Well... the end of this adventure has come to an end. I'm in the Santiago airport waiting for my flight. I guess the airport was in pretty bad shape because all of the check in and such was outside under huge tents, i'm sure you can imagine how chaotic it was... I got here 4 hours in advance and it took me a little over 2 to get through all of the lines. FOr all the changes that happened they are doing pretty well.
Everyone keeps asking me if I am ready to come home, and to answer that, yes, I think I am ready. It's easy to say this because of the fact that I know this is not going to be my last trip down here... I love South America. I have no doubts that I'll be back sometime to drink the banana milk and ride the buses that seem like a disney world ride.
My time volunteering in the hospital was exactly what I had hoped for, I met many amazing people from different places, I feel like I am rocking Spanish right now :), and I got to have many exciting adventures that I know I will never forget.
I'm not sure who all have been reading my blogs, but I hope I did not babble too much and that I was able to keep you informed on what was going on in my life. I wrote these blogs just as much for myself as anyone else - so of course they were random and lengthy :) Thank you to everyone who sent their prayers down with me, your guardian angels have done a good job!
It has been a wild ride at times, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!
Stay tuned until next time....
Love, Megan
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
CHILE!!
At last I arrived in Chile! Although the bus ride was hellish the end result was definitely “vale la pena” (worth it). It is hard to describe how comfortable I feel here. I love the fact that I walk down the street and I know exactly where I am and where to find certain things. I remember how hard it was to figure out the bus system, but now even after 3 years, I have no trouble. I arrived in Vina del Mar Thursday night and my Chilean parents from 3 years ago came and got me from the bus station. We went back to their house and we all had “once” and sat around catching up. (Chile doesn’t do dinner, they have a big lunch around 2 or 3 pm and then around 8 or 9 they have “once” (own-ce) which is always bread with avocado, jam, and sometimes eggs or tomatoes, with tea or coffee.) Snack time I like snacks. It’s funny that I have been gone for 3 years and nothing has really changed.
Friday I met up with my Chilean friend, Nestor, and we went to downtown Vina, got fresh squeezed OJ, and then walked to the ocean just in time to see the sun set… it was so great. I miss living by the ocean, it’s one of nature’s televisions – I could watch it all day. Saturday I went to the “feria” with my Chilean sister, Daniella, and her 2 year old little girl, Anaia. I LOVE the feria, it is actually just a huge farmer’s market – but for some reason I get so excited going there! Everyone is selling pretty much the same stuff but they keep shouting at you that their stand has the best stuff and prices. Some prices for example are – avocados $1.50 for 2.2 lbs, $.50 for 5 lbs of potatoes, $.60 for 2.2lbs of plums, $1.50 for a great big juicy watermelon, and the wonderful list goes on and on. On 3 occasions now I have gotten to cut a watermelon in half and go at it with a spoon I love having summer time in the winter time (if that makes sense). Saturday I went to THE ice cream shop by the beach and got my favorite flavor, “mil hojas” and then later we went to THE empanada shop and I got a shrimp and cheese one (melt in your mouth good).
It’s funny the little things I’ve missed. I miss taking the bus at night because the majority of them have black lights and have music playing (on going party on wheels… not sure if that’s a good thing though). I miss the smell of the ocean, the fruit vendors on every corner, the banana flavored milk boxes, and the people of course. I do not miss the dog packs however. It really freaks me out when there is 8 of them or so together and they are running a barking. They aren’t known to attack, but it is still scary.
I missed the 6.9 earthquake that happened in Vina on Thursday by hours. I was still in the bus coming over the Andes Mountains when it hit. Soon after it happened a tsunami alarm went off and there was a mad rush for the hills. Thankfully nothing happened, but it gave these poor people another great scare. Chile needs a break already! Since I have been here I have felt 3 tremors. One happened during the night and it must have been pretty strong if it woke me up because I sleep like the dead for most of the time. It is a weird feeling; it feels like the building is vibrating and the walls squeak. On Sunday night we were all eating once together and all of a sudden the lights went out. Luckily they were able to find candles and they had a battery powered radio. We found out that the entire country of Chile was without power! I’m not sure how exactly that happened, but it is pretty impressive if an entire country’s power goes out. It only lasted for an hour to an hour and a half – but I can’t imagine how Santiago was nor do I want to think about poor Conception, they have already been through so much.
Saturday night I met up with Nestor again and we went out in Valpo. It brought back a ton of memories! We went to my favorite tiny bar called Canario and I had the wonderful “vino con fruta” which is red wine that is blended with strawberries. This drink is so good but I learned in the past that it can be dangerous too… it is not just juice! After Canario around 1am or so we went to my favorite bar, Pegano! ( I think that means hell or something…. Odd I know) The REASON that this is my favorite bar is that while yes, it is a gay bar, they have AWESOME music, there is always a “show”, and nobody touches or bothers me. It’s great. That night was especially great because they always have a “diva” competition and that night was Madonna vs Lady GaGa!!! The two best divas! It was so funny… whenever a great song came on everyone would scream and start singing along. This one guy tried to teach me a cool dance move, but it was a lost cause… I just can’t move like that! The drag show was AWESOME. I don’t remember what songs they sang but Madonna, Lady GaGa…. Come on… all of them are great! I just don’t know how these “ladies” do it… they are skipping around on a bar wearing 8 inch platform shoes and they honestly look great doing it… I would break something for sure – if not my ankle, then all the bottles of booze as I fell off the bar! The show was complete with bubbles coming from the ceiling…. What straight bar can compete with that! SWEET night. Oh Diva Pagano… I will miss thee.
Sunday afternoon I went exploring in the hills of Valpo and found all of my favorite places without any difficulty at all. I had a coffee in my favorite café – “café con letras” – it is half an artsy bookstore and half a sweet coffee shop. It was cool to see all the graffiti art again… on every street I was like, Oh! I have that picture already! It’s funny how I even remember the precise place where my sister and I took a picture. Like I said… not much has changed. There are piles of rubble in certain places due to the earthquake – but thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be that much damage.
Today I visited the amazing ISA ladies who were part of the program that I came here with 3 years ago. It was so great to see them again! They are under a lot of stress due to the earthquake and all the parents calling every other minute. I feel so bad for them! I know my parents would probably be doing the same thing, but SHEESH! Some of the stories I’ve heard! They should just know that their children are in good hands. Two more days…. Bittersweet.
Friday I met up with my Chilean friend, Nestor, and we went to downtown Vina, got fresh squeezed OJ, and then walked to the ocean just in time to see the sun set… it was so great. I miss living by the ocean, it’s one of nature’s televisions – I could watch it all day. Saturday I went to the “feria” with my Chilean sister, Daniella, and her 2 year old little girl, Anaia. I LOVE the feria, it is actually just a huge farmer’s market – but for some reason I get so excited going there! Everyone is selling pretty much the same stuff but they keep shouting at you that their stand has the best stuff and prices. Some prices for example are – avocados $1.50 for 2.2 lbs, $.50 for 5 lbs of potatoes, $.60 for 2.2lbs of plums, $1.50 for a great big juicy watermelon, and the wonderful list goes on and on. On 3 occasions now I have gotten to cut a watermelon in half and go at it with a spoon I love having summer time in the winter time (if that makes sense). Saturday I went to THE ice cream shop by the beach and got my favorite flavor, “mil hojas” and then later we went to THE empanada shop and I got a shrimp and cheese one (melt in your mouth good).
It’s funny the little things I’ve missed. I miss taking the bus at night because the majority of them have black lights and have music playing (on going party on wheels… not sure if that’s a good thing though). I miss the smell of the ocean, the fruit vendors on every corner, the banana flavored milk boxes, and the people of course. I do not miss the dog packs however. It really freaks me out when there is 8 of them or so together and they are running a barking. They aren’t known to attack, but it is still scary.
I missed the 6.9 earthquake that happened in Vina on Thursday by hours. I was still in the bus coming over the Andes Mountains when it hit. Soon after it happened a tsunami alarm went off and there was a mad rush for the hills. Thankfully nothing happened, but it gave these poor people another great scare. Chile needs a break already! Since I have been here I have felt 3 tremors. One happened during the night and it must have been pretty strong if it woke me up because I sleep like the dead for most of the time. It is a weird feeling; it feels like the building is vibrating and the walls squeak. On Sunday night we were all eating once together and all of a sudden the lights went out. Luckily they were able to find candles and they had a battery powered radio. We found out that the entire country of Chile was without power! I’m not sure how exactly that happened, but it is pretty impressive if an entire country’s power goes out. It only lasted for an hour to an hour and a half – but I can’t imagine how Santiago was nor do I want to think about poor Conception, they have already been through so much.
Saturday night I met up with Nestor again and we went out in Valpo. It brought back a ton of memories! We went to my favorite tiny bar called Canario and I had the wonderful “vino con fruta” which is red wine that is blended with strawberries. This drink is so good but I learned in the past that it can be dangerous too… it is not just juice! After Canario around 1am or so we went to my favorite bar, Pegano! ( I think that means hell or something…. Odd I know) The REASON that this is my favorite bar is that while yes, it is a gay bar, they have AWESOME music, there is always a “show”, and nobody touches or bothers me. It’s great. That night was especially great because they always have a “diva” competition and that night was Madonna vs Lady GaGa!!! The two best divas! It was so funny… whenever a great song came on everyone would scream and start singing along. This one guy tried to teach me a cool dance move, but it was a lost cause… I just can’t move like that! The drag show was AWESOME. I don’t remember what songs they sang but Madonna, Lady GaGa…. Come on… all of them are great! I just don’t know how these “ladies” do it… they are skipping around on a bar wearing 8 inch platform shoes and they honestly look great doing it… I would break something for sure – if not my ankle, then all the bottles of booze as I fell off the bar! The show was complete with bubbles coming from the ceiling…. What straight bar can compete with that! SWEET night. Oh Diva Pagano… I will miss thee.
Sunday afternoon I went exploring in the hills of Valpo and found all of my favorite places without any difficulty at all. I had a coffee in my favorite café – “café con letras” – it is half an artsy bookstore and half a sweet coffee shop. It was cool to see all the graffiti art again… on every street I was like, Oh! I have that picture already! It’s funny how I even remember the precise place where my sister and I took a picture. Like I said… not much has changed. There are piles of rubble in certain places due to the earthquake – but thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be that much damage.
Today I visited the amazing ISA ladies who were part of the program that I came here with 3 years ago. It was so great to see them again! They are under a lot of stress due to the earthquake and all the parents calling every other minute. I feel so bad for them! I know my parents would probably be doing the same thing, but SHEESH! Some of the stories I’ve heard! They should just know that their children are in good hands. Two more days…. Bittersweet.
Friday, March 12, 2010
big adventure day! :)
Although I am knocking on wood while I say this because my trip is not quite over yet, we have had the best luck on our trip to the north. Everything just seemed to work out just right and I can’t even remember all the times we have said, “wow, that was lucky of us!” Everything from bus schedules, money issues (that I won’t expand on), hostels, and transportation…. Add them all together and it is evident that we have a few guardian angels watching over us.
Our big tour from the city of Salta was going even further north to the “Salinas Grandes” or salt flats and then on to the tiny, quaint town of Pumamarca. We spent awhile trying to figure out how to do this trip on our own without taking a tour group but in the end we figured out that the extra $15 we might spend on a tour would be totally worth not getting lost and having to change buses 3 times. At 7am sharp our tour minibus pulled up to our hostel and we were off, (7am is VERY early in south america knowing that dinner is not even eaten until 10pm or so) We were half asleep but it would be a shame to miss the view! Before we even left the city our tour, along with every other tour going to the salt flats stopped at this one store to buy coca leaves. Yes this sounds strange and slightly illegal but we were strongly required to put 10-15 leaves in the side of our mouths 20 minutes before we began the accent to the salt flats. Since the salt flats we at around 4000 meters, they said that one could get very sick from the altitude if youe are not accostumed to it. Since my own “near death experience” with the altitude in Bolivia 3 years ago Giorgia and I followed instructions! You don’t chew or swallow the leaves or anything, you just swallow the juices as the leaves sit in your mouth – it’s almost like drinking a few sodas or coffee as the caffine increases your heart rate and makes our blood run faster. The long trip up to the salt flats passed quickly because there were so many sights to see. We pasted through another cloud forest where our guide said that it never rains – it is just always very very green and lush because of the moisture that the clouds bring. There was grass growing on the trees! It was pretty cool. And… our guide said that there were a bunch of tiny monkeys living in these forests along with many other types of wild life. The first question Giorgia asked was if I thought that these were the types of trees that Tarzan would use… and yes, I was thinking the same thing! Maybe that’s why we get along so well Later on the journey we were passing through Jujuey and our guide was explaining the history of the valley to us and how every group of people tried to dominate this valley because it was one of the only passages from the north to the south, it was very interesting and I was very proud of myself that I was able to understand the Spanish it’s paying off! Whoop whoop!!! Por fin! (at last!)
We finally started the climb up to the salt flats and every jammed the leaves into their mouths. The view was amazing. All of these incredible moutains that I have been seeing this week makes me think of of how my climbing partners would love it here! We kept ascending and curving back and forth and Giorgia looked over at one of the French girls from our tour because she was making a funny sound and realized that she was not well at all. She was all clammy and not responsive. We quickly put her feet up and put a wet cloth on the back of her neck and hurried down the mountain. As soon as she was responsive she drank a little sip of water and then our guide asked if anyone had any sugar with them. Don don don don!!!! Good thing Giorgia and I never leave home without chocolate in our bags! She got a little better as the time went on, but she was too weak to get out of the bus when we got to the salt flats which was sad. Kind of scary. When I get home, if I’m not going to take and EMT class I at least want to buy and read an “in case of emergency” wilderness book! I hate not knowing exactly what to do!
