But I don't know I didn't get the wow factor that I thought I would. I mean people had told me that it was a life changing experience. That it gives you some reasons to believe in god. But I didn't get that at all. I mean yeah it was cool, and beautiful, and the were huge, but I mean they are waterfalls. Maybe I take things like that for granted. I mean I didn' grown up in one of the 7 natural wonders of the world also. And I think the fact that it was such a tourist spot made it less amazing. I mean when you have abnoxious teenagers running around and adults with like 40 bags and ponchos walking around speaking horrible spanish it kinda akes away from the scenerie. I mean I was more wowed when we pulled of the road in Mendoza and had the snowcaped Andes behind and a beautiful lake in front of me. But I don't know. I just feel/felt bad for not being amazed by Iguazu. But hey, thats life.

Also this is my last week before finals...wierd fucking shit.

People

I hate them.
Well I mean I dont hate them, that's exageratting, but I mean they can be so dumb sometimes.
I don't understand.
I have given up on trying to make everyone like me, or try and fakely be nice to people.
I mean if i don't get along with someone, or can't stand someone, whats the point in lying to there face?
I'm not saying that I have become outwardly cruel and mean to everyone that I don't like, but I'm not going to put up with someones shit.
I am just tired of people trying to not hurt someone's feelings with the truth. I mean it's the truth and yes, sometimes it sucks, but it's the truth god damnit.
And sometimes it helps when you just let someone know how it is.
I would hope that people would respect me enough to do the same.
I know I am not perfect, far from it, I mean a barely have a soul.
And if someone needs to tell me something about my actions, then so be it.
I would rather no my flaws and perhaps change them then have people pretend I don't have any.
On the opposite note, I do need to learn how to have more patience...jaja.
I mean I know some people mean well I just can't stand it sometimes.
As I get older i just become more aware of all the bullshit in this world and don't really feel like dealing with it.
I think the fact that I am not super socially outgoing, because I am pretty good at entertaining myself probably has to do with it.
And probably because I am easy going to a fault. Nothing really ever gets me super excited, I don't really have a passion for anything, nothing really upsets me a lot.
I mean I don't know how many times I say, "Oh well, thats life"
I feel like when something happens whats the point of futzing around about it, I mean there is nothing anyone can do about it. Thats just the way it goes, suck it up and move on.

I love having no soul, it makes everything so much easier in life, well except for the social relationship aspect, oh well...jajaja

My Strange Life

So I have lived in this coutry for the last three months, I have one month left and I don't know what I have accomplished here. I mean I have traveled. I have improved my spanish. I have learned how to live in a foreign country. I have learned about the Argentine and Latin American past, to a certain extent. But what have I really accomplished here. I go out. I wonder around the city. I sleep. I eat. What else. I mean don't get me wrong I wouldn't change this experience for anything but I mean I don't know what I am bringing home from it. I guess it may be a while until I really realize what I have learned and gained from this trip, but its strange to not know.

To go back, I only have 1 MONTH! I mean where did the time go? How did three months just pass in a flash? I don't understand. And yes I am sad to be leaving this amazing country, but on the other hand I am ready to go home. I am excited to be in my house. Where I feel comfortable. Where I can cook in the kitchen, I can watch tv, I can use other rooms besides my own, where I don't have to steal food when I am hungry. It such a strange thing living in a host home. I can't be independent, I have to check in, eat breakfast before 11 and be home for dinner at a specific time and if I am not eating at home I have to tell my host mom like the mourning of. I feel as if I am back in High School. I have gone from complete freedom at UCLA to living with a grandmother...strange. It will be so nice to be home.

I have been kinda busy lately. Seen the cousins a couple times. Love them. Well except for one...creepy....but the rest are amazing. Had shabbat dinner with them and went to Mastias' bday the other day. Been going out and eating out more lately cause we realized that we don't have much time left and there is still so many places we want to go. So yeah, thats pretty much it. Nothing exciting.

Love.
Ciao

La Playa y Yom Kippur en Castellano???

Si es la verdad. Fui a un servicio por Yom Kipppur en Castellano. Y Fue interasante. Habia mucha gente y mi amigo a yo no podemos sentar :( Entonces estuvimos parados por dos horas (ewwww) pero el servicio fue muy muy linda. Fur muy differente pero uy lindo. Fue un servicio conservativo pero en mi opinion fue mas reform, porque habia mucha musica y canta. Fue un mini orquesta y la musica fue buenisimo. Sin embargo, no hube una melodia que yo supe. :( Fui solomente el servicio de Kol Nidre pero fue bastante. Fue interasante porque los "transliterations" no fue el mismo que en los estados unidos porque los pronuciones son diferente en espanol por ceirto letras. Como por la pronucion CH la letra en castellano es J. Muy interasante. Bueno ingles ahora.

So yeah Yom Kippur was interesting. The service was really night, I mean the music was beautiful but the tunes were a little strange. At some points I felt like I was at a Latin Idol competition mixed with a disney musical. So that was a little strange. My friend and I had dinner with Daniel (cousin/unlce) before and it was nice, he wasn't to strange so that was nice. The dinner was a little off. They had chicken and we all had some salad and veggies and soup, and the gave me some fish. But this wasn't just some small fillet. It was like fish meatloaf that was a little sweet. It was kinda like gefilte fish but much much more distgusting. I mean I like gefilte fish. It was a meatloaf of fish and eggish business, I don't know it was just wierd and I was hungry so I ate a semi large amount so it was a struggle, jajajaj. Oh well thats done and over thank goodness.

Well on saturday I went to Colonia, Uruguay with ISA. I mean I hate going on ISA trips because they are completely unorganized and almost everyone in my program I can't stand, but hey it's free right? So we got to colonia on the Boat, which was the niced boat I have ever seen, let me tell you. Huge seats, duty free, food, mini arcade, etc. Anyway, we got to colonia which id so touristy, I mean everything is in spanish and english and they take AR pesos, UR pesos, and USD. But we ate a little restaurant and I actually got a sandwich with a veggie paty. Then we jsut went to the beach and sat there for a while. While a very creepy man came up and talked to us about religion and later was sitting next to us on the patio as we waited for some people to change and pulled out a condom. Mind you thi man is not young and wearing a speedo. Yes, only in Argentina.

Also had my fourth out of five midtern today. Went very well super easy. Political science and it's in english.Theya ll havn't really been to bad. First I had Lit which I havn't gotten back but the other class all did pretty well and I'm not to worried about it. I got Open Society back today (an 8!!! Its out of ten, so an 8 is like an A- and the class is taught in spanish!) and that went well. Spanish Grammer was easy and I get it back tomorrow but I'm not to worried. I have my last one Monday, history which is basically the exact same class as polisci so i jsut have tor eview a little and I am set.

Thats my life so far.
Next week I go to Puerto Madryn in PAtagonia to see the Whales and Penguins :D

Pictures Pictures Pictures

Finally made a Picasa account so everyone that doesn't have FB can see my pics.
Here is the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/RachaelTravels
Hopefully it works.
Tell me if it works or not.
Ciao!

Tu vida es mi vida

Mendoza...6 Days...$200USD...One of the best trips of my life.

I did not expect Mendoza to be as fun as it was. I mean I was excited for the trip, leaving BsAs is always exciting, but I wasn't sure because of the group I was with. It was me, my roomate, Lizzy, (who I was not worried about), Elise and Liz. Elise and Liz I hung out with a good amount when I first got to BsAs but Liz got a little to much for me, I mean she is pretty gringa and I couldn't really handle that a lot. And Elise is a very sweet girl...so sometimes thats what gets me...jajaja I'm a horrible person, jajaja.

Anyway so we got to Mendoza at 11:30am on Thursday. A lot of time right? Yes so exciting. So we get to the hostel, which is pretty sweet, pool included, check in and begin to plan out our days in Mendoza. That took us about 30-45 mins, then we were on a search for food and perhaps some mopeds to drive around the city. Well we found the food but not the mopeds, they only had BMWs left and they were way to expensive. But we found cheaper activities for the week that through the hostel so that was good. Well we were pretty tired, so we chilled at the beutful parks and the hit up the modern art museum that was under Plaza Independencia...That was kinda a bust because there was an event going on with some famous director, so there was really much going on, thus it was a short visit. We made it made it back to the hostel in time to shower and change for dinner. And we had a bomb dinner. We went to a Loney Planets restaurant where they serve their house wine out of a Penguino, a ceramic penguin...awesome. The food was pretty good, small vegetarian menu but it was good, awesome fries! Anyway so after two penguinos we went back to the Hostel where we met up with some Argentines that we had met when we were leaving for dinner. Well we decided to go to a bar, found one that was 2x1 for $20AR (my fav) and sat and hung out for a while. Went back hit the sack and woke up for a good day on Friday.

