cold outside warm insides.

So ít´s been a while since my last post and my o my have a done alot since then. I could go day by day but I think I´ll just start typing and see what type of rant comes out.

By the way, I´m sitting in my bed writing this with an extremely full stomach thanks to Elda and her seriously amazing cooking skills. It´s raining really hard here right now and although its kind of a downer it made for an insanely plesant dinner. Usually Elda and I will sit and talk about our days, what´s new in politics, how our families are doing etc. But today was different. (side note: when i say we talk I mean we try to communicate with a series of hand gestures and smiles. I usually say ¨si¨ and nod my head way to much. So much in fact my neck is practically sore by the end of it) But like i said, tonight was different. Although we talked, the majority of the dinner was spent listening to the rain. Me and Elda just sitting in the kitchen eating and a comfortable silence. It is times like this when i seriously can not think of any place I would rather be. I mean sure Elda and I had to move the table so I would stop hitting my head on the microwave when I lean back, and there isnt enough room in this entire place for us to pass each other comfortably but I absolutely love it and I absolutely love her. She is so patient and so nice without even meaning to be. She has a way about her that makes me feel completely comfortable and we can relate on some of the most random things. I seriously cant believe how much I lucked out with such and awesome host mommy.

That brings me to my next point; how awesome the people I´ve met on the trip are. I´m really starting to appreciate this whole experience and the new friendships it has allowed me to build. This became aparent to my on my birthday. I´m typically not a fan of my birthday and although I can´t say that changed after this birthday I can say it was one of the most unique and refreshing ones I´ve had in a while. My birthday was low key, I just went to school and then (attempted) to go to the japenese gardens but ended up just going to a bar with some friends. Although this might seem lame to other people (and for all I know it kind of is) I loved that people I had only met 3 weeks prior were so willing to spend there time and be with me on my birthday, even though I do hate it. Maybe my logic is backwards but it was really nice to have people I hardly know seem to be so genuinely excited for me. It was as if they took me in. I dont know how to describe it but I really appreciated my birthday and felt more cared about than I ever thought possible.

On a less mushy note, youll all be proud to know that I have officially survived two dance classes without breaking anything. The first class I took was salsa. I have to say although I know its an awesome dance the whole class felt more like an aerobics routine than any semblance of a traditional baile. The turns got pretty complicated and I got pretty clumsy but the point is I had fun. (and yes, me chalking up the experience to nothing more than a fun time  is a full on cop out for me being terrible)
Tango however, is totally my thing. Like really, I made it my bitch. Tango is basically 7 steps that are rather simple, it´s only the direction changes and spins that make it so difficult. I´m not saying I´m going to go pro at any point but in this class I didn´t step on anyones toes.

Lets see what else.........................................
on monday i went to a farm where i ate entirely way too much meat but got to dance it off to some ¨modern¨music. The farm was an hour and half drive north to a province of Buenos  Aires. It was at and estancia se llama ¨La Mimosa¨.   I have to say it was really nice to get out and smell so fresh air. I notice that the city life is awesome but does take a toll. I think it was good for the whole program to get out of the Buenos Aires hustle and bustle and just be somewhere quiet.
I know there is so much more I could write but I think I´m just going to call it quits and make sure that i never take such a long break from blogging as long as this trip lasts.

I just have one more thing to say:
It has been brought to my attention that in my blogs I make a series of grammar and spelling mistakes. and thank you (all of you) for pointing them out but really its not necessary. I´m just dumb. My grammatical errors have nothing to do with the fact that I´m trying to learn a foreign language, am constantly tired, and barely have time to write as it is, no no no... Its not that. Its just that Im dumb.

But honestly thanks anyone who reads this and if you have any questions or anything hit me up yo.

Nos Vemos,
Chelsea

damn thing didnt save the first time

So I will have been here for two weeks as of tomorrow. I don't know if it feels like its gone by quickly or slowly. And with that said I dont know if its a bad or good thing I don't have a sense of time. 

This past weekend I went to Uruguay with the program which was really fun. We had to be at the buqubus (boat) station at 7 am so I took a taxi with some friends. The boat ride there was 3 hours which went by quickly because I passed out for the whole thing. I did realize though that I love boats, and that they are fascinating. I would expand on this realization but I'll probably come off crazy. 

