TravelStream™ news feed for member kdeeny on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/kdeeny en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:21:26 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1198255380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1198255380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1198255380/tpod.html Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:21:26 -0500 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Good Morning and Happy Holidays!Much time and traveling has passed since my last travel blog but I would like to think I can still finish my reflections about Argentina. Up until yesterday I was still making my journey home. The end of my trip from about Thanksgiving onwards was all filled with highlights. I decided a week before I left that I would be a crazy person to have been in Argentina for over four months and never see Patagonia. On an impulse I bought a plane ticket to El Calafate in the Santa Cruz province and flew out on Thanksgiving. For me, it really was a day to be giving thanks for so many things. I was in this beautiful place with crystal blue lakes and jagged snowy peaks. I met a few nice girls traveling around from the United States, including a fellow Santa Clara student which just goes to show the strong jesuit bond of my school. I was not with my family or friends, in fact I was all alone but in that moment I was very happy.In Patagonia, I spent about 3 days touring the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chalten which is a small mountain town at the base of the Fitz Roy range. The massive glacier is named after the first man to map the territory of Southern Argentina. The jagged triangular Fitz Roy peak is named after captain Fitz Roy who navigated Darwin around South America. I was able to hike to the base of Fitz Roy which was such an enjoyable and scenic day of walking. I ran into some delays getting out of Patagonia which seems like a dream come true because I got to stay in this breathtaking place but for some reason being that far down south with long stretching desert plains in between me and civilization, made me feel trapped. Aerolineas Argentina gave passengers no explanation for the delay more than it is in Ushaia (The southernmost city in the world) and it should be coming tomorrow. They gave the passengers vouchers and I got to stay one night in luxury at a nice lodge...or so I thought. In my large king size bed that I was boasting was not anywhere near a hostel, I think I developed bed bugs. Aren't you glad I never hold anything back in these travel blogs?16 hours later, after hearing a mob of angry Argentines spit hot fire at the poor airline representative we were on a plane back to Buenos Aires. For the next week I finished up all my classes and began to pack up my life in the city. My best friend Megan, and two other guy friends came down to travel and play for the next two weeks of the trip.For me, the end of the trip was always an adventure. At night in the city we went out to some pretty wild clubs including a drag show for the DU kids first night which probably frightened them for the unkown more than excited them but at least they got to see how crazy the nightlife can be in the city. Our next destination was Punta del Este, Uruguay to soak up the sun at the beach. I think we were all ready to get out of the city because it was hot, I kept getting ripped off by cruel and unjust taxi drivers, Blake dropped his wallet on one of the million buses in the city and I mean come on, we are from Colorado, enough of this city and concrete jungle business, lets see some real beauty, por favor!!!Punta del Este was just the ticket. We stayed in this really laid back, colorful hostel which was practically empty except for us and the hippies that ran the place. We rented bikes each day and biked around this cute little beach town which was also half empty because it was not hight season when we were there which was actually a blessing. We got to celebrate my friends 21st in this great lofty restaurant with a fabulous dinner and plenty of wine to go around.The five of us traveled back into Buenos Aires attempting to take an 18 hour bus ride that same night. After what I would say was the 200 yard dash from the ferry station to the bus station with 20 pound packs on our back, we didn't quite make the cut and had to schedule another bus time for the following day which only took about 2 hours of standing around, bouncing from bus company to bus company and huffing and puffing at one another to finally schedule our departure. For that night in the city, Megan and myself stayed in a quaint little hotel in Recoleta that was actually without any windows in the room but we both decided a bed was a bed and a lot better than the alternative. The alternative was following three wild and crazy boys to go out all night and then stumble back to the bus station for a really comfortable sleep on the grimy floors of Retiro while passengers from all over South America are stepping over you to reach their destination. If anyone would think that Megan and I would consider doing that over paying a little something for a bed and hot shower would really not know us whatsoever. Luckily, we all met up the next day before our bus left and rode in luxury all the way to Salta. I was thrilled to get to go to Salta because I had heard such great things about this province in the upper Northwest of Argentina. The city of Salta was always buzzing with people and lights. The people were really dark and beautiful, being more indigenous than most you would see in Buenos Aires. While the boys devoured plate after plate of "chivito" which consists of a piece of meat topped with cheese, eggs and ham, Megan and I satisfied our hunger by figuring out what we could do in and around the area. We ended up renting a car for two days which we quickly named Carol and traveled to small, authentic villages like Cachi, Angostaco and Cafayate. The scenery was