There’s English bouncing off the walls and I sip my beer. This could make for an interesting night. I’ve been dying to be on my own again. Lately, it’s been going out with friends to touristic spots; and as much as I enjoy it, it isn’t why I came to Buenos Aires. I wanted to be one of the locals.
Of course, I contradict myself by coming to an English comedy club; but I’m alone. Everyone is off exploring Southern Argentina, Bolivia, or Chile. I’m here in the city trying to get work done at my internship during our Fall Break. Still, even as I order my drink in Spanish, I feel more of a local than a stranger. I haven’t had an English conversation in days and I don’t miss the language. Spanish feels like home, which is something I’ve craved for a long time.
I visited the cemetery earlier today. I know, it sounds spooky to just throw that in there, but I visited the cemetery like a local. What I mean to say is that the last time I was at this infamous cemetery in Recoleta, I was mainly there with my NYU program and we were only looking at Eva Peron’s grave. It was interesting to be on the other side. Several groups were asking an employee where her site was; as they left, he and I joked a bit about how it is always about her. I didn’t see her site today. Instead, I took pictures of people taking pictures. I wanted to see how the locals see us. Yes, us; because as much as I want to be a local, I’m not. Which leads me to attending the comedy show.
It’s titled “Gringo,” which is appropriate for this Gringa. The Argentine, American, and British comedians joked about the obvious, yet hilarious, differences between Argentines and the rest of the world: the very forward men in Buenos Aires, the irony of a vegetarian Argentine, and how NYC nannies have less experience than dog-walkers before they start working with kids. For a split second, I wanted to be a tourist. But then the second was gone, and I felt guilty.
I do recommend the show, and even though I felt guilty, today I learned a big lesson. I came to Argentina to find a bit more about myself, and today caught me off guard. As much as I want to be a local and I am home in the native Spanish, it’s okay to be a tourist speaking English. Yes, we all want that local experience, but being a tourist can also be an experience you will never forget. So next time, I’ll get off my high horse and proudly hold a sign that says, “Kiss me! I’m a Gringa!” because I am a Gringa, and a Latina at the same time.