I have arrived and am starting to better understand this mysterious place where I’ll be living for the next 6 months. When I first landed everything was so bewildering that it thoroughly exhausted me. I could barely understand the language, the customs, and the llaves! (keys) However, now I am beginning to find routine.
Buenos Aires is so similar to New Orleans that its uncanny. From the terrible sidewalks, and the safety issues to the style of architecture and palm trees. However, its got fun of its own. There is a lot more graffiti here than in New Orleans and I love reading it! It’s always poetic and rhythmic and with an activist undertone. It’s wild.
There are dog walkers here who will walk 10 dogs at a time. I know this exists in the US but Ive never seen it before, and it amuses me every time. There is an invention in every argentine house called a bidette, that was invented by an argentine. Juana, my host mom seemed very proud of it haha but in my opinion it just takes up space. I can’t say I’m surprised that it didn’t catch on in other countries.
So far I haven’t done… much at all. No part of orientation takes us to actually see the city. Its just us sitting at the Circulo Italiano learning about the city day after day. At least we get really long breaks during which we can explore. During these breaks the majority of my communication with Argentines has been to either ask for directions or purchase something. They’re very friendly but as Emily noted, rarely smile. They’re very helpful too. People are amazing about reaching out. Emily and I have both had change returned to us on different occasions which is even more amazing because change is like gold here! It’s needed to ride the buses and people hoard it.
Speaking of the buses – they go everywhere, and for a faster version that goes less places there is the subte (subway) and radiotaxis. Its nice having reliable transportation- even if its superpacked and I have to hoard coins to ride. It is definitely a plus over New Orleans.
Oh another thing in common! Buenos Aires is green like New Orleans and has many giant parks to bask in. One is very close to my home and I laid out in beautiful sunny weather with Sarah and Beth, just loving life. The park is huge with a dog area, a retired area, a carousel, a stadium, a stage, a skate park, a pond, a playground- EVERYTHING you could imagine. It is my new favorite place, especially with this beautiful weather. I love it!
There’s much more to say and I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but there will be more posts for that. I’m not sure how frequently though… we don’t have wifi in my house and its fairly uncommon. Eek. We’ll see
Ciao Becca Chilbert
Linguistic Tidbits:
Minimarts are approximately the same size as supermarts
Tanghetto – so, the gh sound doesn’t exist is Spanish… for starters
Movistar
For starters milk and yogurt out of a bag. Green beans con ajo (garlic), and spinach ravioli, salad, and …. Veal. And lots of helado! (ice cream) Honestly, between the regular vegetables and regular ice cream and regular walking I am still undecided whether I intend to engordecer or not (get fat). 
The Plaza centenario. It’s the best place ever. Also, other parks, bars, pizzerias.