beautiful with red rock canyons, green vineyards right in the middle of desert and a national park of cacti. All the laughs, adventures and experiences that we took with us on our trip were so special for me. I am so thankful that I have such great friends that can afford the time and money to come share what has been such an important part of my life for the past few months. I left Buenos Aires in a flurry of anxiety and anticipation because I was finally ready to come home to snow and those that I love so dearly. For someone who has always been considered to think in terms of the grass is always greener I am proud to say that I could not be happier to be home in this moment. Although I will miss all that I saw and did in Argentina, I know my love for Latin American language, people and culture will bring me back and take me even more places than I could ever imagine. My love for this language has not only been a trust worthy travel guide but also a guide for whatever it is I hope to do in my life. I hope this last message finds you healthy and happy during the holidays and I wish everyone a very happy holidays and hope to see you all soon! Besos,Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1195143960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1195143960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1195143960/tpod.html Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:55:20 -0500 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Buenos Aires, Uruguay

Hello to all, my my it has been quite a while since the last time I wrote anything. My lack of communication with the world at home was because my parents came to visit, finally! We had a great time and as my dad says, we made some great Deeny family memories as usual. One of his favorites would have to be the day that they were leaving. We were sitting in the lobby of my parents very luxurious and swanky hotel doing some fine people watching and just chit chatting about things, when we started to talk about Eva Peron for some reason. My parents brought up how good the play is and I absentmindedly said, I have never seen the play, what is it about? Now for someone who has been in Argentina for three and half months, went to the Evita museum and has that womans name permanently ingrained in their brain, this would seem like the stupidest question that I have ever asked. Obviously I know what it has to be about but still maybe not one of my finer moments and i´m sure it has now been officially put on the pile of things to discuss with dinner guests about their quirky child Kate.I had a splendid 10 days with my parents. It all kicked off when I met them in the Alvear Palace Hotel and saw my roll away bed being rolled right into the space where my dad would normally do his work. Here is a big difference between the study abroad experiences of me and my brother, or just a big difference between the two of us in general, since I am constantly reminded that i´m adopted, I am easily able to keep track of all the differences. When Patrick studied in Denmark, he was, well he was very ambiguous about his desires for my parents to come and visit. I think it went something like, ¨Patrick, your father and I are thinking about coming to see you in Denmark, how does that sound and when works for you my sweet baby angel?¨ To this Patrick grumbled into the phone, ¨umm yeah, like you should definitely come but I might be traveling so you know...whatever.¨ I have a little more attachment to my parents than Patrick. I have always been characterized as the kid in sixteen candles who does not want to go to the school dance but would rather stay at home with his parents. Yes, i´m proud of it too. Suffice it to say, the three of us spent every waking, and sleeping hour together, except ofcourse when I was forced to attend my classes because big old dad was in town, dum dum dum!!!!From there, we went to a Boca soccer game, our first ever polo game outside of the city, a tango show, highly recommended by Mary Cobb, thank you very much my dear! We shopped a little and toured the city all by foot which was good preparation for my mom who is about to be hustled down the streets of San Franscisco by her four sisters. Don´t worry Aunt Betsy, she is ready for you! On top of all of this, we had great meals and really fun restaurants that parents always come in handy for attendance. After they left I went through a serious wine and meat withdrawl and realized that I have to enjoy all the meat and great Malbecs before I really have to go without back at home.I have about two weeks left in my program and this time will be devoted to finals and a little more traveling. This weekend I am going to the beach 5 hours south of Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata. Next Thursday, I will be going on a solo trip to El Calafate which is in the Santa Cruz province of Patagonia. I am so excited to see Patagonia. I will have plenty of pictures to share with you all but unfortunately I will not be able to post them until I am back at home because my mom took my lap top home for me so I do not have to lug it around. After my program ends, my best friend is coming and a group of us are going to travel to Punte del Este in Uruguay, Salta and Mendoza before I head back to the states. Yep, I think that will cover it all. The fact I will be home in less than a month has not hit me yet and i´m not really sure it will until I am back at home and I don´t walk through a marvelous city every day or not everyone is smoking up a chimney every 5 seconds. The one thing that i´m not sure how I feel about is what it will be like when I don´t hear ¨hola rubia (hi blondie), every other block from some creepy Argentine man. On the one hand when this happens, I sometimes picture myself levitating out of my body and kicking them in the face, sorry I know it is violent but when you get 6 or 7 of these comments a day it starts to wear on you. However, sometimes the comments come like poetry and they are flattering or funny and I know that will not happen in the U.S. so it is a weird paradox I suppose. I can not count the ways that I will miss Argentina but I do not worry too much because I know that with my experience down here, I plan on spending a lot of time all over South America!As for everyone back at home, I will be flying down to Patagonia on Thanksgiving but I want to wish you all a very warm and happy day and I wish I could be with all of you, eat yummy food and watch some good old American football but I suppose I could settle for some glaciers and breathtaking views. I love you all, muchos besos!-Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1193612640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1193612640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1193612640/tpod.html Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:50:59 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Colonia, Uruguay

Good evening to all my friends and family back at home!This weekend, I left Buenos Aires and I left Argentina for the tourist destination of Colonia, Uruguay. I was so excited to go because ever since I got to Buenos Aires I have had the desire to take the ferry across the rio de la plata and check out some of Uruguay. Everyone told me there was a chance of rain and this dreadful news almost broke my heart. For one thing, I am not a rain person. Whether it is in California or the winter of Buenos Aires, me and rain do not get along well. I am used to our 30 minute rain showers in Colorado before the sun comes back signaling that dinner approaches. Beyond my distaste for being out in the rain, recently I had a very traumatic experience involving me, flip-flops and a terrential down-pour that came out of left field on Thursday in the city. Ok, I will admit, my host-mom after me complaining about the recent heat explosion did tell me that rain was sure to come the following day. Thinking that I have become quite the seasoned expert of Buenos Aires, no pun intended, I disregarded her statement with a slightly famous eye roll of mine and dressed for the day in a skirt, tank top and the only shoes I ever wear practically, flip flops.It was two in the afternoon and I had just been telling my friend Mackai that it was such a great day and I felt on top of the world. We decided to go to Avenida Florida which is one of the most famous shopping centers in Buenos Aires. There are no cars permitted on the streets, but plenty of vendors to haggle you in both spanish and broken english. Fat drops started to fall on my bare shoulders but we did not think much of it. We entered one store and perused the three levels before I glanced out of one of the windows which was covered with such a fog from evaporation that it looked like it was snowing rather than raining hard. For about 30 minutes we waited in the entrances of a store with several others looking for an open cab or waiting until the rain let up. It didn't let up until around 8 that night but we decided to be bravadas and venture towards a busier avenue in search of a cab. As we were approaching a corner, my flip flop caught a loose board on the sidewalk and before I knew what had happened I was face down on a board with my hip bone writhing in instant pain. If I had not been in so much pain from my baseball slide-angled dive as I like to call it, I would have been more focused on the hundreds of eyes behind me gloating because they now had a perfect poster-child for why you NEVER wear flip flops in the city. Mackai, not knowing what exactly happened to her already crazy friend was searching for a public bathroom to clean me up while a woman, talking a mile a minute on her phone managed to pick me up, brush me off and continue on her merry way. I hobbled over to a cab looking like a wet cat with sand and blood all over me. As we sat in the dry cab thinking that we were on our way to the dry sanctuary of Mackai's apartment we took time to re-assess just how hard Mother Nature kicked our butts, mine especially and literally. We were laughing just re-playing the moment in our heads and not really listening to the cab driver as he seemed to be rambling about something that we couldn't quite understand but nodded along and agreed out of courtesy to him. However, we should have been listening more carefully because given the time of day or the type of person that this cab driver was, he could not take us to her apartment because of "traffic" so he dropped us nowhere near her place and charged us seven pesos. We were getting taken and while I was tending to my wounds, Mackai put up an argument but he was a jerk and we ended up back in the rain, angry, still wet and wounded. I decided to walk from where we were because it was only 6 blocks but at that point they were the longest blocks I have ever walked. I finally managed to get home and get all cleaned up but I was, well actually still am hurting both physically and mentally from that experience. I not only hate the rain, I now fear it!I am lucky to get to travel so much here because experiences like I had this week just make you want to get out of dodge if you know what I mean. Luckily, it did not rain in Colonia and it was one of my favorite places I have been to this whole trip. Colonia was founded in the 17th century by a Portuguese general. It was a center for agreements between Spain and Portugal in relation to Brazil and the rest of South America. The whole town is laid out on cobble stone streets with beautiful tropical flowers and palm trees flanking the narrow, hilly streets. The buildings are old but colorful with little balconies that remind me of a small town in Italy. I kept telling myself that the views and angles are a photographers dream and I was completely trigger happy with my camera this weekend. The weather was breezy but sunny all weekend and we took advantage of being out in the sun on a beach without having to lay out in a park where we get hassled by men all of the time. The only downside to the weekend was