¡Qué finde!

Well this weekend was definitely hectic. I spent most of my time trying to finish up my paintings for my final portfolio in my painting class, and then getting everything together for the final class as well.

Then on Sunday, I met some friends down en el centro to watch the Argentina vs. Mexico game. Since it was a bigger game, they had a huge screen up in ex Plaza Velez-Sarsfield, so the whole crowd in the centro could watch the game! It was exciting. We got some choripan for lunch, and Rinna and Jennifer got interviewed for television! They found out we were extranjeros, but we told them we were rooting for Argentina. They tried to interview Doreidy, but she dodged out of the way. She was too embarrassed to be interviewed, because she's from Mexico.

Now actually watching the game on the screen with the huge crowd outdoors was exciting. Everyone went crazy whenever Argentina made a goal. We had to steel ourselves, because some people would just run into you. But basically, it was like jumping up and down in a mosh pit at a heavy metal concert. Now, if you ever find yourself in a large crowd of football fans in Argentina, and you notice a group of people moving out from a certain area, you should do it too. That's because some people like to set off random fire crackers. One of them went off less than three feet away from me. I didn't get hit by any debris, but the impact of the noise hit my ear really hard, and I couldn't hear a thing out of my right ear other than a constant loud ringing, for over a minute. I was disoriented, because it felt like all the cheering noise that was surrounding me all jumped to the left side and only the left side. I can hear fine out of my right ear now, but I should probably get it checked out soon. For a whole minute I thought I wasn't going to be able to hear out of that ear again.

The plaza cleared out quite a bit during half-time. Mostly because that's a safe time for the fans to go to the bathroom and pick up another beer without missing a thing. We all walked over to a nearby Grido to get some ice cream, and then came back for the second half of the game.

The plaza literally exploded with excitement when Argentina won the game. People were just bouncing and running everywhere, vuvuzelas were blowing, people were throwing paper from their apartments, and I saw someone go airborne!

Everyone was just walking around and cheering. There were a few groups of people with huge flags, and they'd hold them and let people jump around under them. Rebekah and I went and ran underneath one real fast.

We stayed in the plaza awhile longer with the crowd, because the news on the screen was showing the celebrations in all the different big Argentine cities, and comparing them. Compared to Buenos Aires, we were rocking it! We kept staying to see if we would show up on the tv. After awhile we decided we should head out. I was going to take one last picture of the crowd before heading out, and THAT'S when I got robbed.

Apparently Jennifer saw him coming running at me a couple of seconds before I noticed him. She said it looked more like he was trying to kidnap me than rob me. The guy got a hold of my camera in my right hand, and when I realized what was going on, I gripped my camera tighter, and pulled his arm down, because I wasn't going to let him get away that easy. We had an actual scuffle, and a lot of it was a blur. But I do remember the guy looking up at my face, and I could tell that he didn't expect me to fight back. And he wasn't young either, he looked to be about in his mid-30's or 40's.

By the end of the scuffle, I could feel the straps and charm breaking from my hand, I saw pieces fall from my camera, and then the guy ran off. I turned around and tried to grab the guy, but he wormed his way through the crowd real fast, and I knew I wouldn't be able to get through and stop him. The moment he was out of sight with my camera a tiny woman stepped out and asked if I was just robbed. I just said "sí" and turned around to see what parts of my camera had broken off. All I found was my Miyajima charm from Japan. So obviously this guy is just a petty thief, and thinks foreign women are easy targets. But I have the charger, so he's probably going to have a hard time selling a dead camera.

I know you can buy chargers separately, but from what I noticed, the majority of the digital cameras here in Argentina use AA or AAA batteries that switch out. I just wish I had the pictures back! I had over 200 photos! They were just mostly photos of around the city that I took, so I could remember certain places that I frequented around town. Hindsight is always 20/20, and if I was really thinking, I would've tried to smash my camera on the ground, because who the hell wants to waste their time stealing a broken camera? And if it was broken, I could've still salvaged the SD card. At least I still have most of my photos from the trip.

But I'll tell you, I had such an incredible adrenaline rush that lasted for hours afterward. I was twitching and ready to kick the crap out of anyone if they touched me. I still have my wallet and coin purse, and my ipod. The only injuries I got was a scratch on my middle finger and rope burn from where the handle was pulled off my wrist. I obviously need to do more weight-training and take a self-defense class, because I'm not going to take that shit again. I lost my camera, but at least I didn't go down without a fight!

