A typical day

La manaña

Monday through Friday, I wake up a little after 7:30, and get ready for the day.  Olga always has a breakfast of corn flakes, tea, mate and a special treat out for us.  The milk here is different, but in a delicious way.  It is creamier and perhaps thicker.  By 8:15, we are headed to the bus stop.  It is only a few blocks away, but the buses don't run as frequently in the mornings.  It is a little frustrating to have to rely on a very unpredictable bus schedule to get places.  So sometimes we arrive a half an hour early to class, and other times we are sliding in under the wire.  Our professors are very understanding, especially once they know where you live--everyone deals with the bus schedule here.  


Las clases 


Right now I am in just one class, 4 hours a day, Monday- Friday.  We have two different professors.  Both are sweet women who are so helpful and kind.  It is actually fun to go to class most days.  It must be such a challenge to teach this class, as the nine students are all at different levels in the language.  The nine of us represent three different countries (Japan, Brazil and the United States).  From within the states, we are spread out across the map.  Brice hails from Connecticut, Kelsey from Shelby, North Carolina: home of livermush (don't ask... you don't want to know), Ally from Nashville, Tennessee, little 'ole me from Wisconsin, Heather resides in St. Louis, Missouri, and finally Patrick calls San Jose, California home.  They are a great group of people and have quickly become some close friends.  We have two hours of class, followed by a short break and then the final two hours of class.  During our break, we usually grab some empanadas (jamon y queso por favor!) or a loaded pancho.  We get little homework, as we should be out exploring the city--and so we do!


La Tarde/ La Noche

The afternoons differ, but usually I head home for lunch with my host mother. She cooks a variety of meals. As with many Argentines, she has Italian heritage; we get a lot of pastas. Each meal is balanced and healthy and we usually enjoy a dessert at the end. Afterward, I usually head back to the center. We sometimes head to the public pool, or do some shopping, or just hang out at someone's house/apartment. Sometimes just walking around can be an adventure--dodging cars, stray dogs and street vendors. Towards evening, I either eat lunch at home, or make dinner with friends. On Wednesday night I have started attending a sort of youth group with people from church, and I am looking forward to finding more clubs and activities through the school. On weekend nights, my friends and I usually go to Nueva Cordoba, where most students live. There are lots of outdoor tables at the pub/restaurants where we can sit and talk and people watch and absorb everything we can. Occasionally, we go to a friend's house for dinner or to a boliche to dance. They play all sorts of music, and it is a fun place to talk to locals and have fun with friends.

There you have it!  A day in the life of Becky.  I must say, I have had some great experiences so far just being with these amazing people I am blessed to call my friends.  Every person I've met, whether it be someone at school, a friend from church, a person on the street or a roommate, has been open and welcoming and so friendly.  Having such great people around me has kept my spirits high through homesickness and keeps me looking forward to each day and each new adventure we have together.       

Bienvenidos a Cordoba

I'm here! It's really happening.

Well, I've had quite the experience so far. I just had a feeling before I left Waukesha. It started when the zipper off the brand new purse that I bought for the trip ripped off. That was just the beginning. I arrived in Chicago right on time and was able to have a little dinner before I took off for Toronto. Everything went well until I arrived in Santiago. They made us go through security again after getting off the plane from Toronto, and we were running a little late as it was. I went to my assigned gate for my plane to Cordoba--and they were boarding! Eeeek! I quickly jumped in line and got up to the front. The lady ripped my ticket and I walked off to the plane. About 3 seconds later, she came running in behind me, "Rebecca Rebecca!" And proceeded to tell me that this plane was boarding for Mexico City, not Cordoba. Big ooops. Who really has two planes board within 15 minutes of each other anyway? Ugh. So not my fault. After that embarrassment, I finally boarded the correct plane and came to Cordoba. I really enjoyed flying over the mountains; they aren't that wide, but they are beautiful. I made some new friends in the airport too, and the man next to me was very sweet.

In all my travels, I always get very nervous walking up to the baggage carousel. I've never had a problem... until yesterday. Yes, that's right everyone, my two brand new suitcases filled with all my treasures did not arrive with my plane. I talked to an employee and was moved into a line. Let me just interject that after close to 24 hours of traveling and hot weather and sticky clothes and general discomfort, it is not easy to speak Spanish--especially when people expect you to be speaking it. It's wonderful that I look like I fit in, but it's a problem when people address me like I should be able to follow everything they say the first time they say it. Anyways, back to the story. I did meet a woman who's daughter attends my university, so that was nice. And the Argentinean people in general-SO NICE! Everyone take back everything you've ever said about the Argentineans being snotty or stuck up or untrustworthy of foreigners. EVERY PERSON I've talked to so far has been so welcoming and so happy to chat. Anyways, I digress. So, they are looking for my bags. Hopefully they are found soon. I walked out to the general airport, and I couldn't find Olga. I looked every person in the eye, waiting for the "ahhhhh, RRRRRRebecca" But nothing. I remained calm in the face of adversity and asked where I could use a telephone. I called her cell phone, but it was off. I got help to call her house phone, but we couldn't figure it out. I couldn't pay for the phone with credit card, so I got money from an ATM. Unfortunately, it only gave me large bills which the cashier couldn't accept. I was officially losing my cool at this point. I walked to the information desk and asked if they could page Olga to see if she was in the airport somewhere. They helped me call her again, and this time we got the right number. Finally, Olga was coming to pick me up.

After this everything improved. Olga and her husband are very nice people and their house is very comfortable. Their son, his wife and child are neighbors, and also very welcoming and nice. Today Olga and I took the bus to my university so I will be able to go there tomorrow SOLA! Ahh. We also went to the mall (across the street from my university--dangerous :)) and I bought a few things to tide me over until my luggage arrives and to get a cell phone. But even if it doesn't, I could get used to the Argentine fashion. We are about to have lunch and then both of Olga's children are coming for a big family dinner tonight! It will be great I'm sure. Although the beginning was pretty rough, today has been awesome. I am finding it easier and easier to converse every time I open my mouth and people are constantly encouraging and helpful if I can't find the correct word. Bueno pues es todo. Wish me luck!