I had another new experience with volunteering. I met two other American girls who are studying abroad here. They were both really nice and gave me a bunch of tips about Buenos Aires. One of them went to CU for a year, but is now going to CSU (boo!), so I thought that that was cool. This time at work, we participated in an after school program. I think Friday is how most of the days will be like. It was a very good experience and yet another eye-opener to how much Spanish I do not know. Some of the kids will have work sheets they have to work on, some of the younger ones just color, and then others just hang out. For a little bit I played Donde estas Wally? (Where’s Waldo?) with two little boys, and at first they were really into it so we didn’t talk much, but after awhile they wanted to talk and I could not understand anything they were saying. It was a little frustrating because it seemed as though all the other volunteers (who have been in Argentina for 2 months or since July) know so much more Spanish then me and can communicate with the kids a lot better, so I felt really lost that day. After the schooling part was over, the kids went outside and played. Some of them played futbol and then the others jump roped. These kids LOVE to jump rope! It’s pretty cute. Some of the boys get really into it and get a little rough with each other. It was fun to play with the kids thought; I really enjoyed it. I just cannot wait to improve my Spanish a lot more so I can talk with the kids better.
This weekend was a good first weekend. I walked around the city a lot a lot a lot. I don’t really know anyone so I explored the city by myself. In general, I don’t really like exploring by myself because I enjoy experiencing things with others, but I wasn’t going to just sit inside all weekend by myself. Buenos Aires really feels like New York City. Besides everyone speaking Spanish, I don’t really feel like I’m in a different country far from home. Anything I need, I can walk to, which is great. I will be walking so much these next three months; so thankful it’s not going to be cold. The people here are also very friendly. A few people have joked around with me. I have no idea what they are saying, but if they laugh I laugh and we have a good time ha.
Saturday:
I explored my neighborhood (Recoleta) some. I went out to find the park that is near where I live so I would know where to go running. It’s pretty close, maybe a 10-15 min walk. It has a lot of strange, but interesting, sculptures in it, as well as a lot of statues. I walked around the park for a bit, it’s pretty big. There are so many neat looking trees everywhere!
Right next to that park is the Floralis Generica, which is this huge metal flower. It’s pretty cool.
There is a museum (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes) near the park that is free to get into so I went and checked it out. It had paintings by Degas, Monet, Renoir, Rembrandt, Manet, and so many more. There was a small collection of Degas’ ballerina paintings and drawings, so I was really excited to see those. I love his ballerina paintings. The dancers always look so graceful. His paintings make me wish I were a ballerina. It would be nice to look graceful while I dance because obviously I am anything but graceful when I dance, although I do have some pretty sweet moves ☺.
Near the museum there were hundreds of little vender stands selling anything and everything. It was pretty neat to check them all out. I think they are there every weekend, so I’ll have to go back and buy a few things.
Sunday:
I went to a different neighborhood (Palermo), to check out the other plazas (they are like small parks) and some of the gardens. I walked through the Botanical Garden. There weren’t really any flowers, but it had a ton of tress. It felt like I was out of the big city for a bit. It was fun to people watch too. There were tons of people sitting on the benches hanging out, drinking their mate, and just enjoying the day. There were also cats everywhere, so that was kind of funny.
I also saw the Monumento a la Carta Magna y las Cuatro Regiones Argentinas. It’s kind of like a huge fountain in the middle of a busy intersection. It’s really pretty. (sorry for the picture being soooo huge, I couldn't use the small one because it was turned on its side)
My last stop for the day was the Japanese Garden. It was really pretty. Even though there were a lot of people there, I still got a calming feeling from it. Again, it was nice to feel like I was out of the busy city. My host mom told me it’s the biggest Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan (she told me this in Spanish so I might have misunderstood her).
So far, my favorite time of the day is dinnertime. I’ve been by myself a lot so far, so I enjoy sitting down with my host mom and practicing my Spanish. She has told me that I have improved a lot already since I’ve been down here, so that’s exciting!
I really want to go on trips while I’m down here; however, I’m a little worried that I won’t make friends to go with. I don’t really want to travel by myself. So far I’ve met people who have been here since July (studying abroad). They are very friendly, but they have their group of friends already, and I’ll only see them at work on Fridays. The other group I have met is the big group of Australians. They are here through the same program as I am, have been here for a month or two, and most of them all live in the same building. I know I just got here and I have plenty of time to make friends, but I’m still a little worried. I want to make sure I make the most of my time while I’m down here, and having friends would definitely make that easier. I’ll keep ya’ll posted on how making friends goes ha. I’m not complaining at all, I’m just a little concerned. It is kind of nice though, to be alone, because I’m learning a whole new kind of independence. My program does offer a lot of fun activities, so I will be taking full advantage of those for sure. So far it’s been good. Spanish classes start tomorrow and I feel like I’m a little kid excited about their first day of school!
Until Next Time,
Liz
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