The salt flats were amazing. Although I have already been to the largest salt flats in the world when I visited Bolivia, salt flats are salt flats and are always breath taking. We had a lot of fun taking pictures where you can make it seem like someone is standing in your hand by having the person stand in your background. And of course we had to do the jumping pictures… fun times! I bought a little stone picture that the local people there were selling. The locals were covered from head to toe in clothing because the sun is so reflective there… we were only allowed to stay on the salt flats for 30 minutes because the sun was so strong. It is a hard life they lead there, that’s for sure. On the way back, more people got sick because they took their coca leaves out! Our guide told us a cool trick (whether or not it is true I have no idea) that if you feel woozy you should put a pebble under your tongue from the altitude that you are at. By the time we were down the mountain I had both rocks and leaves in my mouth! No sticks or dirt though
We stopped in Pumamarca for lunch. This town almost blends in with its surroundings as everything is made out of stone/mud bricks from the land. In this town was the mountain of 7 colors. It was SO cool! Although I’m sure that if I look hard enough at anything I could see 7 colors… but this was completely obvious to everyone. How lucky to have this in your backyard! Although it was a cute little town, I could not imagine life there.
We arrived back in Salta around 8 pm that night at were needless to say very tired! It was a wonderful day to say the least! We revived ourselves with coconut and lemon pie ice cream there soon after Oh how I will miss Giorgia! I’ve never met someone who loves ice cream as much as I do!
The next day was our last half day of our travels. We spent it walking around the beautiful city, and making sure to take it all in. I went to the supermarket and bought the dulce de leche and mate tea that can only be found in Argentina and then at 4pm we boarding our bus.
4 hours from Salta to Tucamon, 13 hours to Mendoza, 9 hours to Santiago, and finally another 1 ½ to Vina del Mar. Yes, that’s right. I spent close to 30 hours in a bus and by the end of it I was ready to jump. By taking the bus it saved me probably 300 bucks…. But it was painful.
Our big tour from the city of Salta was going even further north to the “Salinas Grandes” or salt flats and then on to the tiny, quaint town of Pumamarca. We spent awhile trying to figure out how to do this trip on our own without taking a tour group but in the end we figured out that the extra $15 we might spend on a tour would be totally worth not getting lost and having to change buses 3 times. At 7am sharp our tour minibus pulled up to our hostel and we were off, (7am is VERY early in south america knowing that dinner is not even eaten until 10pm or so) We were half asleep but it would be a shame to miss the view! Before we even left the city our tour, along with every other tour going to the salt flats stopped at this one store to buy coca leaves. Yes this sounds strange and slightly illegal but we were strongly required to put 10-15 leaves in the side of our mouths 20 minutes before we began the accent to the salt flats. Since the salt flats we at around 4000 meters, they said that one could get very sick from the altitude if youe are not accostumed to it. Since my own “near death experience” with the altitude in Bolivia 3 years ago Giorgia and I followed instructions! You don’t chew or swallow the leaves or anything, you just swallow the juices as the leaves sit in your mouth – it’s almost like drinking a few sodas or coffee as the caffine increases your heart rate and makes our blood run faster. The long trip up to the salt flats passed quickly because there were so many sights to see. We pasted through another cloud forest where our guide said that it never rains – it is just always very very green and lush because of the moisture that the clouds bring. There was grass growing on the trees! It was pretty cool. And… our guide said that there were a bunch of tiny monkeys living in these forests along with many other types of wild life. The first question Giorgia asked was if I thought that these were the types of trees that Tarzan would use… and yes, I was thinking the same thing! Maybe that’s why we get along so well Later on the journey we were passing through Jujuey and our guide was explaining the history of the valley to us and how every group of people tried to dominate this valley because it was one of the only passages from the north to the south, it was very interesting and I was very proud of myself that I was able to understand the Spanish it’s paying off! Whoop whoop!!! Por fin! (at last!)
We finally started the climb up to the salt flats and every jammed the leaves into their mouths. The view was amazing. All of these incredible moutains that I have been seeing this week makes me think of of how my climbing partners would love it here! We kept ascending and curving back and forth and Giorgia looked over at one of the French girls from our tour because she was making a funny sound and realized that she was not well at all. She was all clammy and not responsive. We quickly put her feet up and put a wet cloth on the back of her neck and hurried down the mountain. As soon as she was responsive she drank a little sip of water and then our guide asked if anyone had any sugar with them. Don don don don!!!! Good thing Giorgia and I never leave home without chocolate in our bags! She got a little better as the time went on, but she was too weak to get out of the bus when we got to the salt flats which was sad. Kind of scary. When I get home, if I’m not going to take and EMT class I at least want to buy and read an “in case of emergency” wilderness book! I hate not knowing exactly what to do!
The salt flats were amazing. Although I have already been to the largest salt flats in the world when I visited Bolivia, salt flats are salt flats and are always breath taking. We had a lot of fun taking pictures where you can make it seem like someone is standing in your hand by having the person stand in your background. And of course we had to do the jumping pictures… fun times! I bought a little stone picture that the local people there were selling. The locals were covered from head to toe in clothing because the sun is so reflective there… we were only allowed to stay on the salt flats for 30 minutes because the sun was so strong. It is a hard life they lead there, that’s for sure. On the way back, more people got sick because they took their coca leaves out! Our guide told us a cool trick (whether or not it is true I have no idea) that if you feel woozy you should put a pebble under your tongue from the altitude that you are at. By the time we were down the mountain I had both rocks and leaves in my mouth! No sticks or dirt though
We stopped in Pumamarca for lunch. This town almost blends in with its surroundings as everything is made out of stone/mud bricks from the land. In this town was the mountain of 7 colors. It was SO cool! Although I’m sure that if I look hard enough at anything I could see 7 colors… but this was completely obvious to everyone. How lucky to have this in your backyard! Although it was a cute little town, I could not imagine life there.
We arrived back in Salta around 8 pm that night at were needless to say very tired! It was a wonderful day to say the least! We revived ourselves with coconut and lemon pie ice cream there soon after Oh how I will miss Giorgia! I’ve never met someone who loves ice cream as much as I do!
The next day was our last half day of our travels. We spent it walking around the beautiful city, and making sure to take it all in. I went to the supermarket and bought the dulce de leche and mate tea that can only be found in Argentina and then at 4pm we boarding our bus.
4 hours from Salta to Tucamon, 13 hours to Mendoza, 9 hours to Santiago, and finally another 1 ½ to Vina del Mar. Yes, that’s right. I spent close to 30 hours in a bus and by the end of it I was ready to jump. By taking the bus it saved me probably 300 bucks…. But it was painful.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
cachi, salta, pumamarca
So much has happened in the past few days that it had been hard to find time to write! sorry
After our amazing tour in the land of beauty we decided to have a day of rest in beautiful Cafayate - even though we are on vacation it is still always go go go so it was nice to have a day to do whatever we wanted. In this valley it is said that they produce the best white wine in the country - a Torrientes. SO needless to say we went on several wine tours and I tried various yummy wines (and Giorgia, although she is from Italy, does not like wine... so sometimes i had her sample too :) We went shopping a bit and did the muesem thing and just hung out eating kilos of grapes. I really hope I won't get sick from that... i seriously eat about 2 pounds of grapes a day. that is because they are SO good and taste NOTHING like our grapes, these are real white grapes that have the most wonderful taste. And since there are people selling grapes on every other corner it is super convienent. mmm...
The next day we took a tour to Cachi and then up to Salta. The trip up to cachi is one of the most amazing roads - sometimes it was a dirt road for a bit, but the scenery was so amazing that it was a crime if you were to sleep through it. We ate lunch in the small mountain town of Cachi and then continued on to Salta. We saw everything on this trip - cloud forests, colorful mountains, cactus, deser.... a little bit of each. When we arrived close to Salta, gioriga and I about about 5 others got off our tour bus with all of our stuff to wait for the local bus to take us into the town of Salta. I'm not sure why the tour bus could not take us all the way, but oh well. We waited seriously for about an hour on the side of a road, in the dark, for a bus to pass by that was not stuffed to the seams. The other girls (french) that got off the bus with us started to try and hitch hike and finally got in the back of a pick up truck with their stuff.... ya.... no thanks. I'll wait. Well we did just that! Finally we got a bus and got aboard with all of our giant backpacks.... it was a long 45 minute ride! However we did meet the very nice people that we were squished up against. One man was getting off at our stop and insisted that he help us find our hostel... very nice old man. Every time I have to pick up my bags and walk a few blocks takes so much effort! I have a bag full of purchases, so I guess that doesnt help at all! Salta, which is called "La Bella" the beautiful was just that. We took a gondola up to the top of a moutain and got the whole panoramic view.
*** to be continued... I have to go and catch my 25 hour bus.... suck. wish me luck.
After our amazing tour in the land of beauty we decided to have a day of rest in beautiful Cafayate - even though we are on vacation it is still always go go go so it was nice to have a day to do whatever we wanted. In this valley it is said that they produce the best white wine in the country - a Torrientes. SO needless to say we went on several wine tours and I tried various yummy wines (and Giorgia, although she is from Italy, does not like wine... so sometimes i had her sample too :) We went shopping a bit and did the muesem thing and just hung out eating kilos of grapes. I really hope I won't get sick from that... i seriously eat about 2 pounds of grapes a day. that is because they are SO good and taste NOTHING like our grapes, these are real white grapes that have the most wonderful taste. And since there are people selling grapes on every other corner it is super convienent. mmm...
The next day we took a tour to Cachi and then up to Salta. The trip up to cachi is one of the most amazing roads - sometimes it was a dirt road for a bit, but the scenery was so amazing that it was a crime if you were to sleep through it. We ate lunch in the small mountain town of Cachi and then continued on to Salta. We saw everything on this trip - cloud forests, colorful mountains, cactus, deser.... a little bit of each. When we arrived close to Salta, gioriga and I about about 5 others got off our tour bus with all of our stuff to wait for the local bus to take us into the town of Salta. I'm not sure why the tour bus could not take us all the way, but oh well. We waited seriously for about an hour on the side of a road, in the dark, for a bus to pass by that was not stuffed to the seams. The other girls (french) that got off the bus with us started to try and hitch hike and finally got in the back of a pick up truck with their stuff.... ya.... no thanks. I'll wait. Well we did just that! Finally we got a bus and got aboard with all of our giant backpacks.... it was a long 45 minute ride! However we did meet the very nice people that we were squished up against. One man was getting off at our stop and insisted that he help us find our hostel... very nice old man. Every time I have to pick up my bags and walk a few blocks takes so much effort! I have a bag full of purchases, so I guess that doesnt help at all! Salta, which is called "La Bella" the beautiful was just that. We took a gondola up to the top of a moutain and got the whole panoramic view.
*** to be continued... I have to go and catch my 25 hour bus.... suck. wish me luck.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Quebrada del Cafyate
Picking up from where I left off...
Giorgia and I went on a hike (of sorts) up into the hills in tafi del valle on Thursday and it was so beautiful. Big green mountains that look like the hillsides in Austria complete with grazing cows and horses. The hills were hugged by low clouds in places that only made everything look that much cooler. The locals were so friendly and always stopped whatever they were doing to come over and talk to us - this place has not been hit with the big tourist bang so at times, it felt like we were like some sort of exhibit, especially for the children there. We ate our avocado and goat cheese sandwichs on top of the outlook point and sat for awhile just taking it in. Later that afternoon we took the bus to Cafayte - which is not a bus trip that one should sleep through. Fern Gully to the extreme! Everywhere you looked was covered in green - steep mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and green green green. When we came to the other side of the valley it seemed like we were in another country all together. Now is was much more arid and the mountains changed from being all green to being all colors. Cafayte is located in a valley, surrounded in all sides by mountains. We walked the very long 3 blocks to our hostel and everytime I have to carry my stupid bags I want to leave everything on a corner and only carry my day pack. In every place now I have left some things... clothes are clothes and as long as I don't leave ALL my clothes and walk around naked I think it is a good idea to leave some pounds behind. (now if I could only leave my "bread" pounds behind!)
Yesterday were took the tour to Quebrada del Cafayte for about $12 that lasted for about 6-7 hours. There are no words to describe just how beautiful this place was. I feel like I have seen my far share of beautiful places in my 23 years and so far in my life I feel like this trip is definitly in my top 5 most amazing places... maybe even in the top 3. Combine all the wonders of the Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, and the Garden of the Gods and THAT is what this place is like. The rock formations are amazing and make our "red rocks" look pink. In other places there were every color imaginable in the cliff sides. We climbed to the top of amaing structures and everytime it took my breath away. The weather was perfect, and I'm sure I was a sight to see in my GIANT green sun hat, but Giorgia bought a sun hat too so I was no longer alone :) Our two guides got a hoot out of my hat and insisted that the other try it on. :) In one place, next to a giant "oblisk" rock formation we got to feed llamas!!!! They were so cute and ate corn out of my hand. Some people want a dog or a cat.... now I want a llama. Dad? :) But, I kind of feel bad because in front of "la garganta del diablo" (devils throat) there were people selling sandwichs of llama sausage... and yes... i tried llama. But no, i won't eat my own llama if i have one some day!
Our guides were amazing too. They told us the stories behind the valle and how years ago - even before the Andes were formed, there was a giant sea and when the plates began to move the water all rushed out and created this amazing place. I still can't believe the colors... the red rocks were really really RED, and the green copper rocks were so green. I've never seen anything like it. And once again I'm so glad that Giorgia and I are traveling together! We are having so much fun. I really think I'm going to have a touch of Italian accent to my Spanish at the end of the trip. Now I am thinking and dreaming in Spanish.... sometimes my brain hurts, but the words just flow now so it is much easier. I'm teaching Giorgia words in English and she is teaching me some Italian! yes, we are an odd pair!