Pintura

So the past few days I've been trying to catch up on my painting and finishing up my portfolio for my class, which is due Monday. I only have one class session left and then I'm done! I can't believe it! I'll finally be finished with the semester! I still have five more paintings to do before Monday evening. I may be able to get one or two more done tonight. And then I have to figure out how to fit the others in around the football game against Mexico tomorrow. I heard the US was defeated by Ghana. Oh well, I've been rooting behind Argentina anyway. It's really hard not too when you're in the country and football is the national past-time. You just can't escape it. (And I'm pretty sure they're going to win.)

I've been spending the last two days painting in Parque Sarmiento, which is right by the UNC campus. It's a huge beautiful park with a large pond, where you can rent out paddle-boats, or feed the ducks. Sometimes I go on one of the many swing sets that are all over the park, but I don't swing for long, because they're made for the average Argentine butt (which is somewhat smaller than the average American butt.)

Taylor's parents were here to visit him for the majority of the week, and they just left today. Mimi let them stay in her bedroom, and she moved a bed into the room between mine and Meghan's and slept there. They were really nice people. It was interesting translating for them and Mimi. Last night, we all went out for asado together. I've had Asado before, but this time we got grilled Provolone, kidney, and goat meat. The goat was actually pretty good. It was 'thin' but came off the bone easily. I had such a hard time finishing all of the food. When you go to asado's here in Argentina, they make sure you don't go hungry! I thought I couldn't eat anymore, but when they offered dessert, I had to get the dulce de leche crepe. It was pretty sweet. I liked it, but I think the best crepes I had were in France por supuesto.

I talked to Taylor's mom, Frida, about where I go to school, and she said she had a a few friends that went to Hollins, so she knew about it. And Taylor's dad, Richard, is really nice too. I left dinner a little early last night to meet a friend for a movie, and Richard gave me money for the cab. I hadn't even asked for it!

Also, a new student for the next semester for CC-CS arrived early. She wasn't allowed to move in yet, so she's staying at a hostel right now, and as it turns out, she's staying with Mimi! Her name is Sarah Hilton, and she's from New York. She's going to be able to move in this Friday. She's been asking about the house, Mimi, the rules, and what's around Alta Córdoba. And just in case anyone is wondering, Mimi does have enough room for her right now, but Sarah can't move in just yet because of something about the Program housing policy. Some weird technicality about coming in earlier than scheduled, I don't quite know the details.

I know I'm watching the Argentina vs. Mexico game tomorrow afternoon somewhere downtown, but I don't know where yet. And this time, I think I might try bringing my camera, to take pictures of the crazy revelry of the fans. I can't wait!

GOOOOOLLL!!!!!!

I went with Jennifer, Brian, and Glenn to downtown Córdoba to watch the Argentina game against Greece two days ago. We went to this fast-food place called "Mega-Doner." We went there because one of Glenn's Argentine friends works there and was able to give us a discount! The restaurant had a screen and projector set up, so everyone would be able to see the game.

A few minutes into the game, I asked Brian if he thought it was ironic that we were watching the Argentina vs. Greece game in a Greek fast-food restaurant in Argentina. Brian then turned to me and said, "This isn't Greek. This is a Turkish restaurant." Which basically meant Greece was getting the shaft from the beginning. Poor Greece!

But the game was intense, and a lot of fun to watch! It was also my first time actually actively partaking in a public viewing of an Argentine game. I'm never really a football fan, but I am paying so much attention to the World Cup here. It's nearly impossible to avoid it. It's all anyone ever talks about.

Now onto the game. I don't know how many of you reading this actually watched it, but it was intense. There wasn't a single goal from either team for over an hour! Argentina was doing really well, but the Greek goalie was playing by the skin of his teeth, and playing for dear life to make sure that the ball stayed out. They came close so many times! And I'm not sure if this part was broadcast worldwide or just in Argentina, but the Greek goalie finally got hit really hard in the balls. But what the camera man did was do a close-up of the poor man on his back trying to massage out the pain. Honestly, he didn't need that broadcast to the world.

It was energizing to be part of the crowd, and sharing in the "Ooohs!" every time we thought a goal came in. But when we finally got one goal, and then another in the last fifteen minutes. Well, the restaurant went crazy! Everyone was banging on tables and screaming!

And of course, after each victory, all the fans gather between ex Plaza Velez-Sarsfield and Patio Olmos, and the Police close off the road. All four of us journeyed over there to be part of the crowd.

