23 hours later...
Trip Start
Jun 10, 2008
1
13
Trip End
Ongoing
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Buenos Aires,
Capital Federal District,
Argentina
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
So here´s the story so far: I got to Buenos Aires at around 1pm (that´s 12pm, NYC time), after an 11 hour flight and a 4 hour delay in JFK due to ¨inclement weather.¨ Thankfully, I spent most of the flight sleeping. I got a window seat AND no one was sitting next to me (can it get any better?!!) so I was able to spread out and sleep pretty comfortably for almost 7-8 hours.
My luggage made it with me, thankfully, and I had no problem finding the place where I was to get a taxi, getting it, or getting to my new home. My host mother, Maria is very nice so far. She greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek (people here are more touchy than in the US) and speaks Spanish very quickly. I haven´t had any communication issues so far, but probably because I´ve spent most of the day talking to a program coordinator in English (despite the fact that she is a porteña, or a native to Buenos Aires). Her name is Sophie and she, like all of the other Road2Argentina (¨Roadie¨) staff except one, is 24 years old. Her English is practically perfect and I told her I wish I could speak Spanish like that.
She showed me a map of Buenos Aires, told me all about the subway (Subte) and bus (Colectivo) systems. They have 500 bus lines!!!! It´s madness. Tomorrow, I have to find my way to the Roadie office and then a couple of the staff members are taking me to Bairexport, the company I will be working at. Everything is close -- 20 minutes by bus/subway.
Right now, I´m sitting in an internet cafe (I´m not sure if I´ll have internet access at home) about a block away from my house... I´ve seen some very beautiful buildings and plazas so far. Soon, I will walk around and take tons of pictures and send them to everyone.
For the useful information:
My cell phone number, as dialed from the US: 011-54-9-11-6819-2243
Notes: Calls, both incoming and outgoing, cost me money. Text messages are FREE if they are sent to me, but I have to pay to send text messages. So, send me as many messages as you want :)