Things I've learned -
- the things in the all the bathrooms here that are meant for washing your bum work really well at washing your feet after walking around all day
- dental floss can be used for meanding a broken green straw hat
- I could (and have) eaten the grapes here everyday all day
- when people say that yes, they have internet in their restaurant or hostel it sometimes means that they WANT to have intertant in their restaurant or hostel
- yes..... i have light colored eyes
- loudly snoring people sharing your hostel room can be worken up in the middle of the night by poking them a bit
- i love sunscreen
- I love banana and milk "licuados"
The only thing that could have made my day yesterday better would have been having all my friends and family there with me so I could have someone to share the memories with :)
Giorgia and I went on a hike (of sorts) up into the hills in tafi del valle on Thursday and it was so beautiful. Big green mountains that look like the hillsides in Austria complete with grazing cows and horses. The hills were hugged by low clouds in places that only made everything look that much cooler. The locals were so friendly and always stopped whatever they were doing to come over and talk to us - this place has not been hit with the big tourist bang so at times, it felt like we were like some sort of exhibit, especially for the children there. We ate our avocado and goat cheese sandwichs on top of the outlook point and sat for awhile just taking it in. Later that afternoon we took the bus to Cafayte - which is not a bus trip that one should sleep through. Fern Gully to the extreme! Everywhere you looked was covered in green - steep mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and green green green. When we came to the other side of the valley it seemed like we were in another country all together. Now is was much more arid and the mountains changed from being all green to being all colors. Cafayte is located in a valley, surrounded in all sides by mountains. We walked the very long 3 blocks to our hostel and everytime I have to carry my stupid bags I want to leave everything on a corner and only carry my day pack. In every place now I have left some things... clothes are clothes and as long as I don't leave ALL my clothes and walk around naked I think it is a good idea to leave some pounds behind. (now if I could only leave my "bread" pounds behind!)
Yesterday were took the tour to Quebrada del Cafayte for about $12 that lasted for about 6-7 hours. There are no words to describe just how beautiful this place was. I feel like I have seen my far share of beautiful places in my 23 years and so far in my life I feel like this trip is definitly in my top 5 most amazing places... maybe even in the top 3. Combine all the wonders of the Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, and the Garden of the Gods and THAT is what this place is like. The rock formations are amazing and make our "red rocks" look pink. In other places there were every color imaginable in the cliff sides. We climbed to the top of amaing structures and everytime it took my breath away. The weather was perfect, and I'm sure I was a sight to see in my GIANT green sun hat, but Giorgia bought a sun hat too so I was no longer alone :) Our two guides got a hoot out of my hat and insisted that the other try it on. :) In one place, next to a giant "oblisk" rock formation we got to feed llamas!!!! They were so cute and ate corn out of my hand. Some people want a dog or a cat.... now I want a llama. Dad? :) But, I kind of feel bad because in front of "la garganta del diablo" (devils throat) there were people selling sandwichs of llama sausage... and yes... i tried llama. But no, i won't eat my own llama if i have one some day!
Our guides were amazing too. They told us the stories behind the valle and how years ago - even before the Andes were formed, there was a giant sea and when the plates began to move the water all rushed out and created this amazing place. I still can't believe the colors... the red rocks were really really RED, and the green copper rocks were so green. I've never seen anything like it. And once again I'm so glad that Giorgia and I are traveling together! We are having so much fun. I really think I'm going to have a touch of Italian accent to my Spanish at the end of the trip. Now I am thinking and dreaming in Spanish.... sometimes my brain hurts, but the words just flow now so it is much easier. I'm teaching Giorgia words in English and she is teaching me some Italian! yes, we are an odd pair!
Things I've learned -
- the things in the all the bathrooms here that are meant for washing your bum work really well at washing your feet after walking around all day
- dental floss can be used for meanding a broken green straw hat
- I could (and have) eaten the grapes here everyday all day
- when people say that yes, they have internet in their restaurant or hostel it sometimes means that they WANT to have intertant in their restaurant or hostel
- yes..... i have light colored eyes
- loudly snoring people sharing your hostel room can be worken up in the middle of the night by poking them a bit
- i love sunscreen
- I love banana and milk "licuados"
The only thing that could have made my day yesterday better would have been having all my friends and family there with me so I could have someone to share the memories with :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
... and we're off!
Yes, the travels have began! I met my Italian friend georgia in Cordoba on the 1st of march and now we are going to be traveling together for the next 2 weeks about. It is SO nice traveling with someone instead of going solo. Cordoba, which they call the heart of Argentina bc it lies in the middle of the country, was great. We stayed in a hostel that was called Turning Point and was ran by two guys from Ohio, we met a lot of people and everyone was so fun. I now have "friends" from Isreal, Africa, Ecuador, Japan... and all of them said "come visit me!" Give me a few years huh? :) We spent our time there walking around the city, visiting parks and museums, and eating 3 times in the same place because it was so amazing. I bought a green huge sun hat, which I'm sure I'll get looks for (what's new) but now since I am afraid of the sun I needed something! We took the bus to Tucamon the next night at 10 pm and arrived a long 11 1/2 hours later. There was a big rain storm that we were stuck in and had to turn around half way because the roads were gone! Some of the cars that were driving in front of our giant bus were drowning in the "river" I thought for sure they were going to get washed away! Upon arriving in Tucamon we took one look around and decided to immediatly take the next bus to Tafi del Valle, (2 1/2hours) This bus ride was however quite amazing. We drove for over an hour through thick tropical rian forests that in every which way you looked there was green. It was misting at the time so the clouds hung low and kind of drapped over some of the hills... it was so pretty! Not to forget all the rivers and waterfalls that we pasted too. We arrived in tafi del valle and immediatly loved it! It kind of reminds us of Austria because of the green hills and cute cafes. Not the typical south american city, thats for sure (no trash in the streets or grafiti). We are staying in a very cute hostel that has hot water and now we are using the free wifi in the only cafe that has wifi and we are drinking cafe con leche, honey, and eating medialunas. The town is full of great artesian fairs and i am sad bc i cant buy anything else because i cannot carry my bags more than 2 blocks at a time as it is! very sad. Tomorrow we are going hiking up in the hills to get a great view of the valley. Very cute town to say the least!
There are random horses roaming the streets, just like dogs do! and there are a lot of little restaurants selling local cheese, honey, and chocolate. Yes, I will be eating a diet heavy in veggies when I get back :) but honestly I'm not doing that bad! no worries!
Sidenote - my skin is peeling like a snake and I have 3 big bug bites, but if that is the worst of it I think I am doing just fine!
next place we are going is Quilmes.....
chao!
love, megan
There are random horses roaming the streets, just like dogs do! and there are a lot of little restaurants selling local cheese, honey, and chocolate. Yes, I will be eating a diet heavy in veggies when I get back :) but honestly I'm not doing that bad! no worries!
Sidenote - my skin is peeling like a snake and I have 3 big bug bites, but if that is the worst of it I think I am doing just fine!
next place we are going is Quilmes.....
chao!
love, megan
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Colonia and el fin (the end)
Hola!
Well, I´ve gotten a few more stamps in my passport! Wednesday I took the boat to Uraguay to hang out in the town of Colonia. My friend from Colorado who is also living down here for awhile was supposed to meet me on the boat and.... never showed up. There was some kind of problem with a bus or something so she wasn´t able to make it to the boat in time. Yes, I was very bummed that I was going to be traveling by myself, again, but I of course didn´t let that stop me from enjoying my time there. The boat was actually like a little cruise ship - there was a restaurant, a few bars, pinball machines, and even a duty free shop where they sold things like goldfish crackers and twix candy bars! Felt like home! (almost) Although the trip was 3 hours long, it was a very nice little ride. This was my first time on a ship like this and I smiled to myself because I was thinking, ¨well, I´m off to the air on the boat deck¨ as I climbed the stairs to go outside. Oh Titanic :) Ive gotten very good at being able to ask other tourist to take my photo, proof that I was actually in the palces I said Ive been! We arrived in Colonia and I set out exploring the historical part of town. There were a lot of really old buildings, lighthouses, and even part of a town wall and old stone bridge. This part of town was very much catered to tourists so it was full of little shops, cafes, and muesems. I went to the artesian fair and couldnt help but smile when I saw how much junk there was! Some fairs are amazing, but this one seemed like a garage sale of people´s random stuff! Small town feeling for sure here. I did however have several conversations with random locals who were very interested in the fact that I was there and that I was from Colorado where it was snowing. I felt that the people here were much more friendly and laid back. I could actually make eye contact and not feel like I was circus act. I´m still not quite sure why feel like I stand out so much, but I know for a fact that I will not miss all the staring.
On the way back home I took the fast one hour ferry because I had to get back in time for my ¨despedida¨dinner with some of my friends! (going away dinner) We went to a restaurant that was set back off the street a ways and were able to sit outside without the constant noise of the traffic. It has been very nice to be part of a group here in BA and yes, it will be very hard to say bye to everyone!
Thursday was my last tango lesson :( My time spent dancing tango with these teachers for the past 5 weeks has probably been some of my most favorite times here in Buenos Aires. I LOVE tango, nothing is more sensual, romantic, and beautiful to watch/dance. I have now had 5 lessons and my teachers said that I danced beautifully :) (.... I only know a few steps so I dont know how ¨beautiful¨that can be...!) After the 2 hour lesson there is always a ¨milonga¨were locals who really really know what they are doing come to wrap their legs around each other and do all these fancy moves. It is SO beautiful to watch and I want SO badly to be able to dance like that some day. I´ll be on a mission to find a tango dance studio when I get back. Get your dancing shoes on Jon! :) you might or might not be dragged if you decline this invitation....
Friday was my last day at the hospital. I have really loved spending the past 5 weeks there. I have learned a ton and have got to witness a lot of really cool stuff. I am so happy that everything worked out because being a part of the intensive therapy group was exactly what I had hoped for. On Friday I brought treats for everyone to sort of say thanks for your patience, friendship, and guidence. Yes... the treat were good and I realized that although I bought a big box, I should have bought another one! No one seems afraid of indulging in a bonbon, tart cup, or dulce de leche filled cake bite down here! :) It was sad leaving everyone, and especially sad leaving my old friend Ricardo, who was actually doing so well on Friday. I told him I was leaving and that I would be thinking of him and I was pretty close to tears when he wouldn´t stop squeezing my hand. I hope he gets what he is wanting.... His wife and daughter again kissed me and wished me luck and thanked me for everything. ( I didn´t do hardly anything except be there physically, but once again, I guess it is the small things that have the greatest impact). After work on Friday I went out to lunch with 5 of the nurses. We had such a great time, ate a lot, and took a ton of photos. They made me promise that I would stay in touch with them and let them know what was going on in my life and with my studies. Needless to say I have about 15 places I can stay the next time I come back. Saying the last goodbyes were hard because not only had they taught me so much and showed a ton of patience with me, but now they were my friends. If you are wondering.... yes, emotional Megan did cry - but I was not the only one this time. In the end, my time spent down here in the hospital was darn near perfect :)
Friday night we went out one more time to a boliche (night club). I got to wear my new tango-ish dancing dress :) The night was SO much fun - mainly because they played 80´s music! It was so funny because with each new song that came on people would get so excited and scream and then start singing along... myself included :) We left ¨early¨, around 4:30 or so because it was SO crowded that you could hardly move, they changed the music to riggatone, and it was way too hot. Actually, although they have fans in these night clubs, they do not turn them on until about 5 or 6 AM because they want people to keep buying drinks. Also, they have obviously never heard about ¨fire hazards¨because there is no limit to how many people are let into a club. Yeah... but other than those things, it really is a great time - unlike anything I´ve experienced in the states. People here LIVE for the night!
In case you are wondering, it takes a full 7 days for a bad sunburn to become bearable. Walking, sitting, and sleeping were all very miserable until the 5 day or so. I´ve gone through 2 bottles of aloe vera, and I am now on my 3rd bottle of lotion. And my poor poor roommate... I´ve asked her to put lotion on my back so many times! I feel so bad and I have apologized a hundred times because for the past week I have always been in our room wearing almost nothing as I was covered in lotion! I´m sure she is also glad that I am better now because now she won´t walk in our room and see me laying on my stomach on my bednwith my red and white bum in the air :) AH! never again! This is really gross I know, but the other night I spent an hour in the shower and all my dead skin fell off in like 6 inch sections! Gross. I´m still a peeling mess but at least I´m not in pain anymore!
This is my last day in Buenos Aires, I´m taking a 9 hour bus to Cordoba tonight at 11 pm. I´m sad to be leaving because I´m comfortable here and have friends here, but at the same time i´m ready for a change and to be out of the big city. In Cordoba (northwest of BA) I am meeting my Italian friend and we will be traveling together for a little over two weeks in the north. I´m excited! but this means that I only have 17 days left here! I´m also anxious to get to Chile.
Part two of the adventure in Argentina starts tonight I guess! Here I go!
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON! Sorry I am a bad girlfriend and am going to be missing your birthday!!!!!!!! We will have to celebrate when I get back! See you soon!
Well, I´ve gotten a few more stamps in my passport! Wednesday I took the boat to Uraguay to hang out in the town of Colonia. My friend from Colorado who is also living down here for awhile was supposed to meet me on the boat and.... never showed up. There was some kind of problem with a bus or something so she wasn´t able to make it to the boat in time. Yes, I was very bummed that I was going to be traveling by myself, again, but I of course didn´t let that stop me from enjoying my time there. The boat was actually like a little cruise ship - there was a restaurant, a few bars, pinball machines, and even a duty free shop where they sold things like goldfish crackers and twix candy bars! Felt like home! (almost) Although the trip was 3 hours long, it was a very nice little ride. This was my first time on a ship like this and I smiled to myself because I was thinking, ¨well, I´m off to the air on the boat deck¨ as I climbed the stairs to go outside. Oh Titanic :) Ive gotten very good at being able to ask other tourist to take my photo, proof that I was actually in the palces I said Ive been! We arrived in Colonia and I set out exploring the historical part of town. There were a lot of really old buildings, lighthouses, and even part of a town wall and old stone bridge. This part of town was very much catered to tourists so it was full of little shops, cafes, and muesems. I went to the artesian fair and couldnt help but smile when I saw how much junk there was! Some fairs are amazing, but this one seemed like a garage sale of people´s random stuff! Small town feeling for sure here. I did however have several conversations with random locals who were very interested in the fact that I was there and that I was from Colorado where it was snowing. I felt that the people here were much more friendly and laid back. I could actually make eye contact and not feel like I was circus act. I´m still not quite sure why feel like I stand out so much, but I know for a fact that I will not miss all the staring.
