I think the hardest, yet most exciting thing about traveling is “adapting” to the new place you are in. For the past year I have been living in my parents house where we have a lady clean our home once a week, where I have my own bedroom, we have four TV’s and an endless supply of yummy food in our fridge (everything to my liking and needs). I was able to drive my car whenever and wherever my heart desired, I was in constant contact with my friends because I had a blackberry, I could take a shower barefoot in a nice luxurious shower and I had the privacy to walk around naked in my room before changing into one of my MANY outfits.
When I left home, a snow storm was brewing. I made it out of the country just in time and missed the “BIG CHILL of 2010”, thank GOD! I landed in B.A. in the early morning on a Friday and was literally slapped in the face with the humidity and heat. The smell of summer was great (haha Yasmine) and I loved driving to my new home with the cab window rolled down, wind blowing through my hair. I knew at that moment this was the beginning of a 6 month vacation.
Arriving at the “Road house” was a bit shocking to say the least. I won’t go into too much detail about day one at the Road house, but I will say that I was hot as HELL, literally, sooo hot. I was overtired, and a little bit uneasy about what I was getting myself into…all alone. I was immediately taken into my room- 14. Room 14 has four beds, is very tiny, but has a beautiful window with a great breeze. I was assigned top bunk 14 A, cubby 14 -A , closet 14-A and drawers 14-A, and was then taken up to the third floor of our “hostel/dorm/apartment/three-floored town house” and shown my locker. Each person residing in the Road house is given a locker which has two plates, one bowl, a mug and a cup…it’s as though I am living in an orphanage, at the age of 24 or a rehab center? I don’t know how else to describe my “new home”. It is actually kind of comical to me because it is so drastically different than anything I am used to.
I live in what the other roadies describe as a sorority house. There are 19 girls and 6 boys, who all share ONE sink, two refrigerators, one microwave, and limited counter space. The six girls on the first floor share two toilets and two showers- both which clog every single time they are used and then flood the bathroom floor. I wear my shower shoes every time I shower, I claimed a tiny corner in one of the fridges (it has low energy, so everything I buy goes bad quickly because it is not kept cold enough) and I talk on video chat and on the phone with friends and family out in the main room for every one to hear because it’s the only place that internet reception is good.
I am proud to say, I have only complained ONCE about my circumstances. It’s been easy to adjust because it feels like a college dorm. There are people pre-gaming with 8 peso bottles of Malbec wine (about $2) on any given night, there is always someone to talk to or hang out with etc. It is nice to be around people all the time especially since most people are from America and similar to me (however, this does make the culture shock of moving to this city feel nonexistent).
I will be living in the Road house for two more weeks (I only signed up to live here for a month- time is flying) and will then move into an apartment with my current roommate –Leigh. Although I am excited to move into a place where things will be less hectic, I will miss the roadies around all the time, the late night talks and guitar playing, sharing drunken munchies at 6am, and the constant energy and excitement the road house and its’ inhabitants radiate. I have met some pretty fabulous people in the past two weeks and it has made “adapting” that much easier.
Although the Road house has Blanca (she cleans up our messes every single day, speaks little English, but works her butt off and is a rock star) every single thing that I had back home, is the total opposite here and I am doing just fine. I share my bedroom with two other people, therefore can’t freely walk around in the nude like I used to haha, we have ONE TV that is always occupied by the guys watching sports, the fridge is filled with foreign things that I am still learning about, I don’t have a car- so I have become a pro walker and subte (metro) rider, I have a cheap Nokia cell phone that I can barely work, I take showers with flip-flops on and I have a limited supply of cute outfits. Oh, I don’t even own a straightener, curler OR blow dryer, so I’ve just let my hair down and been totally natural (it’s reminding me of my 10 days in Greece where it was too hot to wear makeup and so pointless to even attempt doing ones hair). Despite all these changes and adjustments, I am so happy, at ease and thankful for the “life change”. It is nice to live more simply with less “stuff”. It reminds me of what’s really important.
Although on day one, I sat on my bunk bed, sweating, scared, wondering what the hell I decided to do this for; it is all clear to me now; to grow and learn independently. I love it here, just like I knew I would. I love that I can adjust to the changes, I’m proud that I can be outgoing and make new friends wherever I go and laugh at the annoying things I have NO control over. Like I said at the beginning of this entry, “the hardest, yet most exciting thing about traveling is “adapting” to the new place you are in”. The excitement stems from the fact that you CAN adapt and adjust to your surroundings; you CAN go with the flow because you have to. You will get over that “missed train”, stolen wallet, wrong direction, weird dinner order, and all the other things that happen. We don’t have a choice but to accept the turns that throw us right? I have learned this lesson many times before throughout my life, but traveling always confirms it. A wise friend once told me “Katrina, don’t take yourself/life so damn seriously”. Great advice…it’s so much more fun to laugh at the strange and annoying things and just go with the flow!
Besos,
Katrina
21 February 2010
14 February 2010
Love Affair
As most of you know, I have made it safely to Buenos Aires. I am not entirely sure where to begin in describing my experience thus far. I’ve only been in South America for one week and two days, but I have fallen MADLY in love. I’m in love with the city, the attractive people, the food, the dulce de leche, the wine, roaming dogs on the sidewalks, shopping, palm trees, architecture and everything else that would take too long to list here.
