Adios Argentina

I didn't want this to end so suddenly, so I'm writing this closing entry now. I should have written this before, but I was so busy and a little stressed trying to fit in last minute shopping, sight-seeing, and packing to write a last blog post before I left Argentina.

I'm both glad to be back home in Anacortes, and a little sad to leave Córdoba. I met some great people down in Argentina, and I miss hanging out with them. I know I might see a few of the CC-CS students again here in the United States, but seeing some of my actual Argentine friends is less likely, since I know not many of them have the money to just fly up here, and I might not make a trip back down to Argentina for maybe a couple of years, but I DO plan on coming back.

Because the World Cup became such a big deal to me and some of my friends, (even though I've never been much of a sports fan) some of my friends and I are already planning to go down to Brazil for the next World Cup! I don't know if that'll actually work out, but if it does, I might go over to Argentina and visit all my friends. Maybe one day I can find a job teaching English down there for a couple of years. I'll see what comes.

Here are the things that I miss most about Argentina: 1. The Food. I miss the lomitos, the asado, the empanadas, and the alfajores. I tried to bring some alfajores back, but the huge box couldn't fit in my already packed suitcase. 2. The Boliches. I didn't think I'd miss the boliches at all. Clubbing was never my thing. But I did have a good time most of the time, and when you have nothing to do on the weekend, it was the great thing to do. It would be great of I could just transplant ZEN right here in Anacortes. 3. Cheap Movies. With the exchange rate, and the student discounts, it was 8 US dollars for two tickets, enough said. 4. Wednesday Nights at Ochentoso. I miss hanging out with my friends on a regular basis, and I just have good memories of that place.


One thing I definitely do not miss os having to play Human Frogger every day each time I try and cross the street, and I'm definitely not going to miss the crazy drivers, or the late buses. I am so glad I have my own car back here, so I can just drive wherever I want or need to go.

I do wish I was able to travel more, and I do wish I went out a bit more, but I already pushed myself so much farther socially than I normally do here at home and at Hollins, and I think that counts for something.

Spending five months in Argentina made me realize that I am not anywhere near fluent, simply because I didn't grow up speaking Spanish, but I do feel more confident speaking it now. I feel less intimidated about making mistakes when I speak, especially since the locals were so nice and polite, and patient in correcting my Spanish. I realize, I will always be a student, and the immersion I took was the best thing I've ever done to practice my Spanish.

I also feel I'm more outgoing than I used to be. I feel less intimidated by the world, and I feel that if something doesn't go my way, it isn't so scary anymore. Even my RA job feels a lot less scary for me now. (Not that it was really scary before, but I do feel a lot more fearless.) I basically conquered a huge challenge, and I feel that I can take on anything now.

I don't feel like a came out transformed as Córdobes, but I do feel Córdoba has grown a place inside my heart, right next to Napoli, London, Edinburgh, Vilnius, San Diego, and Seattle. And it's never going to leave.

¡Chau Chicos!