My Spanish teacher got pink eye last week so we had class over skype instead, since it’s really contagious. It took her eye a little longer to get better because she’s pregnant and can’t take the medicine to make it go away. I was a little nervous to have class over skype, but it actually went pretty well. Plus, it was nice to be able to roll right out of bed and have class in my pj’s ☺
They are making a film in the villa where I volunteer, and one of the most famous Argentine actors is in the movie, Ricardo Darín. I just assumed I wouldn't know who he was because I've only seen one Argentine movie (the one I saw while I was down here, The Secret in Their Eyes - El Secret de Sus Ojos). But he was the main character in that movie, so I do know who he is, AND we all (the volunteers) got a picture with him. I thought that that was kind of neat. I somehow ended up standing right next to him too!
Wednesday, my program took us to the oldest cafe here in Buenos Aires, Cafe Tortoni. It's really pretty and classy inside. There is a lot of stained glass windows. We were a big group, so we got our own little private room. I normally do not drink coffee. When I have had coffee, I fill the mug halfway with coffee and then put caramel or vanilla creamer in the other half. The coffee taste is just too strong for me, I only like to taste a hint of coffee. They brought us out the smallest cups of coffee, and I put 3 packets of sugar and milk in it, and actually liked it. I just need a whole lot of cream and sugar in my coffee. It was a nice little break in the day.
Thursday, I went and watched the mothers and grandmothers walk around Plaza de Mayo for their lost children. I wasn’t really looking forward to it that much because I figured it would be really boring, but it was actually pretty interesting. It was also really really sad too. While they walked, with their signs and pictures of loved one, they sang and clapped which lightened the mood and made everything seem as though they were celebrating the lives of their loved ones, rather than mourning.
Thursday night a group of friends and I celebrated Thanksgiving. There was no way I was not going to celebrate my favorite food holiday! We had people from London, Germany, and Holland there, along with us lovely Americans. We didn’t really have the most typical Thanksgiving foods, but all the food turned out great! We had begets with different flavored cheeses, salad, a Russian salad (which is a type of potato salad), mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, a chicken, chorizo empenadas (sausages), medialunas, sangria, and apple emenadas (the closes thing we could make to apple pie). It was all so delicious! I made the mac and cheese, and it actually turned out really good. I’ve never made mac and cheese from scratch before, so I was a little nervous. I tried finding the simplest recipe (ingredient wise) online. All I needed was milk, an egg, butter, and cheese. I added some ham and onions for some flavor, and both were a delicious touch. Everyone told me that my mac and cheese was the best dish of the night, that made me very happy ☺
After we ate, we went around the table saying what we were all thankful for…things got a little sentimental. All of us feel so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be able to be down here in Argentina. Without being here, none of us would have met or had the opportunity to become friends. My friends here are my family down here. We are all each other have while we are so far away from home. I was a little home sick earlier in the day because I’ve never been away from my family during Thanksgiving, and this time of year is the time you’re suppose to be surrounded by your family, but I’m so far away from everyone. But dinner that night made me so happy, and just made me feel so blessed to have so many great people in my life (my whole family, my friends back home, the new friends I have made here, my boyfriend and his family). I don’t know how I got to be so lucky, I’m just really blessed.
One of my friends said she was thankful for my mac and cheese ha, and another one of my friends said that she was so thankful that I say the word ya’ll haha. I’m the only Southern here. And then everyone else chimed in saying that they agreed. One of my friends said, “You even say it when you type (in messages on facebook). Every time I read ya’ll, I just hear your voice in my head and love it!” Ha I just thought that that was funny. I’m glad that word can bring joy to other people’s lives.
Several of my friends are leaving this week, so Saturday we all went out to our favorite club for one last big girls night out. It was so fun! We always have a blast there. We stayed out till the sun came up again…what a strange feeling. I’ve never gone to a club back home before, so I have no idea what they are like, but I’m pretty sure they can’t be as good as this one. I love the music it plays and I love the way the people dance. I get spun around a lot…what girl doesn’t like that?! I wish I could bring this club home with me. Once the night ended, we all said our goodbyes (three of my friends left today to go travel around South America). It was a bittersweet night for sure. I have one more friend leaving this Wednesday, and then the next one won’t leave for another two weeks. It’s hard saying goodbye to so many people, so often, but I’m glad that I have been able to meet some amazing people since I’ve been down here.
Until Next Time,
Liz
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