So I have mixed emotions about the past month here. I went to this bike trail with a couple friends today and a couple of my girlfriends and I were talking about being here versus somewhere in Central America (ie, somewhere warmer and friendlier) and I think we came to the conclusion that although we're having an incredible time here, it would have been nice to learn Spanish in a place where the people are A) more patient and friendlier and B) the Spanish is easier to understand.
So this is a huge generalization obviously because I can't say I've met every person in this city, but for the most part I just don't like the portenos of Buenos Aires. Ironically, I've had an easier time getting along with random local girls than I thought-I've had many girls ask me where I'm from and try to start a conversation with me, whereas the guys here are worthless. I thought the guys in the States were bad...and now I miss them! Obviously you don't go to a boliche to meet a guy, but you can't avoid them at the same time. Even last night we went to a higher class bar and I had two guys ask me what I think of the guys here...I told them both they're all animals and all they want is sex (with attitude...I'm so tiered of trying to be patient with these boys). The first guy ran off pouting after I told him there were plenty of girls he could try and refused to react to his attempts to kiss me and the second guy tried telling me "Oh no! Portenos just want love! Not sex!" Biggest lie I've heard in my life. If they heard "no" and understood it would be one thing but it doesn't matter if you tell these boys you're in a relationship or that you just simple don't want to dance, sometimes they'll go as far to just grab onto you and not let you go, saying "un beso! un beso!" Once time I tried getting my friend to go to the bathroom and literally had a tug of war with a guy to physically get her away from here. They're wolves I tell ya!
I guess that's my biggest complaint so far, is just the lack of warmth I feel around here. On a day to day basis they're short and impatient and by night the guys turn into animals and misinterpret "Hi, I'm Ashley" as "hello, I'd love to go home with you tonight." One the bright side, I have fallen in love with the people at my residencia. I think for a while I was embarassed to speak to people because it's so hard to understand some of the locals and my Spanish is slowly improving, but it's getting alot easier and therefore I'm able to make small chit chat with more people. There are a few girls that are just sweethearts, we've fortunately been able to click really fast now that I'm breaking out of my shell. Also, this is a huge stereotype but I'm generally in love with the Brazilians in Buenos Aires. At my residencia they stick together alot but they're generally warm and as Rosie says, have an extra amount of energy to them. And the ones I've met throughout the city have been just as nice, much kinder and friendlier than the locals (again, for the majority).
On a random note, things have chilled out alot around the residencia. I've been able to work around Jorge (we can even joke around now, it's just that sucking up technique!) and stay out of trouble. The internet still stinks and the food is iffy but overall I'm having a much better time now that we're learning the ropes.
My classes are going decent as well. My Argentine Art class is very interesting and I feel like I'm learning alot. My favorite class, however, is Argentine Culture. The teacher is so energetic and eccentric he makes us want to participate. One of the last classes we had I was so interested in what we were talking about I couldn't help but ask a lot of questions, so I'm hoping he'll notice I'm participating and give me an A in the end! baha. My Latinamerican Literature class on the other hand is completely impossible. Consider reading Shakespear if you were learning English...I'm pretty much doing the same things. I understand this class involves literature from very early times but our teacher is unforgiving when it comes to grading, so I'm considering emailing my advisor in the States and asking her what happens if I fail this class...it's brutal. And then Advanced Grammer is just helpful, can't forget that one!
So after being here for a month, here are a few random things I both miss about the States and love about Buenos Aires:
Missing...
-NC State's library, aka my second home. Sometimes it's too hard to get things done around here and I miss having a place to go to when I just need to focus.
-Fast food...can you believe I'm saying that? Although I don't really support the way Americans abuse fast food, I do miss being able to grab a chicken sandwhich when I'm in a time crunch and need a protein boost...I've been lacking in that severely here.
-My car, and of course the freedom that ensues.
-Target, although sometimes it's fun to wander the city in search of something random, but sometimes it's nice just to be able to go to once place and get everything in one stop.
-Being able to cook...I miss straight protein and veggies and fruit. And no potatoes.
-Green grass. Blue sky. Sun.
-Having a job...it's so weird spending money and not being able to make it back.
-Doing my own laundry.
-Southern hospitality.
-Feeling secure.
-NORMAL SPANISH.
-My morning cup of coffee...with vanilla creamer!
-Steady internet. Ugg.
-Dance. Good gracious I miss dancing.
Things I'm in love with:
-Mate, be prepared to see me with my mate cup and my thermos all the time when I get back, it's delicious and I crave it all too often.
-Constantly being around Spanish, even if the accent is terribly hard to understand. I can't even imagine going home and not being around it so often.
-Subte, so convenient.
-Cafes, adorable cups of coffee and cute little postres.
-Boliches...although the guys are terrible, the music is generally a good mixture of reggaeton and American pop.
-Public transportation and meeting locals with cars...aka never having to worry about drinking and driving.
-The "anything goes" attitude.