Friday was pretty fun. We were picked up at 9ish for our Bike and Wine tour. :D I felt so grown up jajajajaja. It was an awesome tour. The weather was a little poopy, a little overcast but I can't imagine how sweaty I would have been if it would have been sunny, jajajaja. So we went to three wineries (or Bodegas), my favorite, of course, was the last one which was completely organic, loved it :D We also went to an olive oil factory and a chocolate factory. At the chocolate factory they had all different types of liquors that we could try, I tried a chocolate mint liquor and it was just to much for me. They made it so sweet to cover up the alcohol, and I could not handle it. Anyway so that was nice. And for dinner that night we just bought some food from the grocery store and cooked up some grub. Stayed in a chilled jajaja. But of course, story of my life, I met these to Israelis and because it was Rosh Hashana They wanted me to come to the Chabad House with them for services...of course, where do I find these Israelis? Jajaja. I didn't go with them jajaja. We needed to rest for the next day.

We woke up at 730 to get picked up at 830 to go...Paragliding! It was pretty sweet I mean we drove for about 45mins up pretty damn high and then were strapped to a guide, and jsut ran off a cliff. And it was a beutiful day, clear skies and everything. For me though, it wasn't as fun as it was for the rest of the girls. I mean yeah it's cool running off a cliff and it was beautiful, but I mean once your up there the scenery doesn't change much and ur kinda just chillin. I mean I'm glad that I did it but I won't be doing it again. After Paragliding was supposed to be a big party at the hostel, starting at one. Well it actually didn't really start until 5pm with another wine tasting which was good cause i had a good amount of free wine which I was stoked about. After that we went to another hostel, had a BBQ where they made Lizzy and stuffed squash which was good but they didn't actually really cook the squash so you could only really eat the middle, jajaja. The asado then turned into a dance hall with free tequila...the thing about the free tequila was that they wouldn't give it to you in a shot glass you just had to lean your head back on the bar and let them pour it in...yeah interesting. I did it once and had one shot someone had conjoured for me and that was all for the night I didn't wanna make a fool of myself. But I may have been alone in that though...jajajaja...it was a pretty hilarious night, let me tell I have some good blackmailing pictures. It was a little akward for me at time because one of the Israelis I could tell was into me but I wasn't exactly in the same mindset but they are cool guys so I wanted to hang out with them but then I also had the Argentines to chill with and the guys that worked at the hostel. So I was trying to bounce from people to people and i didn't turn out doing a very even job, however later I saw the Israeli with a other girl so that was solved. :D

The next day (Sunday) was pretty awesome as well. We were picked up around nine and driven about an hour and a half to a hostel/camp site. But before we got there we were stalled by hundreds of High School kids going to this festival/camping for Dia de los Estudiantes. It was insane. Well we got to the place and Lizzy and I jumped on some Horses and rode around the Andes...it was gorgeous. After that we met up with Liz and Elise who had gone Rafting and we had some lunch then hoped in a van and drove to a new location to go Zip Lining. Which was awesome. We went on about 8 different lines going through the trees and over the river. On the last line I went upside down! It was awesome! That night was a pretty chill night just grabbed some mexican food and ice cream and chilled.

The next day was study day because I had a midterm tuesday and we were leaving. Overall the trip was flat out awesome. I loved every minute of it.
:D

Pure Madness

Isn't it wierd when you are put into a situation that really truly reminds you of who you are? That was my trip to Cordoba. I was reminded, that as much as I go out here, and as much as jump from one thing to the next without a moments notice, I really am a homebody and really do like planned events and making sure things are set. I mean don't get me wrong, I had a great time in Cordoba and I love the Tri-Pod but it's just not in my nature to be able to go out big every night all night. And I do like making sure everything that needs to be done gets done and things are set. It's funny when you realize those things every once and a while.

I have had quite a week this week. I mean I actually didn't do that much. Went out Weds and Sat (we made Mac&Cheese for an Argentine) so wasn't a crazy week but I did meet my Argentine family which was exciting. Friday night I met the first cousin, Daniel. He is about the same age as my dad so it was a little wierd and him and his wife don't speak any english to it was an exhausting night, having to focus so much to speak in spanish for so long, but I did well. It was an interesting night. I mean yes he is very nice, but strange. I mean before I could say Hola he kissed me on the lips and a big kiss and it was distgusting, I mean I don't even know this man. So that kinda freaked me out. I mean we went to the fanciest restaurant that I have been to, which was nice, but I'm not a girl for fancy, and I felt as if it was a slight show off move, but what can you do. They are nice people but I just kinda got a slightly strange vibe. And since the meeting he has been texting me like five times a day just to say random things and I don't respind because one, it doesn't need a response and two, I can't afford to text so much. Oh well. I have Yom Kippur with them which will be interesting, I think I may regret having Yom Kippur with them after this but oh well...jajaaj

On Sunday I met the rest of the family, and I am in Love. We went to this place that specializes in "pancakes" but they are more of a crepe/pancake thing. Not as thick as a pancake but not as thin as a crepe. And you eat it like you would eat a crepe, they have savory ones and sweet ones. I got one with Avocado, Artichoke Hearts and Eggplant is was delicious. But there sweet ones looked incredible also. So much Dulce de Leche and ice cream and yummyness...But anyway I love the fam. Theya re awesome I had so much more fun with them then on Friday...jajaja

So I leave for Mendoza on Weds. :D The wine country :D I'm stoked. Updates soon.

Also I don't know if some people who read this think that I party to much here and don't focus on my studies. Well that is completely false. I am a good student and know how to balance my work and social life. I am in Argentina and I go to UCLA I do what I want to because I am an adult but I understand responsability. So for those who think that I am partying to much, that is incorrect. I write in my blog about the exciting things that happen not school. Done.

Did that really just happen?

