Los Argentinos

The internet I was hijacking is no longer working. Thank god the ISA office has internet, but this may mean that my emails and blogs are less frequent. Send me emails though! I LOVE reading them, even if I don't respond right away.

My homesickness is starting to wear off. I started classes yesterday, and was placed into the Advanced Intensive Speaking class. About a third of the people in my class are either from Mexico or have Spanish speaking parents. The class is really interesting, but it's from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The university is actually very modern and in a very nice area. My only complaint is that there is a really arrogant, over-achieving, fluent kid in my class that laughs and writes notes to the girl that sits next to him when other people are trying to speak Spanish. I want to punch him in the face. I'm restraining myself right now, but 5 days a week, 5 hours a day, may be an issue. My house mom is really funny and told me (in Spanish of course) that people like that kid "do not deserve to be born." She's hysterical.

Here are some things I've learned about los Argentinos:

1. The LOVE meat and medialunas. Medialunas are basically croissants, but better. "Media luna" literally translates to "half moon" which is exactly what they look like!!

2. There are A LOT of dog walkers here called "pasaperros" and they are dragged by 15 giant dogs at once. These dogs also poop all over the sidewalks. There are no rules against it. On the way to school there are lots of fresh ones on the ground, and on my way home they are all flattened to the ground. Not trying to be gross, but it's the truth.

3. Los portenos (Buenos Aires residents) are actually very friendly when you speak Spanish to them. Even if you stutter or mix up your words they will smile and try to help you out.

4. They WILL RUN YOU OVER. I thought NYC had crazy drivers. The drivers here will literally aim to hit you if you are in the street when you aren't supposed to be. There's no mercy.

Right now, part of my group is thinking about planning a trip to Mendoza for next weekend! It's the wine country of Argentina!

I put up photos of the inside of my apartment. Just go to this link and the photos are at the end of the album!