We got there and grabbed some lunch and took a walking tour of Montevideo. Walking tours are good and all but I realized this trip that if I'm not interested in something I have the attention span of a goldfish. Like literally I can't tell you one interesting fact about Montevideo except that on domingos the streets are completey empty. At first it was a weird transition from the hussle and bustle of BsAs but I found it kind of relieving. After a two hour bus ride to Colonia we checked into our hotel (a radisson that was like heaven king bed and great view included) and got some din din. It was delicious. The night ended with a cup of wine at a bar our waiter recommended and then back at the hotel some relaxing, more wine, and a foot dip in the hot tub. All and all a great day.

Next day was a day at Colonia, ocmplete with a walking tour of historical sites. But I have to say the best part of that day was walking around the quaint little town. Although it was rainy and freezing I love it. It might be one of my favorite places I've been. I liked how quite and relaxed it was. Our group also found a dock that we kind of explored. I took as many mental pictures as I could. 

We returned that night and the last two days I've been going to school and doing the usual routine with the exception of last night when some friends and I went and explored a street about 3 subte stops away that looks like Paris. 

So now I'm in the usual cafe that I write these things at, maybe I should be more pensive but I'm having a serious mental block. 

Tonight I'm going to some concert at a cafe and might be the most excited I have been in a while. Bt first, dinner with Elda. I love her cooking, minus the lentils the other night. 

Things I've discovered:

submarinos: a chocolate bar melted in warm milk. I had one in Chile but have a whole new appreciation for them

agua sin gas: I've had this since day one, still dont like it.....not sure why... I'm told its because I'm too american. so be it. 

I also love how people here greet each other. (the kiss on the cheek) Its so persona and intimate. I think we should implement it in the U.S.

Ending note: The expression "same shit different day" doesn't exist here. It used to be the way I described most of my days at school last year. I didn't mean it so pessimistically but I think my routine got to me more last year. And I know I've only been here two weeks but even the small routine I've fallen into is so exciting and new. I want to notice everything about this place (good and bad) just so I can have the experience I imagined before I ever arrived. 

havanna cafe-- only person drinking a smoothie in this "cold" weather

So I guess I could start this post with a funny little anecdote like I did the other ones but honestly I can't chose which one. It could be the story about me missing my bus stop, or the one about the mystery meat (or maybe it's fish?) that i get every night but actually tastes good,  or about the four trips i had to make to get my cell phone to start working. But I think I'll just start off by saying I tried the ice cream. Yes the world famous ice cream, and now I understand why. it is a god send. IT IS SENT FROM GOD. The ice cream is the product of an angels love in a creamy, delectable, edible, form. I tried white chocolate yesterday and plan on concurring every flavor on the menu. if i gain weight it was well worth it. I dont know what exactly makes the ice cream so good all i know is its unlike anything I've had. 


Anyways, before I start sounding even more weird I"ll talk about some things i've accomplished:
(1) El subte (aka metro):  I have that thing pretty much down pat, and yes it is only a straight line but I'm proud. Thank god i understand it. its what i take to school everyday. It's about an hour commute to school everyday which means i leave my apartment around 745 to get there in time for classes at 9.
I usually meet a friend lincoln who lives a block and a half away from me and we walk there change subte lines twice and then have a 6ish block walk to school. Its not bad, but then again it isnt that cold yet. I go to school at UBA (universidad de buenos aires) in the philosophy and letras branch of the school. The building is pretty run down and there are political signs everywehere but I like that it is so different than what I'm used to. I have castellano and history in the morning with a half hour break in between and then lunch for an hour and then lit. They definitely arent the most entertaining classes of my life and I'm not always sure whats going on but it's worth the credit.

(2) I got asked by a lady for directions today and I was able to answer. (I hope I was right) maybe its not that big of a deal but i felt super accomplished.

things i need to accomplish:
(1) el collective (aka the bus system)---realllllly struggling with that one
(2) learn spanish--a minor detail really.


At the moment I'm sitting in a very crowded cafe writing this and indulging in facebook. I had class today and later some friends and I are going to go get some dinner. we're not sure where but we have a meeting spot that we all know how to get to so I can't complain.


Also, let me just say I've met some awesome people on this trip which makes it so much better. 


sorry this wasnt the most entertaining blog post but I figure it'll just serve as a reminder that I'm alive.


ending note: its funny because things that are simple, like buying a folder or finding a seat in a cafe, aren't so simple here. And even the chores and obligations I have don't feel like work.




and also, Uruguay this weekend!