It has been one damn long weekend. And my body needs some rest. Jajaja. Well to start off there has been a heat wave here for the last week or so, and it is killing me. It is supposed to start pouring tonight and for the next week. Awesome. Jajaja. So it has beena little rough for me considering I sweat profusly doing nothing. Jajaja. But it has been good for night, because it's still warm out and you don't have to wear a jacket, and I like that :D Alright so waht have I been doing for the last four days? Well let me tell you. Thursday, was a fun night. Went to the bars and then got Lost, of course. The Boliche is always trouble. It is called Lost for a reason, jaja. I have to friends lose their purses there, and the last time we lost each other! Jajaja. It wasn't really anything different then a usual night but it was a lot of fun. Also we got in for free (well we always do) and VIP (which happens most of the time too.) which I love, jajaja. Friday really was the highlight of my weekend. Well, because I had a good time at Lost, I didn't really do much on Friday besides go to the gym, the cafe, and read. But once it turned 6 it got crazy jajaaj. At UB there was this thing called International Night. Downstairs all the international students set up booths for their countries, and had food and drinks there for everyone. It was pretty cool, I mean all the different countries and what not. The wierd thing is that they were allowed to have alcoholic drinks! At the school function, people were getting drunk. jajaja. It was insane cause there was a lot of people in a small room and it was already so hot, I thought I was going to pass out. So everyone just wen outside. There was mass amounts of people. And everyone I knew was telling me how excited they were to come to my birthday party that night. So in between having people tell me they were coming, and inviting everyone I talked to, I realized that there was going to be a lot of people there, because there were also to other birthday people. So I got a little bit worried, but oh well the more the merrier right? Jajaja. So we had to be at Danny's Apartment at 1030 so we sprinted home around 9 and changed. Marta had said that she would leave some food out for us jsut to grab and eat, but she must have forgotten because there was defiently no food, and I was starving. So that was kinda a set back because then I had to buy food, especially because I was going to be drinking. So we left the house around 1015, jumped on the Subte and headed to Danny's. On th walk we saw a place grabbed some Bomb empanadas and was at Danny's by 11. I mean I was impressed, jajaja. So we got to Danny's grabbed some champagne and tlaked with a lot of people that I did not know. Jajaja. So we jsut sitting there minding our own business and there is a knock on the door. I assume that it is just more people coming over for the previa. But I was wrong. It was a "police officer" I was a little confused and didn't really know what was going on. Then I realized that it was a stripped, and was stoked because it was going to be hilarious to see Danny getting a lap dance. Jajaja. So Danny sat down in the chair, and I had my camera ready. But then I was pulled over, along with Coti (the Birthday person) and we had to all three of us sit on the chair and the cop started. I don't know if I have ever felt more uncomfortable. He defiently was wearing a lime green thong. And then he was done and I was very thankful, because I didn't need anymore pelvis thrusting especially in my face. I think I was probably the color of a tomatoe and laughing and sweating profusly. But I thought he was done. I was wrong. We had to sit back down and he walks out with a robe on. And that was not a good sign. And there was nothing underneath the robe. I don't think I could ever handle another stripped in ym entire life. There were tricks, and twirls, and more. At one point he took me to the courner sat me down in a different chair and basically tried putting my face way to close to his crotch. It was mortifing, but absolutly hillarious. Also he was not cute, he was balding, and I mean he hada good body, but it wasn't fantastic. So yeah, that was the start of my Birthday Night. Jaja, and it only got better. So after that we were at Danny's for a little longer, and headed to the Bar (2 blocks away) around 1220. We were the first ones there, which was good and got I got a drink and some drink coupons. And then the people just started coming. More and More and it was awesome I would say there was over 100 people there. And most of them were wearing white shirts and everyone was writing all over them. I loved it. Amazing. I love my shirt. The cool thing is that basically everyone came. Everyone was wishing me happy birthday and I was getting a lot of attention and I mean I'm not the kind of person who need attention but it was nice to have it. It was funny becuase the party was half Americans and half Gays and the stereotypes played out really well. All the Americans were by the bar drinking and getting pretty drunk (not me I was good tehehe I was at the perfect level) and all the gays were dancing. It was fantastic. I jsut went back and forth and I loved it!!!! I had so so so much fun. And Yesterday was actually a good day as well. very nice also. I went on the El Tren de la Costa. and we stopped at this little park and had some cheese and went tot he Ferria. I was super relaxed which was good because I was so so so tired. So we got home and I was going to nap, but then we had boy drama (roomie is in a situation hahaha) so I didn't get to nap before dinner so we ate, and then I showered and took a half hour nap sprinted and got ready and was out the door by 1030. We got to Plaza Serrano (which I found out is close to my cousins and I go there all the time) and went to a bar. Then the Boliche. I don't know how I did it because we didn't get back until 7am, I mean I fell asleep in the Taxi, jajaaj. But still we went to breakfast and I ate and everything, jajajaja. But it was a good night. And now I am sitting in a cafe (because are internet wasn't working ) taking a break from my reading, and writing this blog. It was a good weekend. It killed me, jajajaja, but it was a good weekend. And next weekend I think I am going to Cordoba which will be awesome. :D Until next time,
Ciao!

Family

Thinking about Family never meant thinking outside of the United States. It meant my Dad's really small family and my Mom's semi large family. I always thought that everyone else in my Dad's family had died and not made it to the states. But I guess I was wrong, because I have made a discovery. I have found family here, in Buenos Aires. Uncle Paul had given me some names to kind of randomly search for while I was in Buenos Aires and I had kinda forgotten about it until a week ago. So I didn't really know what to do with the name so I was like uuuhhhh...google? And I guess that was good enough because I found about five names of people that are living in Buenos Aires with the last name Olenitzky/Olke/Olken so that was kind of motivating. One of them even had a Facebook, so I added him and sent a message (in spanish with the help of Rocio) and waited for a response. And eventually I got one and about three emails, from the Brothers and Sister that are my dads age. I have been talking through email with them regularly. There is what I think are my fourth cousins, Javier, Daniel, and Olga. Then Olga has a son names Kevin, and Javier has four kids, Alan, Matias, Naty, and Kevin. And some of them are even around my age! They all really want to meet me and I really want to meet them so I am thinking the reunion will happen soon and I am excited. I can't believe I actually have fmaily abroad, it's so pretty damn cool.

El Cumple de Yo

It has been a decent amout of time since I wrote, and I think now is the perfect time, I have been at the cafe reading for about an hour or so then preparing for my presentation, so I need a mental break. And My birthday was pretty awesome so I think you deserve to hear about it.

Well I will start with last Thursday. I know that's not my birthday, but jsut wait. I met up at Danny's apartment (fransisco's roomate) and we cooked dinner (curry :D) and discussed out birthday party! Yep thats right, in Argentina I am getting a birthday party. And it's a triple birthday party. Me, Danny, and Coti (one of the roomates as well). So during dinner we had to come up with a theme because we already had a date (28/8) and a place (Bistro Bar and Disco) so now we just needed a theme. We were discussing and they (remember that most of the people in the room, actually maybe I was the only straight one, were gay :D) wanted something classy and sexy, because the name of the party is ...Come Classy Get Trashy... jajaja. Anyway so we couldn't think of anything besides Black and White, which is done a lot. Then I had an idea that I actually didn't even think would work for the party cause it's not like sexy of fancy or anything, but I suggested a Highlighter Party. Which is when you were a white shirt and bring a highlighter with you and write on everyone. And they loved it! I was surpirsed, but that is now the theme of our party. :D So that is exciting, I'm stoked for Friday.

Now my actual birthday. Well my brithday was on a Sunday so we decided to go out Saturday night cause at midnight it would be my birthday. But I'm just going t talk about Sat and Sun cause they were both good days. Saturday started with Lunch with Fransisco, Tucker and Lizzy at this Indian place that Fransisco was telling me about, and it was pretty delicious (except they didn't have naan!!! I almost died) and then after we went to this place which is like a mini mall of thrift stores and I got a pair of black heals and a really cute purse for 75 pesos (about 25 dollars) then we went home, napped and Marta had left us dinner (a gross tuna casserole which we later told her we didn't like) and then got ready to go out. I'm not going to lie I was proud of my outfit. Black strapless shirt, my good jeans, black heals, grey cardigan, and my cute balck purse. I even straightened my hair! I was a big day, jajaja. So we started at the Alamo, Rocio (the bartender was supposed to be with us but she had to cover for a firend so she was behind the bar rather than infront of it :( ) hooked us up, letting us get in for free, and giving us a huge pitcher (usually 50) for 30. So Me, Lizzy, and Emily (the Tri-pod as we like to call it) started with the beer, and that went well, it turned midnight, random guys trying to hit on us sang to me (jajaja) and the we met these guys who go to school in Colorado whose birthdayw as on the 22nd who was still celebrating sot hey joined us. After the Alamo I wa supposed to go to this bar called Dubai (I met a bartender there so I was going to get the hookup) but we wanted to dance instead so we went to a Boliche (crobar) but we got there pretty late and couldn't get in (well I could get in but no one esle could) so after being there for a while (I was pretty over it) we went to Plaza Serrano went to a bar and hung out there for a while. Ate some food :D and then left and went to the Shamrock (emily left at this point so it was me, Lizzy, and this kid Kris) and we went to this place called The Shamrock. It was hilarious a bar when you walked in the a really wierd dancing section in like the basement. jajaaj. We were there for a little bit and Kri left. Lizzy and I were hingry again so when we got into the cab to go home we wanted to go to this 24hr restaurant but the cab driver couldn't find it so we ended upa t some random other place. We ordered a Pizza, oh did I mention it was like 730am jajajja. So we were sitting at out table and these like 20 something year old guys come and sit at our table and they would not leave. I said in perfect spanish you need to leave and they wouldn't. Finally one was smart enough to realize we were pizzed and we left. So we got home about 8am and had to get upa t 11am for my "special breakfast" which consisted of Potatoes and Eggs, Medilunas, Alfajors, Chocolate, and Migas. AndI ate a lot, jajaja. In the afternoon, after some recovery, jajaja, Lizzy and I went to the cafe, did some HW, then went home and got ready for dinner. The tri-pod when to a middle eastern (it wasn't super middle eastern jajaja) and it was delicious and I basically drank and entire bottle of wine, jajaja. Afterwards Lizzy and I went back to the cafe, jajaja, and got ice cream (amazing) and went home. It was a good day. And that was my birthday. And now I ahve to go cause I am starving and I need some food.

