Mi barrio se llama Caballito. The title consists of how it is spelled and how Portenos (People of BA) normally pronounce it. Viewing the city blueprints before I arrived, I was happy to have an ideally placed barrio in the center of the city. However, out of orientation, attractions, bars, and great restaurants BA had to offer, I seemed to be on the moon. BA is IMMENSE. I would say it is comparable to the size (area) of LA, that is LA with all its suburbs. It takes me approx. 40 minutes to span across two barrios.To give you an idea, check this out:
http://www.google.com.ar/imgres?imgurl=http://www.comono.net/journal/content/entries/6/map2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.comono.net/journal/es/index.html%3FentryId%3D6&usg=__pM6hz_M72X6LT0ECgcaTLqteXqk=&h=503&w=496&sz=76&hl=es&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=Iyg6pJ-E4YdmjM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=132&ei=t4xpTeWKJse1tgfDv4XoAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmap%2Bof%2Bbuenos%2Baires%2Band%2Bbarrios%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DGPU%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D719%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=281&oei=t4xpTeWKJse1tgfDv4XoAw&page=1&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=68&ty=87.
Wow, that's a long link. El colectivo (public bus system) spans through Almagro, Balvanera and then subsequently Recoleta (where el Circolo Italiano , AKA, the orientation center).
So I have established its relative location. Caballito, according to social structure studies from students of UBA (Universidad of Buenos Aires), contains the largest percentage of la clase medio. (Middle class, very few lower class and few upper class citizens). Avenida Rivadavia is an important street. Interestingly enough, although it is completely a one-way road, es la avendina mas larga en el mundo (longest avenue in the world). I can say I lived on it! (Basically).
Av. Rivadavia (name of the first president of Argentina, who wasn't popular whatsoever), splits BA into two large pieces. The south (essentially the surburbios should be avoided, especially at night; this where the majority of la clase baja lives). The north is just fine; everyone in IFSA lives here.
I hope to have time to post this week. Chau, nos vemos a todos!
Evan
Saturday, February 26, 2011
La vida nueva en Sudamerica, QUE BUENO!
I have had a CRAZY past few days. First I would like to say how annoying it was for me to arrive a day late. That's right; I missed my plane in ATL by less than 10 minutes because my flight was delayed in Detroit (bad weather). But I made a mountain out of a molehill and decided to tour ATL (never been) and so I walked around in my khakis and clark wallabee boots (extrememly uncomfortable and not fit for southern weather) and toured Coca-Cola World, cool stuff! However, very strange going alone with 2 pieces of heavy luggage.
Due to my new flight being available sadly 24 hours after the one I missed, I arrived at the normal time in Buenos Aires (EZE)-at 8 am-a day LATE, I successfully flew through the usual bureaucracy of any international airport, including las aduanas (customs). Because I arrived a day late, I was without the aid of IFSA-Butler (my host program), and had to take a taxi into BA. It took approx. 30 minutes to arrive to where I needed to be. The ride in consisted on a great chat with la taxista, which skyrocketed my spanish confidence. I understood him, he understood me, life was good.
Picture of the Avenue which I drove on when I arrived to the city-the widest avenue in the world!
However, I started to panic when (around 1030), I arrived at the IFSA headquarters and ascending the elevator with unknown portenos.. I tentatively entered the office and open the door to an empty office with only one younger man who happened to be an employee (phew). Eventually, I was ordered to arrive at la casa de mi madre argentina,. My mom's name is Marta Ines Cal Rubinos-or Marta Cal. It took me another 30 minute taxi ride to arrive there.
Nervous as all get out due to my insufficient of BA the day I arrived, I arrive late ONCE AGAIN to orientation. This actually makes me late x 2 (because I really should have been there on Monday instead of Tuesday). But I was told I didn't miss anything really (phew x 2). I immediately noted the great contrast of genders. Around 140 students, only 22 guys. But I didn't mind, girls are always nice and I usually can relate to them better. It was no problem meeting friends; 30 minutes after first arriving, I had been able to join 5 others in a lunch date. Lunch consisted of: Hamburgesa con papas (without the bun). I was completely content with what I had seen on the first day, and I was hungry for more (not just hamburgesa).
