"Pollo" momentos

The past few days have illustrated the need for more sleep.

• After meeting some friends for dinner at 11pm on Wednesday night in Palermo, I got a taxi back to the hostel. I attempted a hybrid Spanish/English conversation with the driver. As I paid and got out of the taxi, the driver suggested that I get Spanish lessons... a confidence booster - I think not.
• By the afternoon of the following day (Thursday), my lack of sleep resulted in laughter for my fellow classmates. After our Profesor asked me what I liked about Buenos Aires was (en Español), you could hear the cogs in my brain tick over as the words 'Me gusta la pollo en Buenos Aires' (The like the chicken in Bs As). It amused everyone, but maybe not my Profesor. Hence the 'Pollo' moments.
• Of course rather than sleeping after the 'Pollo' Moment, I went out again with 2 of my fellow classmates that evening - John de Norway & Per de Suiza. We planned to have a big night, but instead we met up with 2 awesome Canadians, then went back to John's hostel where we drank beer on the terrace under the stars and full moon. Pretty much a perfect evening. By 3.30am I had fallen asleep on the bean bag and decided to go home. Forgetting where I was and only being 7 blocks from my bed, I found myself walking there. About half way, I realised how tired and that this was probably the stupidest thing I had done so far. Bs As is not the safest place... and not at night. Luckily I blend in somewhat with my dark hair and not so pale skin. Alas I did not feel safe. Next time I will just cab it... even if its 2 blocks.
  
• Due to not knowing it was Easter, I was going to have to change hostels for the next night as I didn't book ahead early enough. So the next morning at 9am I got up to check if someone had canceled for the evening and if I could stay. As I waited at reception, an English girl tried to pay for her accommodation only to find out that she had already done so the night before in a drunken state. I had a bit of a chuckle to myself. After finding out someone had canceled and I could stay:) I proceeded to climb the stairs back to my bed. When I go back to the room I noticed one of the guys had switched beds - while I thought this was odd, it was not uncommon. I also noticed in th 15 minutes I had gone, someone had already claimed my bed. I thought that was rude, but was to tired to care. I then went to my locker only to find it completely empty. My stomach dropped. Where were my bags, my passport, my laptop and my wallet? Trying to stay calm, I started to madly run around the very small room through other peoples bags and lockers. I was then going to wake up my new Chilean friend on the bunk above me to see if he had seen anyone take my stuff, when I thought to myself he looked different. I stopped. I walked over to the door and opened it, only to find on the front of the door it read '43B'. Realising I had walked up an extra flight of stairs and entered the weird and wacky clone world of my room 33B, I picked up my stomach off the floor and headed back to my bed one floor down. All my stuff was there, just as I had left it. A day of much needed sleep followed.
  

Spanish 101

6 months ago when I was planning this trip I decided that it was time for me to leave Australia for a while. The one thing that I knew I wanted to do was learn Spanish. Learning another language is important to me because I feel as though English is not the most important language on the planet. It certainly has become an important part of the Global Village, but to me each language is as important as the next. I feel rude coming to a country and expecting people to talk to me in my natural tongue. Hence Spanish became the objective and Argentina became the destination of choice.

The Argentinian connection is strong for me here. My grandfather lived here in Buenos Aires for many years and this is the city my mum was born in. She may not have grown up here, but I feel a connection.

So this morning after months of planning and waiting, i started Spanish lessons. For the next 6 weeks Spanish will be taking over my life. English was not spoken much at all and it was hard, but I made it though day 1. My teacher and 2 classmates (one from Sweden and another from Israel) seem really great. This is going to get harder, but this is why I am here.

Mate and Markets

The weather is hot. The sky is blue. The streets of the city are bare. Only a few souls fill the space. It's Sunday morning. Where is everyone I ask? Asleep probably. This is the city that starts to party at 2AM. The day begins late in the afternoon on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon was spent with great new friends at the Recoleta markets. My first day spent with true Argentinian's. We were introduced by a mutual amigo and instantly I felt like I was among close friends again. We explored the area and then found a spot in the shade. The place was filled with music, food and performers - the marionette performer was incredible. Then I was introduced to the Mate... and it was great. I love the idea of mate - sitting around sharing a drink with friends and chatting away. What a way to enjoy the afternoon as it turns to dusk. I couldn't stop smiling... a theme I have noticed all week. I think the company made it even better.

Bliss is the word.

Buenos Aires Odyssey: Day 1

My first day in Buenos Aires has made me really happy. This is the first day on my trip so far that I am truly on my own as well. So far I have been with friends and family from the day I left home almost 3 months ago. So when I arrived in a new continent, with no language skills... at 5AM and had to work out basic tasks like ordering a taxi into the city with no sleep for 2 days - i was reminded why I started traveling. To experience the other and to be out of my comfort zone.

After arriving so early I decided that it would be rude to walk into my hostel room, throw my bags down, climb up of the top bunk and sleep... at 6AM. So I waited and had breakfast downstairs at the hostel. I met Helen, an Australian (of course), who had also just arrived the night before. So we decided to walk the city and both fumble with Spanish together. My first impression of the city was of how incredible the buildings were, yet how run down everything was. After being warned by almost every person I talked to about Argentina, I felt completely safe walking around. Of course I am staying in the centre of the city, so it may be different areas. I also wasn't wearing any bling which probably helping me not to stand out.

Dinner was in San Tamlo after meeting up with Helen's friend (another Australia on a walkabout). We found a good and cheap restaurant (a prerequisite these days). Looking through the menu, I decided that the sound of Milanesa Pollo sounded good. I knew it was chicken but when a giant schnitzel turned up on my plate as technically my first meal in Argentina - the biggest smile took over my face and I knew that I had made the right decision to come here. Even as the 'Schnitzel King', who knew that schnitzel would show me my future...

After arriving back at the hostel I met my roommates from Chille and Brazil. We shared some beers at the bar... and I passed out... in bed I mean after i realised that sleep was imminent.

Finally in Buenos Aires

It took 3 flights and one whole day, but I have finally arrived in Buenos Aires - the city my mum was born in. I seem to be completely deaf in one ear now with all the pressure of going up and down in planes. But as I flew in there was the most incredible sight of the endless stream of lights that is the enormous city of Buenos Aires. The sun is beginning to rise now... an advantage of arriving in a new city at 4.45am. I have arrived at my hostel which is 150 metres from the giant Obelisco de Buenos Aires. I will explore later. For now its breakfast (free at the hostel) then off to bed. I know not the smarted thing to normally do, but its not like I will be jetlagged. Argentina is only 2 hours in front to the US. I'm just really and truly tired.

Later today I have to work out how to get to the 4 Spanish schools I have organised meetings for. But first... sleep, glorious sleep.