On the way back home I took the fast one hour ferry because I had to get back in time for my ¨despedida¨dinner with some of my friends! (going away dinner) We went to a restaurant that was set back off the street a ways and were able to sit outside without the constant noise of the traffic. It has been very nice to be part of a group here in BA and yes, it will be very hard to say bye to everyone!
Thursday was my last tango lesson :( My time spent dancing tango with these teachers for the past 5 weeks has probably been some of my most favorite times here in Buenos Aires. I LOVE tango, nothing is more sensual, romantic, and beautiful to watch/dance. I have now had 5 lessons and my teachers said that I danced beautifully :) (.... I only know a few steps so I dont know how ¨beautiful¨that can be...!) After the 2 hour lesson there is always a ¨milonga¨were locals who really really know what they are doing come to wrap their legs around each other and do all these fancy moves. It is SO beautiful to watch and I want SO badly to be able to dance like that some day. I´ll be on a mission to find a tango dance studio when I get back. Get your dancing shoes on Jon! :) you might or might not be dragged if you decline this invitation....
Friday was my last day at the hospital. I have really loved spending the past 5 weeks there. I have learned a ton and have got to witness a lot of really cool stuff. I am so happy that everything worked out because being a part of the intensive therapy group was exactly what I had hoped for. On Friday I brought treats for everyone to sort of say thanks for your patience, friendship, and guidence. Yes... the treat were good and I realized that although I bought a big box, I should have bought another one! No one seems afraid of indulging in a bonbon, tart cup, or dulce de leche filled cake bite down here! :) It was sad leaving everyone, and especially sad leaving my old friend Ricardo, who was actually doing so well on Friday. I told him I was leaving and that I would be thinking of him and I was pretty close to tears when he wouldn´t stop squeezing my hand. I hope he gets what he is wanting.... His wife and daughter again kissed me and wished me luck and thanked me for everything. ( I didn´t do hardly anything except be there physically, but once again, I guess it is the small things that have the greatest impact). After work on Friday I went out to lunch with 5 of the nurses. We had such a great time, ate a lot, and took a ton of photos. They made me promise that I would stay in touch with them and let them know what was going on in my life and with my studies. Needless to say I have about 15 places I can stay the next time I come back. Saying the last goodbyes were hard because not only had they taught me so much and showed a ton of patience with me, but now they were my friends. If you are wondering.... yes, emotional Megan did cry - but I was not the only one this time. In the end, my time spent down here in the hospital was darn near perfect :)
Friday night we went out one more time to a boliche (night club). I got to wear my new tango-ish dancing dress :) The night was SO much fun - mainly because they played 80´s music! It was so funny because with each new song that came on people would get so excited and scream and then start singing along... myself included :) We left ¨early¨, around 4:30 or so because it was SO crowded that you could hardly move, they changed the music to riggatone, and it was way too hot. Actually, although they have fans in these night clubs, they do not turn them on until about 5 or 6 AM because they want people to keep buying drinks. Also, they have obviously never heard about ¨fire hazards¨because there is no limit to how many people are let into a club. Yeah... but other than those things, it really is a great time - unlike anything I´ve experienced in the states. People here LIVE for the night!
In case you are wondering, it takes a full 7 days for a bad sunburn to become bearable. Walking, sitting, and sleeping were all very miserable until the 5 day or so. I´ve gone through 2 bottles of aloe vera, and I am now on my 3rd bottle of lotion. And my poor poor roommate... I´ve asked her to put lotion on my back so many times! I feel so bad and I have apologized a hundred times because for the past week I have always been in our room wearing almost nothing as I was covered in lotion! I´m sure she is also glad that I am better now because now she won´t walk in our room and see me laying on my stomach on my bednwith my red and white bum in the air :) AH! never again! This is really gross I know, but the other night I spent an hour in the shower and all my dead skin fell off in like 6 inch sections! Gross. I´m still a peeling mess but at least I´m not in pain anymore!
This is my last day in Buenos Aires, I´m taking a 9 hour bus to Cordoba tonight at 11 pm. I´m sad to be leaving because I´m comfortable here and have friends here, but at the same time i´m ready for a change and to be out of the big city. In Cordoba (northwest of BA) I am meeting my Italian friend and we will be traveling together for a little over two weeks in the north. I´m excited! but this means that I only have 17 days left here! I´m also anxious to get to Chile.
Part two of the adventure in Argentina starts tonight I guess! Here I go!
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON! Sorry I am a bad girlfriend and am going to be missing your birthday!!!!!!!! We will have to celebrate when I get back! See you soon!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
I'm OK
I just wanted to write a quick note after the earthquake in Chile to let everyone know that I am OK, they evacuated several buildings in Buenos Aires, but none of us felt anything. However I have not heard from any of my Chilean family or friends so please add them all to your prayers. It's a scary thought that if this quake were to have happened 2 weeks later instead of this week I would have been in the middle of it. Then my dad would have really booked a flight to come down here!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fun in the SUN followed by loads of regret :(
This past weekend I decided to take a bus 4 1/2 hours to the beach, south of Buenos Aires. And since I could not find ANYONE to go with (lame, I know) I went alllllll allllone :( It may sound bad, but it was actually SO much fun. Saturday morning as early as I could muster after going out the night before I wandered around the GIANT bus terminal until I found the booth that was selling tickets to Villa Gesell. The bus was super nice with big seats, foot rests, movies, and even a snack pack - so the trip there actually went pretty fast. We got dropped off in Villa Gesell in what looked like an abandoned parking lot so I said well, here I go, and then went to ask for directions into the center (I love the fact that as a women I am not afraid of doing this). I arrived after a 10 block walk and started to search for a hotel. I unfortuatly didnt have a guide book with me so I was basically wandering in the dark. After 4 failed attempts - either bc they did not have rooms for one, or they were too expensive, I found a two star ¨Hotel Splendid.¨I got a room with actually 3 beds in it - in case I made friends? and then went directly to the beach. The beach there was so great, as far as you could see in either direction there was beach, and yes, people. Although there were a ton of people on the sand you hardly noticed it because there was always space. Everyother minute someone would come buy selling churros, corn on the cob, jewelry, and I even had one man come up to me with his arms full of metal pots! quite random. I spent maybe 3 hours on the beach on sat. because it was actually quite chilly, however that didnt keep me from walking a mile up and down the beach in the water, SO great! Especially because it was Feb. and I knew that it was snowing back home.... :)
That night the streets exploded into a big carnavel. The main street was shut down and the street became full of preformers, dances, and popcorn. There were a ton of little shops that were so fun to explore - if I only had an unlimited amount of suitcase room! Everything was so cheap that it was very hard to just say no. There was plenty to see and do but around 9pm i really wanted to eat dinner but NOBODY was eating yet! I didnt want to sit in an empty restaurant by myself so I waited until 9:45-10 to where people began to trickle in to eat. I had the very popular Milonesa which is like a big flat chicken finger expect with steak that had cheese and tomatoes on it. mmm... The food is very good here but I´m really ready for some hot sauce and not having to buy water! Later in the night a concert began that ended up being so fun. This rocking band was playing a mix of country and rock! They even played songs by Bruce Springstein, the eagles, the beatles and even a red white and blue country song. Before I knew it I was one-steppin away in my pink balloon pants! (I´m guessing one-stepping is like two-stepping but without the other person...) So yes.... a WONDERFUL first day on the beach even if I was alone. You know, there were so many odd ducks about this weekend that I never got bored watching them or felt lonely!
The second day is where the regrets come into play. For some unknown reason I decided that I didnt need to put suncreen on my legs. With that said, I am thanking my lucky stars that I at least had the brains to put suncreen on my shoulders, chest, arms, and face. I know it was so stupid but throughout the day I never got hot and there was a strong wind blowing all the time so I didnt realize how strong the sun was. Before I realized that I was as red as a lobster I had a wonderful time. I even made friends with an elderly couple when I asked them to watch my bag while I went swimming - we all shared mate together and talked for about an hour! (they also said my spanish was good :) The water temp was perfect, just cold enough to suck your breath away when you got hit by that first wave. It was actually pretty exciting because without counting the golf of mexico, it was my first time in the ¨big blue Atlantic.¨ Let´s see.... I bought a bracelet from a beach seller, a got a piece of pizza from a traveling pizza oven cart, helped some kids dig a hole, and finished my book. It wasnt until I was sitting in my seat on the bus ride back home that I realized how bad the next few days were going to be....
So now, 48 hours later, I stand a lot - bc it hurts too bad to sit on my burned bum, I waddle as I walk, and I sleep on my stomach (or try to sleep that is...) So so so stupid. I mean, I even put suncreen on before I went to school back home and I always gave grief to those who chose not to wear sunscreen..... I put my words in my mouth and I´m going back to being a sunscreen spokeswomen! just do it!!! Lucky for me the nurses snuck me out a goody bad filled with creams and lotions today, hopefully they will work fast!
On a different note, the nurses said that my old friend is dying. It was very sad to hear and even sadder when his wife and daughter came and his wife kept kissing my hand and holding it up to her cheek. I hope this will be a false alarm but at the same time I know he is suffering a lot. This couple have been married for 65 years, how do you live without someone that has been by your side for that long........
That night the streets exploded into a big carnavel. The main street was shut down and the street became full of preformers, dances, and popcorn. There were a ton of little shops that were so fun to explore - if I only had an unlimited amount of suitcase room! Everything was so cheap that it was very hard to just say no. There was plenty to see and do but around 9pm i really wanted to eat dinner but NOBODY was eating yet! I didnt want to sit in an empty restaurant by myself so I waited until 9:45-10 to where people began to trickle in to eat. I had the very popular Milonesa which is like a big flat chicken finger expect with steak that had cheese and tomatoes on it. mmm... The food is very good here but I´m really ready for some hot sauce and not having to buy water! Later in the night a concert began that ended up being so fun. This rocking band was playing a mix of country and rock! They even played songs by Bruce Springstein, the eagles, the beatles and even a red white and blue country song. Before I knew it I was one-steppin away in my pink balloon pants! (I´m guessing one-stepping is like two-stepping but without the other person...) So yes.... a WONDERFUL first day on the beach even if I was alone. You know, there were so many odd ducks about this weekend that I never got bored watching them or felt lonely!
The second day is where the regrets come into play. For some unknown reason I decided that I didnt need to put suncreen on my legs. With that said, I am thanking my lucky stars that I at least had the brains to put suncreen on my shoulders, chest, arms, and face. I know it was so stupid but throughout the day I never got hot and there was a strong wind blowing all the time so I didnt realize how strong the sun was. Before I realized that I was as red as a lobster I had a wonderful time. I even made friends with an elderly couple when I asked them to watch my bag while I went swimming - we all shared mate together and talked for about an hour! (they also said my spanish was good :) The water temp was perfect, just cold enough to suck your breath away when you got hit by that first wave. It was actually pretty exciting because without counting the golf of mexico, it was my first time in the ¨big blue Atlantic.¨ Let´s see.... I bought a bracelet from a beach seller, a got a piece of pizza from a traveling pizza oven cart, helped some kids dig a hole, and finished my book. It wasnt until I was sitting in my seat on the bus ride back home that I realized how bad the next few days were going to be....
So now, 48 hours later, I stand a lot - bc it hurts too bad to sit on my burned bum, I waddle as I walk, and I sleep on my stomach (or try to sleep that is...) So so so stupid. I mean, I even put suncreen on before I went to school back home and I always gave grief to those who chose not to wear sunscreen..... I put my words in my mouth and I´m going back to being a sunscreen spokeswomen! just do it!!! Lucky for me the nurses snuck me out a goody bad filled with creams and lotions today, hopefully they will work fast!
On a different note, the nurses said that my old friend is dying. It was very sad to hear and even sadder when his wife and daughter came and his wife kept kissing my hand and holding it up to her cheek. I hope this will be a false alarm but at the same time I know he is suffering a lot. This couple have been married for 65 years, how do you live without someone that has been by your side for that long........
Friday, February 19, 2010
The good, the bad, and the random
So to start with bad I got pretty sick on Wednesday. I´m not sure what it was, but my stomach never stopped turning and rumbling till this morning and I might have been allergic to something because I had all these little red bumps on my side. I was planning on not going into to the hospital because I could barely stand up straight - but I figured since I was lucky enough to be surrounded by nurses and doctors everyday I might as well take advantage of it. It was actually kind of funny because as soon as I said that I was not feeling well I had literally 10 people crowd around me to take my temp, ask me questions, get me water, and look at my side. It was very sweet how concerned everyone was. I got the full check-up and people kept peeking around the corner to see what was going on with me. Needless to say, I am in good hands. I soon after left the hospital with medicine and 2 people´s cell phone numbers that I was supposed to call if I needed anything. :) I´m 90% better now which is a good thing because I only have one more week in Buenos Aires and I don´t want to miss out on anything!