:D

The Alamo

Tuesday Night. The day I got back from Salta. I should sleep. But do I sleep? No of course not. In my mind though I was just going to go to JOBS get my 2x1 gin and tonic and call it a night. But is that what happened? No. Of course not. Lizzy (my roomate), her friend Valerie who was visiting from Colorado, and I decided instead of going to JOBS we would go to The Alamo (how Gringo can we get right? Jajaja) Anyway on tuesdays The Alamo has beer pong. Its a $20 cover but that $20 goes towards your drinks so it's actually a good deal, and we know one of the bartenders so we get ALOT of free beer haha. Anyway so we walked in and it wasn't that crowded an all which was so nice. We got a table, and as we were about to sit down these guys moved their coats so we could sit down, and I decided what the hell I am going to talk to them, I need to make more Argentine friends. So we talked and they asked me if I wanted to play beer pong with them. And of course I did, because one I love beer pong and two my friends were all paired off so what else was I going to do? Anyway we played about three games, lost all of them, but they were very very close, down to the last cup. Anyway the first one I was talking to obviously jsut wanted an American girl cause once he realized he wasn't getting anything from me he moved on to a blonde girl (even more American jajaja) Anyway the night continued. I played more pong, talked to more people etc. etc. Then after a while one of my partners for pong came up to me and this is what he said, "Rachael I am falling in love with you." I don't understand how these men seem to be always falling in love with me. I mean I guess I should find it flattering but for some reason I don't, jajaja. So the night went on with him telling me he was falling in lvoe with me, then that he was in love with me, that he wanted to take me out for a beer and talk then after he wanted me to be his girlfriend. He told me that I was a miracle because his english is really bad but with me it was so much better, etc. etc. So I gave him my number so he could "send [me] a message, and invite [me] for a beer" And that occured throughout the night. But the events don't end there. I am not sure if you are aware but when you drink a lot of beer yo have to go to the bathroom. :D Well this occured to me. So during one of my trips to the ladies room and had a small adventure. I opened the door to the girls bathroom and there was a dude standing there. And let me tell you he was very drunk. And this isn't jsut some random guy, this is the guy that had followed two of m friends into the bathroom earlier in the night, so I knew that I had to take care of this. So I see him and immediatly, say that he need to get out and attempt to take him outside. Rather that do this he walks infront of the door and blocks it shut. And in my head I am thinking "Oh hell no, get the fuck out of here right now" so I attempt to pull him away from the door by the sirt but he is about 6 feet tall so it doens't exactly go my way. But then he leans to the side to spit, I grab the door handle open the door as much as posssible, grab him and throw him outside. And becuase I am a smart girl I know he is going to try to get back in so I hold the door shut. And jsut as I though he tries again. And this isn't just some small push, it felt like he got a running start and slamed against he door. he did this three times, and three times I held him bad. Then I heard him get on the phone and went to the stal locked the door and went pee. As I as peeing I heard come back in. So I pulled up my pants prepared myself and walked out of the stall. He was standing directly next to the stall and I loked at him and said, "Don't touch me" and pushed him very hard against the wall, and went out of the bathroom and quickly walked down the stairs. I mean there was not one moment when I was scared, because I am very confident in my ability to protect myself, I was just so angry, and he is lucky he didn't get a punch to the face, dumbass. So that was exciting. Jajaja. Then at the end of the night my two friends were pared off and the were trying t get me with one of the guys friends, who not to mention I had seen making out with another girl earlier that night, and I was not going to have it. Like really, do I act like I would say yes? I mean first of all your name is Gaston (strike one) you have really bad scene hari (strike two) and attempting to suck my ear off is distgusting (strike three) so back the fuck off, jajaja. So that was my night at the Alamo. Good times, jajaaja.

Real World Salta

So tuesday mourning I returned from Salta (in the Northwest of Argentina) and had the most amazing time. I did so many things and had so many funny situations that this is going to be one long blog. For the practical way to go about this I am going to do it day by day.

Weds: Departure
We got on a two story bus at 10pm on weds to begin out 19 hour trip to Salta. Now reading this you may think that that would be hell. I mean 19 hours on a bus, yeah that doesn't sounds like the most amazing thing ever. But anyway we got on the bus, and five of us were on the bottom level and two of us were on the top level. Well the five of us on the bottom came to the bus prepared. I had my dinner(gnocchi from an Italian restauraunt) and we all had a bottle/box of wine for ourselves. :D We all drank our portions and were sufficiently intoxicated, and just passed out on the bus (not to mention the seats on the bus were the most amazing things in the entire world). We woke up the next morning in time for breakfast (consisting of a mediluna and wierd biscuit thing) and watched movies and ate the rest of the way.

Thursday: First Day Decisions
We got in around 5pm on thursday, got our bags and walked the 8-10 blocks to our hostel. The hostel was awesome, clean, spacious, and at that point we were the only ones there. Upon arrival we talked with the guy that was working there and were given a list of activities for us to do. We had bought return tickets for monday at 1pm which gave us 3 full days to adventure. We had a team meeting and cemeneted the plans for the weekend. After this was finally done, it was shower time, dinner time, and fiesta time. We went to a really nice restaraunt that specialized in Parilla (grill) but also had some good vegetable dishes as well. Afterwards we went to the three or fous blocks in salta where all of the bars and clubs are. The first place we went to was called Amnesia and walking in it was prety empty, but it was 2x1 drinks so how could we turn that down? I don't know when or how is happened but all of a sudden the place was packed, which is good right? Except for the fact that it was packed with people no younger than 35! Why do I always end up around older men? I don't understand. Anyway, we had fun there but got our fix and left. While walking around looking for something else to do we ran into these three guys. They were nice, younger, and also looking for something to do. Well I started talking to one of them and he happened to be Israeli. I attempted hebrew with him, but I have basically forgotten everything I know and it was a disater. Jajajaaj he asked me if I wanted to go to temple with him, JAJAJAJAJA I bought died when he said that. I mean we are out drinking and you are going to ask a girl if she wants to go to temple, and I mean I don't exactly give off the religious vibe so....jajaja. We went to a nother bar with them, danced a lot and went home, very late mind you.

Friday: Peeing in Ruins
We had to be up and ready to be picked up by 8am on friday which for our group was a very hard thing considering we hadn't been asleep for that long. Lets just say that we were a little hung over when we woke up. Jajaja anyway we were picked up and got on this small tour bus and began our 12 hour twon through Salta and up to JuJuy. I wouldsay for the first hour and a half we all slept on the bus. But once we woke up it was amazing. We went through beautiful hills and plains, we saw ancient ruins, and even climed to over 4,000 meters above sea level in the Andes. One part of the trip was visiting some Salt Flats, which were very cool. But on the way to the salt flats we had to enure 2.5 hours of VERY bumpy roads, it was like sittting on a bad electrical massager. In the middle of this we stop on the side of the road next to an old partially tour down ruin room. They told us there were no bathrooms close so if we had to go in the ruin, sin TP. Awesome, I peed in the ruin. Jajajaj.We were provided with lunch on this tour which we had in this very small town, with a lot of not so very wealthy people. Well let me first start by saying that I don't know what it is about the bathroom in Argentina, maybe they are made differently or something but I have gotten stuck in like 5 since I have ben here. Well at lunch, I had to go to the bathroom, and after getting the job down I attempt to leave, and well surprise surprise it isn't that easy. Finally I blast the door open and there is a man standing directly infront of the door about to help me get out of the bathroom. Funny yeah I know, we all laughed, but the story doesn't end there. Our last stop on the tour was a place called JuJuy where we were able to buy goods and what not. While I was walking back to the bus I hear a man yelling "I love your eyes, you are so beautiful, I really love you" I take it as a noth argentine and don't even look and was towards that bus. After we are back on the road the tour guide come back to our and group and is talking for a little bit, then pauses and looks at me. This is what she says, "I don't really like to do this but..." I'm thinking am I in trouble, how do I get in trouble in JuJuy? "...do you remember the man at the restaraunt that tried to help you out of the bathroom?..." What the hell os she talking about?...Oh now I remember. "...well he wanted me to tell you that he is in love with you, I'm sorry I didn't want to tell you this but I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't" Yeah so man around the age of 35 (of course) was in love with me?!?!?!?! Any way when we got back to the hostel we had a huge asado (BBQ) with all you can eat and all you can drink wine. And they even made me some special food sin carne. :D Afterwards we all wanted to get a good nights sleep because we had a big day ahead of us. So we were getting ready for bed and I went upstairs to give the last girl awake the key to the room. I don't know what happened but forty-five mins later we were dressed and walking to the club. I got back around 630 and had to get up at nine ...damnit.