that once again we got taken for a ride in terms of money. Yesterday we ate lunch at a cute outdoor café when we first arrived. I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat because before I could do that I had to decide if I could even afford to eat. The prices in Uruguayan pesos were extravagant. Our meal which included two hot dogs, I haven't eaten hot dogs since I was 7 but just go with it, and two bottles of water ended up costing 186 pesos. In Argentina that meal would cost probably 15 pesos all together. We had heard that Uruguayan prices were much higher because of the economic crisis of 2001 so when we paid with 200 pesos we were unaware that the exchange rate was 6:1 meaning that our meal in Argentine pesos really only cost around 30 pesos. When she brought us our change, the waitress decided to not tell us about the 170 pesos we spent on our lunch as well as the tip we left her. I'm sorry if that was complicated because it took me all day to realize that we were completely taken for a ride. When the realization actually hit, we were both so upset and tried to talk to them knowing fully well that we would never see that money again but we were completely powerless to them. Regardless, we learned the lesson that with both the restaurant and the cab driver you can never get too comfortable because you should always be aware of what your surroundings are.My parents are coming on Thursday!! It is about time, right! I have quite a long list of things to do with them so I will probably not be heard from for a couple of weeks. The weeks are picking up pace and I am getting sad to leave Buenos Aires, even if I happen to fall in the rain. However, I can actually I look forward to seeing the majority of you all very soon!Cuidate amigos!Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1192890180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1192890180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1192890180/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:05:30 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Good Morning Everyone!Por suerte I have internet access in my house this morning so I thought it would be the perfect time to write a travel blog. A week ago my trusty travel companion, Mackai and I set off on an adventure of no heroic means, to quote the late Ernesto "Che"Guevara de le Serna when he spent a year traveling around the continent of South America with unforseen intentions of what a trip like that could do to a person and can still do, I think.By this point in my trip, I am all about completing my goals. What is left to be seen? What do I have to do that others told me was imperative? Now, after a very short trip to Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdez in the Chubut province of Argentina I can cross it off my list. We left  Friday night  with Don Otto buslines serving us wine and hot delicious airplane style food, yummy!!! We reclined into our executive beds which we have come to discover when you are traveling more than 10 hours on a bus, comfort is key, well atleast an attempt at comfort is key. When I awoke in the fetal position, I didn't see towns or buildings in the distance but only the horizon line extending between spacious Argentine blue sky because there is such a thing and dusty, arid landscape. The sun was beating through the windows down upon my body. All I knew at that early morning hour was that we were definitely not in Porteno-land anymore. We had reached a place of extreme weather. We had traveled to a place of flat desert when talk of the Atlantic ocean with whales had brought me here in the first place...We had reached Patagonia!!!Our first order of business was to get a hostel. You may be thinking that we should be going to a hostel we already had reserved but that is just not how we as travel companions function. We are all about timing and feel that there is no need to rush because something will come our way. The "Don't Worry be Happy" hostel was practically thrown into our hands as we stepped off of the bus and thought that the name really fit our travel philosophy best so we booked the two last spots in the joint, see what did I tell you about timing my friends!It was a classy establishment with a nice staff and pictures of whales and penguins adorning the walls. We set our stuff down and headed for the next most important part of our trip...the beach ofcourse! After an hour nap basking in the sun and watching the whales dip in and out of the water we tried to fit in with the rest of the crowd who seemed to be licking up some delicious ice cream. If you were to ask me in a couple of months what I miss most about Argentina, I would say that the dulce de leche ice cream would have to be pretty high up on that list. Here I cherish the cow more for it's milk that makes the cream than I do for it's meat but that is just me. I ran along the boardwalk around sunset after many hours of letting that rich ice cream digest so as not to feel too guilty about  the consumption.The next morning we woke up early and enjoyed our complimentary breakfast of two medialunas (Croissants in the shape of half moons...everyone can learn spanish when they read my multi-functional travel blogs yay!) We took a full day tour of Peninsula Valdez which is about 45 minutes from Puerto Madryn and is a protected site for the Right whale, penguins and elephant seals. As we drove atop the cliffs that overlooked the big blue ocean, we saw sheep grazing and these miniature llama species called guanaco which also spit at you in case you were wondering. All day, actually all weekend I was so impressed by the different ecosystems, climates and species that could survive in this area. It is truly a sight to see. Our first stop was the penguins and I think they were my favorite because we were so close to them. All I would have to do to pick one up by it's short torso was hop a little fence but I restrained only because they looked like they would probably sink their sharp little