|
4/28/2012 |
The days of hanging my purse on the stool of my chair, casually holding my iphone in public, leaving my house unlocked, or even reading my kindle on the bus are long gone. Since my first day in Argentina, I get routinely reminded to be precautious every second of every day. It’s not just me that’s being careful, the Argentine’s are also always on their toes, ready for the unexpected.
On my bus rides each day, the women clutch their bags close, making sure the zipper is nearest them, while the men wear their backpacks on their chest.
My ipod is always hidden in my purse, unexposed from any greedy eyes and my credit cards always at home, leaving me to carry cash instead. If I have to take my computer with me to study, then I will spend the day anxiously waiting to get it home safely.
If I avoid the favellas (slums), I can walk relatively anywhere during the day but at nighttime it’s a whole other world. By now I know the streets to walk on and the places to avoid. Even so if I am alone I always carry my head high and walk with confidence to hide my vulnerability. I only speak Spanish and if need be talk quietly in English so as not to be the stereotypical, “dumb American.”
So is the life here in Buenos Aires, Argentina, being constantly careful with your belongings and aware of where you are. It is not uncommon to be robbed, pick-pocketed, or ganged up on, in fact a good majority of the people I know down here have been. However, Buenos Aires is not unlike any other big city, big cities have crime and while these bad things have and do happen here, it really is no different than the crimes in New York, Paris, or Rome.
|
|
4/19/2012 |
I could remain here blissfully for eternity; the slow rock of the old bus soothes my heart as my thoughts wash away with the tide. I have no idea where I am and where this bus is taking me, I just know that as long as the coast is in my sight, I’ll find where I am supposed to be.
The woman next to me murmurs in Spanish, “que suerte,” (what luck) and turns to me for conversation. Asking me my plans, I shrug telling her that I wanted to check out the town of Zapallar, Chile. “But where are you going to stay?” she inquires, “There are no hotels; Tourist don’t come here.” I frown, thinking that this might be a long night.
She snaps open her cell phone and calls a list of friends, telling them she has four American girls, with no place to stay. And that is how it goes in Chile. With a big smile, and seeing our effort in speaking Spanish, the people become amiable and helpful.
After some time hitchhiking, we found rest in the only hotel in the region, where we carried the night out like queens.
With little to no information on the Internet about the central coastal towns of Chile, we had no choice other than to show up and explore. So that is how our week long trip carried through, taking the advice of locals and chancing our luck in each town. We found beauty in the people and landscape.
The serene beaches were untouched and pure; few developments littered the landscape, leaving a bare coast. Cliffs jutted steeply out of the water and all I could keep repeating to myself was, “que suerte.”
|
|
3/31/2012 |
I consider myself the quintessential 10 hours a night of sleep girl. In fact, leading up to my study abroad, I depended on it. A girl’s got to have her beauty sleep right? Well apparently here in Argentina you don’t.
Firmly integrated into the Porteño culture is the lifestyle of being a night owl. And no I am not just speaking for the youth, people my grandparent’s age are up till
2:00 a.m. eating and strolling around the city.
My host mom typically does not even serve dinner until around 10:00 p.m., at which point my stomach has begun to make strange noises, growling in hunger.
After dinner sometimes I’ll go out with my friends, which essentially means making the commitment to walking through my front door just as the sun is rising. This is not entirely by choice either – rather it’s just that bars and clubs don’t open till the wee hours of the morning, and if you want to go dancing, then well, you have no other choice. |
|
3/24/2012 |
Snuggled up in my -15 degree sleeping bag my alarm goes off, just as I had finally fallen asleep. It’s 5 am and I’m rubbing my eyes wondering if I am really going to go through with this. It’s too early and cold and just as I am about to curl up and sleep, another alarm goes off, reminding me that I really should wake up. Not fully awake I get up and embark on a sunrise hike.
With only the full moon as my light, I begin to ascend the climb towards the base of Fitz Roy. With each step, rocks fall from under my feet and hurdle down the slope, warning me of the unforgiving terrain. My heart skips with adrenaline and it feels like someone’s hand is pushing me up the mountain, pressing me into a jog. At last I turn the corner to see the full moon’s light reflected off a glacial lake and suddenly I realize that my face hurts from smiling for too long.