The good list could go on and on! First of all I found a sweet tango dancing dress and some of the ever popular balloon looking pants. I know I am going to get some funny looks when I go out in these pants back home because they are basically louge pants that are tight at the ankles and have a crotch that goes to your knees. Sound sweet huh? Well... you may think not, but I actually want to get another pair.... :)
Twice since I have been here have my calves been mentioned. It´s an inside joke in a way because I have huge calves and can never find tall boots that will fit neither can I wear those ´skinny jeans´(a part from the fact that my voluptuous rear wouldn´t fit in them either...) :) The first comment was from an Argentine guy in my residence that basically just said, wow! you have big calves, and the other time actually happened today from a new doctor that I hadn´t met who said, Do you bike? even before introducing himself! Yes, hello, my name is Megan - yes like Megan Fox, I live in Colorado - no, not where the Grand Canyon is, and yes, I have big calves. Nice to meet you too.
This morning I had breakfast with some of the nurses in their breakroom. I brought the ¨fracturas¨ which are delicious crossant things with cheese, dulce de leche, or jam in them. And we of course shared ¨mate¨(stress on the e) which EVERYONE drinks down here ALL the time. mate is a herb that they fill this gourd with, add sugar, and a fancy straw too and drink - and then add more water, and drink. They basically walk down the street with their cup in one hand and their hot water thermos in the other. Yes, I am jealous of this great pastime - and yes, I´m bringing the mate back home with me!
We had two people die at the hospital yesterday. One man who had a a brain problem and the other was a young girl of 29 who was born with lungs that didnt work well - and then they just gave in. It´s pretty sad at times, especially when the families come. Today I spent some time with my 87 year old friend and told him about the weather outside, the olympics, the snow in Texas, how I have one more week left, and just some random stuff. I was thinking that if I was there for 4 weeks without any contact to the outside world or person to person contact I would want someone to talk to me too. I´m not sure if he understood me but he made all the right facial expressions and seemed to enjoy my company. oh I hope something doesn´t happen to him soon. and yes, I gave him a gauze soaked in water many times today. I may be loosing my head because yesterday I managed to throw away my watch when I took a pair of gloves off quickly. I can´t think of any other possiblity than that to what happened to it because I had it one minute and the next I didn´t! and... I lost my rain jacket. I think it is somewhere in between my residence and the hospital :( so yes... hopefully I do not loose my head next.
Wednesday I went to Spanglish with some of the girls I live with. Spanglish is a company that has get togethers once a week for native english and spanish speakers to come together and talk. It was actually really fun - we did 5 min in English and then 5 min in Spanish and then we switched partners... exactly like speed dating! I am very excited because I have been told on numerous occasions that my Spanish is very good and that I have an excelent accent. Whoop whoop! All the Spanish classes since 6th grade are paying off! :)
It is POURING outside now - I can´t understand how it can rain so hard for so long without running out of water!!! Another amazing thing of this wonderful world!
The good list could go on and on! First of all I found a sweet tango dancing dress and some of the ever popular balloon looking pants. I know I am going to get some funny looks when I go out in these pants back home because they are basically louge pants that are tight at the ankles and have a crotch that goes to your knees. Sound sweet huh? Well... you may think not, but I actually want to get another pair.... :)
Twice since I have been here have my calves been mentioned. It´s an inside joke in a way because I have huge calves and can never find tall boots that will fit neither can I wear those ´skinny jeans´(a part from the fact that my voluptuous rear wouldn´t fit in them either...) :) The first comment was from an Argentine guy in my residence that basically just said, wow! you have big calves, and the other time actually happened today from a new doctor that I hadn´t met who said, Do you bike? even before introducing himself! Yes, hello, my name is Megan - yes like Megan Fox, I live in Colorado - no, not where the Grand Canyon is, and yes, I have big calves. Nice to meet you too.
This morning I had breakfast with some of the nurses in their breakroom. I brought the ¨fracturas¨ which are delicious crossant things with cheese, dulce de leche, or jam in them. And we of course shared ¨mate¨(stress on the e) which EVERYONE drinks down here ALL the time. mate is a herb that they fill this gourd with, add sugar, and a fancy straw too and drink - and then add more water, and drink. They basically walk down the street with their cup in one hand and their hot water thermos in the other. Yes, I am jealous of this great pastime - and yes, I´m bringing the mate back home with me!
We had two people die at the hospital yesterday. One man who had a a brain problem and the other was a young girl of 29 who was born with lungs that didnt work well - and then they just gave in. It´s pretty sad at times, especially when the families come. Today I spent some time with my 87 year old friend and told him about the weather outside, the olympics, the snow in Texas, how I have one more week left, and just some random stuff. I was thinking that if I was there for 4 weeks without any contact to the outside world or person to person contact I would want someone to talk to me too. I´m not sure if he understood me but he made all the right facial expressions and seemed to enjoy my company. oh I hope something doesn´t happen to him soon. and yes, I gave him a gauze soaked in water many times today. I may be loosing my head because yesterday I managed to throw away my watch when I took a pair of gloves off quickly. I can´t think of any other possiblity than that to what happened to it because I had it one minute and the next I didn´t! and... I lost my rain jacket. I think it is somewhere in between my residence and the hospital :( so yes... hopefully I do not loose my head next.
Wednesday I went to Spanglish with some of the girls I live with. Spanglish is a company that has get togethers once a week for native english and spanish speakers to come together and talk. It was actually really fun - we did 5 min in English and then 5 min in Spanish and then we switched partners... exactly like speed dating! I am very excited because I have been told on numerous occasions that my Spanish is very good and that I have an excelent accent. Whoop whoop! All the Spanish classes since 6th grade are paying off! :)
It is POURING outside now - I can´t understand how it can rain so hard for so long without running out of water!!! Another amazing thing of this wonderful world!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tigre - the city of islands
This past saturday me and my two non-American friends (of which i realized i have made NO American friends for some reason...) took the subway, a train, and then another tourist train to get to a town north of Buenos Aires (1 1/2 hour trip) - Tigre. People from here say that Tigre is the Venice of Argentina.... and since I was lucky enough to visit Venice last September with my sweet sister, I can say that Tigre is actually not anything like Venice except the existance of water taxis. The two have no resembulance what so ever actually. It was however very fun and so wonderful to get away from the noise and crowds of the city for the day. We stumbled around the terminal until we decided to take a water taxi to the island of 3 bocas ( 3 mouths) where we would eat lunch. The water ride was so great and it actually lasted for a relaxing 30 mintues. Every house on the river had it´s own dock with a clever name - if i ever have my own dock this is something i will need to think really hard about... its got to be a good one. My truck back home for example is named ¨Big Red¨and i sweet talk it everytime we go up into the mountains while its trying to climb that first big hill. Works everytime.... so far. We get to 3 bocas and we take this cute rural little trail through a tropical looking forest until we get to our restaurant. We decided to go all out and get ice cold beer, grilled veggies, and a wonderful asado (grilled meat). It was so nice to sit in the shade, eat wonderful food and watch boats pass by. I have to mention what is one of the most exciting things I have ever seen... an ice cream boat! Yea! it just cruises the waters and makes deliveries or stops when you flag it down! Sweet. (Did I mention also that the majority of the ice cream parlors in Buenos Aires have delivery.... but i don´t use it... i just walk there, it makes me feel better about what I am about to do) :) After lunch we decided to explore the island a bit - but not before the 65 year old waiter (male) told my Finnish friend (also male) that he was beautiful and gave him his number. Awkward situation but really really funny. After we got back to the main land we caught the train back home and then all made dinner together. Good day :)
This past week went very well at the hospital. I thought I should mention that this hospital, which holds about500 beds, is considered to be one of the best hospitals in BA. There is just about everything you could possible think of relating to medicine here. Although I am now acustomed to the procedures done in the critical care unit I am still shocked when I hear that we can´t bathe the patient right now because there are no clean sheets left or when i see nurses or docs using the type of gloves that are used to serve food - the thin plastic ones, when the good latex type are available. The thing that I just can´t get over is how bad the bed sores are here on the people who have been there for awhile. The skin is black it is so dead and it is constantly oozing puss and blood. I can´t even imagine how bad it hurts. Although the nurses do clean the sores and put fresh gauze on them I can´t understand why they don´t keep the person off of their back as much as possible. I have often hinted at a nurse that my friend patient Ricardo looks uncomfortable and if we could change his position. It´s a loose loose situation because even if he gets well enough to leave the hospital there is no way that his weak body is going to be able to heal his horrible sore on his coccyx. His wife still gives me a kiss on the check and strokes my hand everyday so I will keep trying at least :)
Some of the things I have seen here are pretty cool. Sometimes I feel like I am watching my favorite show, Discovery Health Channel. There is a guy there now that had a brain tumor removed and now there is a huge indentation in his skull and the amount of black stitches he has is actually kind of scary. Another has pancreatic cancer and his skin is as yellow as a banana. I really wish that I had more of a background in medicine before I came down here so I had more of an idea of what was going on. For example when they kept jabbing this gaint needle into this guys spine to try and extract spinal fluid so they could check for an infection - i feel like i have a good grasp on anatomy so I don´t understand why there were so many failed attempts. This was all taking place without pain medication too. I was scwirming more than the poor guy. I was very surprised when i was asked if I wanted to help prepare the IV bags - because touching medicine without the proper liscense is what i feel one of the biggest no no´s in the US. I said yes of course, and then pretty soon i was breaking the tops off these little glass tubes and injecting the medicine into the IV solution. It was actually pretty fun :) however I´m going to take the advice of my wise boyfriend and not mention that on my resume when applying for jobs. (Of which I applyed for a job at Poudre Valley Hospital last night! cross your fingers!)
I really like having somewhat of a routine down here. Its nice when the security guard at the hospital recognizes me and says ¨see you tomorrow¨or when I get the same bus driver in the morning and he already knows where I am going so I don´t have to tell him. And if you are wondering, No, the ice cream scooper does not recognizes me.... (it might be because i go to various ones to try them all :)
I´ve actually been running a lot around this park a block away from my building in the afternoons. The park has giant beautiful fountains, little kids feeding the birds, people playing soccer, hot dog venders, dog walkers, and even a merry-go-round. It actually quite entertaining. However, now after taking a microbiology class and am slightly parnoid about catching one of the hundreds of diseases that pigions carry as they scatter away from me when i run by. And also with all the dogs around that are scratching themselves like crazy I always run the extra steps away from them so the flees won´t get me. E! (but flee free as of now! Whoop!)
Everything else... I am still missing the bus by seconds EVERY day no matter what time i leave at, I am getting pretty smooth and graceful and tango dancing, I eat a ton of fruit, I´m still getting lost in the city at times, I bought the first pair of shoes that i will be taken home with me (1 of 2 I think), we finally got light back in our room as it was broken for a whole week, and I am still liking how you can buy flavored milk in little juice boxes (milk boxes i guess). It´s the little things that count sometimes :) Hope everyone is surving the snow! (Should I mention that I am planning a weekend trip to the beach.... :)
This past week went very well at the hospital. I thought I should mention that this hospital, which holds about500 beds, is considered to be one of the best hospitals in BA. There is just about everything you could possible think of relating to medicine here. Although I am now acustomed to the procedures done in the critical care unit I am still shocked when I hear that we can´t bathe the patient right now because there are no clean sheets left or when i see nurses or docs using the type of gloves that are used to serve food - the thin plastic ones, when the good latex type are available. The thing that I just can´t get over is how bad the bed sores are here on the people who have been there for awhile. The skin is black it is so dead and it is constantly oozing puss and blood. I can´t even imagine how bad it hurts. Although the nurses do clean the sores and put fresh gauze on them I can´t understand why they don´t keep the person off of their back as much as possible. I have often hinted at a nurse that my friend patient Ricardo looks uncomfortable and if we could change his position. It´s a loose loose situation because even if he gets well enough to leave the hospital there is no way that his weak body is going to be able to heal his horrible sore on his coccyx. His wife still gives me a kiss on the check and strokes my hand everyday so I will keep trying at least :)
Some of the things I have seen here are pretty cool. Sometimes I feel like I am watching my favorite show, Discovery Health Channel. There is a guy there now that had a brain tumor removed and now there is a huge indentation in his skull and the amount of black stitches he has is actually kind of scary. Another has pancreatic cancer and his skin is as yellow as a banana. I really wish that I had more of a background in medicine before I came down here so I had more of an idea of what was going on. For example when they kept jabbing this gaint needle into this guys spine to try and extract spinal fluid so they could check for an infection - i feel like i have a good grasp on anatomy so I don´t understand why there were so many failed attempts. This was all taking place without pain medication too. I was scwirming more than the poor guy. I was very surprised when i was asked if I wanted to help prepare the IV bags - because touching medicine without the proper liscense is what i feel one of the biggest no no´s in the US. I said yes of course, and then pretty soon i was breaking the tops off these little glass tubes and injecting the medicine into the IV solution. It was actually pretty fun :) however I´m going to take the advice of my wise boyfriend and not mention that on my resume when applying for jobs. (Of which I applyed for a job at Poudre Valley Hospital last night! cross your fingers!)
I really like having somewhat of a routine down here. Its nice when the security guard at the hospital recognizes me and says ¨see you tomorrow¨or when I get the same bus driver in the morning and he already knows where I am going so I don´t have to tell him. And if you are wondering, No, the ice cream scooper does not recognizes me.... (it might be because i go to various ones to try them all :)
I´ve actually been running a lot around this park a block away from my building in the afternoons. The park has giant beautiful fountains, little kids feeding the birds, people playing soccer, hot dog venders, dog walkers, and even a merry-go-round. It actually quite entertaining. However, now after taking a microbiology class and am slightly parnoid about catching one of the hundreds of diseases that pigions carry as they scatter away from me when i run by. And also with all the dogs around that are scratching themselves like crazy I always run the extra steps away from them so the flees won´t get me. E! (but flee free as of now! Whoop!)
