Unos dias pasados

Hey everyone! There's so much to tell! Okay I'll start the other day and just try to remember everything. On Friday, I was planning to go to the zoo with a few people but I didn't get in contact with them to go, but we're going on Monday so I'm really excited! Instead, I went to the top of the University of Belgrano and took many pictures of the view. It's really incredible! I then went with a few people to go check out Chinatown in Belgrano, the neighborhood where my school is. It was really fun, but a little difficult to order. For example, lo mein is fideos salteados (salty noodles), which I thought was funny. I then went to check out where the Hostel is where a bunch of students are living (CEA set it up so it's legit) so I know where to meet them. Later that night, I got a text message saying we were going out at 12 pm leaving from the Hostel. I got ready (I wore a black shirt, jeans, and earring) and took the bus to the Hostel. It took about an hour before we left to call and wait for all the taxis. The club (boliche) was really expensive! It was $25 pesos for each drink with turns out to be nearly $10 USD per drink! I was like "well I'll just not come here next time." I ended up ordering a Sex on the Beach and a Bellini. I think I liked the Bellini better mmmm. So I got my first taste of Argentine clubbing and was out til 6 am. hahaha. It was a blast to say the least. I took a taxi back to the Hostel and then caught the bus back home and slept til noon. I was sooo tired yesterday though. The city tour (yesterday) was at 2 pm, and that was one of the highlights of the trip so far. I got to see the entire city and all the neighborhoods. The tour was on a bus, so some of the pictures didn't work so well because there's reflections and stuff, but I'll take better pictures later ; ). We got to get off the bus and explore La Boca, the neighborhood with all the colored houses and everything. There is so much cool stuff there for sale! Something funny was taking a picture with this guy dressed in tango attire, which I ended up having to pay for. lol. I'm kinda stupid. But it is a cool picture! I'll put it as my display picture on facebook. Today, I slept in til 10 am, and ate breakfast (always the same...pan tostada, dulce de leche, manteca, y jugo de naranja...mmmmm). And later I plan to go out for lunch with Annalise and then go to the river (Rio) to tomar el sol (sunbathe). I also have some homework to do, like prepare a presentation about Evita Peron to the class for 5 minutes, do a take-home exam to see whether I learned this week, and read a story.

Those are the logistical things I did and now I'm going to explain the experience of learning a language in this environment and little observations about the general feel of BsAs.

My favorite thing is having long conversations with my host mom Marcela. She and I always end up talking about books, school, politics, friends, family. Pretty much anything is fair game which I really enjoy. For me it's a great way to practice, and I get immediate feedback.

Also, I take the bus (colectivo) to school which I actually enjoy doing. I go by myself with my purse in my lap just looking at all the different places on Avenida Cabildo. The people on the bus are so friendly, but as always, I have my eyes and ears open. One thing that struck me as so incredibly nice was this little old lady who was sitting in the frontmost seat told me to come close so I leaned in and she said she was leaving in one stop so I should be there to take her seat. I thought it was so cute and generous of her, but in reality, I'm not really surprised because Porteños are always so nice. Also, the other day, I stood up for my bus stop and I guess I looked confused because this girl rang the bell and said "Are you getting off here?" It was very sweet.

So I went shopping and got new shoes (I'll take a picture and put it on facebook). They're super cute and go with everything. I also got something cute for my sister that relates to Mexico, so I think she'll like it. It's hard to resist the shopping here because there are so many sales. I have to tell myself that I'll be here for 6 months, so I don't have to do all of my shopping all at once. Plus, I want to save my $$ for side trips and stuff.

So I love that I understand what everyone says to me in Spanish. It's pretty much an amazing sensation. I feel like my goal is to be able to speak well without having to think at all about the grammar and expressions consciously. That's why the advanced class is the right place for me. You don't know how happy I was to move into that class. I just think about it and realize that I'm in the right place in this chapter of my life. I love the city and the life here.

Te quiero much (TQM),

Julieta