The New Home

As time passes rapidly I now find myself living with my second host family. Cousins to my first host family they reside on the east side of the city. A lovely two story home with quaint little garden in the back to have asados (BBQs) in. They are Armenian Argentineans and living with them is sort of like the recreation of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, well of course except for the fact that they are Armenian. The whole family lives on the same block. My cousin and her boyfriend who is also Armenian live in the house in front of me. My aunt and uncle and their two children live in the house to out left which we share a wall with. My sister’s boyfriend lives 15 blocks away who is also Armenian. And not to forget the grandmother that lives ten blocks away. We are one block away from the street called Armenia and seven blocks from the Armenian school, church and club. All the Armenians’ took refuge in Argentina after the genocide and have now formed a large community. If there is one thing my mother loves to do it is to cook, I feel like we are always eating. The younger generation of cousins also get together a lot to eat. Saturday we had dinner together which started a 1:30 at night, might I add. We took a cardboard box and made a table in the grass. For chairs we cut up little pieces of cardboard. Sunday we gathered in the house of my cousins to the left with all their boyfriends and girlfriends and made pasta from scratch. It was real yum! My sister is named Silvina but everyone just calls her the Chili she is twenty four and very studious. She spent the last year working in New Zealand and traveling South East Asia. She is an English major. The back bedroom has been turned into a study were she teaches children English two times a week. My brother Simon is very adventures and enjoys all sorts of sports his favorite including sailing. He also helps my father with his shoe business; a common business for Armenians according to my first host mother. My father Juan is very proud of his Armenian heritage and gave a fifteen minute PowerPoint about Armenia upon my arrival. He also enjoys reading the back of the newspaper everyday where he intently scans the car section. My mother Patty lives for her cooking and also helps with the family business. I’m very content with my new family. I get the best of both worlds as I learn about Argentine and Armenian culture. Each new host family has something new to offer and a load of new memories to create. As much as I miss my first I know I will have the opportunity to visit a lot.

The Last Days of School

As the days got hotter students scrambled beneath the shade of the trees, our dreaded finals were around the corner. I had missed the past two and half weeks of school to travel to the south. I scrambled to study all my materials. At night I would take my papers and sit out in the grass using the street lamp as my light. Everyone was stressed at school. I was happy to see my classmates two and a half weeks felt like forever. I brought everyone back little seashells form Puerta Madryn. Here in Argentina when you finish your classes you have a two week period of finals. Each day you are given one test; you go to school for an hour and a half only. I was to pass my five materials… gym, history, geography, French, and English. History came easily to me. I scored an 80% on my last history test which came as a surprise considering I did better than most the students in my class; and due to the fact that I was able to talk about fascism and the ramifications of World War II all in Spanish. But I’ve always been sort of a nerd for History. Geography consisted more of history. I studied about populism in Latin America and the political, economic, and social connections of Latin America with capitalistic societies. Gym consisted of a volleyball game which I passed successfully. Everyone laughs when I say I choose gym for one of my 5 classes but I’m missing the credits due to the fact that gym is not offered at DCIS. I was surprised what I learned in English. It’s one thing when a language is your native tongue but to learn it from another perspective is very interesting. Often my classmates know more about the grammatical rules of English then I do, for me it just comes naturally. How I managed to pass French is beyond me; learning another language in another language is just about one of the most confusing things I have ever done. The students have three opportunities to take the finals. I passed all mine on the first try and am now on summer break till March. Originally I thought I would die of boredom but have been surprisingly busy. Everywhere I turn I have an invitation to do something. Tomorrow I will be heading to the main plaza to talk politics with a few classmates. We have set forth the topics to Cuba and communism as well as Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Others might laugh, but I enjoy sipping warm mate from a bombilla and arguing politics with a group of friends a common pass time here in Argentina.