I will post again..right now! Since Im so far behind.
Hasta un momento
Due to my new flight being available sadly 24 hours after the one I missed, I arrived at the normal time in Buenos Aires (EZE)-at 8 am-a day LATE, I successfully flew through the usual bureaucracy of any international airport, including las aduanas (customs). Because I arrived a day late, I was without the aid of IFSA-Butler (my host program), and had to take a taxi into BA. It took approx. 30 minutes to arrive to where I needed to be. The ride in consisted on a great chat with la taxista, which skyrocketed my spanish confidence. I understood him, he understood me, life was good.
Picture of the Avenue which I drove on when I arrived to the city-the widest avenue in the world!
However, I started to panic when (around 1030), I arrived at the IFSA headquarters and ascending the elevator with unknown portenos.. I tentatively entered the office and open the door to an empty office with only one younger man who happened to be an employee (phew). Eventually, I was ordered to arrive at la casa de mi madre argentina,. My mom's name is Marta Ines Cal Rubinos-or Marta Cal. It took me another 30 minute taxi ride to arrive there.
Nervous as all get out due to my insufficient of BA the day I arrived, I arrive late ONCE AGAIN to orientation. This actually makes me late x 2 (because I really should have been there on Monday instead of Tuesday). But I was told I didn't miss anything really (phew x 2). I immediately noted the great contrast of genders. Around 140 students, only 22 guys. But I didn't mind, girls are always nice and I usually can relate to them better. It was no problem meeting friends; 30 minutes after first arriving, I had been able to join 5 others in a lunch date. Lunch consisted of: Hamburgesa con papas (without the bun). I was completely content with what I had seen on the first day, and I was hungry for more (not just hamburgesa).
I will post again..right now! Since Im so far behind.
Hasta un momento
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Before exiting America
Tonight is my final night in America. However, it feels nothing like it. With my entire family present, I feel as if I am staying home for good...except that all of my other friends my age are busy taking classes at their respective universities. Many have asked me if I am nervous...I am showing none of the usual symptoms. With living in another country for practically 5 months with a single mother (se llama Marta Ines Cal Rubino-that's her name), and having to confront every Porteno (someone who is native to Buenos Aires) with a mouthful of spanish, one would expect to be extremely nervous! But, I rather feel excited; I am ready to embark on this journey which will lead me to (hopefully) become proficient in espanol. But that is not the only thing. No, no I also hope to learn about myself and others AND learn within the classroom.
Learning in the classroom will encompass courses in the NON-sciences. Phew. I have been long awaiting this break from the stressful, objective, and sometimes impractical classes...which I am only taking in order to become accepted into medical school. Anyway, I plan on taking courses which will fulfill my undergrad requirements at Miami: Art History, Human Rights +Field Experience, Argentina Language and Culture, and maybe one more. I will get into these later on as I start my classes (early to mid-March).
I leave tomorrow at 5pm, have a one-stop to ATL and then I arrive Monday February 21st to Buenos Aires finally at about 8am. I will post one as soon as I arrive...although I know my schedule will be hectic and unclear then.
Hasta luego
Learning in the classroom will encompass courses in the NON-sciences. Phew. I have been long awaiting this break from the stressful, objective, and sometimes impractical classes...which I am only taking in order to become accepted into medical school. Anyway, I plan on taking courses which will fulfill my undergrad requirements at Miami: Art History, Human Rights +Field Experience, Argentina Language and Culture, and maybe one more. I will get into these later on as I start my classes (early to mid-March).
I leave tomorrow at 5pm, have a one-stop to ATL and then I arrive Monday February 21st to Buenos Aires finally at about 8am. I will post one as soon as I arrive...although I know my schedule will be hectic and unclear then.
Hasta luego
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