3 and a half months in this crazy experience of living abroad

It's funny how being here in Argentina doesn't really feel like real life to me. It feels like I'm on an extended vacation, which I kind of am. It feels very strange at times being here because of the cultural and language differences. I am not working- that's a big part of it. I really want to find a part-time job after the first of the year because I think I have way too much time on my hands and I'm moving to a new place by myself that will cost more- so I could also use some extra money. I'm in my own head too much, and I need to be doing something else with my free time besides just going out, spending so much time on-line and such.



It also doesn't feel real in some ways because I know I'll go back home at some point. That' s my real life- with my friends and my family. I haven't really engrained myself into society here, nor do I really want to at times.


I have also noticed that I take more risks here because there is this feeling of "no rules". Kind of like, what happens in Argentina, stays in Argentina. For example, I hardly ever wear my seatbelt in the back of cabs. In Texas, I always wear my seatbelt- mainly because I'm driving. But here, it's so uncommon - the cabbies don't wear them and they are driving - that it almost feels weird to put it on in the cab. When I was in Brazil, I saw this man and woman with a little tiny baby on a motorcycle!!! Of course, none of them had a helmet on. It's crazy to me but that's just how it is in Latin America- they aren't as many laws apparently and safety is an afterthought. Just the other day I saw this girl and guy stopped at a red light on a scooter-- chugging a 40 (in big heavy glass beer bottle) in broad daylight. So crazy!



So after 3.5 months here, some things have changed and some haven't. I am much more comfortable with the city as far as getting around and have learned the city much better. I have 3 months of private Spanish classes under my belt now and sometimes I feel like my Spanish is really good- I can express myself with much more ease now and I have a large vocabulary. I am happy for that. But I still spend so much time in English- with expat friends, on-line, etc. I really should immerse myself even more, but I haven't been able to get comfortable enough to spend more time with Argentines and be "in Spanish" more than 50% of the time. I'm still clinging to my English identity. I'm still frustrated that I still can't understand people when it comes to group situations. It's so much easier with one on one conversations. And I swear people just slur their words like crazy. En-oun-ci-ate please! I try to tell them to slow down for me- my roommates are good about this- but they just keep talking fast as if I'd been speaking Spanish all my life and should be able to understand.



One thing that has changed is the weather- it's really hot now! I'm living without air conditioning and I didn't realize when I initally found my current place how important it is. Apparently, I'm just spoiled because a lot of people just make do here without it. But I don't want to suffer through three more months of heat- so I am moving to a new place in January. I've been really complaining a lot- unable to concentrate in class and I've been so uncomfortable and tired because of the heat. Life without A/C sucks! But I'll have to tough it out for another 3 weeks until I go home for Christmas for 2 weeks (can't wait!!!!!!) and then I get my new place with A/C when I come back in January.



Unfortunately it's very easy to get caught up in all the deficiencies in the society here and I need to try to just accept it for what it is and try to appreciate the good things. Food, wine, the language, the good parts of the culture, the few good expat friends I have. But I do want to complain a little more... gotta vent! That's what blogs are for...



One thing I can't understand is why people here do not pick up their damn dog poop! And they let their dogs crap right in the middle of the sidewalk. Roger (my Mexican-American friend) tells me it is because they think they are too good to pick up dog crap. They probably think they are too good to throw trash in the bin also, and that's why there is so much litter in the streets. It's so unpleasant- I don't understand why people don't take more pride in the cleanliness of their city and keep it clean. The city government has a "let's keep BA clean" campaign going, but it doesn't seem to be working. These are a couple of cultural difference I just can't get past. I pick up my dog poop every time- it takes all of 1 second and though it's not the most pleasant thing in the world, it's really not that hard!! And I don't like to step in it, so I pick it up! Ridiculous! It certainly helps me appreciate the cleanliness of Houston...



So I've been living without TV for 3.5 months now and I'm suffering from serious withdrawal!! I miss my shows!! My new place has cable but I might get the slingbox technology that would allow me to watch shows like i would with a DVR-- so I can live like I would at home for the last 3 months here. Luxury and convenience!!! Yes, I am thinking that I'll come back after March of next year. I was seriously thinking about coming home for good at Christmas, because sometimes I just get fed up and want to run home! But I still want to do 2 more months of classes- so I'll have a total of 6 months all together with claases and 8 months all together with the whole "Argentine adventure" experience and then it's back to reality- I'll need to find a real job and if I get one here, it means staying for 1-2 years more and I don't think that's something I want to do.



While it's been a great experience being here- with all it's ups and downs- I realize that I'm so accustomed to all the luxury and conveniences in the US-- I'm so spoiled. But the best part is that I have a choice. I can live here or I can live there... a lot of people do not have that choice and for that, I am very thankful. Being that it was Thanksgiving this week, I do feel very thankful for all the many blessings in my life- but feel most thankful to be a US citizen. Momma keeps saying that it's a personal growth experience being here- but with suffering without AC- I don't want to grow anymore. I think I'd rather start shrinking.



Chau for now...