-The culture-rich residencia, the fact I'm always learning something about someone else's culture. We have our own little melting pot here =)
-The potential for every day adventures, the fact everythings new and exciting.
Okay, seriously I'm very hungry and have to go eat pizza! Hasta luego, chao chao!
So this is a huge generalization obviously because I can't say I've met every person in this city, but for the most part I just don't like the portenos of Buenos Aires. Ironically, I've had an easier time getting along with random local girls than I thought-I've had many girls ask me where I'm from and try to start a conversation with me, whereas the guys here are worthless. I thought the guys in the States were bad...and now I miss them! Obviously you don't go to a boliche to meet a guy, but you can't avoid them at the same time. Even last night we went to a higher class bar and I had two guys ask me what I think of the guys here...I told them both they're all animals and all they want is sex (with attitude...I'm so tiered of trying to be patient with these boys). The first guy ran off pouting after I told him there were plenty of girls he could try and refused to react to his attempts to kiss me and the second guy tried telling me "Oh no! Portenos just want love! Not sex!" Biggest lie I've heard in my life. If they heard "no" and understood it would be one thing but it doesn't matter if you tell these boys you're in a relationship or that you just simple don't want to dance, sometimes they'll go as far to just grab onto you and not let you go, saying "un beso! un beso!" Once time I tried getting my friend to go to the bathroom and literally had a tug of war with a guy to physically get her away from here. They're wolves I tell ya!
I guess that's my biggest complaint so far, is just the lack of warmth I feel around here. On a day to day basis they're short and impatient and by night the guys turn into animals and misinterpret "Hi, I'm Ashley" as "hello, I'd love to go home with you tonight." One the bright side, I have fallen in love with the people at my residencia. I think for a while I was embarassed to speak to people because it's so hard to understand some of the locals and my Spanish is slowly improving, but it's getting alot easier and therefore I'm able to make small chit chat with more people. There are a few girls that are just sweethearts, we've fortunately been able to click really fast now that I'm breaking out of my shell. Also, this is a huge stereotype but I'm generally in love with the Brazilians in Buenos Aires. At my residencia they stick together alot but they're generally warm and as Rosie says, have an extra amount of energy to them. And the ones I've met throughout the city have been just as nice, much kinder and friendlier than the locals (again, for the majority).
On a random note, things have chilled out alot around the residencia. I've been able to work around Jorge (we can even joke around now, it's just that sucking up technique!) and stay out of trouble. The internet still stinks and the food is iffy but overall I'm having a much better time now that we're learning the ropes.
My classes are going decent as well. My Argentine Art class is very interesting and I feel like I'm learning alot. My favorite class, however, is Argentine Culture. The teacher is so energetic and eccentric he makes us want to participate. One of the last classes we had I was so interested in what we were talking about I couldn't help but ask a lot of questions, so I'm hoping he'll notice I'm participating and give me an A in the end! baha. My Latinamerican Literature class on the other hand is completely impossible. Consider reading Shakespear if you were learning English...I'm pretty much doing the same things. I understand this class involves literature from very early times but our teacher is unforgiving when it comes to grading, so I'm considering emailing my advisor in the States and asking her what happens if I fail this class...it's brutal. And then Advanced Grammer is just helpful, can't forget that one!
So after being here for a month, here are a few random things I both miss about the States and love about Buenos Aires:
Missing...
-NC State's library, aka my second home. Sometimes it's too hard to get things done around here and I miss having a place to go to when I just need to focus.
-Fast food...can you believe I'm saying that? Although I don't really support the way Americans abuse fast food, I do miss being able to grab a chicken sandwhich when I'm in a time crunch and need a protein boost...I've been lacking in that severely here.
-My car, and of course the freedom that ensues.
-Target, although sometimes it's fun to wander the city in search of something random, but sometimes it's nice just to be able to go to once place and get everything in one stop.
-Being able to cook...I miss straight protein and veggies and fruit. And no potatoes.
-Green grass. Blue sky. Sun.
-Having a job...it's so weird spending money and not being able to make it back.
-Doing my own laundry.
-Southern hospitality.
-Feeling secure.
-NORMAL SPANISH.
-My morning cup of coffee...with vanilla creamer!
-Steady internet. Ugg.
-Dance. Good gracious I miss dancing.
Things I'm in love with:
-Mate, be prepared to see me with my mate cup and my thermos all the time when I get back, it's delicious and I crave it all too often.
-Constantly being around Spanish, even if the accent is terribly hard to understand. I can't even imagine going home and not being around it so often.
-Subte, so convenient.
-Cafes, adorable cups of coffee and cute little postres.
-Boliches...although the guys are terrible, the music is generally a good mixture of reggaeton and American pop.
-Public transportation and meeting locals with cars...aka never having to worry about drinking and driving.
-The "anything goes" attitude.
-The culture-rich residencia, the fact I'm always learning something about someone else's culture. We have our own little melting pot here =)
-The potential for every day adventures, the fact everythings new and exciting.
Okay, seriously I'm very hungry and have to go eat pizza! Hasta luego, chao chao!
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