I know that this post is a little bit late, but I went out last night and we didn't get back in until about 4:30, so I couldn't exactly write about my day at that hour! As you all know, I love Fridays. I get to sleep in, it's the last day of the week, and school is at the tower. I love the cafeteria at the tower, I love the classrooms at the tower, I love the restrooms at the tower...I just love the tower campus.
I only have 2 full days of class left, and then I have my two finals! I can't believe how fast this first month has gone! Then, I start in my new level...Intermediate II. Hopefully, this will be a little more challenging than the first, and the kids will be a little bit more up to speed.
I also received news that my package was here...which excited me beyond belief! I decided that I would make the long trek to the central correo yesterday, as I had an hour and half to get there, and I was dying to get my package. So, I rode the D-line to 9 de Julio stop and then hopped on the C-train. That line is straight up janky...let me just say. The cars are open on the ends, so you can move between cars and it's like scary to look down the line and see how the subway turns and twists. Also, there are dirty blue upholstered benches and instead of bars they have the handlebars which I hate. So, I got off at the subte stop for the correo, and I still didn't have much of an idea that I was smack dab in the middle of the ghetto...the subte station was full of some wishy washy people, but I figured that was normal for every station. I WAS WRONG. The second I walked up the subte stairs I realized that I had entered the straight up ghetto...like it didn't even feel like Buenos Aires anymore...it looked darker. There were no trees...just about 6 lanes of traffic coming from every direction. The buildings were shabby and didn't have the fancy architecture of normal buildings here. There were mud puddles everywhere and homeless people laying all over the streets. Tons of creepy street vendors just sitting there looking miserable trying to sell their junk. Not only that but the second people saw me they starting whistling, howling, and yelling things my way...I was legitimately scared. Also, I had no idea really where the correo was and how to get there or anything...so I asked the crossing guard. I also got stuck in the middle of the street between crossings, which is also a nerve racking experience. Finally, I figured out how to enter the building and sat and waited until my number was called...which actually didn't take too long...however, I didn't have my original passport on me, so my package could not be released to me. I wanted to cry when she told me that...I asked if I could use another form of i.d., but she said no and sent me on my merry way. I just wanted my package!!! I was pretty furious at the whole situation...also, I feel disappointed in ISA's lack of assistance in this manner. A) she didn't tell me how to get to the correo and B)she failed to mention that I needed my passport...because originally ISA said that you can use a copy for everything, but I am starting to learn that this is seriously wrong. You might as well carry the real fricken thing because it will save you time and energy. So, I have to do the whole wretched thing over again on Monday. I took a taxi home because I was too distressed to get back on the subte...I just wanted to go the heck home.
So, I did. And I made plans with friends to go to a bar about 8 blocks down the street called Jackie-O. I think it is supposed to be an American-themed bar...they played U.S. music until about 2 a.m., and they only served American beer...no Quilmes for me. I had a tequila sunrise, but switched to Budweiser because liquor is expensive and we split a pitcher between three of us. It ended up being 15 pesos a piece, which is really cheap. The DJ was really awesome, and this bar has 3 levels. There is also a picture of Jackie O on the wall when you walk in. It's pretty cool...they way it works here is that until about 1:30/2ish they serve food and seat tables...then once people start leaving they clear away the tables and people start dancing. So, if you had a table you could technically sit there all night, but everyone else is standing and dancing. We got up and started dancing at about 2:00...we stayed until 4:15!!! It's crazy to me that we spent 4 hours in that bar...it feels like we were only there for like 2 hours. When we left the place was still going strong. We saw a couple get engaged there, too...which seems kind of unromantic, but she was thrilled. Also, the bathroom runs out of toilet paper pretty quickly and there was a huge line for the ladies. So Aidi and I got the bright idea of going in the men's bathroom because there was NO ONE in there and they had like 20 rolls of toilet paper in there...however when we were done there was a line of men out the door! Where did they all come from? So, that was totally embarrassing, but I will never see any of them again. We had fun dancing and talking to people...everyone came up to me to ask where I was from...which is getting old. They ALWAYS say, "you don't look like you are from around here...where are you from?" Thanks for stating the obvious, genius. Also, they said it in English...which is another pet peeve I have...speak to me in Spanish...I'm here to learn and I can understand it and speak it, so give me the chance. So, that situation is going to be happening quite often...I can tell already.
On the walk home, all the kids in the streets tried talking to us, and a kid left the club to ask us if we wanted a ride home...thankfully we are smart enough to say no. My favorite comment of the night was, "Hello...I love you." It kills me the things these teenage boys say to us...like that's the English you chose to learn! Its very common for kids to hang out in the streets drinking...open intox isn't against the law here.
So, I came home and went to bed...I slept until 2:15 p.m. I feel like a bum and I hope my family doesn't think poorly of me. But, I'm sure that is normal for here...they did raise 5 kids and have hosted quite a few foreign exchange students. Today, they are gone to Jorge's mom's 93rd birthday party. And I am going shopping soon. :)
Yesterday I had a hamburger for lunch...it's cheap and I like the fries. Chop suey for dinner, which is really stir fry. I'm pretty hungry for lunch right now, so hopefully I find something good while I'm out shopping...I'll be back later to fill everyone in on my retail therapy!
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