Vacaciones de Primavera!!!!
Trip Start
Jul 29, 2007
1
5
9
Trip End
Dec 2007
Ibera,
Argentina
Saturday, October 6, 2007
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
Capoeira dancers in Asia de Cuba
. 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
Tap Jackson and Las Locas
. 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
Emily's 21st Birthday
. 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
Comments
photo journal
Hi Kate! Great photos and comments from your week
break. I wonder, though, how close were you to those
crocodiles and boa constricter?? Keep up the journal
and photos. You will be so glad to have these memories in writing. Your Dad and I can't wait for our trip to B.A. to see you!
Love, Mom
Catching up!
Hola Kate ~ Your mom just hooked me up to your website so I spent last night reading all of your journal entries from start to now! It was fun to read about your adventures to date, many more to come, I'm sure, over the next 2-3 months! You kind of remind me of when I went off to school in Guadalajara and traveled all over Mexico. ...Scary! It is a one time adventure and cultural learning experience so continue to enjoy it for that, oh and of course all of the fun stuff that it sounds like happens as part of it!
I'm watching the 4th game of D-Backs/Rockie's series right now, you know the one where we are going to win, so as to keep the series going!!!!! If you need any help with your Spanish, just email good old Felipe and he will get right back to you with that answer, verdad??????? Love you ~ Aunt Chrissie :)