Saturday: Risking our Lives
We were picked up at 9am and whisked away in a small van that I drove like it was sports car. Whipping around turns, flying down straighaways it was insane. Any so we arive at the this huge, beautiful lake, and walk across this bridge, stop in the middle and begin to suit up for Bungee jumping. Are jump was 40m and I went second. It was awesome. I loved every second of it and want to do it again but higher! Amazing Amazing Amazing. After the jump we got back to our hostel changed our clothes and went to lunch. It was about 90 degrees and so walking around was nice. We spent he rest of the day just lounging and having a good time. That night I had asked if there was anygood mexican food around and we were sent to this place abour 8 blocks from us. Let me tell you that was the best Mexican food I have had in a long time. It was awesome, and cheap. There vegggie tacos and burritos were insane, and the hot sauce, it wasn't like incredibly hot but it had really good flavor. Afterwards, in the mexican spirit we found a place the 3 peso tequila shots and 2x1 liter beers :D So that was a good start to the night. Four of us kept going after that and went to this bar with live music, got some drinks and hung out. On our excursion back home, we stopped twice for food. Yes twice. Jajaja in a matter of an hour we had two sandwhiches, jajaja.

Sunday: Leg Pain
The net morning we were also told that we were being picked up a 9am when actually it was 10:15, awesome for us that had gotten home late. Anyway we were picked up at 10:15 and whisked away in a small truck we three of us in the bed, up through the hills and atop some mountains. WE got out, and hopped on some horses for a 2.5-3hour horse back ride. We started off slow and went up in the hills for some off roading which was cool, my horse slipped a little once too. But on the way back we were allowed to go fast and my horse along with another girls horse were the only ones that really rode fast, it was awesome. Afterwards we had another asado that last about 2 or so hours, and they made me lots and lots of veggies, I was very content. So we did that for a while, and went back to salta. Once we got there five of us left again and hiked up 1080 stairs to the top of this hill/mountain where you were able to see all of Salta, it was gorgeous. We got back showered, napped, and went back to the Mexican place for dinner, it was that good. Because it was our last night we wanted to go big, which included, a Brazilian dive bar (speed con vodka) then kareoke (long island iced tea, and a bottle of wine) Oh the kareoke bar was full of old people and the machine read to fast so when I sang BIlly Jean it was horrible. Afterwards we went to a club, which we got into for free and danced the night away it was awesome.

Monday: Return
We hopped on the bus at 1pm and got the top level and the frontsseats so we could see everything. Fantastic, We watched The knowing (horrible) and bad copy of Pelham 123 (good movie though) and I can't remember tha last movie, the slept and woke up at 730 in BsAs. WEnt to class the next morning and have been going ever since.

:D
More updates soon.

...y hasta mas

It's been a good last week and I have a feeling that it will be a good rest of the week as well. Hmmm...lets see if I can remember exactly what went down. Well JOBS on tuesday of course was fantastic Jenga rocked like always. Jajajaja. And Weds we went to this bar called The Alamo, (I know so so so Ameircan right?) and it was pretty dang packed, but eventually we got in and met up with some friends. One of the guys that we actually went with who i didn't even know that well actually turned out to be amazing. We are defiently best friends now...jajaaj...and he is good looking and plays waterpolo, jajaja. He's American but that's chill we just have a lot in common so we decided to be best friends forever...jajaja...So that was weds and that was pretty fun, relaxed and fun. Oh wait I forgot one part of that night...jajjaja...oh boy. Well while at the Alamo i got some beer spilled on me. So when I got home (mind you I was a little drunk) and thought it would be a good idea to soak my pants because I didn't want them to reak of beer, especiallly with Marta. So I threw them in the sink with some body soap and let them soak. About five mins in I had a thought, Where is my phone? Yep, thats right it was in the pocket of my pants, and it defiently didn't turn on. So the next mourning I had to go and get a new phone (wooohooo) the only good thing is my SIM card was ok so I still had the same number and all my information. Thank God. Jajajjaja, yeah awesome. Anyway, Thursday. Actually that was a pretty good day, had lunch with the cute boy, went to the gym, was hardcore hit on by a 47 year old at the gym (While i was on the tredmill, I literally told him to fucking leave right now) Then thrusday for dinner we went to this Mexican Restaraunt called mole, which actually wasn't half bad, and they had some decent hot sauce. Then we went to a club called LOST that night. And I actually had fun. We were in the VIP section so it was a lot less crowded and I jsut danced and danced and danced it was awesome. OOOHHHHH also we met a promoter that can get us in for free which I am all about (actually I havn't payed to get into a club yet, jajaja). Alright on to Friday, hmmmm well actually did some educational stuff. My new roomate Lizzy (who I absolutely love and is amazing) went to a museum and strolled around a little market. Then came home had dinner, and called it an early night and went to bed. Now comes saturday. Saturday was absolutely amazing. So everyone was at the Campo on saturday so I decided this would be a good time to do some homework. So as I was struggling reading a poem in Spanish, my friend Francisco (one of the amazing gays) texts me seeing what I am up to. And of course I say nothing, jajajja, and we decided to hang out. I met him at his place and him, two of his freinds, and I all went to a peruvian restaraunt for lunch. I had ceviche for the first time and actually really liked it, defiently going to have to have it again, and it was a lot of food. Afterward Francisco showed me around and we went to some really cool places. We went to a place called Bond Street which is like a small mall thing that just has peircing places and tattoo places and some clothes everywhere. I told him that it was very dangerous me being there cause I want a new piercing, jajaja. Then we went to a park and he gave me a quick history lesson which was nice and then I went home and so did he. But I wan't home for very long. I changed my clothes and hopped back on the Subte and headed to his place again, where we met up with a bunch more of the gays. We headed out to Korea Town for a despedido and some Korean BBQ. OMG it was so fun, so much food, and so messy, loved it. Afterwards we walked across the street to Korean kereoke, which was hilarious. It was American music with Koream videos in the backround. So so so funny. After we kereoked for a good amount of time, we decided to them go clubbing (around 3am I think) as wewere getting our cab, there was a bit of a skemish thing. A man who was driving a Remese (a taxi that is not in a taxi car and drives around the worse neighborhoods) started arguing with a regular taxi driver, and during this arguement the Remese man pulled out a gun on the man! I know crazy right? Crazy but cool, not one got shot though. We then realized that we were about two blocks away from Avilla which is like the Slums of BsAs so....Any way we made it to the club (my friend had to pay for my cab because i didn't have enough to get home if he didn't and he really wanted me to come jajaj) So I had thirty pesos left. I payed twenty to get in and had ten left, which was my way home. So I wasn't planning on drinking at the club. But I don't know how I am so lucky at a gay club. I had a beer and two vodka con speed(energy drink) bought for me hahahaha. So that was super fun, I left around 515 though cause I was tired, and my taxi was only 8 pesos!!! Jajajajaj. Alright sunday. I met up with my roomie and we drank some mate with an argentine friend in her apartment which was very nice. Then went to the San Telmo market and bought some mate cups jajajjaja. We got some yummy food and then headed home, where are power went out and we went to bed early jajaja. But it was so nice cause the whole day with Rocio (the argentine girl) we spoke spanish whihc was good, cause she is patient and it helped alot. So yeah that has been the last week. And tomorrow at 10pm I am getting on a bus headed to Salta which is in the North of Argentina and will be there until monday so I am excited. If all goes as planned I will get to camp and go bungi jumping so I don't know what else I could want to do. :D

Talk to you probably in about a week.
:D

Funny the way it is.

