Hello! As I predicted... I'm starting to get lazy on the blogging homefront. I used to be so good about it! I guess it's also because I've been blogging for a while now, with my whole summer adventures in Appalachia and all, and I'm getting a little tired of it. BUT, the good thing is that I'm not in the slightest tired of my current location.
The past week or so has been great. I'm trying to squeeze in everything that I can, because from this point on I have only about 2 1/2 more weeks! I've got a calendar written down in the journal that I carry with me everywhere, which has a list of all of my "to-do's" before I leave the country. This past weekend I went to an estancia out in the countryside, after visiting an extremely religious city about an hour outside the city. It's called Lujan, and I went with the whole ISA program to see the amazing church right in the center of town. It was covered in gargoyles and intricate stone-carved details around each arch, window and peak. Inside the church, the ceilings were easily 3 stories high, and I saw some of the most amazing stained glass I've ever seen! That is such a beautiful form of art- how on Earth do they shade the glass into different colors?! Anyways, after the church we went to the estancia, where we spent the whole day eating, eating, and watching authentic Argentine customs. We rode horses, danced their traditional dances, and watched performances of both! There were gauchos who did competitions on their horses, where they had to ride as fast as they could and try to stick their pole inside of a TINY ring that was hanging from a tall archway. There were 4 gauchos competing in total, and the youngest one (he looked no more than 16) was the only one to do it successfully. It was so fun watching them, especially relaxing after having had eaten more meat at the asada than I have in a long time. They gave us empanadas, chicken, slow-roasted red meat... it was amazing. I don't think I could ever be a vegetarian.
As far as the future goes, I have things planned for most days, and so far it's gone pretty well! For instance, on Monday I went to the famous horse-racing track in the city, and also went to my first casino. Well, actually I guess I've been to a casino before, but I've never participated in any of the games.... so I lost money on slots for my first time! The funny thing is, I think going to a casino and horse track are some of the only times that I'll ever lose money with a smile on my face. Luckily I only brought $25 pesos with me, which equals less than 10 bucks US, so you really can't be mad about losing. It's all a part of the experience. I tried to choose my horses based on their names and obviously, the colors of their outfits.... and I really thought I had it when I chose the horse with the name "Incurable Optimism". Unfortunately for me, I never gave up on that horse, although he came in last place in each race I bet on him. I guess I should have learned my first time...
Let's see, what else. I saw a terrible Spanish movie last week, I've explored some epic bars around Buenos Aires, and have gone to some new parks. I'm addicted to this book, Shantaram, and I'm currently over 700 pages into it so honestly that's been taking up a lot of time.. haha! I feel a little guilty reading an English book so much while down here, but the story and writing style are just way too good to put down. I have to finish it before I leave too because it's Julia's copy! There are 930 pages in total, so I'm well on my way there. This weekend I'll be going on a "party bus" for an Argentine's birthday, going to a few museums, I'll be visiting Boca (one of the most tango-infused neighborhoods in Buenos Aires), and going to see an opera at Teatro Colon! It's one of the most famous theaters in the world and I've already taken a tour of it.. even though I'll be standing on the highest floor possible for the 2-hour show, I'm not worried at all.
All during this, I've been preparing in multiple ways for this upcoming summer as a Center Director for ASP.... I can't believe it's actually happening!! It's exactly a month from 3 days ago that I'll be in Appalachia again. For whatever reason, whenever ASP season comes up I feel like everything is coming full circle, like that's where I'm supposed to be. It's what I'm good at- my "vocacion", as people say down here- and I can't wait to get back. By no means am I wishing away this experience right now, just looking forward for what else is to come. 2012 is crazy. So much to be thankful for!
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