One Month
Trip Start
Jul 29, 2007
1
3
9
Trip End
Dec 2007
Buenos,
Argentina
Saturday, August 25, 2007
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
Buenos Aires Zoo and the Camel!!
. 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
Comments
Dearest Deeny
Hello wonderful wonderful girl,
2/3 of Team B are here, and MAN OH MAN we miss you. We are at your beautiful house, reading your blogs, wishing you were with us, but knowing you're having a ball on your crazy adventures. We love the Grand Canyon story and are very excited about your new boots and cannot wait to take tango lessons from you, the master of the dance. We're doing fine, in complete denial that summer is almost over, but ready to get back into routines. We are planning a fabulous gala in February, more details to come. Megan and I both have had car disasters as of late- Jerome sounded like he was going to fall apart yesterday because a rock got caught in the wheel (or something like that) and part of Lola has been recalled so I need to deal with that...
We love you we love you we love you.
besos, Kaitlin and Megan
any new update for the end of August?
Dear Kate,
Megan and Caitlin came by for breakfast this morning, and to talk about a fundraiser they want to hold in Denver in February. I helped them with some ideas, and
I hope I can stay involved with them. It was so much fun to have them here for a while. Caitlin leaves tomorrow for Paris!
Will you add a new comment to your journal soon? I love
hearing about what you are experiencing. Monday is a
holiday (Labor Day), and your Dad is back from Santa Fe
and preparing for another trial in Pueblo that begins on Tuesday.
Call or email me soon!
Love, Mom