At times I feel a little bit like Carrie Bradshaw and her relationship with New York City. There are many instances when she refers to her relationship with the city as a dangerous “love affair”. Well, it’s definitely the same thing for me. This city has its own personality, sexiness and mystery and it has completely consumed me. I can’t get enough of this place. I could actually write a novel on the people alone. I’ve seen more attractive people in the past nine days that I have seen in my entire twenty-four years of life, I kid you not. The men are tall, dark, and handsome and have the GREATEST style and swagga. The amount of sex appeal they give off is intoxicating and should actually be illegal. The women are equally as beautiful. They are tan, thin and classy, so the two genders together…it’s overwhelming.
The personality of this city is the best of both Paris and Italy…but on steroids (with the looks of Georgetown). There is definitely a European influence here- very laid back, sophisticated and culturally elite. I almost feel as though whenever I walk by a building, museum, or garden etc… I hear a faint whisper, but can’t quite make out what is being revealed to me. This just makes my desire to understand the city even stronger. In other words, I am drawn to things here and just as I think I understand them something else is revealed and realize how much more I have yet understand. One thing at a time I guess.
My ADD has been at an all time high. I can’t stand still for a second because I fear I may miss something. I am literally being pulled in every single direction of what I want to pursue; the language? The traditions? The men? The culture? The shopping? The food? The layout of the city? The history? I can’t focus on any one thing because I want it all.
Just the other day I went into the famous bookstore, “El Ateneo” (an old opera house/ theatre) and I could not decide what to do first.
I must have mentally fought over 7 different books because I could not make a decision of one to buy (I wanted to read every single one and have all of them memorized). I ended up buying a quote book and “The Wizard of Oz” (both written completely in Spanish- I need to challenge myself right?).
The time here is so drastically different than anything I have experienced before. I wake up pretty early each day and sometimes walk to “Como en Casa” (my favorite café) for a café con leche-which is delicious and so strong I get high off one tiny cup. The only alone time I really have is the early morning. I am living in a student residence with 22 other people therefore, there is always someone around. My TEFL class starts at 10am and lasts til 5pm every day, Monday through Wednesday and then on Thursday’s and Friday’s we teach so the schedule is different. I never realized how complicated English is until this course. I suck at grammar and its NOT easy trying to explain to a “portena” (a local Argentine) what “personal, extremely, and cozy” mean. Seriously, try explaining those words to someone, without using their language or pictures etc. It’s hard. Anyways, dinner is not until 10 and people stay out to eat until about 12:30 or 1am and then go to the “Boliche”(club) at around 2am. This is something I will NOT get used to. This past week I allowed myself to indulge in everything- the freddo (ice cream) the nightlife and the shopping, but I must put a stop to it cause I will die. Coming home at 6am while the stores and café’s are opening is a VERY strange feeling. Almost like the feelings I had at Miami on Green Beer Day (but that was ONCE a year and this is every night…).
There are many walks of life here. I have made some incredible friends already. It’s kinda cool- the type of people who do things such as moving to a foreign country all alone to “FIND themselves” or pursue their traveling passions are not the every day people I am used to meeting. Each and every individual has their own past and story of how they ended up in the “Road House” and each person has such a chill attitude about where they will go next. I have never felt more like a hippy than I do in this new life. I am familiar with schedules, work, plans, comfort etc...but here, I am alone, new, on the outside, unfamiliar and “plan-less”. It is INCREDIBLE. I absolutely love not knowing what will happen next…it’s such a free feeling. I can literally do anything I want: live with a host family, move into a new apt, teach English, take a month off and take Spanish classes, move to Patagonia etc. Everyone needs an experience like this, that’s all I got to say.
Well, I could go on and on, clearly, but I have got to start reading my Spanish version of “The Wizard of Oz” with a Spanish/English dictionary of course. One page will take me about 45 minutes I’m sure…Anyways, more to come on my new life. I hope all the people I love and care about back home are doing fine and haven’t forgotten about me. I haven’t forgotten you all.
Until next time,
Besos
At times I feel a little bit like Carrie Bradshaw and her relationship with New York City. There are many instances when she refers to her relationship with the city as a dangerous “love affair”. Well, it’s definitely the same thing for me. This city has its own personality, sexiness and mystery and it has completely consumed me. I can’t get enough of this place. I could actually write a novel on the people alone. I’ve seen more attractive people in the past nine days that I have seen in my entire twenty-four years of life, I kid you not. The men are tall, dark, and handsome and have the GREATEST style and swagga. The amount of sex appeal they give off is intoxicating and should actually be illegal. The women are equally as beautiful. They are tan, thin and classy, so the two genders together…it’s overwhelming.
The personality of this city is the best of both Paris and Italy…but on steroids (with the looks of Georgetown). There is definitely a European influence here- very laid back, sophisticated and culturally elite. I almost feel as though whenever I walk by a building, museum, or garden etc… I hear a faint whisper, but can’t quite make out what is being revealed to me. This just makes my desire to understand the city even stronger. In other words, I am drawn to things here and just as I think I understand them something else is revealed and realize how much more I have yet understand. One thing at a time I guess.