It’s 6 am in El Chalten, Patagonia and I am sitting meditatively on a rock with an unwavering gaze at the infamous Fitz Roy peak. So dramatic with its fierce and sculpted angles, the sleek granite of Fitz prevails over the Argentine landscape in a beauty that cannot be disregarded.
I sat watching the time lapse and the sunrise from the east till it illuminated the peak. For just minutes Fitz turned bright red and pink, stunning me with its splendor. Unable to make any words or sense of how truly magnificent it was, I sat in silence, pinching myself to make sure that this was real life. Then as if it had never been, the sun’s scarlet ardent rays disappeared and the day commenced.
|
|
3/9/2012 |
“¡Que Linda!” Men of all ages shout as the women of Buenos Aires walk down the street. It has been said that if a man doesn’t tell a woman how beautiful they are once a day while in the city, then something is wrong. As a part of the Porteño culture here, men show no shame in acknowledging the beauty of a woman.
While at first I believed it to be derogatory, I finally realized that unlike men in the United States who rarely praise women openly, the men here are serious yet playful, and most importantly, appreciative. And while I usually show no emotion on my face when I get a playful catcall – I always smile inside, thankful that someone made my day.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see simple acts of love throughout this city. Two older women stroll through the gardens, hand in hand, giggling like two schoolgirls. Nearby on a bench two old men lean their heads together, with delight in their eyes, whispering secrets. Under the streetlights, lovers’ young and old share a passionate kiss. On the bus a teenage daughter grabs her mother’s hand for comfort. And outside a heladeria -a grandson- feeds his feeble grandmother an ice cream cone, while animating an elaborate story.
People here hold on tight to their families, fall for love, and treasure their friendships- and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Instead of shaking a hand when meeting someone new, or waving goodbye, people embrace and kiss one another’s cheeks. Everywhere around me, people are kissing hello and goodbye in a simple gesture of affection unheard of in the United States.
|
|
2/27/2012 |
It’s that final apprehensive click accompanied by hollowness in the pit of your stomach: am I really going through with this?
Buying an expensive plane ticket is terrifying, not to mention draining on your bank account, but not all traveling has to be 4-star hotel expensive.
Around the world, people have begun to open their homes to travelers looking to save a buck and make new friendships along the way. Using couchsurfing.com you can fill out a profile in just minutes and search for hosts in cities across the world. Each host generally should have references from past couch surfers and lengthy profiles to give a good idea of who they are. If you find someone that looks interesting and trustworthy, you can exchange messages and secure a place to stay. So if you are looking for an adventure, have an open agenda, and want to avoid high hotel prices, give this reliable site a try.
Yes you might get dirty – but if you are looking for free food and accommodation than look into organic farming through WWOOF.org world wide opportunities on organic farms. A world wide network of organizations that links travelers with organic farmers, this is a great way to travel on a budget, meet people from around the world, get some dirt under your fingernails and learn about organic farming.
|
|
2/25/2012 |
Sitting down for my first Argentina asado, I had no idea what to expect. A big chorizo sausage was placed in front of me and while I was feeling a bit shy, inside I was ravenous.
Leaning back in my chair my grin of satisfaction slowly changed into bewilderment as several plates of salads, potatoes, cheeses, and meat were placed on the table. Food was piled on my plate, and being a poor college student that is all too familiar with top ramen, I just couldn’t let it all go to waste.
The lomo steak is grilled to perfection and melts in my mouth, making me positive that I have died and gone to heaven. Once I managed to fit food enough to feed a small village into my stomach, the desert arrives. Oh no.
Since then I have been to several asados with different friends and each one has been the same, parrillas grilling meat with food everywhere followed by laughter and what is always a great time. And while I could do this every day of my life, I realized after a few weeks that I’m not on vacation anymore and that I should probably get some exercise.
The motivation is hard to come by. With long days of school I am always exhausted. So instead of working out the traditional way, I’ve come by a few easy ways to stay fit while spending time in another country.