Now even on the way over there, I'm pretty sure there was someone constantly in my personal vicinity lighting up a celebratory spliff. There were school kids marching out with drums, banging and screaming, and people leaning out of their apartments throwing paper, and everyone who had a flag was waving it! And in case anyone was wondering, there are vuvuzelas here too. We've had our share so far this whole World Cup of having them blown directly in our ears.

I didn't take my camera to this, but that's okay, because with a crowd this crazy, it probably would've gotten stolen. Now, for the past victories, the partying in the Centro usually dies down after about an hour or so, but because this was the last game of the day, and it ended around 5:30, it kept going a little longer because no one had to go back to school or to work.

There were a few men that tried climbing the stoplights, and stood on them to cheer, and then falling and breaking them! The lights still functioned, but pieces broke off, and when one guy fell down, the lights were twisted completely around! I also saw one guy in the distance go airborne when his friends tossed him up, almost like crowd surfing. I can imagine that this whole scene will be 100 times crazier and last for 3 days if Argentina manages to win the World Cup.

And yesterday I finally found decently priced Jerseys for me and Stephen! They're not the official Jersey's, but they're well made. I asked the vendor to give me the largest one he had, so I can get it for Stephen, but compared to the Jersey I bought for myself, it's no that much bigger. Well, at least Stephen isn't going to by trying to fit huge boobs into it. The Jersey I bought for myself is Number 10 Messi, the star player. La Pulga or, the flea, as people call Messi, because he's so short and bounces around a lot.

Funny story about Messi, when he isn't playing for Argentina, he plays for the football team in Barcelona, Spain. The reason he went to Barcelona, was so that he could receive growth hormone treatment, and apparently, it was supposed to have worked. Which basically means, if he didn't take it, he would be even shorter. Poor Messi. At least he's good at football. And I finally have my Jersey to show my team spirit for Argentina. ¡VAMOS!

Exámenes Finales y el Mundial

So I just finished my last final exam today, about 20 minutes ago! It wasn't bad, I just had to talk orally about what I learned about Argentine Literature. I also had the oral part of my grammar exam today. The teacher told me my grade wasn't very good compared to the other students, but I should pass, which means I don't have to re-take it at Hollins. w00t!

Also, the Mundial has made things a little crazy here. (AKA the World Cup, of course!) So in case you haven't noticed, Argentina won both its first two games. I tried to sleep in a little today because I didn't have to be at school until 11 am, but the game against Korea started at 8:30, and when Argentina kept making goals, I couldn't sleep anymore. I could hear my next neighbors screaming GOOOOOL! and PUTA DE MADRE! at least every 10 minutes or so. And when I left the house to catch the bus, the streets were ridiculously empty, because everyone was inside their houses watching the game. And the game ended sometime while I was on the bus, because it got re-routed. It normally goes through the centro, but it was blocked off. And I also saw tons of paper bits in the street.

The last time Argentina played and won, I left the house like an hour after the game finished, and it took forever for the bus to arrive, and it was able to go through the centro, but the streets were crowded with crazy people yelling and blowing horns, and at the centro, some people were banging their fists on the bus in celebration, and there were random drunk teenagers in the road, just sitting there, drinking, and the bus had to go around them because they wouldn't move. Football really is a way of life for them here in Argentina.

I've been meaning to buy a jersey or something, but I probably should have bought it earlier. Someone told me a good area to get knock-off jerseys from street vendors, that are actually well-made, for just 30-40 pesos. But when I went to the area that my friend suggested, all the vendors were asking for between 60-150 pesos for one jersey. I think they jacked up the prices for the Mundial. I might just buy a big flag, because that's cheaper.

I may go out somewhere tomorrow with some friends to watch the US play tomorrow morning. ¡VAMOS!

Clases Terminado!

Well, not quite all the way terminado but I still did have my official last PECLA class session for Culturales Realidades today. And I was late too because I overslept through my alarm. I woke up at 10:50 am and class started at 11:30, so I had to rush to get out the door and catch the first bus that goes to the University. Taylor was late too, and we took the same bus together. I just needed to be there for the participation/attendance credit. Taylor actually had to do his final presentation today. I did mine last week.

Also, I am not taking the CELU this week. Not because I don't want to, but because Alfredo didn't give us the sign up information until after the sign up period closed. Oh well, that just gives me more time to study for my final exams.

I also took the time today to do a quick film tour of PECLA and where I took most of my classes. So yes, here is a second vlog! My camera doesn't record sound, so my narration over it is something I added after I uploaded photos to my computer today. I also took some videos of the falls at Iguazu, but I'm not going to post that yet, until after I put them all together in a single video. So I hope you all enjoy the PECLA tour! (And if the embedding doesn't work, I'll leave the URL underneath so you can copy and paste it to watch.




URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioU-I-AVpwk

Tarea

So today I finished my last ever homework assignment of the year and sent it off to my profe. It was a three page essay comparing and contrasting the main characters and the plots of El Sur by Jorge Borges, and La noche boca arriba by Julio Cortázar. I have to say, with what we read in my clase de literatura argentina those are tow of my favorite writers. I should probably go find paperback copies of some of their books.

I still have one more class I have to go to tomorrow for PECLA and then all next week is final exams. And I also think I have one last class session for Cultura Argentina the week after I think, but it's just a field trip to a museum, so it's fun instead of real work.

I also still have a few more class sessions left for my pintura class, but less than I though there was. Last class Profe Trojer said that we have our Parcial on June 28th, and that that would be the last class for the semester. Sarah, Olivia and I asked her of that would be the last class for us, since we're here only for the semester anyway. I think Trojer said it was alright. We're going to double-check with her next time we see her. We still need to buy our libretas de inscripción so she can put our final grades in their. These libretas are these little notebooks you buy, and only certain facultades need them. Basically it counts as sort of your transcript of midterm and final grades. And then after Trojer gives us our grades in these, we're supposed to hand them in to PECLA so they can send the grades to our schools. But yeah, it looks like I can go home earlier today than I thought. Which is good, because somewhere in the beginning of July, Mimi is having 5 new exchange students arrive in her house. I better make sure I leave before the house gets too crowded! I thought only two more were coming, but I guess I was wrong.

Also, my heart goes out to my friend Julie here. She's one of the girls I went to Iguazu falls with. Her grandmother just died on Sunday, and she doesn't have the money to go back for the funeral, so she's toughing out the rest of her semester. She's doing much better than I would though. And she still plans on celebrating her 21st birthday this Thursday at the bowling alley in Patio Olmos. I don't think I could do what she's doing. If I were in her shoes, I'd be demanding to go home right away. It made me realize that I'm glad my study abroad plans worked out the way they did, going abroad this semester. It may sound horrible, but I'm glad my grandmother died earlier, rather than later. It was already hard enough when it happened back in October, but I was close enough that going to say goodbye wasn't a hassle. If any of my loved ones had died while I was down here, I don't know how I would've handled it. I don't think I would be able to really 'get over it' if it happened. I'd be going through the rest of my semester depressed, not being able to enjoy the experience of living and learning in another country. I hope Julie feels better soon. She said her parents are coming down to visit her in two weeks, so that should help.

El estrés

So this week has been very busy with parciales, tarea, y repasos. The majority of my classes ended this week, and a few end more next week. I'm busy from here until then end of June pretty much.

I had two major tests this week. Well, one of the parciales was an essay, and I got a 9 out of 10. But yesterday was an oral exam for my grammar class. I don't know how well I did. I haven't been doing so well in my Grámatica Avanzada class. I'm studying very hard. I spent over four hours the night before preparing for the test. It's just that it's the class that I'm doing the least well in, here. I really hope I pass. I already know that the worst that can happen is that I don't pass, and that would mean I have to take the advanced spanish grammar class next semester at Hollins, which basically would just be adding another class to the semester. That's not something I want to do, but knowing I at least I have options to fix it somehow should the worst happen, makes me feel a little calmer, and a little more in control.

I also have two papers due next week, one of which I just finished today. I also only have three classes that I have to go to next week. Pintura, Literatura Argentina, y Culturales Realidades. Two of them are going to be only an hour long, and pintura, well, it's only painting!

Also, I'm debating re-taking the CELU since I only got a básico level last time. It's next Friday, June 11th and will cost 200 pesos. I think I really should re-take it, but the timing isn't ideal, considering that I'm so busy working on final projects and studying for final exams. But then again, I don't have much to lose. Quite a few others are re-taking the CELU. I really should aim to try and get an intermedio level this time. It's not a test that you can't study for (or at least that's what Alfredo says) since it's supposed to analyze your use of Spanish.

But anyway, this weekend I'm trying to pace myself so I don't suffer a mental breakdown. I have it mapped out to do one assignment each day, and relax or have a little fun after I'm done. I already finished my assignment for the day, so I might go out and celebrate Brian's birthday at Villanos (which is a pretty decent bar along the Cañada. Drinks are little bit pricey though.) Brian said after the bar, the group is heading over to Mitre. I've never been to that club before, but Federica used to go over there a lot when she was here, and she says its her favorite, so I might go over for a little while and check it out.