Thursday, February 18, 2010

Plaza Dardo Rocha

Meli ayer me preguntó que pensé de los argentinos. Me da pena que no la di una respuesta mejor. Era una pregunta que yo no esperaba.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Fabiana: "Eso es que pasa en el tercer mundo..."

I never really knew what I was getting myself into when I signed up to go to Argentina. I thought it'd be exactly like the United States or Europe-- a modern, well-developed country where I could find the things I wanted or needed easily, where people had their struggles but got by just fine, where political turmoil was limited to the talking heads on the TV screen.

After being here a few days, I'm starting to get the picture. It's nice being an American. Access to cash and credit comes easy, our buildings are air conditioned, our stores are air conditioned, our cars are air conditioned. If one of the tops on the stove breaks, we fix it. If the door breaks, we fix it. If our TV is old, we got a newer and bigger one.

People can't do that here. If a stove top breaks, you use the other ones. If the door breaks, you pray it's not the door to the street. If your TV is old, well, you just watch it anyway. If you need cash, you go from one ATM to another to another until you find one that actually carries it.

What I've seen of Argentina is very much about necessity. If you don't need something, you do without it (usually excluding food and alcohol, mind you). After leaving the hostel, it came to mind that we all probably came off as huge dicks at one point of our stay or another. America this, America that. My iPod cost me $250 here, or AR$946. In most parts of Argentina, that's a relatively high monthly wage. We're completely caught up in our ease of life, our stability. I'm grateful every day for that, but right now, it's hard to take.

I love life in Argentina. The priorities are definitely different, but it's relaxed, it's humble. I appreciate that I can share in this life. I'll probably always be a foreigner here, but I feel at home. The Provincial Commission for the Memory has a Master's in History and Memory. Maybe I'll come back.

Today:

--Walked slowly for an hour to the Commission. Maybe three ATM stops, the first two were out of money.

--Orientation at the Commission.

--Bought film for my toy camera, batteries for my digital camera, AR$45, $11 USD which is cheaper than in the States.

--Walked to the shopping district.

--Sat at a restaurant and split 4 liters of Stella between 6 people, AR$12 each, $3 USD

--Drank mate with Fabiana and her niece

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Tolosa


I'm living with Fabiana in what is called Tolosa, a few blocks outside downtown La Plata. It's a lot calmer than el centro, which I enjoy. Less risk of me getting hit by the cars that don't stop for anybody.

Yesterday, I moved in with Fabiana, napped, ate, and crashed hard after talking to Kat. I didn't realize how exhausted I was but I guess that after an 18 hour flight, and a collective 15 hours of sleep since Wednesday morning, it was time for my body to reset.

It's been really hot lately, but the rain cooled things down tremendously last night. I actually had to turn my fan off because I was too cold.

Today, I walked to the kiosk to load my phone up on minutes (thanks to Erin for leaving me her phone!). I also went to the grocery store to buy some Listerine and walked down to the church to see their mass schedule.

Chaco and Jesús rented a house really close to where I am in Tolosa, so we'll hopefully be meeting up soon. Coming down a few days early was one of the best decisions I've made. I'm tremendously grateful to have met such good people so early on. I{m currently waiting on lunch. Fabiana bought some steak and put it in the over with some potatoes. It smells delicious.

Friday, February 12, 2010

first two days

There's a lot to cover, and little time, so I'm going to be quite brief until I can sit and think and read and think and finally write. This little part of Argentina that I know is an amazing place with amazing, concious, friendly, and engaging people. I don´t feel that I'm in a foreign country at all, and despite living out of a suitcase in a hostel, I feel at home with the people I've met. Last night, despite almost 20 hours of travel and very little sleep, I was up until 6:30 in the morning talking to an amazing group of people about life, politics, music, and culture. I'm glad that most of them are seeking apartments and houses in La Plata, and hopefully, after leaving here tomorrow, I´ll have friends to meet up with and talk to during the next five months.

I went to the Provincial Commission for the Memory today. The staff is so accommodating and friendly. This is going to be a really good group of people to have supporting me. I can already tell.

The food has been spectacular. Here's a breakdown of our two meals so far:

Resto Vitaminas
--Pork Chops with potato slices, steak, pasta, three glasses and one bottle of wine, AR$81, AR$100 with tip, divided among three.

DoK
--Milanese con papas, two orders of ravioli, a salad, flan, coffee, and ice cream, AR$115, divided among four people.

Hasta luego,
Alex

Thursday, February 11, 2010

hello.chile

Flight leaves Santiago at 11:25 local time. In all honesty, and based solely on the view of the Andes from the terminal windows, I wouldn't mind staying where I am.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

snow = bad

Had to cancel my flight, rebook another one. Need to pack!

Wednesday, February 10
Depart: Richmond Intl, Richmond, VA, USA (RIC) 5:15pm
Arrive: Hartsfield-Jackson Intl, Atlanta, GA, USA (ATL) 7:11pm

< < connecting to > >

Wednesday, February 10 - Thursday, February 11
Depart: Hartsfield-Jackson Intl, Atlanta, GA, USA (ATL) 8:20pm
Arrive: Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Intl, Santiago, CHL (SCL) 7:50am

< < connecting to > >

Thursday, February 11
Depart: Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Intl, Santiago, CHL (SCL) 11:25am
Arrive: Ministro Pistarini, Buenos Aires, ARG (EZE) 1:20pm