Everything else... I am still missing the bus by seconds EVERY day no matter what time i leave at, I am getting pretty smooth and graceful and tango dancing, I eat a ton of fruit, I´m still getting lost in the city at times, I bought the first pair of shoes that i will be taken home with me (1 of 2 I think), we finally got light back in our room as it was broken for a whole week, and I am still liking how you can buy flavored milk in little juice boxes (milk boxes i guess). It´s the little things that count sometimes :) Hope everyone is surving the snow! (Should I mention that I am planning a weekend trip to the beach.... :)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Weekend in San Miguel
Hola :)
I just realized how long it has been since i last wrote one of these - it´s one of those things where you really have nothing to do however you are busy? Busy doing just stuff... ?
Last weekend was a good one (haven´t had a bad one yet). On Friday 4 of us went to listen to jazz music all night in the ritzy part of town, Palermo. It was great - there were these 3 older men just jamming for hours - all without looking at any music sheets. We managed to get a front row spot on a couple of couches and just spent the night drinking wine and eating cheese and olives. Somethings (a lot of times) it is so much more fun to go spend the night at a small relaxed place with a good atmosphere then going dancing where there are a bunch of sweaty bodies touching you. Tempting... i know.
Saturday i took the train (another first) to the town where my friend from Colorado is volunteering for a year. It was so great to see her and we babbled and babbled in English because she kept saying how good it was to speak English for a change. San Miguel, which is an hour by bus, is just one of the hundreds towns stemming off of BA. My friend, Christina, is living in a little ¨casita¨ which was actually built for her the previous year - and she is brave - i don´t think i could live there for a year! It´s a cute little house but is lacking all the comforts of American standards completly. She has to heat water up to take a shower, no stove only a hot plate, and inch thick mattress, and a constant mildew smell because of hot humid it is there. Not to mention the dance club that is a block away from her house (the walls were literally shaking that night and they didnt stop until 5 am) Brave girl!!! :) We met her host family and ate empanadas and talked about the poverty in Buenos Aires. I was so shocked by some of the stories that i heard! They are both non profit lawyers that work in the very poor parts of the city, and they were telling me about babies getting stolen so they could be ´sold´to foregin families looking to adopt, the lack of health care, the list goes on and on! They also mentioned the fact that light colored eyes babies are ´sold´for
almost twice as much... all the stories were so sad to hear. It made me want to be superwomen and fix everything. Later that day Christina took me to the community center where she volunteers witht he kids that live in the ´veesias´or slums. She kind of freaked me out by telling me how dangerous it was there and how taxis wont even go into the veesias.... and here she is walking here everyday by herself! I´ve needless to say have added her to my prayers! but no... we didnt actually go into the veesias - we kind of just looked in and called it good. Christina´s stories were also very sad to hear - about how when it rains the kids cant come to the center because they only have one pair of shoes and it is too muddy, and also about how tough all the kids are - bascially because you have to survive. This weekend has repeatedly made me count my blessings. and.... i love America (i´m not saying we dont have our own problems...) Before i left San Miguel the next day i bought 8 movies.... they are pirated but very legal here :) good quality too...!
This week at the hospital has been really good. I´m still learning a ton and ive seen more surguries and procedures lately. Today actually i got to watch the doctors repeativly stick this 5 inch, thick needle into this poor guys neck because then were looking for a particular place where they would be able to get a direct reading of the venous pressure coming into the heart (from what i understood!) The missed a bunch of times and i kept having to hand them more and more gauze! I guess it is really hard to find. Believe it or not i am actually helping prepare the medication for the patients... no big deal - i have no license or anything....
I think it was tuesday - but a man that was in a coma for weeks woke up! It was so cool, and now he is slowly getting better. I´ve taken it upon myself to be his ´water girl.´He had tubes coming out of him every which way but he is able to suck on guaze that soaked with water. All he ever wants is water... and the nurses say that i can give him as much as i want. I give him a lot... almost every 20 minutes. He is this 87 year old man that is in bad shape and i love the way he looks at me when i give him water and ask if he wants more water and if he is comfortable. When his wife comes she always hugs and kisses me... its hard not to get attached to these people! i cant help it! This couple has been together for 65 years and everyday she comes and just holds his hand and strokes his head... ah! it is so sad but really sweet.
Today marks my 3 week in Argentina... where has the time gone! sometimes it passes SO slowly and other times i realize that oh! its already wednesday!
Side note: I went out to eat with my Argentine friend last night and had a cazuela pot with pumpkin, corn, cheese, and honey... all cooked in a cast iron bowl. Yes... it was good.
I just realized how long it has been since i last wrote one of these - it´s one of those things where you really have nothing to do however you are busy? Busy doing just stuff... ?
Last weekend was a good one (haven´t had a bad one yet). On Friday 4 of us went to listen to jazz music all night in the ritzy part of town, Palermo. It was great - there were these 3 older men just jamming for hours - all without looking at any music sheets. We managed to get a front row spot on a couple of couches and just spent the night drinking wine and eating cheese and olives. Somethings (a lot of times) it is so much more fun to go spend the night at a small relaxed place with a good atmosphere then going dancing where there are a bunch of sweaty bodies touching you. Tempting... i know.
Saturday i took the train (another first) to the town where my friend from Colorado is volunteering for a year. It was so great to see her and we babbled and babbled in English because she kept saying how good it was to speak English for a change. San Miguel, which is an hour by bus, is just one of the hundreds towns stemming off of BA. My friend, Christina, is living in a little ¨casita¨ which was actually built for her the previous year - and she is brave - i don´t think i could live there for a year! It´s a cute little house but is lacking all the comforts of American standards completly. She has to heat water up to take a shower, no stove only a hot plate, and inch thick mattress, and a constant mildew smell because of hot humid it is there. Not to mention the dance club that is a block away from her house (the walls were literally shaking that night and they didnt stop until 5 am) Brave girl!!! :) We met her host family and ate empanadas and talked about the poverty in Buenos Aires. I was so shocked by some of the stories that i heard! They are both non profit lawyers that work in the very poor parts of the city, and they were telling me about babies getting stolen so they could be ´sold´to foregin families looking to adopt, the lack of health care, the list goes on and on! They also mentioned the fact that light colored eyes babies are ´sold´for
almost twice as much... all the stories were so sad to hear. It made me want to be superwomen and fix everything. Later that day Christina took me to the community center where she volunteers witht he kids that live in the ´veesias´or slums. She kind of freaked me out by telling me how dangerous it was there and how taxis wont even go into the veesias.... and here she is walking here everyday by herself! I´ve needless to say have added her to my prayers! but no... we didnt actually go into the veesias - we kind of just looked in and called it good. Christina´s stories were also very sad to hear - about how when it rains the kids cant come to the center because they only have one pair of shoes and it is too muddy, and also about how tough all the kids are - bascially because you have to survive. This weekend has repeatedly made me count my blessings. and.... i love America (i´m not saying we dont have our own problems...) Before i left San Miguel the next day i bought 8 movies.... they are pirated but very legal here :) good quality too...!
This week at the hospital has been really good. I´m still learning a ton and ive seen more surguries and procedures lately. Today actually i got to watch the doctors repeativly stick this 5 inch, thick needle into this poor guys neck because then were looking for a particular place where they would be able to get a direct reading of the venous pressure coming into the heart (from what i understood!) The missed a bunch of times and i kept having to hand them more and more gauze! I guess it is really hard to find. Believe it or not i am actually helping prepare the medication for the patients... no big deal - i have no license or anything....
I think it was tuesday - but a man that was in a coma for weeks woke up! It was so cool, and now he is slowly getting better. I´ve taken it upon myself to be his ´water girl.´He had tubes coming out of him every which way but he is able to suck on guaze that soaked with water. All he ever wants is water... and the nurses say that i can give him as much as i want. I give him a lot... almost every 20 minutes. He is this 87 year old man that is in bad shape and i love the way he looks at me when i give him water and ask if he wants more water and if he is comfortable. When his wife comes she always hugs and kisses me... its hard not to get attached to these people! i cant help it! This couple has been together for 65 years and everyday she comes and just holds his hand and strokes his head... ah! it is so sad but really sweet.
Today marks my 3 week in Argentina... where has the time gone! sometimes it passes SO slowly and other times i realize that oh! its already wednesday!
Side note: I went out to eat with my Argentine friend last night and had a cazuela pot with pumpkin, corn, cheese, and honey... all cooked in a cast iron bowl. Yes... it was good.
Friday, February 5, 2010
i'm a tango dancer now :)
Thursday night was one of the most fun nights yet here in Argentina. I went out with two guys from France and Finland to go take tango lessons. THe French guy goes every week and after last night i am going to become a regular too! The place was behind a kind of 'dirty spoon' bar and although the big ballroom behind it smelled a bit it, was one of those places that the locals go to wrap their legs around each other. (yes... literally!) There were about 10 of us in the beginner class and the teachers were SO amazing! they danced so beautifully together. We learned the walk, a cool 8 step move, a figure 8 twirly thing, and then my favorite move was one where the girl does this cool swish and hook thing with her leg (just try to imagine - :) BY the end of the 2 hours we were doing pretty good actually! The teachers made us switch partners constantly so you feel how different people move. After our two hours we bravely went out to the real dance floor for a bit. It was definitely intimidating dancing next to these amazing dancers. Everyone actually dances with their eyes closed to "feel" the movement - however when i was out on the big dance floor i was alomst too busy watching other people dance than concentrating on what i was doing! I'm already looking forward to next week where i can work on my "flare" and the swish kick thing with the leg :)
On a completly different and random note - i have what i am sure is a very attractive story. The gym that i belong to down here, which is called "megantlon" (suiting for me), has no air conditioning. The other day i decided to go to a spinning class and by the time i got to the gym, which is only 2 blocks away, i was already dripping sweat! I wondering if you start sweating before you work out if it counts?? Anyways, during that 45 min class i dont think i have ever sweated that much in my life! I seriously had a puddle under my bike when i was done because sweat was dripping off my face every 3 - 5 seconds (yes, i timed it). yeah - it was pretty gross. Other people were sweaty too but i think i may have won if there was a contest - maybe it was because i worked the hardest :)
Another day at the gym i decided to go to a yoga class. It was a joke! i couldnt decide if i wanted to laugh or just walk out. I felt like i was in one of those "sit and be fit" shows on PBS! With no exageration at all - the class consisted of rolling your head and wrists and tapping your toe in front and then behind you. Plus we laid down on our mats for the first 15 min and the last 15 min - i almost fell asleep! (yes... the room was hot) So needless to say i will not be taking anymore "yoga" classes at that gym anymore!
Let's see... what else? I take the bus to and from the hospital everyday, and i dont know what it is but it doesnt matter if i walk really fast to the bus stop or if i saunter - the bus always pulls up and leaves 2 seconds before i get to the stop. I used to run and try and catch the driver's attention - but it never works. The next bus #50 usually come within the next 10 minutes - but i just cant believe how often i miss the bus by seconds! Bad luck? i don't know. THe hospital is still going well. It has been more quite the last few days because there are fewer patients and therefore not that much work to do. But regardless if i am doing hospital work or not i still get 5 hours of spanish practice with all the talking to the docs and nurses i'm doing! I don't understand everything that is said but at least i get the jist and am able to follow the conversation. Next Tuesday i am going out to lunch with a a bunch of the nurses - i'm already excited! I'm not sure if i mentioned this or not, but the other day i got to get scrubbed out and watch a surgury! They decided to do a tracheoscopy on a man that is in a coma. They docs even brought over a box for me to stand on so i could see better :) I think i have decided that surgury is just not for me... i LOVE all of the getting to see inside the body stuff, but i just always get too hot and start to feel woozy and i really really hate the smell of the burning tube they use (burning flesh smells makes me feel woozy too). well shall see!
It has been a rainy past few days here. And when it rains... it really rains! all day too! not like the glorious Colorado weather where it changes every 30 minutes. At least there is not a death heat wave anymore - i actually saw on the news the other day that Buenos Aired was in an "ola de calor" - a heat wave, and the nurses said that they could never remember so many hot days in a row.... figures, right!? just when i come! That's ok... because i will just eat a helado (popsicle/ice cream) I reached my 2 week mark! 3 weeks to go and then about 3 to travel - my homecoming is still a ways out - even though it feels like i have been here for much longer!
Chao!
On a completly different and random note - i have what i am sure is a very attractive story. The gym that i belong to down here, which is called "megantlon" (suiting for me), has no air conditioning. The other day i decided to go to a spinning class and by the time i got to the gym, which is only 2 blocks away, i was already dripping sweat! I wondering if you start sweating before you work out if it counts?? Anyways, during that 45 min class i dont think i have ever sweated that much in my life! I seriously had a puddle under my bike when i was done because sweat was dripping off my face every 3 - 5 seconds (yes, i timed it). yeah - it was pretty gross. Other people were sweaty too but i think i may have won if there was a contest - maybe it was because i worked the hardest :)
Another day at the gym i decided to go to a yoga class. It was a joke! i couldnt decide if i wanted to laugh or just walk out. I felt like i was in one of those "sit and be fit" shows on PBS! With no exageration at all - the class consisted of rolling your head and wrists and tapping your toe in front and then behind you. Plus we laid down on our mats for the first 15 min and the last 15 min - i almost fell asleep! (yes... the room was hot) So needless to say i will not be taking anymore "yoga" classes at that gym anymore!
Let's see... what else? I take the bus to and from the hospital everyday, and i dont know what it is but it doesnt matter if i walk really fast to the bus stop or if i saunter - the bus always pulls up and leaves 2 seconds before i get to the stop. I used to run and try and catch the driver's attention - but it never works. The next bus #50 usually come within the next 10 minutes - but i just cant believe how often i miss the bus by seconds! Bad luck? i don't know. THe hospital is still going well. It has been more quite the last few days because there are fewer patients and therefore not that much work to do. But regardless if i am doing hospital work or not i still get 5 hours of spanish practice with all the talking to the docs and nurses i'm doing! I don't understand everything that is said but at least i get the jist and am able to follow the conversation. Next Tuesday i am going out to lunch with a a bunch of the nurses - i'm already excited! I'm not sure if i mentioned this or not, but the other day i got to get scrubbed out and watch a surgury! They decided to do a tracheoscopy on a man that is in a coma. They docs even brought over a box for me to stand on so i could see better :) I think i have decided that surgury is just not for me... i LOVE all of the getting to see inside the body stuff, but i just always get too hot and start to feel woozy and i really really hate the smell of the burning tube they use (burning flesh smells makes me feel woozy too). well shall see!
