Mate, Tango, and Horses

Day 2: Another walking tour of Buenos Aires and Palermo with Pablo. José de San Martín, the Argentine general who led the war for independence in the 1810s, is immortalized throughout Buenos Aires in parks, monuments, and street names. Today we experienced mate, an herbal caffeine drink that is drank primarily in social settings. Mate has even become the national drink of Argentina. We also had our first tango lesson. Today we learned a traditional set of steps called the ocho count. It was rather interesting learning both the leader and follower parts with all girls.

 

Day 3: We went to the main square of the city of Buenos Aires. We visited a cathedral that had been redone in 1880 featuring a tomb memorial to San Martin. The oldest church in Argentina was also housed in the square, having been built in 1811. The presidential building was in the back of the square. Unlike the White House, the president of Argentina does not live there. There are two rumors as to why the building is pink. One rumor is that the two political party colors were red and white, so the president mixed the colors to show the mixing cooperation of the parties. The second, and more likely, is that the paint is made out of cows' blood to protect the building from the humidity.

 

 

 

Day 4: Rode bus to San Antonio de Areco. This town is the oldest in Argentina. Their whole life is about preserving the old culture of the gaucho lifestyle. The first and oldest gaucho novel was written here as well as the place of inspiration for TOMS (based off the gaucho shoes). We then moved to the estancia, El Ombu de Areco. Some of the most beautiful landscapes.

 

 First time horseback riding. My horse was a bit feisty, and scrapped me and my saddle off of himself using a tree. So let us just say, I am not an equestrian. The next day I did go horseback riding again, and I was successful on staying on my horse the whole time. During our stay at the estancia, I had the best talks with the professors on the trip. It is amazing to have a relationship with your professors outside of the classroom--you can learn so much!



Summer in Argentina

I had the lovely opportunity to do study travel in Argentina this January for two weeks. As a part of a music history class studying Astor Piazzolla, Alberto Ginastera, and the tango, I spent the first week and a half of January on campus in South Carolina studying and listening to music. While in Argentina, I was able to explore and just enjoy the beautiful cities we visited.

Being someone who was bitten by the travel bug, these past two weeks were absolutely amazing. I would not trade them for the world. Picture coming from a cold, dreary winter to a sunny, muy calido summer. Also unlike when I traveled to Germany where almost everyone speaks English, there was a huge language barrier. My Spanish from high school is very rusty. It mostly consists of greetings and where is the bathroom.

Day 1: I was so proud of myself for 

 having only one carry-on. No checked bag! Once we arrived in Buenos Aires, our group met Pablo who gave us a walking tour of the city. We saw "The Opera" restaurant where Evita Peron worked before she became Mrs. Peron. We crossed the largest avenue in the world, 9 de Julio Avenue. In the center is an Obelisk that is copied after the Washington Monument in D.C.

Had my first Argentine meal in the famous café, Café Tortoni. This café is the place where all the famous artists, poets, and politicians visited for a café con leche. The culture of Argentina makes it completely normal for someone to spend all day in a café with a single cup of coffee. Waiters don't make you leave to make room for new customers.

 

All These Little Things

So before I jet off to Argentina on Wednesday, I thought I would do a fun post. I'm going to try to think of twenty little things or facts about me that many people might not know. This might be difficult for me, because I'm usually quite awful at the question "tell me something no one else knows about you." I usually just sit there in silence thinking that I am pretty open book.

One: I have a legitimate fear of sticking my hand in an oven.

Two: I can't fall asleep with any doors open in the bedroom.

Three: One cup of tea a day minimum policy.

Four: Clutter stresses me out!! (my eye literally starts to twitch)

Five: I love writing and receiving hand-written letters...such a lost art form

Six: I have always wanted a Ford Woodie

Seven:Socks are the bane of my existence. I don't care how cold my feet are.

Eight: It is such a struggle to wear my hair down all day.

Nine: Life goal = own a blazer in every color

Ten: As of last year, I became obsessed with avocado. Yummy :)

Eleven: Can the cape remain a fashion trend forever?? Love

Twelve: Sushi is great but I'm allergic to soy sauce...which can cause some problems

Thirteen: I hate using umbrellas. I'd rather wear a rain jacket, any day.

Fourteen: It's not spicy until my nose is running, in my opinion.

Fifteen: The first thing I learned in ASL was "Lions, Tigers, and Bears: Oh My!"

Sixteen: "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein makes me cry

Seventeen: I walk around my house singing the "Star Spangled Banner" when no one is home

Eighteen: I love watching marathons of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

Nineteen: I have never broken a bone--but if it can be sprained or pulled, I've probably done it.

Twenty: When I hear music (any kind) I choreograph a dance to it.