Southern Most Journey Continued

October 28, 2009
Upon boarding the bus everyone cuddled into their blankets and feel asleep. We woke to the passport control and boarder security to Chile. I have never gone through passport security so fast. Chile sort of looked like what I imagine Ireland to look like, green long grass, sheep, and cliff sides that lead out to the ocean. After about two hours of driving through Chiles Southern countryside we had to get out and board a ferry with the bus to cross over into the Tierra De Fuego, the Southern most province of Argentina. On the bus for lunch I ate canned peaches. We were very limited to what we could bring into the country. Within a few hours I was in the breathtaking mountains of Ushuaia. Upon arrival they brought us to a all you can eat Chinese buffet this time warning us not to get sick off the food.
October 29,2009
When I woke the next morning I was greeted by one of the most profound vistas in my life. The little town of Ushuaia stood on a hill side as the houses led down to the waterside. The snow top mountains created a little nest for the town and in the distance you could see Chile’s mountain range. The afternoon we had free to do as we like. A group of friends and I decided to take taxi’s up to the foot of a mountain. From there we hiked for about an hour on what was a deserted spring ski slope. At points bitter cold snow was up to our knees and quickly drenched our shoes. At the top was a small ski cabin and the end of the ski lift. We climbed into the ski lifts safety nets like hammocks. Latter we decided to start a campfire on the mountain side. We sat around singing songs as we struggled to keep or fire lit. The boys had decided to go see what was past timberline. You could see all of Ushuaia from our little hideout. When the sun began to set behind the mountain we headed back towards town. Shoes soaked and hands chilled we slid down the mountain side. It took us nearly half the time to get down. At the bottom we encountered a little tea house. Quaintly decorated like a doll house we gathered around a windowsill table as it began to snow and drank chocolate submarines.
October 30, 2009
We woke early; somehow we came up with the crazy idea to go swimming in the sea. After placing our bathing suits under our winter jackets we headed down to the port. It was just one of those things you have to say you did at the end of the world was our idea. By the time we got there the snow began to fall hard. I was already freezing. At this point there was no way I was going to go swimming. I guess that we just have to be one thing I didn’t do at the end of the world. In the afternoon we took a small bus to the national forest. The forest was green and lush similar to those of the east coast in the US. Our first stop was at an old train station and home to the southernmost prison in the world. The worst of the worst were sent here yet was closed in the 1950’s and now serves for a museum. Our second stop was the southernmost post office. A little shack that stood out on the waterside a green snow covered mountain side laid as its back drop. A little old man worked inside. On the back wall hung pictures of Che and Evita two national heroes, and in the right hand corner stood a little shrine of the virgin marry. We where each given our passports to get a special stamp from the southernmost post office. Our third stop was a beautiful lake covered in mist; you couldn’t see to the other side as things faded into the darkness. We sat and skipped rocks on the water side. Our final destination was the end of route three; a very famous route that travels from the tip of Alaska to the end of Argentina. In the night rotary took us to a bar restaurant like thing to celebrate Bernie’s 18th birthday.
October 31,2009
Today we woke early at four to drive to Esquel a town in the province of Santa Cruz. In the process we crossed back into Chile while leaving the Tierra de Fuego. The day was spent traveling on the bus. At night me and my friend Dylan could not sleep so we decided to pull some Halloween pranks on everybody. We placed sugar in the mouths of those who slept with their mouths open; glued paper to peoples face and to the leader’s bald spot. We also placed lotion on people’s hands and tickled their faces so that when they woke they whipped the lotion all over their faces.
November 1, 2009
Today we arrived in Esquel. It felt like a summer afternoon, we were greeted by a beautiful garden and little cabins. Lena and I ventured around taking pictures of the flowers and searching for a apple tree. The afternoon was spent in the grass with friends. Some wrote in their journals while others sunbathed and played the guitar. After everyone had showered we headed for the center where we bought stuff of make chocolate bananas for that nights campfire. We also bought a little cake and sat on the dusty sidewalk eating. As the Kiwis say it was real yum! We passed by a guacho an Argentine cowboy. We stopped him and asked to take pictures with him and his horse. I’m pretty sure he thought we were crazy. I still can’t get over how beautiful of a day it was. Here we were in sundresses as we looked out upon snow covered mountain tops. At night with a little bottle of Suzan’s rubbing alcohol we managed to start a fire. We cut open the bananas and placed chocolate inside and proceeded to roast them over the fire. Others soon began to gather around the fire side and we told scary stories through the night.
November 2, 2009
The next morning we loaded the bus for our journey to Bariloche. We ate breakfast in a cabin that also served as the receptionist’s home. I ate the best media lunas in my entire life (croissants direct translation half moons). Our arrival time was set for shortly before dinner. Bariloche is also nestled upon a mountain side the overlooks a lake. The street in front of our hotel was very similar to that of Lombard in San Francisco as it winded down to the waterside. At dinner another group of students began to cheer. “Oh o oh bari bari bariloche”. When students complete their secondary schooling in Argentina they travel to Bariloche for a little over a week to celebrate. To some extent it’s like Las Vegas. That night we went out dancing the place was packed as students from all over Argentina gathered
November 3, 2009
We woke in time for lunch the next day. We were one of the last groups there. We would have most likely slept through it if it wasn’t for the fact that Rocia came knocking on our door. The day was spent visiting the little town. Bariloche is famous for its chocolate and we stopped in all the little stores for samples.
November 4, 2009
The next day we drove around the city and to various lookouts. Rain sprinkled a little as we looked out onto Bariloches waterside. In the middle of the lake stood little green islands. I feel in love with the scenery and wish we had more time to go hiking. In the afternoon we drove to San Martin de Los Andes. We took a scenic route called the Seven Lakes. It took a lot longer but it was gorgeous. We stopped to take pictures at many of the lakes. We were supposed to have a picnic at one but do to the snow we ended up having our picnic on the bus. San Martin de Los Andes also sat on a lake side. We stayed in a little hotel on the southern part of the town. It was really cue. The bathroom was all one piece of plastic from the cling to the floor it sort of felt like a airplane. We walked around town taking pictures and drinking tea with friends. We ran into a interesting couple from France that had traveled all over the world and stopped to talk. Our final night was spent gathering with friends and reminiscing about all our adventures during the trip. I was sad to see the trip come to an end. But I made great new friends, traveled to far off places, and a handful of memories that I will forever store close to my heart.