My ADD has been at an all time high. I can’t stand still for a second because I fear I may miss something. I am literally being pulled in every single direction of what I want to pursue; the language? The traditions? The men? The culture? The shopping? The food? The layout of the city? The history? I can’t focus on any one thing because I want it all.
Just the other day I went into the famous bookstore, “El Ateneo” (an old opera house/ theatre) and I could not decide what to do first.
I must have mentally fought over 7 different books because I could not make a decision of one to buy (I wanted to read every single one and have all of them memorized). I ended up buying a quote book and “The Wizard of Oz” (both written completely in Spanish- I need to challenge myself right?).
The time here is so drastically different than anything I have experienced before. I wake up pretty early each day and sometimes walk to “Como en Casa” (my favorite café) for a café con leche-which is delicious and so strong I get high off one tiny cup. The only alone time I really have is the early morning. I am living in a student residence with 22 other people therefore, there is always someone around. My TEFL class starts at 10am and lasts til 5pm every day, Monday through Wednesday and then on Thursday’s and Friday’s we teach so the schedule is different. I never realized how complicated English is until this course. I suck at grammar and its NOT easy trying to explain to a “portena” (a local Argentine) what “personal, extremely, and cozy” mean. Seriously, try explaining those words to someone, without using their language or pictures etc. It’s hard. Anyways, dinner is not until 10 and people stay out to eat until about 12:30 or 1am and then go to the “Boliche”(club) at around 2am. This is something I will NOT get used to. This past week I allowed myself to indulge in everything- the freddo (ice cream) the nightlife and the shopping, but I must put a stop to it cause I will die. Coming home at 6am while the stores and café’s are opening is a VERY strange feeling. Almost like the feelings I had at Miami on Green Beer Day (but that was ONCE a year and this is every night…).
There are many walks of life here. I have made some incredible friends already. It’s kinda cool- the type of people who do things such as moving to a foreign country all alone to “FIND themselves” or pursue their traveling passions are not the every day people I am used to meeting. Each and every individual has their own past and story of how they ended up in the “Road House” and each person has such a chill attitude about where they will go next. I have never felt more like a hippy than I do in this new life. I am familiar with schedules, work, plans, comfort etc...but here, I am alone, new, on the outside, unfamiliar and “plan-less”. It is INCREDIBLE. I absolutely love not knowing what will happen next…it’s such a free feeling. I can literally do anything I want: live with a host family, move into a new apt, teach English, take a month off and take Spanish classes, move to Patagonia etc. Everyone needs an experience like this, that’s all I got to say.
Well, I could go on and on, clearly, but I have got to start reading my Spanish version of “The Wizard of Oz” with a Spanish/English dictionary of course. One page will take me about 45 minutes I’m sure…Anyways, more to come on my new life. I hope all the people I love and care about back home are doing fine and haven’t forgotten about me. I haven’t forgotten you all.
Until next time,
Besos
03 February 2010
Tomorrow...
I leave tomorrow! It's finally come to the last few things that I have to do in preparation for my trip. It seems as though all I have been thinking about, planning for, saving for, talking about, dreaming about, and wondering about is Argentina for the past five months...and now it's HERE.
I feel completely and utterly at ease about everything. No, I have not put ONE thing in my suitcase or even pulled the clothes I plan to take with me off the racks, but I've done everything else! This has been the most hectic last few weeks of my life, but so fun at the same time. The few remaining things I have yet to do are basically reading my 94 pages of grammar(supposed to be done before I start my TEFL course on Monday)say my goodbyes to my friends and family...and well, GET on that plane.
It's hard to imagine I will be gone for six months. In one sense it seems WAY too short for the amount of effort and planning I have put into this trip and in another sense, it seems like six months is a long time to be away from home. I have a strong feeling it WON'T be enough time, however. I guess I'll know come August third huh?
I have no clue what personality my blog will take on as I begin my journey; all I hope for is that it's descriptive, interesting and an "outlet" of some sort for me.
That's all for now. Time to pack, read, print off tickets, cancel my cell phone, and get the rest of my life together...AH!
I feel completely and utterly at ease about everything. No, I have not put ONE thing in my suitcase or even pulled the clothes I plan to take with me off the racks, but I've done everything else! This has been the most hectic last few weeks of my life, but so fun at the same time. The few remaining things I have yet to do are basically reading my 94 pages of grammar(supposed to be done before I start my TEFL course on Monday)say my goodbyes to my friends and family...and well, GET on that plane.
It's hard to imagine I will be gone for six months. In one sense it seems WAY too short for the amount of effort and planning I have put into this trip and in another sense, it seems like six months is a long time to be away from home. I have a strong feeling it WON'T be enough time, however. I guess I'll know come August third huh?
I have no clue what personality my blog will take on as I begin my journey; all I hope for is that it's descriptive, interesting and an "outlet" of some sort for me.
That's all for now. Time to pack, read, print off tickets, cancel my cell phone, and get the rest of my life together...AH!
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