3-day weekend for the win!

Elisa and I at the Aussie's apartment

So on Friday night, we all celebrated the Aussie's last night to reaaaally hang out. There were about 5 of them that we really got to know, and let me tell you, they are some of the most hilarious people I've ever met! I'm not really sure what I thought about Australia before, but I have the most positive impression of the Aussie people now. Anyways, they kindly opened up their apartment to around 20 raging Americans, and we all had a grand time pre-gaming the night away. That being said, I should also add the disclaimer that their air conditioning was not working which caused an unnecessary amount of sweating... we were all, shall we say, glistening? After we left their apartment we stumbled into a bar that Julia and I have been to before, called Birmania. It is just as great as it sounds- a mania of beer. I've fallen in love with Patagonia beer- there are three different flavors and I'm quite the sucker for them because it's so light! I can only imagine how incredible it will taste on draft when I actually go to Patagonia for spring break! We ended up staying there until the sun rose (woops), but it was a ton of fun because I've really gotten to know the bartenders- I won't deny the fact that with a little beer in me, my Spanish seems to flow a little smoother... or so I tell myself. Anyways, the owners are great and they showed us a great time.

Can't help but laugh around Bryan!

Saturday was a day of recovery and relaxing, so around 4 I walked over to Chinatown, which is only about 10 blocks away. Walking there alone and taking pictures of random things around Belgrano was really nice, because I didn't have to worry about what anybody else wanted to do.. it's kindof similar to my passion of shopping solo. Regardless, I walked around a park and into Chinatown where I saw more socks for sale than I had ever anticipated. Socks... really? That wasn't all- they were selling a million hats too! Besides that, they had some great popsicles (mom, you would have lost your marbles over these guys!) and I of course treated myself to one.. when in Rome! I strolled around at a perfect pace, and was really admiring and soaking in the family atmosphere. There were couples and children running around all over the place, and it was just a happy, perfect place to be. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with this feeling that I'm exactly where I should be at that moment, and it can really take my breath away. I'm so content just people-watching, and for some reason on Saturday I feel like the Argentines had a lot to show me. In the park on the way home there were countless couples sitting, canoodling, loving... I especially took note of how many gay couples there were. I'm so envious of Argentina in that they're so openly accepting of love, no matter who is partaking in it. I can't wait until America overcomes that hump.

Some cool Buenos Aires graffiti

Hangin' on the walkway to our Tigre beach!

Saturday night was pretty relaxing, I ended up just getting some pizza with a few friends and was home by 2. That was great because I needed some more rest, and it was refreshing waking up Sunday morning and feeling alive and well. That afternoon I went with two friends Elisa and Adam exploring around the city- I thought I knew where I was taking us, but turns out I jumped on the wrong subway line so we ended up in a pretty sketchy area of the city. It was okay though- we found super ponchos for only 5 pesos!! Now, what is a super poncho you ask? It's a hot dog covered in papas fritas. Aka, one of the greatest combinations we've stumbled across thus far! Don't judge me... Anyways, we also saw a movie- La Dama de Hierro, aka The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep! It was cool seeing it with subtitles, and I also really loved the movie itself. God she's incredible. Not only did I love the movie, but I loved being in air conditioning for a few hours... it's quite the luxury around here.

I know I've already taken a pic of this ferris wheel.. but I just love it!

Sunday night some of us met up at an outdoor bar for a few hours but took it pretty easy, although I did treat myself to a drink called "Ladies Night"- it was all sorts of fruity and delicious! Monday we had no school, so 8 of us went to Tigre again, which was a blast! After an hour train ride and hopping on a boat, we found ourselves at this beautiful little retreat complete with a beach, picnic area with shade (VERY important), and an indoor cafe where we could purchase the eating&drinking necessities. I didn't meet too many native Argentines there because it's hard to introduce yourself when traveling in large American groups, but I did hang out with some little girls for a while! It was fun trading Spanish and English words with them, and they ended up burying me in the sand and playing around for a bit (I thought I was going to be burying them... classic miscommunication)! After some serious relaxation, flip cup and a late siesta, we headed back to the mainland and made our way back to Buenos Aires. It was a day well spent, that's for sure. I love being able to escape the mayhem of the city so easily by train- of course I love the city, but like I've said a million times before, I do need the option of openness. Architecture is beautiful, but I can't think of anything more incredible than being surrounded by the untouched, greener parts of Argentina.