The Southern Most Journey

The last week I was pulled out of class and asked to proceed to the front office. I sat and tried to think what I could have possibly done wrong. As I entered the office guided by a friend a wave of fear came over me. I was directed to a telephone. On the other side of the line was Marta from Rotary. What came next left me speechless, she informed me that the Rotary club had all pitched in to pay for my trip to the South of Argentina and Chile, with all the other exchange students. I was in utter shock with an overwhelming feeling of greatness. She informed me that the trip was departing the next day and that I needed to work fast to get paperwork signed. I was still in shock as I tried to take in all she was telling me. Shortly after we hung up I looked over at the school sectary and gave her a huge hug. I’m pretty sure she is afraid of me now. My friend was looking at me all weird as well but I was just so overwhelming happy. I proceeded home to prepare my things. I’m not going to lie I cried sitting there alone on the bus. I just couldn’t believe how fortunate I had been.
The next day all the exchange students from the provinces of Cordoba and Catamarca met in the center suitcases in hand packed full of sweaters and scarf’s we were set out for the South. These next seventeen days would end up being some of my life’s best memories, but little did I know. We would travel through two countries and over 8,500 km. A group of girls from New Zealand (which I would latter befriend) had laid out an extensive photo scavenger hunt including things such as…
· Dance tango on the roof of a car
· By something at a Kiosko (convenient store) and give it back as a gift to the person behind the counter
· Make a meal in a restaurant
· Ride in a garbage truck
· Supporting gay rights (be creative)
· A sign in Spanish that means something funny in your native language
This list went on for over 200 items and provided us with endless fun throughout the trip.
The following our excerpts from my travel diary ….
October 22, 2009
Coming to you from our little apartment in Puerto Madryn, my roommate from New Zealand lolly’s angel like voice rings over the sweet sound of a acoustic guitar. The atmosphere is very tranquil. I’m so thankful to be here; I don’t think I will every truly be able to express my thanks to Rotary. Today I woke up on the bus and was greeted by the barren Patagonian land. We pulled into Peninsula Valdez around lunch time, a little town which bases its economy of whale watching. The ocean fog formed a blanket over the town. We ate lunch in a little café on the cloudy beach side. Afterwards I ran down to the beach to soak my feet and take pictures. Forty Five of us crammed onto a boat in our stylish orange safety vests; we were off to see whales. As the boat began to pick up speed the cold Atlantic water splashed across my face. The water was dark making it difficult to spot the whales, but as they came up to breech for air the whole boat stood there in amazement. We even spotted an albino whale which was very interesting. The feeling that comes over you when you are surrounded by such large beings is indescribable; it’s hard to believe that we share the same earth. The wind was not to obad but with the splashes of salt water a bitter chill began to form. Latter in the afternoon we arrived in Puerto Madryn were we were each given keys to our little apartments. We all took some time to relax and prepare for dinner, which included an involuntary ice cold shower…
October 23, 2009
Today we woke early and prepared for breakfast a word that virtually does not exist in Argentina. We were off to see the sea lions in Peninsula Valdez. The natural reserve was about three hours from Puerta Madryn. Upon entering the bus everyone cuddled up and went back to sleep. We stopped half way through the journey at and overlook were both sides of the Peninsula could be spotted. Let me tell you now sea lions are some of the funniest animals I have ever seen. A baby sea lions sneeze is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. ….That night after dinner a group of friends and I were sitting around talking in the restaurant after everyone else had left, when another group of friends entered. Originally there was an extra excursion on the trip to hike the Moreno Glacier in Califate. I didn’t think many others were going to do it because of the extra cost; but I guess me and a girl from Germany were the only ones. In result the entire group pitched in so we could participate. Now I really couldn’t get over how unfortunate I was. I hugged everyone but when I got to my friend Lena all I could do was cry.