Walk: While it’s easy to take the bus and subway everywhere, walking home or and taking new routes can be a work out and an adventure.
Parks: The small parks in cities can be an escape from the bustling city life and a way to catch some fresh air and solitude. Even if it’s just a fifteen-minute jog or ten-minute walk, getting out and spending time in the parks is good for the mind and body.
|
|
2/11/2012 |
You are lucky- you live in one of the most geologically diverse states. From the slick rocks of Moab to the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains, Utah has a whole lot to offer. Yet it is so easy to become familiar and to grow accustomed to the rare beauty that surrounds you and to find yourself stuck in a habitual stagnant lifestyle.
After moving to Buenos Aires, I realized just how lucky I was. Don’t get me wrong, I love the city here, but more often than not, I find my mind wandering back to the mountains of Utah, longing for the fresh air.
Now thousands of miles away from home, in a gigantic city with so much waiting to be discovered, I have realized that my customs were defining what I did, the people I met, and who I was. Before my big adventure to Argentina, I had grown complacent to the bubble of Utah, where my routine had obscured the beauty of life. Upon arriving here, I grew scared as I realized that I no longer had it to fall back on. So, with no knowledge of anything surrounding me, I threw away all the securities of having a regulating schedule and liberated myself.
Now I have welcomed a good change in myself. A change that encourages me to find independence, seek new friendships, and explore new things daily. While my days are longer, the experiences I have in each of them fuels me to not waste a second while here. And I have realized that even trying the smallest things that are new and foreign, can make your day.
|
|
2/8/2012 |
February 9-12 see some of the worlds most extreme winter athletes battle it out in the superpipe and slopestyle courses for the 2012 Toyota Dew Tour Championship. Taking place at the nearby ski and summer resort of Snowbasin, find yourself in awe as you watch skiers and snowboarders soar through the air. With tight competition across the board, cheer for your fellow University of Utah classmate Tom Wallisch who just brought home a gold medal from the X Games in men’s ski slopestyle. Other Utah student’s to compete include Joss Christensen, Tim McChesney, Ashley Battersby, and more!
Besides watching skiers and snowboarders battling it out, head to the FREE Mac Miller concert hosted by the Winter Dew Tour. Taking place on 25th street in downtown Ogden on Friday, February 10, at 9:00 pm this is going to be a concert you won’t want to miss.
The event is scheduled as follows:
Friday, Feb. 10
9:00 PM-11:00 PM FREE Mac Miller Concert
Saturday, Feb. 11
11:00 AM Women’s snowboard Superpipe Final
12:00 PM Men’s Snowboard Superpipe Final
5:00 PM Women’s Freeski Superpipe Final
6:00 PM Men’s Freeski Superpie Final
Sunday, Feb. 12
9:00 AM Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
10:00 AM Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
12:00 PM Women’s Freeski Slopestyle Final
1:00 PM Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Final
2:30 PM Dew Cup Awards |
|
1/28/2012 |
Tranquillo! Tranquillo!
Amidst this giant foreign city, in a bus overflowing with exhausted and overheated people, I recognize my own voice gasp, “tranquillo.” The bus slams on its brakes to a screeching halt narrowly missing a pedestrian. I look around distressed to see the other passengers left entirely un-phased. Suddenly it becomes apparent, I am not in Utah anymore.
Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires, Argentina!
People are talking, talking in a Castellano, a dialect of Spanish that sounds rather Italian. Words are uttered in long yet swift and emotional drawls – It’s beautiful. And so is the city. A perfect blend of Paris and New York with a Latino vibe have mixed to create a vibrant, green, and eclectic city. I immediately fall head over heels in love with Argentina and cannot even begin to imagine how hard leaving is going to be after this semester.
Each day after school, I wander the narrow streets of the city in hopes of discovering something new. Even when that has meant getting completely lost and engulfed in dread and anxiety, I have realized that it’s important to just keep moving forward. Adjusting to a new culture is stressful and hard, but if you don’t sweat the small stuff and just allow yourself to experience you’ll find an independence you never knew you had. In a way it’s reinventing everything that you have ever known to become a better person.
|
