My final week in Argentina, which concluded today, has been awfully busy, and as a result, I have not given myself the time to update my blog. On Thursday night, we rented a party bus for my friend Sarah, who celebrated her 21st birthday. To sum up the party bus experience in one word: ridiculous- we took a bus with flashing lights all around Buenos Aires, blasting a music playlist that our friend Drew had prepared before-hand. Whenever we were stopped at traffic lights, some people would look at us like we were insane, others would laugh at us, and others would dance along to the music as well. At one point, a group of little kids wanted to join in on the fun, chasing after the bus, though their main goal was to get us to throw them some money. It really was unlike anything I had ever done.
This of course followed my last final exam of the semester, in my Argentine sociology class. This is how the exam went: I walked into the room, took a seat opposite my professor. She asked me to discuss a topic that we had covered during the second half of the semester. I obviously chose Juan Peron. I told her that I found it interesting because people have such strong opinions about the former president. It remains such a complicated issue that I still find it difficult to say anything for sure regarding his leadership. Afterward, she elaborated and gave her 2 cents on the matter, and that was it- I had passed my final “final exam” at the University of Belgrano. As you can see, the university didn’t get more challenging towards the end of the semester. Normally, after completing a semester in school, I have this tremendous sense of relief and accomplishment. I honestly didn’t feel anything except for disbelief at how I could have called the last 4 months a college semester. I’ll take it, however. If only the University of Maryland knew….
Friday afternoon, our program divided itself up into different teams to go on a scavenger hunt around the city. Although we were all pretty exhausted from a long week (not from working too hard), our team managed to accomplish some interesting tasks, such as serenading an old man,(props to Mari) who didn’t even acknowledge what was happening, in a café, and dancing the Makarena on the Subte.
Friday night, our program met at our resident director’s house for a final dinner/get-together. The night included a very delicious looking dinner (I bought some challah, empanadas, and kibbeh for myself) and a slideshow. Needless to say, the girls were all very emotional. But I understood- we had all become very close, spending almost every day with each other for the last 4 months, living and “studying” and traveling in a foreign country together. Obviously, some discussed potential dates for the first reunion back in the US. At the end of the night, I made my final trek from the center of town back to Belgrano.
I spent Sunday, my last full day in Argentina, in typical fashion, that is, exploring both the San Telmo and Recoleta fairs, eating ice cream for a pre dinner snack, and having a nice steak dinner at a restaurant in Once. These activities represented such a big part of my Argentine experience so I felt it appropriate to include them on my last day.
The fairs are especially good places to talk with locals, especially as one looks at specific things to buy. Many different locals asked me the same thing: “So when are you going to come back to Argentina?” I don’t think they quite understand that just because I’m an American doesn’t mean I’m made out of money. NJ and Argentina lie in different continents/hemispheres, a 10 hour flight. It’s by no means an easy trip plus flights remain expensive. At this point in my life, I can’t just decide on a whim that I’m going to go to Argentina. Sure, I’d love to say that I’ll be back soon but who knows where I’ll be with anything in my life even by next year. Thus, I found it interesting how so many Portenos have casually asked me when I’ll be back.
Before going out to dinner last night, I went to this car show, which advertised itself as cars of the future. With that headline, I imagined environmentally friendly/electric cars. Not surprisingly, I don’t think Argentina has reached that point yet of striving to be truly environmentally friendly. After all, Buenos Aires remains engulfed in smog and littered with feces and any other trash you could imagine. So instead of finding future hybrids, I encountered what looked like a giant car dealership, basically an advertising technique. I did see some pretty fancy cars and some old classic ones from the mid 20th century- I’m not a big car guy, but it was cool to see some of these models.
Interesting note: Being out on Sunday, I saw tons and tons of Brazilians. Everywhere I went, I heard Portuguese. It was if they all had been unleashed for the weekend from Brazil, strange too, because as far as I know, it's not vacation time.
I ended Sunday by meeting Kelsey, Aidan, and AJ, the only other API ppl (except for 3 others) left in BA, at this bar in Palermo. Cool place- very chill and the walls being decorated with graffiti. We reminisced about the semester, recounting many of the ridiculous and hilarious moments. We then discussed plans to have reunions back in the US. Then as quickly as I got to the bar and to Buenos Aires, I left my new friends, taking one last colectivo (bus) back to Belgrano, to pack my bags and go to the airport.
1 final post to come from NJ.
Some final pics in Buenos Aires
Plaza San Martin
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| Car show |
Hasta manana
Ariel
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