October 25, 2009
The morning started early as the bus rolled up to a little roadside café. Little motivation was collected from the group to get off the bus, we were all still about half awake. I decided after lasts night’s events of getting sick over cold empanadas it was probably a safe idea to skip breakfast. Upon retreat to the bus I quickly fell back asleep and within forty five minutes I woke to the distant view of snow covered mountains. As we descended from the mountain side into the little town of Califate Argentina’s European influence became more and more apparent. We were given two hours to explore the little village but I felt very week and ill. For lunch we ate all you can eat Chinese food, which I found out we would be eating for the next six days in Califate and Ushuaia, lunch and dinner. If you think Americanized Chinese food is interesting you need to try Argentinianized Chinese food. Dumplings are rather empandas in disguise. We stayed in little “A” frame cabins just outside the main city plaza. I cooked the worst crepes in my life that night. I don’t know what it was but no matter how hard I tried they would just fell apart. Sadly the reason behind making them was to say thank you too the group for all chipping in; although they seemed to enjoy them whether or not they resembled a crepe.
October 26, 2009
With a bucket of pasta in hand which me and my friend had made the night before for dinner we boarded the bus. Looking out the bus window I watched the green landscape drip with snow. I was surprised to still have been in Argentina, it’s not exactly what you think of when you think South America. I was unprepared for how cold it was as we descended from the bus in front of the Moreno Glacier. I have never seen such a vibrant blue in nature before as I stood out over an overlook. Tourist from all over came to see the glacier. Standing down at a lower point I heard a large crack in the ice and a huge chunk fell into the cold water creating an enormous splash. Everyone stood in silence. We were given two hours to explore the glacier which I utilized to take photographs. Upon retreat to our cabins that afternoon we prepared for tea time in our little “A” frame cabin, an Argentine ritual. In the evening we walked to the grocery store to buy supplies to make fried rice for tomorrow afternoon. We spent the night relaxing and chopping veggies for our huge pot of fried rice.
October 27, 2009
In the morning we finished cooking our fried rice. We made a ton of rice but still managed to devour it all upon our arrival. We boarded a boat to which took us to the other side of the lake. On the other side we were greeted by a gorgeous spring forest. We hiked through the forest and across the lakes beach side to the glacier front. We were each given spikes to place on the bottom of our shoes called “cramp-ons”. It was hard to walk in them and they cut into the back of my feet causing them to bleed, but I was too preoccupied to care. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the ice, the snow covered mountains to my left and the green mountain side to my right were a waterfall trickled down from, not to forget the beautiful lake that stood in front of me. I knelt down and drank the water from the glacier, it was very cold and refreshing. At the end of the trek we came to a little table and chairs which had been set up on the glacier. We were each given cookies and whisky served with glacier ice. That night we cooked a cake for my good friend Antoine’s eighteenth birthday. We wrote his name in Rocklets (AKA M and M’s) on the front and took and old carrot and stuffed it with matches for a candle. The carrot was quite gross I’m not going to lie, you can imagine how soft it must have been for us to be able to stick matches into it. Latter in the night a group of friends and I dragged our blankets into the grass to star gaze. We were leaving Califate at four in the next morning and didn’t see the point behind trying to sleep.
To be continued….