It's wierd when you think about it.
Moving directly into a stranger's house and told that it is your house and to act accordingly.
I mean it is nothing that is bad, just slightly strange.
You know what else is funny?
That no matter where you go, the people are all the same.
It doesn't matter whether you are in LA, Humboldt, Israel, or Argentina, you see the same people everywhere.
I was at the gym today (had the best workout so far in Argentina, btw) and it was like I was jsut back home in HealthSPORT. You had the guys that were all friends working out one of which was and always is too muscular and the you have the girls that are there to "workout" but really half ass it around the gym and just laugh like little dumb bitches (excuse my language but it drives me insane) then you have the oddly inshape older man who probably is in better shape then you but three times you age, then lastly, you have the regualrs, nothing outside the norm, just their to workout.
You see the same thing on the streets as well. You see the older women that think they are far superior than any other being on the planet and make you want to just take their cane away from them. You have the to much PDA barely pubescent couple, the people that walk so slow and take up the entire sidewalk so you can get around, and you have everyone else, jsut trying to get from point A to point B. Funny the way it is.

Thats not to say that Buenos Aires isn't its own world, because it sure is. I mean no where else have been where there are so many dogs and dogwalking is a career. It's amazing to see one person walking 15 or more dogs at once. Now one may ask how do you pick up all the poop when you have that many dogs? You don't. That is one of the few things that I would change about BsAs, there is dog shit everywhere. All over the sidewalks, people jsut don't pick it up. One has to be very careful when walking anywhere. No other place have I been to where you have to ask for the check because you want to leave. Even when you are sitting there for 2 hours they will not bring you the check, no rushing, leave on your own time. It is nice, to not be rushed, to be able to enjoy you time. Although it is slightly dangerous because I forget whether or not I have payed yet, because they don't bring it to me...but no big problems so far...jajaja.

Intercambio with Argentines on Thursday excited for that. The help us with our spanish and we help them with their english, hopefully they will be cute...jajaja
Also I may have a date with a professional polo player tomorrow...oh snap.jajaja.
JOBS tonight. 2x1 drinks, jenga, darts, archery...best night ever.
Oh more Itlians moved into my spanish class, which means...more laughing.
Ciao.

My Parents Raised Me Well

It's 11:19am I got into to bed at 6:30am and I have already eaten breakfast. Yeah I don't know what the hell I am doing, I'm so tired and I should be asleep, but i had to get of for breakfast because Marta won't put it out past 11:00am and I don't want to pay for food, so what other choice do I have...jajaja

Last night was a pretty complicated/crazy night. Well first off we went to the vegetarian restaurant, which I got us to perfectly, and I was very proud of myself for that. Let us note that the combination of vegetarian, buffet, and 20 pesos, is a really bad idea for Rachael...jajaaj I ate a decent amount of food....jajaja Luckily I was with skinny people and I didn't wanna look like so much of a fat ass so I didn't go absolutely crazy...jajaja. But it was just so dang yummy tehehe. So after dinner we wanted to go to this club called crobar but you don't really get to the clubs until about 2 and that's early, and we finished dinner at like 10, so we had no idea what to do. Also on our way to dinner the other three people had bought personal sized boxed wine, with twist off tops...jajaja. Kind of like adult juice boxes. So they had those and wanted to drink those but we had no idea where to go to pass the time and for them to drink their "juice boxes". So we decided to go to a restaurant/cafe for a little while. I ordered a martini (such a bad martini, it had crushed ice and was served in a margarita glass, with only one olive) and they got some helado and snuck drank their boxed wine. However because we are American and my friends are super obnoxious I think the wait staff was getting pretty annoyed with us. Eventually we left (around 1)and went to one of my friends apartment buildings and sat in the stairwell until about 1:45 when we left for the club.

So we got to the club and it was pretty dang busy, but luckily it was early so it wasn't too bad. But it was so annoying because we were on a list so we could get in for free (cover is 50 pesos) but we couldn't get our guy friend. Finally we got him in, checked out jackets and bags, and bought some beers (4 Heineken's for 40 pesos, damn I hate clubs) and headed to the dance floor. The thing about Argentine guys is that they go after anything and everything they see for the most part. And they are pretty damn aggressive. Luckily I am not a good dancer, don't know how to be feminine/sexy when I dance so I don't have much of a problem. However for some reason my friend Elise is like an Argentine magnet, and god damn is it funny. These guys like maul her, I mean I don't know how she handles it but she does. Eventually though I got my dose of Argentine men. And well lets say this, I don't like dancing super close with someone, I am super strong and independent, and I did karate for a long enough time to be stubborn enough to protect myself or at least try at all times. So eventually I was sandwiched between two guys trying to kiss me, and that shit does not fly with me, definitely some hardcore pushing got me out of there, but not fast enough because before I knew it I was sandwiched between two more guys, and a stink bomb had gone off (what are we in 5th grade?). Got out of there though, but lost my friends. So I got on the ledge to try to find them (oh I forgot to mention one of the guys licked my face, yeah my face, who licks faces???) but of course no sooner was I on the ledge that a guy had his arms around me dancing with me, I mean it was fine no big deal but after a while I was so done with his lil' "moves" I literally pushed him like half way back into the bar cause I was over acts...jajaja god damn I am not meant for clubs...jajaja. Eventually I found my friends, and we had to try and get our guy friends in so we went out side, and let me say that being a metal girl, and loving pits, and not giving a fuck about anything really help in public places when you need to get some where, because damn can I navigate through a crowd. Well we went to get our friends in and they were guys, so that did not happen. So by 4am we were leaving heading to another bar. We had to take two taxis Elise, Liz, and Jared in one and Nate, Kellen, and Me in the other. While we were driving to our destination I got a call from the other cab saying they were bailing and just going home, lame lame lame. So I went to the bar with the guys, and stayed until close which was fun, because I got to be back in my element. Helping/motivating guys to get girls, not trying to get the guys myself. So much nicer that way. I mean one of my friends was like "you are sexy Rachael!" I literally laughed so hard, he was so drunk, I almost died.

So now I sit here in my bed, wanting to go to the market, but everyone is to hungover to go with me, and I can't go by myself because its not safe. I wish people would just not get shitfaced all the time and want to do a lot of Buenos Aires and Argentine things. I mean I am not here to have spring break for 4 months, I am here to become an Argentine. I mean I still go out and have fun, but I don't go out so hard that I don't leave my house all day, like really people?

Oh well hopefully someone will get back to me.
Ciao!

Almost a week, I know, slacking...

It has been almost a week since my last post, but lately I have just not felt like making a post lately. But I have much to say so I guess I should write about it.

I started school this week, and I am so excited about it. I am taking six classes.

1. Comparative History of Latin America and Argentina
2. Literatura II de Argentina
3. Political and Social Change of Argentina and Latin America
4. Argentina Soceidad Abierta
5. Espanol Intermedio
6. Tango

Sp those are my classes, the ones in English are taught in English and the ones in Spanish are taught in Spanish. The tango class is also taught in Spanish.

When I first signed up for my classes I thought they were all going to be taught in Spanish and I was excited because I was sure that would help my Spanish exponentially, so when I found out that two were in English I was going to drop on and add another class in Spanish, but i like both english classes so now I am just taking more classes rather than subtracting any. I'm such a nerd, cause I am really excited for classes, I really wanna absorb a lot of information while I am down here so I am excited about that. I love my Tango class, it is so fun, and I am surprisingly not that bad at it...jaja. The rest of my classes are awesome as well. My Spanish class so far is really easy so I kinda of want to switch into a higher level, but there is only 6 people in my class (four of which are Italian boys...) so I get a lot of attention and can ask questions whenever I want. I think my literature class is going to be really good the professor speaks clearly and really wants us to learn. My other classes are good, but haven't really delved into anything yet.

Oh my gosh I went to the coolest place on Tuesday. It was called JOBS and before I went I was told it was a place where you can play games and kinda hang out maybe have a drink, so I was stoked, you know a chill night just playing games. Well it was a little different, in a good way though. When you first walk in its this huge place, kinda dark, but with a redish hint to the light, crowded with people. The bottom floor has a bar and pool tables and sitting tables to play board games and such. The second floor (where we sat) has darts, fooz ball, and archery, yes archery, in a bar, I don't know if that's the best idea but it was really cool. We sat next to the archery. There was about seven us and we played Jenga, which was amazing. Drinks for 2x1 (every Tuesday) so that was awesome as well. I had two gin&tonics (new favorite drink cause I realized tonic water has no calories so it saves me a little) and laughed all night long.

I found a gym. 85 pesos a month, about $24 American, and its only a block and a half from my house. I mean it has some treadmills, an elliptical, bikes and free weights. It has the necessities, which includes a decent amount of good looking guys, so really what more could I ask for? I mean that all I look for in a gym, jajaja.

