MahB.

Hey all,

Sorry it has been quite some time since I last updated this blog. I have had quite an insane week--or two? Essentially, last weekend was the highlight of my trip, thus far.
I had previously felt like I hadnt been really taking full advantage of the culture. I had, but I had been doing it at a very slow pace. With an internship and school and a social life, being a tourist is difficult and slightly unappealing. Anyways, last weekend I planned an awesome culture enriched experience.
Friday I went out with a group of Porteños and americans.
Saturday during the day we went to a Polo match...we were with the elite of Argentina, it was very fun! There were a few older guys there that slightly made me think my father may have been like them. This one guy, dressed to the nines and dashingly handsome (for an older man), had a beautiful wife and a bunch of kids running around the stands as if it were a jungle gym (sound familiar, mom? haha) He smuggled in a couple of beers under his cashmere jacket and was the life of the party (well, the life of the group at least). For a polo match, they were rather rowdy. It was hysterical! Anyways, I had a ball!
That night me and three other girls went to the Ballet at Teatro Colón. We saw Oniguin, a russian play that was converted into a ballet. Teatro Colón was the first theatre built in Argentina and it was Gorgeous!!
Sunday I went on a very long run, met some guys from Uruguay, found some of the clubs I have been going to, and discovered the most SPECTACULAR gardens I have ever seen! They go on for miles, too! I had to stop at one point because I was so tired!
Anyways, that afternoon we went to the Día de inmigrantes (day of the immigrants) where essentially every culture had a little booth with trinkets and traditional FOOD of the country! SOOOOO BOMB!!! We found the Mexican tent and since I have been craving food with real flavor, we obviously indulged a little! We had some tacos and nachos...Definitely not super authentic (either of them...), but hey, beggers can't be choosers and I goobled it up like it was turkey on thanksgiving! We then went over to the Haitian tent and got these amazing smoothies with some crazy rum in them. It was crazy to chat with the guys in the tent, too! They lived through the earthquake and were here as refuges and studying spanish and english (their first language is french because Haiti was a french colony). It was a challenge to communicate with them, but man, were they fascinating!
Then we topped off the day with a late dinner at the most amazing vegetarian/vegan restaurant EVER. It's called Bio and it was AMAZING. we drank organic wine and ate the most succulent mushrooms I have ever, ever had. I am still amazed by them, they were out of this world!


Since then, it has been a glass case of emotion.
Drama has gone down at Santa Clara with the housing and it has been an absolute nightmare to take care of it. I still have yet to fully resolve it. In the end, though, I have dealt with it as best as I could and I know it will work out for the best. It has taken a serious toll on my energy and my mood, though. Such a bummer.
In addition, my host mom was a little passive aggressive with me. She is a sweet heart and I truly like her, in fact, she has helped me tremendously down here...however, she--along with every other argentine--does not know how to keep their mouths closed. She never said anything too harsh, but she was just rubbing the fact that my mother speaks flawless spanish and I do not, in my face. I dont think she intended to hurt me or anything, but it was just not the support I was looking to get after the stress of the housing stuff and constantly being put on the spot to speak spanish. Mind you, I am good. I am confident about my spanish and I can guarantee I have improved a lot. She is right that I am not flawless, but I mean, sorry my school suggested I stop speaking spanish at age 4 and have been expected to maintain fluency or risk a judgmental look by everyone who knows my family/my nationality. What does she think I am trying to do in this silly country of hers where they call fresas (strawberries) fruitilla and they use "vos" instead of "tú". Laugh at yourself, not me. Plus, she is trying to learn english and cannot ever remember a single word and I do not do anything but say words of encouragement towards her. Some people are just bitter. Or rather, argentine women are bitter. Young and old. they kind of suck. the men are great, though! haha
I can't decide whether it is a good idea to post this last part because it is personal and shows vulnerability, but what are we without our flaws? Screw it, you guys are here to experience my experiences and a huge part is the "Spanish Struggle," so welcome.

Anyways, it has been a long week, to say the least.
Now I have to figure out whether to do the bold adventure to Patagonia (which is obviously what I want most) or to do a less expensive trip to chile. When I say bold, I mean it will just be outdoorsy, lots of hiking and facing nature right in the face--but it will be totally safe and LEGAL (hahaha). For instance, I would go and see this:
http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/05/marble-cathedral-of-general-carrera.html
THAT sort of adventure! It would be with a fun group, too. I think 3 of them would actually be from Santa Clara, coincidentally.

The alternative would be a couch-potato trip that would involve wine, food, and pictures of some mountains in the distance. Sounds nice, but I mean...I can do that at home. What else would Napa or Santa Barbara be for? I think I must go on this trip.
I just need to figure out the logistics, but i mean, this is my dream come true.
I just dont think my friend and wing-woman down here, Lauren, would be as down for this adventure because it is a little more ballsy and a little more expensive. Plus, it involves less food, which is a huge no no in her book. hahaha she is hysterical.
anyways, that is where I am at now.

well actually i went to a Mac Store opening last night. Although it wasnt a full mac store, it was like a quick-stop store...if that makes sense? Anyways, open bar. It was grand. Lots of weird people. Great drinks and great hors d'oureves!

Tomorrow I am going to a rugby game...I am positively THRILLED!!! it is going to be soo much fun!
I am deeply upset, though. I was going to go to hear the Dalai Lama give a training session, but the last seat is 100 dollars (not pesos) and I dont think I should spend the money on that instead of patagonia. I can go to another speaking engagement of his, but i am really not interested in them...very sad :( oh well, thats life, i suppose :)

Oh and in 2013 I plan on returning to Brazil for the Carnaval. OH MY GOD, HOW FUN!!! I love south america. (check it out!)

ok im going to watch Pocahontas and get amped for patagonia and go to bed.
Sweet dreams world!

Every time I listen to this, I get butterflies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DE5a80I8EU


Oh and there are a bunch of pics up on facebook, if you want a visual aid to all of this nonsense!
besos!