Epic Class Fail

So Wednesday had a bit of an interesting start…

A group of 20 of us decide that we want to go to Iguazú Falls this weekend because we don’t have class on Monday. We decide to all meet at the IES center (our abroad program’s center). While we wait, we are informed that one of our friends, Delfina, is currently alone in her apartment, hearing screams from the apartment next to her because robbers are holding her neighbors hostage. She was promptly evacuated from her apartment and was only allowed to return today. The story made headline news. She knew because she could see her own apartment on the screen. Apparently SWAT and police surrounded the apartment…Wow. Cool wake up call?

Once it was confirmed that she was safe, we headed to the bus station and successfully bought tickets for Iguazú Falls this weekend! They’re located in northern Argentina and are said to be absolutely spectacular. Most people get around by overnight buses, which is exactly what we decided to do. Plus the buses have seats that recline into beds, ideal for an 18 hour ride…

Last night was a little rough. I went to my first marketing class at UCES at 7pm. I think I only understood about 1/7 of what the professor was saying because he was speaking RAPID Spanish. Luckily, the few phrases I did catch were something along the lines of, “I talk really fast, and I won’t be slowing down. So if you don’t understand me you have a problem” and “The material for this class is long…really long” and “I hate when people ask stupid questions. So make sure you think before you ask.” Needless to say, I won’t be returning to that class. I still have my tango class, which will be great, and all of my other classes will still be in Spanish, so I’ll be fine. I have decided to take Urban History of BA, History of Argentine Cinema, and 20^th Century Argentine Poetry.

Jesús and I are making progress with our dinner conversations. The other day we discussed the Argentine obsession with plastic surgery and body image, which led to other topics such as the obese American culture, which led to eating disorders, which led to me attempting to explain the concept of a sorority…I think I finally got through to her, but only after several confused looks, especially because I told her I was in one..Somehow that didn’t work out as well I would have liked. I think she may have gotten the wrong message.

Did you know that in Buenos Aires if you are in trouble you are NOT recommended to call the police for help? Yea. I didn’t either. That was a touch unsettling.

Today I went to a Megatlon gym near me, and it was unbelievable. It is the best. They have tons of different machines and you can take whatever class you want, you just show up. I am already obsessed. I walked down Avenida Santa Fe to get there, one of the busier streets in the area, and realized how bad those incense kiosks are. I seriously feel like I’m in a Catholic mass 24/7. After the gym I made another great discovery: Tea Connection. Do we have this in the States? If we do, I am embarrassed for not having discovered it sooner. Lots of great, healthy food and a million different kinds of tea drinks. My life is complete.

Tonight we had a big end-of-orientation dinner at a parilla named La Bistecca in Puerto Madero, which is the area right on the water (beautiful view). It was again a full blown buffet with separate areas for meats and made to order pastas. The Tiramisu I tried was amazing, only second to the one I had in Italy.

Now I must go to sleep as to prepare for our Iguazú Falls adventure this weekend. More to come on Monday.