Still a Challenge

You know, I recently read an old email I sent my college advisor about a year back. We were talking about my classes that I would take in Argentina and the language barrier, etc. One line that really struck me as funny was, "So, after my first semester in the IES program, I´ll be fluent and will be registering in the local business school there."

Right! Given, I speak this language very well. I can talk to just about anyone and understand what they´re saying. However, I still make mistakes. I still get upset if I use an indirect object pronoun instead of a direct object pronoun, or an article of the incorrect sex. I´ve been speaking english for 22 years of my life, and spanish for merely 9 months. I regret not taking more classes in college, giving myself a base to work off. I feel I´ve learned EVERYTHING here, like I basically started from scratch. I believe I was overly confident that I would master this language in just one year. There are so many ins and outs, phrases, words, secrets, and shortcuts, just like english, that take years to acquire. I find myself getting down on myself for not being a perfect speaker, but then I also realize that I continaully compare myself to Holly and Lindsay, my bilingual sisters. How did they do it so easily in a year. One day I´ll need to stop doing these comparisons.

Ok, well, sorry for the bummer post, but, if you want a view into my life, this is where I´m at.

patrick



Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Facebook Night of the Ages

Wow,
So I don´t usually use Facebook that often. At least I wasnt using it that much when I didnt have a computer. However, now that internet access is at my fingertips, I´ve been on it a bit more lately. Today, for the first time in roughly 8 months, I turned on the chat function for more than 5 minutes. Que loco! I just spent 4 hours talking with people from back at home, chatting about life down here, and just catching up. After that, I found myself browsing pictures of college and higschool friends, seeing them all hanging out for Halloween and Newyears. It so weird to talk about everything from the past, and see pictures from the present, knowing that in a matter of months, I´ll be back in the city, reimmersing and restarting my life from where I left it. Did some quality skyping as well. Talked to a very good friend from school and got some quality Mom time in. All in all, a pretty emotionally eventful day.

pato


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Long Night

Well, it happened...I fell asleep on the subway after a long night of clubbing. Last night, though it seems like eons ago, I went to GOA with Miguel, Calvin, and Jenny. We entered around 3:30AM, the usual time to enter a nightclub in Buenos Aires. We danced the night away, I made some friends, and then eventually we got pushed out by security at 6AM.

I walked myself to the Green Line subway, hopped on, and happily found a seat. The next thing you know...it´s 10AM, and I´ve ridden the subway for at least 6 cross town trips. I woke up, on the opposite side of town, sweating because of the unbearable heat, and realized what had happened. I then had to get up and walk for 10 minutes to get onto the other side of the tracks to catch the train to my side of town. I pushed my way into the line to make sure I got a seat for the 15-stop ride. I was happily nestled in when a pregnant women got on. Of course, everyone pretended that they were sleeping, or extremely focused on a hang-nail, so that they didnt have to give up their seat. I, being from the Midwest, stood up, soaked in sweat from the 90 degree subway heat, and gave away my precious seat.

I then clung onto the subway ceiling rail for the next 13 stops, each one hoping it was the last. Once I finally reached the Olleros stop, I exited and was greeted by the overwhelming power of the summertime sun. Nothing worse than coming out of the underground catacombs of Buenos Aires after 4 hours, to find the morning sun waiting for you.

I battled the heat of the sun, and immediately crossed the street, hoping to salvage what little strength I had left. As I walked, I thought it would be a great time to stop at COTO, a large chain grocery store. Surely, for once in my life, there wouldnt be a 45 minute line...Well, what do you know, I walk in the door and I´m greeted by what appears to be some cruel joke...incredibly long lines of retirees!

I walked in and was overwhelmed by the smell of old man cologne mixed with that common, rose-smelling grandma perfume. I felt as though I somehow left the streets of Buenos Aires and entered a grocery store of southern Florida. Seeing as I had been clubbing for the last 6 hours, I immediately retreated and walked fullspeed home, which is where that leaves us. I´m happily sitting at home, eating some squareish oatmeal cereal, ready to go to bed. Just another Buenos Aires night.


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Drinks of Argentina

Seeing as my time as a bartender has come to an end, I´ve composed the following to help you understand the popular drinks in Argentina, and who´s drinking them.

The Drink: Quilmes Cristal, the most popular Argentine beer in existence.
The Who: "I´m just hanging out in the bar, looking to meet people and have a good time. My nationality isn´t obvious because everyone loves Quilmes."