beak into me if I tried but they are so precious and funny looking. Speaking of those characteristics, I figured out that if my dear, sweet brother were to be in animal form he would definitely be a penguin. Hi Patrick! We broke for lunch at a cafe overlooking the ocean and a sandy beach where the elephant seals sprolled out and barked at one another. I took a quick glance but having seen the seals down on fisherman's wharf with my totally amused father and the seals in Santa Cruz I figured they probably aren't too different in Chubut and there was nothing different chubut them hee hee! I am kind of obessed with this name because I think of it as how a Canadian would say about. My spanish teacher did tell me this week that they are an interesting animal group because all of the elephant seals except for one or two are females. The male mates with all the females that surround him until another male comes along and challenges him for the position.In the afternoon we traveled to Puerto Piramides which has 400 inhabitants in the entire town. It was such a cute, lazy beach town that is completely dependent on eco-tourism. We took a one hour boat tour around sunset to get close to the whales. I learned from the guides that the Right Whale comes up to Peninsula Valdez from Antarctica from April to December to mate. They do not really eat up here except for some crill but when they head back down south, that is all they do for four months. We saw them jump and use the full power of their spouts. One even opened his mouth just as I was taking a picture. I think we had a real connection because the guide told me it is very rare that they do that. It was a very cool day for me and it made the distance we traveled seem so worth it.The next morning I went for a long run on the boardwalk again so I would be exhausted enough to sit lazily on the bus for 17 hours. We did a little tourist shopping and ofcourse hit up our favorite ice cream store one last time. Our bus was late and when it did arrive it did not seem so executive to us. The seats were not as comfy, their were cracks in the windows. There was no wine or whicky- their pronunciation of whiskey here. These are things one tends to notice as a traveled veteran such as myself but that is what you get and you make the best of it. I finished a trashy romance novel that I may have swiped from the hostel to pass the time nicely which it did, oh no I am headed down the path of trashy romance novels like my mom! We arrived back in Buenos Aires at 9 am on Tuesday morning so I supposed that I had better make the classes I was planning on missing out on because buses are usually never on schedule.I am glad I went. My classes are actually pretty good right now. I take advantage of my spanish class because I really enjoy my teacher and we can ask her anything about colloquialisms or grammar. My tango class is picking up pace as we are preparing for our final presentation. It is fun because I am getting to know some of the Argentine dancers in my group. Today for my human rights class I am going to a shanty town to volunteer at a day care/school. These kids are left here on Saturdays while their parents go to work. It will be interesting to see what that is like.Next weekend I am going to Colonia, Uruguay which is so exciting because I have been really wanting to go to Uruguay since I got here. You would think that would have been the easisest trip since it is only two hours by ferry from Buenos Aires but atleast I am going now. Other than that I am awaiting the arrival of my parents and marking all the things I want to show them. In my orientation program they told us that if the experiences or time of our trip could be put up on a chart it would kind of look like peaks at first and then flatten out before going back to peaks. The peaks represent the up's and downs of the trip while the flattened part is when you feel comfortable and are having a great time. I definitely had the up's and downs. I had the euphoria and now I feel like I am running out of time and doubting if I will see it all. Yet another part of me is saying no regrets, you have seen and done so much already that you should just be happy with that. I guess all I can do is really live from moment to moment for the rest of my time because it will be gone in a flash pretty soon here. Well now that I have written another novel about myself, I would like to know how everyone else is doing as usual. Hope everyone will be tuning into the Rockies in the series and filling me in on all the details! Miss and love all of you very much!Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1191650160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1191650160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1191650160/tpod.html Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:36:37 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Ibera, Argentina

It is almost 2 a.m in Buenos Aires. I arrived back in the city after a 10 hour bus ride from the province of Corrientes north of the capital. First let me begin by apologizing for not writing a travelogue recently but I was storing up all the good moments and experiences of the past few weeks. I had to prepare for midterms which were last week and I think I did very well on all of them. On Sunday night I took a bus out of Retiro bus station with about 15 other students in my program to the famous national reserve park of Ibera Estuary. We spent 5 days at a beautiful estancia right on the laguna of Ibera. The lodge had hammocks, a chilly pool, unbelievably great food and wildlife right out and sometimes in my room. Every morning we would wake up and eat breakfast before heading out on boat tours of the marshlands. The first day when we went on the boat tour I had never felt so thankful to be out in nature again. I could finally take profound breaths without them stemming from somebody just blowing cigarette smoke in my face or bumping into me on the sidewalk. I was free to breathe and run wherever I wanted in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.The abundant array of animals that we saw and learned about were a constant view for me all week. When we were in boats or kanoeing we were sometimes maybe 2 feet from miniature alligators called Yacare (Cayman). I saw Heron, piranhas, miniature boa constrictors, large spiders and the worlds largest rodent-Carpincho. It was very intersting to learn about all of these species and learn their spanish names just in case one day I need to identify certain birds in marshlands... it could happen.To be honest, I was not excited to return to Buenos Aires. I do not always feel welcome in my homestay which is probably my own hang up but I know that it is hard to have someone living in your home. For the most part, Marta and I get along and I think I am a great houseguest if I may say so. Also the thrill of seeing new places and traveling in Argentina really signifies the reason I want to be here right now. However, I had a great weekend back in Buenos Aires. Apparently all week it had been rainy because we are in the middle of spring now but I would like to think that I brought the sun back to the city for all of the portenos to enjoy. Let me tell you, the Argentines know how to enjoy their sun. In spanish, tanning is referred to as tomar sol which literally translates, "to take the sun." Saturdays and Sundays spent in Buenos Aires during spring and summer are spent congregating in all the green parks the city has to offer and resting, shedding clothes, playing soccer or chatting and sipping on mate. It is a great past time here and I look forward to really trying to bring this tradition back full force to the states.Today I went for my usual run in the parks near my house. I was walking on avenue Libertador which is a very famous and wide avenue of Buenos Aires set between many parks, statues, one of Sarmiento done by Rodin which I love and beautiful apartment buildings. I had my headphones on but behind me I could hear helicopters chopping through the air and police sirens wailing not far behind. I turned around scared of what was about to unveil itself as some sort of state emergency only to find a parade of beat up buses adorned in Boca Juniors signs coming toward me. The number of police cars protecting this scene made it look like President Kirchner was in one of the buses when in reality it was the Boca Juniors soccer team headed towards the River Plate stadium with all their beloved and die hard fans flanking them. It was a sight to see and I'm lucky to have witnessed this demonstration of fantascism. Everyone tells me I need to go to a soccer game here but after seeing this presentation I don't think I would make it out of the stadium alive. I watched these two most famous Argentines teams face off in an Irish pub this afternoon with a friend. River Plate won 2-0 and another friend who was at the game told me the Boca Juniors fans retaliated against the loss by ripping chairs out of the stadium. A simple sigh just doesn't show their dismay here I guess.Afterwards, we stuck around to watch Argentina push their way to a 19-13 victory over Scotland in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup. The Pumas have not done this well in a very long time and it was a very exciting day here in Buenos Aires. As I walked home this afternoon everyone was humming and chanting the Pumas song which I get stuck in my head about 15 times a day. It is hard not to be a fan here!A little over two months have now passed since I have been in Argentina. I can not put my finger on it, but something has definitely changed for me here. I feel more at peace with the city. I think having the knowledge of what I am comfortable doing here while still exploring new things each day really makes the time pass so nicely. I have two more months to enjoy every moment and that is a really great feeling for me. As for back home, I do not know enough about what is going on so please fill me in on any old thing. I do know that here The Rockies win has made international news. A few Portenos that I met in the bar today congratulated me on the Rockies making it to the playoffs when they found out I was from Colorado. I think that is all I have for now but I hope to hear from everyone soon! Love you all!-Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1189373460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1189373460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1189373460/tpod.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:37:49 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Hello to everyone back in the states! I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying the beginning of fall.Did everyone have a good labor day? I have been going to my classes during the week, meeting more and more Argentines and trying to explore something new every day. In a city of 12 million, that is definitely not a challenge. Last weekend I had the chance to go see a play on Avenida Corrientes with my theatre workshop class. Corrientes is a large, famous avenue in Buenos Aires where all the famous, brightly lit theaters are located. It was a very interesting play and I understood about every four words but I really enjoyed finding comparisons and contrasts to the way people experience the theater in Buenos Aires. As the play was moments from beginning, a woman a few rows behind me started to shout down below from the balcony that it was too hot and somebody needed to turn down the heat in the theater. The lights were dimming to signal that the play was starting and everyone was complaining and trying to quiet one another down. The air was definitely hostile for a while before the comedy began on stage and everyone loosened up. I sat there imagining being in New York at a show on broadway and someone standing up and doing that...it would never happen!Last Sunday, I went to a very large street and antique fair in the San Telmo neighborhood. San Telmo is a very old neighborhood in Buenos Aires with many narrow, winding, cobblestone roads. There was so much to see there that it would probably take me the next three months to take it all in but I plan on going back many times.  