It has been a rainy past few days here. And when it rains... it really rains! all day too! not like the glorious Colorado weather where it changes every 30 minutes. At least there is not a death heat wave anymore - i actually saw on the news the other day that Buenos Aired was in an "ola de calor" - a heat wave, and the nurses said that they could never remember so many hot days in a row.... figures, right!? just when i come! That's ok... because i will just eat a helado (popsicle/ice cream) I reached my 2 week mark! 3 weeks to go and then about 3 to travel - my homecoming is still a ways out - even though it feels like i have been here for much longer!
Chao!
Monday, February 1, 2010
E!
someone died at the hospital 20 mintutes before i got there and i helped the nurse put him in a body bag..... woah. Besides cadaver lab, this was a first for me - plus unlike cadaver lab the body still warm. Ya.....
Sunday, January 31, 2010
the food! (the best part)
Yes i am eating well in the land of beef and wine. Im very glad that i am not a vegitarian because then i would be missing out on on of the best things Argentina has going on. I went to a Parilla the other day with my friend Juan and the food was incredible. The basically have a whole cow cooking on the grill in the back - and in most Parillas you can see everything being cooked. I learned that it is best not to go back and look at the grill until you have already eaten because then you get too excited and get ever so much more hungry! I ordered the Bife de Lomo - im not sure exactly how it translates but it is the best cut of meat there is.... and it was! The meat is served with a little bowl of Chimichurri sauce that is a combination of herbs and oil i think... and it is green... (sorry for the lack of details :) I am definitely bringing some of this sauce back, delicious. For a started i was told that it is a crime not to try the Provalone cheese - a round slab of provalone about a inch or two thick that they grill. Another YUM. (I cant eat that often... i dont want to come back as a rolly polly) All in moderation right??! good motto. And... wine and water are often the same price. so por que no? (why not?) The Malbec is my favorite. I do miss not having to pay for water though....
On a side note, there are little grocery stores every few blocks or so that have a few rows of the essentials and then all of them have an entire WALL of wines. I thought it was funny that there are little alarms on the bottles that are 30 pesos and up - that is about $10 :) Shoot - they should put alarms on the imported salad dressings that they sell for 35 pesos too!
Another night i went out to a very popular restaurant with some new friends from my residence. (yea for new friends!) I got pumpkin raviolies (spelling on that one??) with a rosa sauce. WOW. YUM. and a glass of wine ( I figure i have a lot of people to drink a glass of wine for... plus a glass of red a day is supposed to be good for you) But no .... i am not turning into a lush, no worries! I am actually wondering if i am going to develop a slight Italian accent on my spanish bc of my Italian roommate! Plus i realized quickly that i really dont enjoy hanging out with the Americans, Aussies, and Londeners (new word) because they drink like there is no tomorrow 7 days a week and they speak only in English. Thanks but i'll pass! My nitch is with the Italians and Argentinans - who dont speak english and do more than drink. :) Actually one of the Argentina guys in my residence, Jauquin, is studying to be a doctor - its fun to talk about the differences in medicine in our 2 countries and i am also learning a lot more terminology.
Friday night we got home after 6am... crazy i know! The crazier thing is that there still was a ton of people out a about! When in Argentina....! Besos a todos! (kisses to all!)
On a side note, there are little grocery stores every few blocks or so that have a few rows of the essentials and then all of them have an entire WALL of wines. I thought it was funny that there are little alarms on the bottles that are 30 pesos and up - that is about $10 :) Shoot - they should put alarms on the imported salad dressings that they sell for 35 pesos too!
Another night i went out to a very popular restaurant with some new friends from my residence. (yea for new friends!) I got pumpkin raviolies (spelling on that one??) with a rosa sauce. WOW. YUM. and a glass of wine ( I figure i have a lot of people to drink a glass of wine for... plus a glass of red a day is supposed to be good for you) But no .... i am not turning into a lush, no worries! I am actually wondering if i am going to develop a slight Italian accent on my spanish bc of my Italian roommate! Plus i realized quickly that i really dont enjoy hanging out with the Americans, Aussies, and Londeners (new word) because they drink like there is no tomorrow 7 days a week and they speak only in English. Thanks but i'll pass! My nitch is with the Italians and Argentinans - who dont speak english and do more than drink. :) Actually one of the Argentina guys in my residence, Jauquin, is studying to be a doctor - its fun to talk about the differences in medicine in our 2 countries and i am also learning a lot more terminology.
Friday night we got home after 6am... crazy i know! The crazier thing is that there still was a ton of people out a about! When in Argentina....! Besos a todos! (kisses to all!)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Hospital work
I finally made it to work at the hosptial! The program organizer was slightly slacking in my opinion in setting me up with what i came down here to do. so Finally! only a week late.... but definitely vale la pena (worth it). I have so much to say....
The hospital that i am working in is called El Hospital Policia Bartolome Choccomo (or something like that). It is a hospital only for the federal police and their families. I still cannot believe that the corrupt police have their own hospital - and it is definitely the nicest out of all the others. I am spending my time in the critical medicine ward, which would kind of be like our ICU. When i arrived Thursday everyone was very excited that i was from Colorado - i had two people say, oh! the grand canyon! and another person say, oh las vegas! oh well! at least they are close! :) I was really excited when they introduced me as "Megan our new resident from colorado" :) Plus, i have to wear a white coat - which makes me look very professional and like i know what i am doing! (I try to forget that i bought the white coat in a store down the street and anyone can buy one!) My first day in the hospital there was a lot of blood. We had 3 or 4 new admits all with the 5-6 hours that i am there. A lot of the people in this ward are older - some have had a stroke or organ failures. I even got to see their 'flight for life' helicopter fly in and deliver us a young man who was in a motorcycle accident. They were only transfering him from another hospital so he wasnt fresh off the pavement, but he had stitches from throat to navel and on both knees and one arm. That is why you DO NOT ride motos here unless you are asking for a death wish!
Another one of the admits was a VERY obese guy (pretty rare down here) who had some kind of infection. He had so much fat on his arms that the nurses couldnt but a good IV in, so they went for one of the main vein or artery (Teresa help me out) in the neck. They kept sticking and sticking him and there was quite a bit of blood. I cant explain everything exactly because i only understand about half that is going on in the first place!
I was SO shocked with some of their techniques/machines that they used. FOr example, in order to take a look at the patients heart theye have a machine that looks like it was from the the 70's! They wet the ankles and wrists and then put these giant clips with wires on, this is followed by wetting their chest and then they have 8 balloon things that they suction on in various spots. It is so crazy!
This is exactly what i was hoping to do down here so i am so glad that it is working out. I'm staying really busy because they actually let me help do a lot of things. I ran the cardio machine by myself, went to a lecture on dengue fever, helped give bed baths, and helped change a stoma bag (my first one - pretty intense). I was SO surprised when i saw the majority of the staff wearing sandels! In the states you cant even serve food if you are not wearing closed toe shoes!
So yes, my time at the hospital is going great. and when i was leaving the hospital on Thursday i even saw a green parrot! At first i thought it was a pet that escaped but then i saw 4 more! pretty cool.
The hospital that i am working in is called El Hospital Policia Bartolome Choccomo (or something like that). It is a hospital only for the federal police and their families. I still cannot believe that the corrupt police have their own hospital - and it is definitely the nicest out of all the others. I am spending my time in the critical medicine ward, which would kind of be like our ICU. When i arrived Thursday everyone was very excited that i was from Colorado - i had two people say, oh! the grand canyon! and another person say, oh las vegas! oh well! at least they are close! :) I was really excited when they introduced me as "Megan our new resident from colorado" :) Plus, i have to wear a white coat - which makes me look very professional and like i know what i am doing! (I try to forget that i bought the white coat in a store down the street and anyone can buy one!) My first day in the hospital there was a lot of blood. We had 3 or 4 new admits all with the 5-6 hours that i am there. A lot of the people in this ward are older - some have had a stroke or organ failures. I even got to see their 'flight for life' helicopter fly in and deliver us a young man who was in a motorcycle accident. They were only transfering him from another hospital so he wasnt fresh off the pavement, but he had stitches from throat to navel and on both knees and one arm. That is why you DO NOT ride motos here unless you are asking for a death wish!
Another one of the admits was a VERY obese guy (pretty rare down here) who had some kind of infection. He had so much fat on his arms that the nurses couldnt but a good IV in, so they went for one of the main vein or artery (Teresa help me out) in the neck. They kept sticking and sticking him and there was quite a bit of blood. I cant explain everything exactly because i only understand about half that is going on in the first place!
I was SO shocked with some of their techniques/machines that they used. FOr example, in order to take a look at the patients heart theye have a machine that looks like it was from the the 70's! They wet the ankles and wrists and then put these giant clips with wires on, this is followed by wetting their chest and then they have 8 balloon things that they suction on in various spots. It is so crazy!
This is exactly what i was hoping to do down here so i am so glad that it is working out. I'm staying really busy because they actually let me help do a lot of things. I ran the cardio machine by myself, went to a lecture on dengue fever, helped give bed baths, and helped change a stoma bag (my first one - pretty intense). I was SO surprised when i saw the majority of the staff wearing sandels! In the states you cant even serve food if you are not wearing closed toe shoes!
So yes, my time at the hospital is going great. and when i was leaving the hospital on Thursday i even saw a green parrot! At first i thought it was a pet that escaped but then i saw 4 more! pretty cool.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
the horror adventure of riding the buses
yes, i rode the colectivo (local buses) for the first time today and prayed the whole time through! the buses are super scary, they honestly don't stop or slow down for anything and a few times a was sure that we were going to hit a person crossing the street. AND.... if you happen to be the only person getting off at a stop, the driver will slow down, but never stop! and you just have to jump and hope you land on even ground!! I've seen how crazy and dangerous the buses can be this past week but never got up the courage to actually get on.
So while i have been waiting for my work in the hospital to start, i have been quite the sight-seer. I went and saw Argentina's version of our white house - except that theirs is pink! i read that a long time ago they used to stain the building with ox's blood to get the color... hopefully they have found a better way to mkae it pink. (you would think it smelled horrible!) this was also the same building were Eva Peron would make her speeches. The really interesting thing about all these huge government buildings down here is that some of them are surrounded by a huge metal gatse and all of them have these giant movable 'walls.' There are always protestors shouting and drumming about something - so when it gets really bad they put these 'walls' in a line to try and form a baracade. The police don't do much - they pretty much just direct traffic and let whatever is happening happen. I even saw a policeman today with a huge knife in his belt! E!
Everything is so cheap here! this could be good or very bad! But i do have to say that i have had very good self control so far with the shopping and the dulce de leche goodness that melts in your mouth :) In a nice cafe my lunch would usually be around 25 -30 pesos which is about $7. Bottles of wine in the suermarket can be bought for 10 pesos ($3ish)! the funny (and annoying) thing about buying things down here is that no one ever has any change. They look at your 100 peso bill ($23) and cant sell you anything because they don have change! that would be like no one being able to break a 20 at target! its crazy!
I'm keeping semi - busy with visiting the japonese gardens, botanical gardens, taking wine tasteing classes, reading my book in a cafe, eating ice cream :), and tongiht i'm taking my first Tango dancing lesson. On Monday night i went to "La Bomba" which was a group of about 15 guys playing the drums for hours! It was SO much fun - people were just dancing away non stop! My spanish is getting pretty good already because the people i hang out with either dont speak any english at all or their accent is too thick that it's easier for both of us to speak in spanish.
Tomorrow i'm going to the hospital to hopefully be matched up with a doc, intern, or nurse! Fingers crossed!
BESITOS!
So while i have been waiting for my work in the hospital to start, i have been quite the sight-seer. I went and saw Argentina's version of our white house - except that theirs is pink! i read that a long time ago they used to stain the building with ox's blood to get the color... hopefully they have found a better way to mkae it pink. (you would think it smelled horrible!) this was also the same building were Eva Peron would make her speeches. The really interesting thing about all these huge government buildings down here is that some of them are surrounded by a huge metal gatse and all of them have these giant movable 'walls.' There are always protestors shouting and drumming about something - so when it gets really bad they put these 'walls' in a line to try and form a baracade. The police don't do much - they pretty much just direct traffic and let whatever is happening happen. I even saw a policeman today with a huge knife in his belt! E!
Everything is so cheap here! this could be good or very bad! But i do have to say that i have had very good self control so far with the shopping and the dulce de leche goodness that melts in your mouth :) In a nice cafe my lunch would usually be around 25 -30 pesos which is about $7. Bottles of wine in the suermarket can be bought for 10 pesos ($3ish)! the funny (and annoying) thing about buying things down here is that no one ever has any change. They look at your 100 peso bill ($23) and cant sell you anything because they don have change! that would be like no one being able to break a 20 at target! its crazy!
I'm keeping semi - busy with visiting the japonese gardens, botanical gardens, taking wine tasteing classes, reading my book in a cafe, eating ice cream :), and tongiht i'm taking my first Tango dancing lesson. On Monday night i went to "La Bomba" which was a group of about 15 guys playing the drums for hours! It was SO much fun - people were just dancing away non stop! My spanish is getting pretty good already because the people i hang out with either dont speak any english at all or their accent is too thick that it's easier for both of us to speak in spanish.
Tomorrow i'm going to the hospital to hopefully be matched up with a doc, intern, or nurse! Fingers crossed!