Yesterday I did something I have never done before. I played polo. and I don't mean water polo, I mean real polo, on horses. Yep yesterday I went with a girl that only came down here because she plays polo and loves it, to her friends club. It was a long day let me tell you. We met up at around noon and didn't get to the club until like 3:30. We got there ate (there was a decent amount of meat so I had a little salad and some bread) then we got on the horses. I mean I used to ride horses, but that was like ten years ago. So I kinda of had tor e-learn. I wasn't scared, just a little embarrassed, because the two guys with us were professional polo players, and my friend plays polo and used to jump horses as well. So yeah...Well one of the guys was my teacher for the day. The first step was getting on the horse, a little difficult ( I had to use a chair, jajaja) then it was walking. I could steer the horse fine and do all the right things, I could hit the ball fine as well (well most of the time) but when it came to cantering (running) it was a little hard. I mean I could do it but i didn't have the best balance, and I would always hold my stick in the wrong way. I practiced for a while and kinda of got it down, so we decided to play a small game, 2x2. Well lets just say the teams were a little lopsided. I mean I didn't even know any of the rules, and couldn't exactly keep up speed wish with the others, jajaja. But it was so much fun, I hit the ball a couple of times but I don't even care it was a blast. We didn't get back to BsAs until like 9ish and they all wanted to go to the discoteca called Shampoo but I was so tired, not to mention hungry, as well as sick (cold, lame, lame, lame) I had to bail, but hopefully I get to play more, as well as chill with the guys more. Because they are good looking, polite, and pretty damn funny.

Last night we had dinner, and Marta (my host mom) had bought tofu, even though she has never cooked it, and made this rice, veggie and tofu mixture, that was actually really good. But she made me eat so much of it that I felt so sick afterwards. I mean I know it was a huge amount of calories, and I need those calories and protein, but she like forces food down my throat. I mean I don't have an eating disorder chill! I guess I can kind of see where she is coming from. Argentina has the second most number of eating disorders cases in the world, and I don't eat meat, and she is a grandma so she never thinks I am eating enough. But I mean when I say no I really do mean no. And I mean I have like a smile on my face, because I am being polite not because I am joking. And when I say no she gives me this look like eat this or i will kill you. I mean sometimes I can handle it and get her not to put more food on my plate and sometimes I just can't. I mean a lot of the time she thinks I don't like her food that's why I don't eat it, which isn't true, I just don't wanna eat three empanadas, salad, soup, and two spinach squares in one meal. I am just going to have to be more assertive which could be awkward but oh well that's life, I am living with her for four months. However, tonight will be a good meal because I am taking my friends to the Vegetarian/vegan buffet called Bohdi that I went to before. I am so excited cause the food is good, and the buffet only costs 20 pesos which is about 6-7 dollars, amazing. Food is kind of hard for me here. I mean I have lunch on my own and unless I want to load up on carbs I don't really have a huge selection. I mean they have plenty of fruits and vegetables but i NEED protein. I can get yogurt, and eat mixed nuts, but you Can only do that for so long, and I just can't eat cheese sandwiches all day. I mean what I really want is either a protein bar of some meat replacement sandwich or burrito. Or Maybe some beans! I mean can I get some beans here?!?!?! I am dying. For example, I am sitting here at a cafe starving. I ate breakfast at around 11 which included two pieces of wheat toast, a small amount of cereal, and a banana. Then at about 1:30 I had a non-fat arroz con leche which had some protein in it and a cafe mediano. Now its four and I am starving. What do I do I have dinner in like five hours. I could have some nuts when I get to the house, I could go to the store and get some bread and like cheese or something. or I could get some veggies. I wish i just had some easy quick snack, its really annoying, cause I just don't want to be eating bread and fat the entire time I am here. Who knows. Story of my life. Picky eaters suck. Oh well.

Jajaja, if the most difficult things in my life are figuring out what to do for lunch, I guess its not that bad, jajaaj. I think I am going to buy a backpacking pack this week so I can use that for my travels around Argentina and Europe. I also found a place that makes custom leather jackets for 400 pesos which is about $100 (I know not very vegetarian of me, but whatever, I don't care, jajaaj) So yeah...

Well I am going to go and find something to eat.

Ciao!

Maybe I'm not an old lady

It's Sunday.
It's 11:41pm.
I am in bed.
This hasn't happened in a while.
I am very happy.
The last couple of days have been a whirwind, and I love it.
Alright lets do a weekend Rundown.

Thrusday: 6am return
Thursday night was a pretty chill night. Elyse, Liz, and I all went to an Argentine's Apartment and played drinking games (a little harder in spanish). But it was really fun cause we kinda exchanged different culture questions and what not, it was a very relaxed fun time. I liked it. :D

Friday: 5:30am return
Friday was a good day. First off I got my classes and that was really exciting because I'm excited to take classes in spanish because hopefully that will help me learn a lot quicker. Then came the fun. My friend Carlos (who I am madely in love with even though he gay and I met four days ago) had his going away party on friday. We met up with him and his friends at this bar called Sitges at midnight, and I don't know if you know or not but midnight is early for Argentina, and the bar (a gay bar) was pretty damn empty. But it was a good deal because it was 25 pesos cover fee then open bar, so I was pumped about that. So we got there and it was nice sat around had a drink and "charlar"ed. Then around 1am it got pretty dang packed, and the music got louded the gays got crazier and it was so so so much fun. I have a new group of gay lovers and I want to be with them all the time. They are amazing. Well they weren't all gay at the bar, and you could defeintly find the straight guys because they were hovering over the girls. Hahah so so so funny. Defiently got offered to have a spanish "tutor" by a guy who also told me I had beautiful lips, nice try buddy, jaja. Also defiently got hit on by a girl, very flatering. It was jsut so dang fun I danced and hung out all night. The only problem, I had to wake up at 730am the next mourning.

Saturday: 7:30am return
Saturday mouring was rough, slept for two hours then had to jump on a train to go the El Tirgre and the Delta. It was actually really nice, once I got some coffee. First we took a big boat tour all around the delta and what not. Then we went to La Porta de Frutas which was a big open air market with lots of like places with spices and leather goods and some touristy stuff, it was nice. I bought kitched atire. :D Then on the way back we stopped at lookout/resortish place, had some cafe con leche and looked at the Atlantic, beautiful. We got back around 6, I slept until 7, showered and was at dinner by 1030. I had such a delicious salad with rice, sweet potatoe, green peas, and tomatoes, some nice red wine, and amazing fresh bread. So amazing. From dinner we went to a bar, Jackie O's great name right? We were there until around 2:39 I think. It's amazing how back home staying up until 2:30 let alone 6am seems so much harded, the time passes so much slower then here, I'm always surprised when its so late cause the time just flys. Anyway, so after the bar we wanted to go to a discoteca. Well that was interesting because the first place we went to actually was closed so we then had to take another taxi to another discoteca which was to crowded and we ended up just going back to another bar. It was a pretty cool bar, pool tables and a lot of locals which was nice. There was a fight at the bar with pool sticks and broken glass. It was awesome, jaja. We decided close to the end of the night that we were jsut going to stay up and get breakfast. So at 6:30am we ended up at the 24 hour place called Kentucky Pizzeria (Kentucky???) where I fell asleep on the table, and only woke up when we were done. Jaja

So that was my weekend. Today was nice went exploring and shopping in the city, still unable to find a jacket :( but had some yummy gelato light, so that made me happy. But I am so tired right now and I have my first day of school tomorrow :D so I am going to go to bed.

Ciao!

As I sit here it is 11:38am and am amazed that I am awake, well semi amazed. I am amazed that I am not totally dead because it was a mere 5 hours ago that I returned to my lovely house. Yes I arrived back at my house at 6am. I don't know how I did it but I stayed up that late and I wasn't even really tired. It was fantastic. Two friends and I actually met up with some Argentines and hung out with them all night. That was fun, they were good guys. So I stayed up, right? So you would assume that I drank a lot, right? But guess what? I didn't even drink that much! I had like 2.5 glasses of wine and like 2.5 glasses of beer over like 5 hours (well most of it in the beginning, but that's beside the point) so I was good, ha ha I am very proud of myself. :D

Living in Buenos Aires is an interesting thing. Then mentality is different among a lot of the Argentines that are my age. The idea of living to the fullest and kinda of doing everything you can during the day, is much more apparent here.