They have artisan jewlery, hats, clothes, old books about Tango and Evita. Now, the weekends have turned into days spent perusing outside because the weather is finally heating up. I did not know what to wear here when it was winter and I will definitely have trouble in a few weeks when I can not walk four blocks without needing to take another shower.I woke up bright and early monday morning for a grueling four hour Tango class. I kept my newly bought tango shoes on the entire time and kept wondering to myself why this had sounded so glamorous. As of right now, the Argentine dance students do not like me very much because I come in and step on their feet with my tacones altisimas (high, high heels) and I do not know how to lead because i'm learning everything in native, rapid spanish. Yes, I have to lead and be led because it is a room of 30 girls with one boy but atleast now I can return and show all of you just what I was up against. I have faith that it will get better and I can win them over by constantly laughing at myself, but I have been wrong before. Thank God it is only once a week!The weekends here are really the highlight of my trip because it is always so relaxing but so much is going on at the same time. I never know where the day takes me when I wake up promptly at noon after being out until 5 am. I didn't make the rules, I just follow them down here and I actually really enjoy that schedule. Anyway, I know I am becoming more accustomed to how things function down here. Now, I do not even blink when for instance i'm sitting in the park reading a short story by Jorge Luis Borges and a man comes up, sits with me for an hour before the both of us, wrapped up in a new found friendship end up at the museum of fine art for 3 hours talking about our favorite artists. Yesterday this man, who is a graphic design artist in Palermo, single handedly made me want to change my major to Art History. Here you never know just where the day will take you or who may influence you and I love that. I also love that there is a good chance that I will never see my new found friend again but I was thankful to have him if for just that time.Although I am really beginning to love city life, I will be taking some trips in the upcoming weeks which i'm very excited to do. For my spring break in two weeks I will be going to Ibera for 5 or 6 days,which is a national park that is supposed to be very beautiful. My friends might also go to Mendoza next weekend but we will have to see what time and school, but mainly time entails.As for everyone that I am writing to, I think I mentioned before that I spend half of my day in cafes looking very intellectual so please send me some e-mails about what exciting news and events are going on in your lives! Besos para todos!!!Love, KateP.S. Lunfardo is a very interesting dialect in Buenos Aires that is a combination of all the immigrant languages brought here in the 19th century. Many words have Italian influence and I have to learn them in my spanish class. I really enjoy this because whenever I use one in front my a Porteno they are shocked yet so proud of my usage. It will be interesting to return with such a specific dialect and new vocabulary that really only pertains to Buenos Aires.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1188064320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1188064320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1188064320/tpod.html Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:39:16 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Buenos, Argentina

Hey Everyone!Well, I have now been in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina for about one month. At points, I can not believe it has been a month and that I only have a few more left. On days where my spanish is lousy, the weather is awful and i'm getting constant stares from all the portenos, I can't believe I have to endure more. However, there are plenty of moments, people here to lift my spirits whenever I feel homesick or culture shock. My spanish is definitely improving every day. I feel that proficiency when I am able to understand native speakers talking with one another or understand any sort of anecdote or joke being told.Last weekend I was able to get away from the city for a few days which was very relaxing and replenishing for me. I went to Puerto Iguazu at the tip top of Buenos Aires. It was a 20 hour bus ride one way but the famous waterfalls of Iguazu and the sights of the sub-tropical jungle were well worth the discomfort and length of my travel. From this point, I was able to see Paraguay and Brazil at Las Tres Fronteras. I took a boat ride on the Parana River and at times on this boat ride I was in international waters or on the brazilian side which is kind of neat to think about. The waterfalls can been seen from both the Argentine and Brazilian side but I am not able to go to Brazil at this time because i'm in the process of getting my visa. The waterfalls are amazing and unlike anything I have ever seen. The only bummer was that I went a little early in the season so it was still pretty cold, and while I do enjoy boat rides under a waterfall called la garganta del diablo (the devils throat), I have also never been so cold in my life. I was able to take some fabulous pictures from different vantage points which I will share with all of you. This week, my host mom left me for two weeks to go skiing so now I truly feel like i'm living in my own apartment in Buenos Aires which is pretty fun but can get lonely at times. My classes are turning out to be really great. I start my tango class on Monday so we will see how that goes but i'm very excited. Besides school, my days really change pace a lot which I really enjoy. I'm looking into doing some sort of volunteer opportunity