¡Adios Estados Unidos, Hola Argentina!

Hey y'all, here I am again! Another country, another culture!

Right now I am at my aunt and uncle's house (which is the host family of my good friend Walt, the only person I knew before coming here), about 7 blocks from home, writing because I rarely receive internet connection at my house. I have been in Argentina since February 24, and in Mendoza since February 26. Today marks exactly 5 weeks since I left my house in the States, and my house in Argentina has started to feel a little bit like another home.

On mornings right after I get up, sitting in the living room of my home in Mendoza, Argentina, listening to the TV (which is always on), the maid Gladys cleaning the kitchen, and my 15 year-old sister (Maria Emilia, Emi for short) chatting on the phone, I think about the common thread in many families, no matter where they live. The transformation from "place of residence" to "home" always takes a while, whether from my house in Cary to college, college to Laos, or from my cousins' basement to Argentina.

Quickly, an update about life before the plane-ride to Argentina. Last semester was great, and I made some final decisions: to study abroad, NOT to major in Economics, and to concentrate on Business and Spanish.

Because the study abroad program started in late February, I worked with an awesome non-profit refugee resettlement program in Durham (Church World Service, known for the Crop Walk) in January and February. The people who I met, both clients and (especially) those who I worked for, were inspiring and taught me a lot, both conventionally (how to use certain documents, etc.) and unconventionally (through conversations, and through their actions). I was able to work with everything from Job Development to finding housing, and everything in between, and I am so grateful that they patiently showed me different roles and jobs in refugee resettlement. What a fulfilling place to be able to spend these two months!

Highlights of the past 5 weeks have been traveling around Buenos Aires, visiting the residence and grave of Evita Peron, the birthplace of tango, and a national futbol (soccer) stadium, among other beautiful places. After the first week in Mendoza, we went to San Rafael, where we hiked, swam in a lake, white-water rafted, and ziplined. I also traveled to natural hot springs for a day, and went to Cordoba with my friend Walt and stayed with a UNC alumni and his Argentine wife. I have met many people, locals, travelers, and other exchange students through going out at night, classes (some of which started this week!!!), and the program.

My host family is so kind and patient, and full of life. With 2 parents, a daughter, another older daughter with a boyfriend who visit every other day, a maid/worker/cleaner, an aunt, and a little cousin, as well as friends and family visiting frequently, there is not a lot of silence in the house. My first night in Mendoza was spent at my padre's surprise 50th birthday party, where my 15 year-old sister belly-danced, and they sang karaoke.

The food is AWESOME here, but there is not a lot of snack food, so I have found myself either eating bread or buying a lot ice cream and "dulces", anything sweet. But when it comes to lunchtime or dinnertime, there is enough for seconds and thirds, and even with my stomach, we are very much satisfied after the 2+ hours spent eating.

I am about to travel by bus to Chile for "Semana Santa," or Holy Week, where I will be starting my summer research on the evolution of Spanish music in Latin America, and visitng Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar, where my host family is from (and where their siblings still live).

Hasta luego!
-Will