Alright time to get going on life.

Best Meal Ever

11:38 in the mourning and I'm still in my bed in my PJs. Usually by now I have gone to the gym for two hours, come home, and started cooking dinner. Yah it's a little different in Buenos Aires. The days are so long that if I get up early to do stuff then I have like 6 hours in the middle of the day where I do nothing. So here I am sitting in my room, trying to fifure out my exact plan for the day. This is what I am thinking.

1. Get dressed
2. Walk to the gym talk to the people about prices and a plan
3. Go shopping for a warm Jacket, Boots, and a cute beanie
4. Go to the gym.
5. If there is time before dinner go to a coffee shop and read or shower and just stay in for a little bit
6. Dinner and aybe going out

So thats kinda what I am thinking for the day but Im not exactly sure, I am scared about the whole talking to the people at the gym thing because I mean they are only going to speak spanish and I need to get my point across and I'm scared I won't be able to communicate, but I guess this is how you learn. Cause I can't get fat, and I need to work out. There are two gym possibilites one is small and may not be that good, and the other one is really nice and big but it's super expensive. So I am in a predicament. I think if the cheap one is decent I'll just make due and go there cause it's closer and cheaper.

So the title of this blog in Best Meal Ever, and thats for a reason. Last night I went to a vegetarian/vegan buffet restaurant and it was the most amazing thing ever. I ate so much food, but it was so so so good. It's kinda far away and I have no one else to go but I'm hoping I can convince some of my friends to come with me, cause it's delicious.

I know this blog has been slightly bpring but so has my life. I mean all I do is walk in the cold and eat. But saturday we are going on our first excursion to el tigre so that should be cool, I will be taking a lot of pictures there. So thats super cool. And tomorrow I ahve my meeting with the counsler and get to pick my classes which I am stoked for and then class starts on Monday :D SO I just can't wait for that.

Also going out on friday, and should be going out pretty big, well at least for me. I mean I'm starting out by going to an open bar(25 pesos!!! which is like $6!!!), then bar hoping after that soooo....should be a good time, especially becuase I have to be somewhere for the excursion at like 845am...yeah :D

Thats pretty much the story of my life at this point. I know you are so interested. :D Especially my two followers...jajaja

One of these days Ia m going to be writing this blob in spanish and you'll have to figure it out, muahaha!!!!

:D
te amo
ciao!

False Alarm

Actually I don't have a roomate. She was here for the spring term and was traveling in Bolivia and Peru for a month and just left her stuff at the house while she was traveling and is leaving on Friday or Saturday :( And today I had lunch with one of her friends who I get along with so well. We went to lunch at a chinese restaurant where I was able to get some Tofu!!! I was pumped about that. Then Carlos and Maddy and I went to a cafe and sat and talked for a while and wanna know something that sux? We get along so well! And they both are leaving very very very soon. And that sux. But tonight I am going to a vegetarian restaurant and out and that should be a little blasty blast and I am stoked for that. So yeah

And it's cold. And that sux. I want the warmth. And my peacoat.

The most boring day of my life

Today has been so boring.
We had a meeting at 10 whihc was a waste of time and so boring I wanted to die. All it was was things that I had already heard. Plus more stuff that I didn't really care about all in spanish. Then it was pouring and I ran some errands and got soaking wet and was back at the house by like 3 with nothing to do. So I went in my room and went on the comp for a while and then tried to nap but couldn't fall asleep and just kinda layed there until they playlist was over. So woohooo for me.

But then something kinda curious happened. Well when I first arrived in Buenos Aires and Marta was showing me around my house, I thought she had said something about there being another girl in the house and that she would be back Tuesday but I wasn't sure. And as am sitting here right now (Tuesday) I have heard rustling in the bathroom, someone call the name Marta (not me) and blowing of the nose and coughing, none of which sound like Marta. So I think I actually do have a roomate. But I'm freezing in my room under my covers (have I said how cold it is in this house? I think it may be warmer outside sometimes, not to mention I have this huge window.sliding door thing leading to a patio in my room) and don't really want to move, so I guess around dinner time I will see her. Wierd...

Also I highly doubt that I am going out tonight for my friends birthday. I mean I know that I should but I don't feel like dealing with the wet and the cold and also we have to be at this passport place at 8am tomorrow and it's pretty far away and we have to be there at 8am so yeah.

This is super akward because I can hear her and marta talking and she is way better at spanish than me. Great. There goes my confidence.

Crazy Connections

So today was kinda a crazy day. I met some people that I defiently didn't expect to see in Argentina of all places. First of all this mourning we had orientation at the University and as I am standing outside, this girl comes up to me and gives me hug, and who is it? of all people? Stephanie Lewis from Fortuna High, I played BBall with her and everything, crazy! Then after she leaves I see a guy that I am pretty sure I know point to him and realize that I met him at the CEI retreat last summer before school...Crazy! And last of the crazy connections, After our second meeting of the day (argh!) a group of us were walking to the office to sign up for various trips offered by ISA, and I am walking with this guy from my program, and we start talking. You know the ususal conversation, name, school, where you are from and what not. When we get to where you are from he was like California, then I asked where in California, and he says northern, so I am expecting him to say soemthing like SF, kinda hoping hewould say like Willits or something and he was like, do you know Humboldt? I kinda stopped, had a mini freak out, and was like "I'm from Humboldt!" and we had this like huge bonding session and it was awesome. Hahaha yeah he is the same year as me, from Arcata and goes to UCSD. Crazy I know.

Had my placement test today. Wasn't to bad, I think I probably tested into intermmediate, which is where I want to be so that would be nice.

Going out tonight for the first time, that should be interesting. I am kinda confused, because I don't know what to wear because it's cold outside, but i don't wanna bring like my raincoat, but I can't wear something light so I am kinda in a predicament at this point. Also I have my purse with my money in it, but I don't know if I wanna bring the whole thing with me, but I also don't wanna just put my stuff in my pocket becuase I don't want things to get stolen. So I think I'll just bring it and keep and good watch and what not.

I kinda don't wanna go out, but I need to just suck it up and go.

Ciao!

My First Days in Argentina

So it is my second day in Argentina and its been a long two days let me jsut say that. It started off intense and hasn't really slowed down much until now.

To begin my flight out of Arcata was cancelled and my mom and I had to drive 5 hours to SF to catch my flight, then I flew 6 hours to DC then 10 hours to Buenos Aires, where I met my senora, Marta (age 72) had lunch and had a small orientation. So that was a little exhausting. After the meeting some of the guys and I went and had a beer and then I had dinner with Marta. I don't know what it is about older women and not thinking you are eating enough but she just kept trying to feed me and feed me, haha. After that I was dead and was in no place to go out and I passed out.

Today was a good day, we had a long meeting then a tour of Buenos Aires, and went to a cafe the boys had some drink, I had coffee (my savior) the dinner once more.

Here is my dilemma, in Argentina, everyone has dinner around 830 or 9 or even later then takes a siesta, then goes out for a small drink and like 12, the goes to the clubs around 2am and stays out until like 7 or 8 AM. I can barely stay up until 12am let alone beign to go out then. However if I want to have a social life here I need to learn how to do this, I also feel bad because I am living with this older lady and i feel super akward coming back to the house intoxicated. I mean I know that she would be asleep, but what if I can't open the door or something, or I get lost, I mean i don't wanna mess up. That would not be good. I understand that this is the expected lifestyle of the study abroad student and she wouldn't be offended as long as I tell her that I will be home later, but i just feel wierd, you know? And the friends that I have made are really cool, and the are going to the bars tonight, they were meeting up at an apartment at 11 (it's not 11:21) and then going out after that. But 1) I only have a 50 peso bill and the taxis don't have change so i don't know how I would get drinks and 2)i jsut am not a huge party animal, and I don't know how that is going to work out, I'm so much more of a staying in kinda person, I'm not big on clubs and not big on getting super wasted either. I had my freshman year and i did that and I don't think that was for me, sometimes when I drink i just keep drinking and before I know it it's to late and I'm gone, and I don't want that to happen.

So I have a problem, because if I want to keep the friends that I have now I need to go out at night, but i probably won't have more than one drink, I jsut need to suck it up and go on my own to meet up with people and learn to stay up late. I'm not very good at this whole being social and what not thing, hahaah.

Well I girl has to learn I guess.

Until next time

ciao.