Will it build goodwill and better friendship?

It’s been too long since I’ve blogged. I continually think of things to write about while walking around the city, but then never write them down and by the time I get around to blogging, I have completely forgotten. Here’s a random thought that I remember:

Trees in the city are miserable. They are trapped into sprouting out of openings in the sidewalk. The city puts them along the streets to encourage a more natural feeling and reduce some of the immense amounts of CO2 being pumped into the air, but honestly, I think it’s like torture. I feel really bad for them, which is kind of strange because they are trees, but it’s disappointing nonetheless.

In happier news, I’ve switched my bus route to the more accommodating and frequent 108 line. It’s a bit of a walk from my house in the morning, but the extra block or two cuts anywhere from 10-30 minutes off of my waiting time. Muchas gracias, linea 108.

My Friday was very relaxing as I didn’t have a commitment until my volleyball game at night. I strode over the mall to check it out. Over the entrance I actually lol-ed at the huge sign that read “Yo <3 Shopping!” Reminding me yet again that I live in an upscale neighborhood, I walked past boutiques upon boutiques with very clean, simple displays. No clothes were crowded and there weren’t many signs indicating sales. Needing a black t-shirt for my vball game, I chose the Target-like Carrefour on the first of four floors. I think I mentioned this before, but this store has everything from huge flat screens to slippers, from fresh caught fish to hummus. I like it. :)

Hungry, I eventually found the mall’s food court. Surveying my options, I settle on Chinese as I find that’s the best way to eat vegetables ‘round these parts. Most pastas are sin veduras (without vegetables), and there aren’t many options for sandwich toppings. And, let’s be real, I wasn’t getting a salad with wilted lettuce and no dressing.

I almost had a real conversation with the guy who made me my pollo con verduras. He knew about 10 words in English, but they really helped when I couldn’t understand what he was asking. It was nice to know that such friendly people really exist here, unlike the majority who are pushy and ignorant of anyone else’s presence. Not complaining, though. I’ve had few bad experiences, but the nice ones always have a greater impression.

After chowing down, I wanted to grab a coffee before heading home. And, I figured since I was already at a fancy mall, why not get a fancy coffee? Ordering the biggest milkshake looking drink (with whipped cream, of course), I was satisfied with the result. Typically, when ordering something “to go”, I mumble something about “not being for here” because those are the words I know. The phrase “para llevar” would have made my order go much more smoothly.

Walking through the children’s play area on the way out, I couldn’t help but to notice the subtle differences from the US. No playgrounds that I’ve seen here have rubber or woodchips as a base (some have sand). In fact, most that I’ve seen simply have concrete sidewalks underneath the monkey bars, swings, and rocking-horse-type rides. I get so nervous watching the kids hang from the tops of these play structures, but have yet to see anyone get hurt. Let’s hope it stays that way.

I almost didn’t make it to my volleyball game because of the obnoxious amount of traffic that was making its way to Belgrano for the Ricky Martin concert. I wanted to start singing Cupa de Vida on the 130 line, but decided against it. Three jammed packed buses past me up before I finally body slammed against some guy to get onto the 4^th bus. We uncomfortably spooned standing up for the entire 20 minute ride.

Avenida Libertador was crawling with people walking to the stadium and the amount of cars and buses back up was horrendous, but I did manage to meet the team, and we got to our game just fine. At the game, coach gave me some instructions in Spanish and subbed me in for the left side hitter. I’ve never played left side and I know she knew that, so I just kinda made up my own thing and worked out a deal with the other hitter in the front row.

It wasn’t so bad, but it wasn’t so great. I’m not sure what she was thinking when she put me in, but I’m not complaining, I got to play!

No going out after this game for me; I could’ve fallen asleep on the bus home I was so tired from a long week. Luckily, the distant sounds of Ricky’s concert and of the mental picture of him shaking his latin hips kept me alert.

In the morning, I woke up and procrastinated as usual. In fact, I still haven’t done my homework for this week yet. At 4:30, I had Tango with Carlos and the woman whose name I can’t remember, but I saw her at the Recoleta fair today. We worked on turning our hips, but not our shoulders on this turn-type move. I uncomfortably reminisced about marching band, roll stepping, and horn angles. I never thought those skills would be useful, but I got a thumbs-up from my instructor after one try.

After practicing our Tango walking for 20 minutes... Yes, apparently it is that important, we put into practice our learned moves. I am lightyears better at Tango when I dance with the male instructor. The woman can’t really lead that well, and the boys who are learning... Well, even worse. It’s fun to mess up and try again though. We have our field trip to a real Tango place next Tuesday. Get excited!

After Tango, Shaina and I went to China town to grab a quick bite. La Gran Muralla de China (The Great Wall of China) sounded like a perfectly acceptable place to dine. We were one of two parties in the restaurant and it was completely silent. I don’t know what it is about Argentines and silence, but boy, they don’t mess around with noise unless they’re in the streets. There wasn’t even music playing. As we quietly ate our dumplings and rice (with veggies!!), we sipped green tea and planned more of our Spring Break. (It’s going to be awesome!)

Then, I got to do something that I truly value as a special opportunity. Because Rotary is an international organization and I just happen to be involved with Rotaract at Penn State, I contacted the local Rotary Club here to see if they would let me crash a meeting. Of course, they said. Unfortunately, the Polermo club’s meetings are on Tuesdays during lunch when I have class. Eventually, I will skip a class and go, but not this Tuesday when I have that Spanish presentation (yes, we convinced my teacher to push it back).

But, what they did for me was forward my inquiry to the Polermo Rotaract Club, a group of a dozen students in their early 20’s who are all looking to help the community and have fun while doing it. They meet every other Saturday night, so I hopped on the 60 line and jumped off at Sante Fe. (Are you impressed with my knowledge of the buses? Because I totally am.)

Rotaract in Polermo is a bunch of crazy Argentines who are so loving and friendly. And talkative. Three times within the first 20 minutes of the meeting did the president have to ring the bell, slam her fist on the desk, and finally yell at everyone to please be quiet. It reminded me so much of home in so many ways.

Sure, the meeting was in Spanish giving me only a vague idea what they were talking about, but it was just the same as my club. Who didn’t pay their dues yet? Did anyone talk to Rotary about getting our flag made? Should we make next week’s social a sushi or pasta dinner? I could barely stop smiling.

The cast of characters includes many poli sci majors, a couple of law students, and one guy who introduced himself first with his name, then that he was single. They are funny and have invited me back for as many events as I can go to, including the sushi dinner on Wednesday. Yay!

Walking home, we decided it was the perfect night to go out and dance a little, so we did. Argentine style. As in, don’t leave for the club before 1am, know someone inside to gain entrance without cover, and party like a rock star. I left “early” with two other member and we split a cab home. It was great to finally make friends with some people with whom I am nearly forced to speak Spanish with. (Except, almost all of them speak English pretty well, they just make me speak in Spanish.) One of the guys studied in New Zealand for a year and can speak English without a hitch. It was he who I talked to most of the night because there was enough going on, we didn’t need more communication errors. He’s very nice and can sympathize/relate to a lot of my studying abroad hesitations.

I am so effing lucky to be here.

I slept in an embarrassing amount today, but I did manage to spend the afternoon at the Recoleta market where I made some additional souvenir purchases. Get excited, guys.

¡Besos de BA!