BESITOS!
Monday, January 25, 2010
buen dia
hello!
Things have been so fun lately. I met up with the Argentine guy that jessica and i met while we were Italy and he is doing s great job at playing tour guide. His name is Juan, he is kind of older (around 30-32 or so), a lawyer, and he has a car- which makes everything easier. We went all over the city and visited a lot of the tourist spots and went to several of the artisian fairs. He said he didnt mind showing me around because as a native he never goes to see this stuff anymore. and yes, i AM being careful. :) Later that night he invited me to a dinner that he was going to at his friend´s new house. It was SO much fun! i was bascially the guest of honor and they loved to ask me questions and make me try foods that i had never had before. There were only 5 of us at dinner but from the amount of meat, wine, and ice cream there was you would have guessed that there were twice as many people there! The wife of his friend (who were all lawyers) is finishing her doctorate in biochemistry and was super sweet. I hope we hang out again :) Im still getting used to the time differences of how they eat dinner at 10 or 11 and head for home around 3am! but... when in Rome (or Argentina in this case!)
On Sunday my roomate (Italian), another girl (also Italian) and I (not Italian) all went to San Telmo to the largest artisan market in BA. As far as you can see down this one street people are lined up - table to table - with all the stuff they are selling. The exciting and dangerous thing is that all the stuff in really really cool! Remember when i was here the last time and i took a picture of that scary women in fishnets carrying around the head of a doll? well this is the same place :) it is very cool. There are of course a ton of tourists, but there are also Argentines everywhere - of whom all are drinking Mate. Mate is a kind of tea down here where you fill up this little gourd with tea leaves and you pour just enough water in it to cover the leaves - and then you have this fancy ¨bombilla¨(straw) that lets only water through. its kind of funny to see so many people walking around with a hot water thermos under their arm.
Later that night back at the residencia i was invited to eat dinner with my Italian and Argentine friends. I didnt contribute to the meal in the least bit, but at least i washed the dishes :)
So if you cannot tell by how many blogs i have created in the past few days - i have a lot of time on my hands. I will hopefully be starting my work at the hosptial tomorrow - but until then, there is only so much walking around you can do in 90 degree heat with 85% humidity!
chao!
Things have been so fun lately. I met up with the Argentine guy that jessica and i met while we were Italy and he is doing s great job at playing tour guide. His name is Juan, he is kind of older (around 30-32 or so), a lawyer, and he has a car- which makes everything easier. We went all over the city and visited a lot of the tourist spots and went to several of the artisian fairs. He said he didnt mind showing me around because as a native he never goes to see this stuff anymore. and yes, i AM being careful. :) Later that night he invited me to a dinner that he was going to at his friend´s new house. It was SO much fun! i was bascially the guest of honor and they loved to ask me questions and make me try foods that i had never had before. There were only 5 of us at dinner but from the amount of meat, wine, and ice cream there was you would have guessed that there were twice as many people there! The wife of his friend (who were all lawyers) is finishing her doctorate in biochemistry and was super sweet. I hope we hang out again :) Im still getting used to the time differences of how they eat dinner at 10 or 11 and head for home around 3am! but... when in Rome (or Argentina in this case!)
On Sunday my roomate (Italian), another girl (also Italian) and I (not Italian) all went to San Telmo to the largest artisan market in BA. As far as you can see down this one street people are lined up - table to table - with all the stuff they are selling. The exciting and dangerous thing is that all the stuff in really really cool! Remember when i was here the last time and i took a picture of that scary women in fishnets carrying around the head of a doll? well this is the same place :) it is very cool. There are of course a ton of tourists, but there are also Argentines everywhere - of whom all are drinking Mate. Mate is a kind of tea down here where you fill up this little gourd with tea leaves and you pour just enough water in it to cover the leaves - and then you have this fancy ¨bombilla¨(straw) that lets only water through. its kind of funny to see so many people walking around with a hot water thermos under their arm.
Later that night back at the residencia i was invited to eat dinner with my Italian and Argentine friends. I didnt contribute to the meal in the least bit, but at least i washed the dishes :)
So if you cannot tell by how many blogs i have created in the past few days - i have a lot of time on my hands. I will hopefully be starting my work at the hosptial tomorrow - but until then, there is only so much walking around you can do in 90 degree heat with 85% humidity!
chao!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Bed time at 6..... AM
Hola a todos!
today (a hot and sweaty day) i walked the 10 blocks to the hospital to meet the coordinator of the volunteers. The hospital looked like it was from out of a horror movie! Giant cement building with close to no windows. Any ways - she began to explain to me the type of work i was going to be doing - with was talking and feeding patients and playing with children - and i explianed to her that that is not what my program lady said i was going to be doing.... SO... the GIC program is placing me at another hospital where hopefully i am going to be observing and shadowing the residents. i should know by tomorrow.
I wandered about today for about 4 hours or so and i crossed the biggest avenue in the world! This street is 18 lanes wide! I almost felt like i should run across it just to make sure that i wasnt caught in the middle when the light changes! (you never know with traffic here) I had my first helado (ice cream) today :) and actually it was a McDoland one - BUT it was called tres suenos (three dreams) and it had carmel in the bottom of the cone and came with a big piece of chocolate stuck in the side. Also, they dont have chocolate at MCDs - it is dulce de leche flavor! (wow, that was the longest description of an ice cream cone ever!)
I have already learned that the correct way to act around Argentinan men is to be as mean and rude as possible. For some reason they decide that they need to make kissing noises at you..... not sure. And today i had several men say either "gringa" or "linda" to me.... not sure which. One means white american girl and the other means pretty girl.... hmmmm.
Things that i have learned thus far:
1.) make sure there is water before you take all your clothes off or before you start brushing your teeth
2.) do not make eye contact and smile at random people - they might decide that you are interested in them
3.) dont cross the street just because everyone else is... chances are you are not supposed to be crossing and might get hit by a suicide cab driver
4.) Police are not the same as in the US - they are ususally pretty shadey and are bought off all the time
5.) never take the small papers that people hand to you on every street corner - they are ALWAYS porn cards
Last night i went out with some of the kids from my residencia. It was hard at first because there were like 15 people in our group and we just stood there.... (i'm working on my patience). We soon split up and first we went to a bar with a live band, and next we went to a dance club. Pretty fun night actually. The good thing is that cabs are pretty cheap and girls always get in for free or for a discount! Last night i think i only spent 50 or 60 pesos - which is like $15. For 3 cab rides, 2 drinks, and a cover charge. We left our house at 1:30 and got home at 5:30..... its going to take some getting used to! I have no idea whet people do from 9pm till 1am when we go out....!
THe exciting thing that happened today was that there was a protest on the street outside my building. They were students protesting something about a left-sided government from what i could tell. They had big drums, huge signs, and everyone was chanting something. THe police were there shortly and then the swat looking team came with shields and everything! The protesters moved out into the street and closed down a major intersection for hours! It was crazy thats for sure.
Love you, take care
Megan
today (a hot and sweaty day) i walked the 10 blocks to the hospital to meet the coordinator of the volunteers. The hospital looked like it was from out of a horror movie! Giant cement building with close to no windows. Any ways - she began to explain to me the type of work i was going to be doing - with was talking and feeding patients and playing with children - and i explianed to her that that is not what my program lady said i was going to be doing.... SO... the GIC program is placing me at another hospital where hopefully i am going to be observing and shadowing the residents. i should know by tomorrow.
I wandered about today for about 4 hours or so and i crossed the biggest avenue in the world! This street is 18 lanes wide! I almost felt like i should run across it just to make sure that i wasnt caught in the middle when the light changes! (you never know with traffic here) I had my first helado (ice cream) today :) and actually it was a McDoland one - BUT it was called tres suenos (three dreams) and it had carmel in the bottom of the cone and came with a big piece of chocolate stuck in the side. Also, they dont have chocolate at MCDs - it is dulce de leche flavor! (wow, that was the longest description of an ice cream cone ever!)
I have already learned that the correct way to act around Argentinan men is to be as mean and rude as possible. For some reason they decide that they need to make kissing noises at you..... not sure. And today i had several men say either "gringa" or "linda" to me.... not sure which. One means white american girl and the other means pretty girl.... hmmmm.
Things that i have learned thus far:
1.) make sure there is water before you take all your clothes off or before you start brushing your teeth
2.) do not make eye contact and smile at random people - they might decide that you are interested in them
3.) dont cross the street just because everyone else is... chances are you are not supposed to be crossing and might get hit by a suicide cab driver
4.) Police are not the same as in the US - they are ususally pretty shadey and are bought off all the time
5.) never take the small papers that people hand to you on every street corner - they are ALWAYS porn cards
Last night i went out with some of the kids from my residencia. It was hard at first because there were like 15 people in our group and we just stood there.... (i'm working on my patience). We soon split up and first we went to a bar with a live band, and next we went to a dance club. Pretty fun night actually. The good thing is that cabs are pretty cheap and girls always get in for free or for a discount! Last night i think i only spent 50 or 60 pesos - which is like $15. For 3 cab rides, 2 drinks, and a cover charge. We left our house at 1:30 and got home at 5:30..... its going to take some getting used to! I have no idea whet people do from 9pm till 1am when we go out....!
THe exciting thing that happened today was that there was a protest on the street outside my building. They were students protesting something about a left-sided government from what i could tell. They had big drums, huge signs, and everyone was chanting something. THe police were there shortly and then the swat looking team came with shields and everything! The protesters moved out into the street and closed down a major intersection for hours! It was crazy thats for sure.
Love you, take care
Megan
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I made it! barely!
Buenos Aires!
Getting here was pretty rough actually... the 9 1/2 hour flight turned into an 11 1/2 hour flight. Once everyone was boarded in Dallas the captian comes on the overcom and says that the engine or something is broken and that they were going to try and fix it. Well captain... that would probably be a good idea before we fly over water! 45 min pass and then he comes on again and says that yes the part was broken but that they had another part that was on its way from the hanger. So after it was all said and done with installing it and doing a test run, we had been sitting in our seats, not moving, for 2 hours. PLUS the air conditioning wouldn´t work (they had to open the emergency exits so we could breathe!) PLUS i just knew as soon as i sat down that the heavy person i saw waiting in the terminal was going to sit by (on) me... and i was right. I´m generally not one to be clastrophobic but i honestly could not sit in my seat without being touched by his arm or leg. It was a long flight.
Another notch down the board was recieved when i fould out that since i am an American, i had to pay Argentina $131 bucks for visiting their country. Thanks uncie Sam (jess - say with a SH) BUT... my bags arrived and i saw my name in big letters on a sign, right where i was supposed to see it! In my renewed first impression of BA (buenos aires) i thoguht immediatly of my dad because the traffic was SO crazy and there was no rhyme or reason to anything that people did (a simmilar experience we had when my family decided to rent a car in Chile).
Today i am tired, so i am taking everything in with a grain of salt. The place that i am staying in looks NOTHING like the pictures online. and... i got assigned to the bottom bunk in a room that is 10x10 - next the busy road. It wouldn´t be so bad... but Argentians use theirs horns every other minute. So.... i´ll see how it goes and then ask to switch if i need to.
On a funny note - while i was busy getting lost trying to find this one office - i saw at least ten people within 4 blocks who were sleeping on mattrisses under varius trees and bushes in a park/plaza. Where the heck did they get those mattresses? Maybe i should be carrying one around too... just in case i need a snoozer. (like now).
Tomorrow i have my orrientation at the hospital and we will talk about what i want to do and what i dont want to do. I´m definitely not afraid to tell them exactly what i want to do because afterall i did decide to PAY to volunteer.
PS - today was not a good day if you happen to be a sweaty girl - i need to buy more shorts.
LOVE YOU
Getting here was pretty rough actually... the 9 1/2 hour flight turned into an 11 1/2 hour flight. Once everyone was boarded in Dallas the captian comes on the overcom and says that the engine or something is broken and that they were going to try and fix it. Well captain... that would probably be a good idea before we fly over water! 45 min pass and then he comes on again and says that yes the part was broken but that they had another part that was on its way from the hanger. So after it was all said and done with installing it and doing a test run, we had been sitting in our seats, not moving, for 2 hours. PLUS the air conditioning wouldn´t work (they had to open the emergency exits so we could breathe!) PLUS i just knew as soon as i sat down that the heavy person i saw waiting in the terminal was going to sit by (on) me... and i was right. I´m generally not one to be clastrophobic but i honestly could not sit in my seat without being touched by his arm or leg. It was a long flight.
Another notch down the board was recieved when i fould out that since i am an American, i had to pay Argentina $131 bucks for visiting their country. Thanks uncie Sam (jess - say with a SH) BUT... my bags arrived and i saw my name in big letters on a sign, right where i was supposed to see it! In my renewed first impression of BA (buenos aires) i thoguht immediatly of my dad because the traffic was SO crazy and there was no rhyme or reason to anything that people did (a simmilar experience we had when my family decided to rent a car in Chile).
Today i am tired, so i am taking everything in with a grain of salt. The place that i am staying in looks NOTHING like the pictures online. and... i got assigned to the bottom bunk in a room that is 10x10 - next the busy road. It wouldn´t be so bad... but Argentians use theirs horns every other minute. So.... i´ll see how it goes and then ask to switch if i need to.
On a funny note - while i was busy getting lost trying to find this one office - i saw at least ten people within 4 blocks who were sleeping on mattrisses under varius trees and bushes in a park/plaza. Where the heck did they get those mattresses? Maybe i should be carrying one around too... just in case i need a snoozer. (like now).
Tomorrow i have my orrientation at the hospital and we will talk about what i want to do and what i dont want to do. I´m definitely not afraid to tell them exactly what i want to do because afterall i did decide to PAY to volunteer.
PS - today was not a good day if you happen to be a sweaty girl - i need to buy more shorts.
LOVE YOU
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