Hasta luego, Argentina!

I am finally detailing my final days in Argentina and then will do a speedy catch up of the rest of my spring semester.

One of my proudest moments of the trip was when I conquered my fear of heights to ride an elevator 80 meters up into a water tower that had a 360 degree view of the town. I almost backed out of going, because not only do I have a fear of heights but I also have a fear of elevators. There is a reason I don't watch scary movies: because I create those scenes in my head without any prompting. Luckily, my friend Mackenzie held my hand as we went up and down the elevator. And it was totally worth it!

Talk about breathtaking view.

Later that night our group had our second tango lesson. This time both our professors and tour coordinator participated and it was a blast. We switched partners continuously and it was far less intimidating. To enjoy some more music after our lesson, we went to a restaurant called Tu Madre, which yes translates to Your Mother. This restaurant is kind of like a hipster music bar and we heard a classical guitarist who was a friend of Annalisa's. Not only was he cute, even with the long hair, but a major talent. A jazz guitarist, Argentine traditional singer, and Annalisa even joined in on the music making. I think our classical guitarist on the trip fell in love. <3

Our final stop in Argentina was back in Buenos Aires' city. We spent the day mostly traveling from Mar del Plata to the last hotel, but then had the wonderful experience of seeing a tango show at the Piazzolla Tango Theater. Of course all us girls took the chance to get dressed up and we got to enjoy some white wine as we watched in awe of these dramatic, sexy, and graceful dancers. Let's just say we definitely didn't learn some of those moves in our classes. And what a wonderful way to end my stay in Buenos Aires.



Mar del Plata

So life kind of got in the way of me blogging about my amazing trip to Argentina. I feel like I am constantly going to have to do catch-up in order to keep up with my life.

The next few days of our trip are spent in the beautiful beach town of Mar del Plata. Annalisa, a former Converse graduate student, who accompanied us on the trip actually lived in Mar del Plata as a young girl.

Mar del Plata, has almost a Myrtle Beach vibe but more beautiful. I guess that is why Myrtle Beach has the nickname "Dirty Myrtle" and Mar del Plata does not. Most of the sixth day of the trip was spent on a bus as Mar del Plata was over 8 hours away from the estancia. It was the equivalent of driving from Pawleys Island, South Carolina, to Waldorf, Maryland. Which I can tell you is not a drive that I love to do.

Probably my favorite memory of Mar del Plata was being able to watch the local orchestra rehearse. As a music major and someone who had come to Argentina studying the music of that culture, it was amazing to witness professional musicians creating and performing masterful pieces. Though they were playing the traditional classical music like Mozart and Brahms, the idea that music of this nature transcends all cultural boundaries is breathing taking to witness.

Estancia

Day 5: Our last day on the beautiful estancia! Today I went bike riding through the pastures to a river with a small group. Along the way we made a friend with a lonely cow who fumbled along behind us.

Get ready for an astonishingly beautiful love story. It might break your heart with its cuteness overload...

A young woman from Holland was staying on the estancia with us. Micah spoke English and told us the story of what brought her to the estancia. And here it is:
Last year she came as a vacation and met the young gaucho Pablo. They quickly became friends and their relationship blossomed. Shortly after they became official, she had to return to Holland. Young love overruled all decisions and Pablo went with her for six months. Upon the ending of six months, Pablo and Micah returned to the estancia. Presently, they are waiting for Micah's six month visa to expire and then Pablo will move permanently to Holland to be with her as a professional horse trainer.

I want anyone to beat that story, and while you're at it find me an attractive gaucho who will travel the world to be with me.

                                   

Day 6: I awake to a downpour. With the roads leading to the estancia being primarily dirt roads, our charter bus was stuck two or three miles away. So the gauchos loaded our group into trucks and caravans and we began a bumpy excursion off the ranch. And then we were off to Mar Del Plata. I'm no foodie, but for our first dinner in the beach town, I had one of the best pizzas of my life--salami and red bell peppers. It was to die for!

                                                                                 

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.

Annus Mirabilis

Annus Mirabilis (n.)(phr.)
 a remarkable or notable year in history; a year of wonders or miracles, used to speak hopefully of the future.

  As December comes to a close this is the hope I have for each of us as we enter--drumroll please--2014! Looking back at 2013, I can say this year seemed to be filled with struggle. I saw more and more people have major drama filled events entering their lives that seemed to impact the world around them. And though I hope for a less tear-filled semester in 2014, I know that with all the drama, tears, and my first gray hair 2013 provided me with opportunities to expand my talents, meet new people, and gain wonderful sisters.

 One of my favorite parts of the new year is making resolutions. Even though I often forget about my resolutions as the year progresses, the process of making them is often more beneficial then following through. New Years resolutions force us to look back at the past year and see what we did good and what was not so hot. The constructive criticism we gain can give us motivation to reach goals in the future even if we deviate from something written down.

2014 Resolutions

• A bad habit I'm going to break: Stop drinking soda and cussing *gasp* (I know you never would have thought a lady like me did).
• A new skill I'd like to learn: Based on my spaghetti fiasco this summer(a story for another time)--Cooking
• A person I hope to be more like: Gracie Hart, from Miss Congeniality. Though a fictional character, Gracie Hart is unapologetically herself. She is funny, kick-a**, and caring with a strong exterior.
• A good deed I'm going to do: Volunteer in things that I'm passionate about (music, special education, animals, etc.)
• A place I'd like to visit: Ireland and Chimney Rock, North Carolina.
• A book I'd like to read: "The Art of Happiness" by HH Dali Lama & Howard C. Cutler.
• A letter I'm going to write: Each semester (2x this year) to each of my girlfriends at different colleges.
• A new food I'd like to try: I'm going to make this one a little different from the resolution. My goal will be to order something new every time I eat out and to not pick anything off.
• I'm going to do better at: Practicing consistently and keeping in touch with people I don't see all the time.