ARGENTINA!
Countdown to World Cup: 7 days!! (as of June 2)
About Me
- Aliza
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Hi all! The reason I´ve started this blog begins with York International. I have been a very lucky recipient of a YIIP summer internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I also have the unique opportunity to travel Brazil and study Spanish for 3 weeks prior to returning to law school in September. My placement is with CEDES (Centro de Estado y Sociedad - Centre of State and Society) where I will be researching health policy, statistics, and law. To my friends and family, I invite all of you to please share in this blog and experience this journey with me!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Arrival & First few days in Buenos Aires
Arrived in Buenos Aires on May 29 and moved into my new place. Beautiful, quaint home, two housemates - also students here, lots of natural sunlight, its perfect.
May 31: Great day. In the morning, walked to the laundromat two blocks from my house to drop laundry. Then went to a store where they sell fruits and vegetables. Then next door to an organic store and then to the supermarket to buy yogurt, milk etc! SO nice to buy local! And, after three weeks on the road, can't wait to finally start preparing and eating some home-cooked meals!
In the afternoon, had my first Spanish class. Took a bus and metro (train) - an hour away, but very pleasant. People discreetly selling small items in between metro stops, a guy set up on guitar, playing songs for us all, people clapping for him before every stop, was great! Spanish class was excellent as well, as were the students and professor. When I left school at 5:30pm, it was already dark! (winter is just beginning here in Argentina...) Got back on the metro, only to realize what a rush it is in the evening!! Barely found standing room! Oh yes, and if you come to Buenos Aires, hold on to all the change you can - no one wants to give it up AND it's necessary for public transportation!!
Today, I've just finished my third day of Spanish classes. Enjoying each day, taking in all the sights, scents, sounds, tastes, and protests - extremely passionate, yet peaceful! Yes, politics are currently on the minds of all Argentinians and on the streets of Buenos Aires. The government is in the process of determining whether they will be the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. In a country as Catholic as this one, it will be very interesting to watch the progress of this movement. Stay tuned!!
My plans for upcoming weeks: 3 weeks of Spanish classes, with the third week overlapping with my first week of my internship!
Quote of the day: "Always be ready to have the time of your life" - Heidi Wills
May 31: Great day. In the morning, walked to the laundromat two blocks from my house to drop laundry. Then went to a store where they sell fruits and vegetables. Then next door to an organic store and then to the supermarket to buy yogurt, milk etc! SO nice to buy local! And, after three weeks on the road, can't wait to finally start preparing and eating some home-cooked meals!
In the afternoon, had my first Spanish class. Took a bus and metro (train) - an hour away, but very pleasant. People discreetly selling small items in between metro stops, a guy set up on guitar, playing songs for us all, people clapping for him before every stop, was great! Spanish class was excellent as well, as were the students and professor. When I left school at 5:30pm, it was already dark! (winter is just beginning here in Argentina...) Got back on the metro, only to realize what a rush it is in the evening!! Barely found standing room! Oh yes, and if you come to Buenos Aires, hold on to all the change you can - no one wants to give it up AND it's necessary for public transportation!!
Today, I've just finished my third day of Spanish classes. Enjoying each day, taking in all the sights, scents, sounds, tastes, and protests - extremely passionate, yet peaceful! Yes, politics are currently on the minds of all Argentinians and on the streets of Buenos Aires. The government is in the process of determining whether they will be the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. In a country as Catholic as this one, it will be very interesting to watch the progress of this movement. Stay tuned!!
My plans for upcoming weeks: 3 weeks of Spanish classes, with the third week overlapping with my first week of my internship!
Quote of the day: "Always be ready to have the time of your life" - Heidi Wills
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Travel in Brazil (May 16-27, 2010)
May 16-27: Brazil
Travel in Brazil was amazing (Rio:beautiful beaches, people, culture, music and food; highlight: paragliding!, Ilha Grande: gorgeous, isolated, island paradise, best seafood of our lives! Salvador: Afro-Brazilian city - great street scene - vendors, music).
Language was an interesting barrier - with me trying to speak a mix of Spanish and English to Portuguese-speaking Brazilians! Best part was that even though they struggled to understand me, they thought my Spanish was impeccable! Now that I'm in Argentina, I'll have to work a lot harder to get such a complement but I still have all summer! :)
Weather: Unfortunately, Vancouver weather followed us everywhere we went - rain, clouds, etc. But we made the best of it and it reminded me of home.
May 27: we crossed the border from Foz de Iguacu (Brazil) over to Iguazu Falls (ARG). The pressure, the sound, the sheer expanse of the falls, mist of the water..breathtaking. Here's a video for a glimpse. But if you ever get the chance, even five minutes of experiencing this beautiful wonder is worth it!
Following the Falls, took an 18hr bus back to Buenos Aires. The buses of Argentina have a reputation around South America to be the Emirates of buses! The rumors were as true as they sounded and we definitely got the rest we were craving. Waiters, blankets, pillows, 180degrees reclining seats, full hot dinner included, drinks, movies, coffee and cookies, all included and served in platters!! Unfortunately, I booked cama ejecutivo (or executive bed) which doesn't recline all the way nor do they have leather seats (that would have been caja suite for $2.50 more!)...next time...but still the best bus experience of our lives.
Travel in Brazil was amazing (Rio:beautiful beaches, people, culture, music and food; highlight: paragliding!, Ilha Grande: gorgeous, isolated, island paradise, best seafood of our lives! Salvador: Afro-Brazilian city - great street scene - vendors, music).
Language was an interesting barrier - with me trying to speak a mix of Spanish and English to Portuguese-speaking Brazilians! Best part was that even though they struggled to understand me, they thought my Spanish was impeccable! Now that I'm in Argentina, I'll have to work a lot harder to get such a complement but I still have all summer! :)
Weather: Unfortunately, Vancouver weather followed us everywhere we went - rain, clouds, etc. But we made the best of it and it reminded me of home.
May 27: we crossed the border from Foz de Iguacu (Brazil) over to Iguazu Falls (ARG). The pressure, the sound, the sheer expanse of the falls, mist of the water..breathtaking. Here's a video for a glimpse. But if you ever get the chance, even five minutes of experiencing this beautiful wonder is worth it!
Following the Falls, took an 18hr bus back to Buenos Aires. The buses of Argentina have a reputation around South America to be the Emirates of buses! The rumors were as true as they sounded and we definitely got the rest we were craving. Waiters, blankets, pillows, 180degrees reclining seats, full hot dinner included, drinks, movies, coffee and cookies, all included and served in platters!! Unfortunately, I booked cama ejecutivo (or executive bed) which doesn't recline all the way nor do they have leather seats (that would have been caja suite for $2.50 more!)...next time...but still the best bus experience of our lives.
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