to understand the people and current issues facing Buenos Aires. I feel compelled to do this after hearing from my Human Rights teacher who was a former Irish priest that came to Buenos Aires in the 1970's to do mission work. He was kidnapped and tortured for sometime during the Dirty War for no reason but that he helped those or was in contact with those that also had sons or daughter who disappeared by the Junta. His story was shocking to me and I would like to understand more about this period in Argentine history because the reverberations of that time are still present in Buenos Aires as well as most Latin American countries.I hope that everyone is doing well. I try to keep up on the news both here and in the States but please inform me of what is going on in your lives and anything you want to share. Miss you all dearly!Love,Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186953840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186953840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186953840/tpod.html Sun, 12 Aug 2007 17:59:50 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Two weeks have now passed by with many discoveries and stories from my life in Buenos Aires. Every day it seems I am finding another winding road that takes me past great stores for window shopping and sometimes purchasing the leather boots that are ubelievably prevalent for the Portenos. Walking the streets of Buenos Aires makes it easy to fall victim to serious consumerism but the best advice given to me thus far has been to get to know the city by looking up rather than at all the stores because looking up is where one will see influences of Spanish and French architecture throughout the entire city. The weather has been better lately with no clouds in the sky but similar to the deception of Colorado winters where it looks nice out but really it is pretty brisk. On Friday a large group of students from my program were fortunate enough to go to a beautiful Estancia an hour and half outside of Buenos Aires. Basically from the time we arrived until we left they fed us un monton of barbecue or parillada. The food is delicious and plentiful. It is no wonder that they are accustomed to only one meal a day. I rode a horse and talked to some guachos. It was a great experience to see what lies ahead for me outside of the concrete jungle of Buenos Aires.After an exciting weekend of nightclubs and meeting new friends I will be starting school tomorrow. I did well on my spanish exams and I will be in a high class which I think will be perfect for me to really excel in spanish. Some of the highlights for my classes are going to be a Tango class a few times a week at the local university. I have already learned the basic steps and I really enjoy it so I expect that when I return home I will have many dance partners at my disposal. Also, I am taking a literature and politics class as well as a human rights movement class. We will be taking many field trips for the human rights class to places like Plaza de Mayo which is in the center of Buenos Aires. I have already visited Plaza de Mayo which is famous for becoming a destination for the mothers and grandmothers of all those that went missing during The Dirty War. These women march around the plaza as a powerful statement of justice. Although no longer in large numbers, many mothers still come every Thursday to the plaza to march over cobblestone ground with murals of headscarves. These headscarves symbolize the disguise the first mothers wore when they met secretly in the plaza many years ago.Next monday is a National holiday which means I do not have class. I also do not have class Fridays which probably will upset my parents but I plan on making countless educational trips over the long weekends. Next weekend I may be going to Chile because everyone needs to learn how to ski the Chilean Andes, right? Until next time, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying summer. Please send some of those warm rays down south. Word to the wise, never trust the packing list a program gives you...I am freezing down here!Also, you may be wondering about the title of this journal entry. Every person I talk to inquires where I am from and why I am here which would seem to be an exhausting conversation over and over again but their genial nature is really warm and inviting. However, when I say that I am from the USA and I live in Colorado they always nod knowlingly and say,"ahh yes The Grand Canyon." Now this part of the conversation is starting to get old but always humorous to me. I clarify but I always wonder if they really understand. Maybe I should start saying i'm from New York, they seem to know that one. Love,Kate
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186357200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186357200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kdeeny/argentina_2007/1186357200/tpod.html Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:22:22 -0400 A "Shankee"in Argentina- One girls account of the experiences and discoveries of living as a student in Buenos Aires for four months.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

I have now survived one week in the vibrant, friendly city of Buenos Aires. The adjustment to late nights, new food, new pronunciations, pick pocketers,winter in the Southern hemisphere and the pace of a large city like Buenos Aires has been a success thus far. My favorite things to do are explore and discover the city by walking and sit in all the cafeterias to read or watch all the Argentines as they gesture and speak passionately about any matter of their lives. Many tours of the city and all the historic building and places have left me excited for the next four months and anxious to fit everything in before I leave what seems to be one of the greatest cities I have ever discovered. Please  e-mail me because I love to hear what is going on in your lives as well!!!
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