The Drink: Fernet and Coke, the most Argentine mixer one can order.
The Who: "I´m a true Argentine, just hanging out with my friends for a night or maybe scoping girls with my friends. Either way, I´m Argentine."


The Drink: Melón con Speed, a ridiculously sweet, awful tasting/looking liquor, mixed with an equally sweet Redbull-like drink.
The Who: "We´re just a bunch of fun 20 year old girls, looking to flirt with the boys, party hard, and smoke cigarettes until dawn.



The Drink: Chandon, or any bubbly mixed with the aforementioned Speed energy drink.
The Who: "Me and my boys are ready to party and we´re hitting the city up. (see South American Guido post) We´ve decided to start the night with Chandon and Speed to get some female attention. I´ll have my blacked-out sunglasses on pretty soon, and I´ll eventually wind up in a techno club until 7am, with the Melón con Speed girls above."



The Drink: Caipirinha, a sickly-sweet drink made with muddled limes, sugar, and Cachaça aguardiente liquor from Brazil.
The Who: "I have no idea what this drink is, let alone can I pronounce the name. Therefore, seeing as I´m a tourist, I´ll order it!"


The Drink: Any Shot
The Who: "We´re definitely North American tourists in Argentina, between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. We´re looking to get hammered. However, We´ve already forgotten that bars are open until 6am, and seeing as we haven´t paced our drinking, we´ll be passed out by 2."


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Goodbye Bartending...Hello Freedom!

After much thought about the issue, I quit my bartending job, on very good terms, at Portezuelo yesterday. Working 4 nights a week, from 9pm until 6am, and then sleeping until 3pm in the afternoon was really taking its toll on me. I was definitely spending more time in the bar than I was with my friends, and seeing as I only have a couple months left here, I feel spending time with them is worth it. Three nights a week to do something just isnt enough when you´ve got friends scattered all over the city. My boss was very understanding and said, "Of course Patrick, you´re working like an Argentine rather than a foreigner living in Argentina. You need to take advantage of the time you have left."

So, all is well, and I´m very happy with my decision. I did exactly what I wanted to do though. I got a job to do something with my free time, made friends, made some money, and had a good time. Now, if I want to make a little cash, I can always pick up a few Event Bartending gigs with the company I worked for in December. However, now that I´m free, I´m going to restart my salsa classes that I had to stop because of the hernia surgery back in June, spend more time with my friends, explore the city on bicycle, and start reading and studying more. Three months of personal enrichment.


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

It´s Dead...

Well, as you´ve probably guessed it, the Mac went back to sleep...maybe forever. It´s difficult to make headway on the blog using a locutorio. However, the roomies are heading on a two week vacation starting tomorrow. Pablo said I can use his computer, so I´m going to be doing some insane posting this coming week. I`ve got Christmas pictures, days in the park pictures, and lots of other good content in the works.

With the house to myself, I´m going to get in some quality reading and studying...anything to increase my vocab. Also, I´m starting to plan my next trip. The talk about Patagonia is absolutely crazy. I met a cool business women from Atlanta when I was working the other night, and she´s traveled the WORLD. She told me that Patagonia was absolutely mind-blowing. Coming from her, that means a lot. I think it´ll be my last big adventure, minus Iguaçu Falls when Holly comes. Mendoza and wine are just that...wine and Mendoza. The city itself doesnt seem too exciting besides wine tours, and I´ve already done one in California. If mom comes down, we´ll probably hit it up though. Timmy said the north of Argentina was worth a journey. I could take the train there for ridiculously cheap too.

In reality, who knows. I´ve got 4 months left here, and I´m really going to take advantage of it.

Besos,
Patrick

ps- Miranda, if you´re reading this, send me an email at pmichaeljones@gmail.com or add me on Facebook. I´d like to hear about your plans for when you´re here.


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

It's Alive!

So, I don't know what happened, but my Mac came back to life today. For a couple weeks, I'd hear the startup sound, but there was no screen or anything. I had no idea what was wrong. The Mac store said it was the Logic Board, whatever that is. Well, today, my computer is working. Every keystroke makes me nervous that it's going to crash again. As I type this, I fear it will go black-screen again. Therefore, I'll post this before anything happens. However, if the good karma keeps up and the Mac continues to work, expect much more frequent posts, pictures, stories, etc. If not, just check my facebook for pictures and whatnot. I'll post those christmas pics, funny bar stories, etc tomorrow.

Patrick


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina