Argentina...

Estoy aquí en Argentina. I am sitting in my kitchen at the moment with three other people. They are chatting in Spanish about what they only know. I can only catch some words here and there, but I like listening to them and watching them break into laughter every once in a while. This experience is similar to my last four days in Argentina.

I arrived after a very long flight, a layover in Houston, Texas, and a shorter flight to Texas from Denver. When I got Argentina, I was definitely ready. I walked off the plane with no idea what to do except follow the rest of the passengers. First, I stood in line to get my passport and customs form checked. After that, I went down and waited for my luggage. During that time, I was not really sure what to think. The airport is small compared to DIA and Houston's, and it looks older as well. I probably looked like a lost puppy to everyone around me. I noticed after a while that everyone seemed to have carts, so I asked someone where they were. By the time I got the cart, the crowd around the belt had dispersed a great deal and I was able to get close. Not much later, I spotted my baggage. I have to say that those two suit cases at 48.5 lbs each are pretty heavy and awkward. Due to that fact, I ended up hitting my knee (that I had previously fallen on the week before) and making it bleed. I started toward customs; however, after feeling something on my leg, I stopped and looked at my knee and noticed that there was blood running down my leg--a very difficult situation to be in when you have no band-aids. Well, I stopped the blood this some Kleenex (thanks, mom) and continued to customs. The lady waved me through after only my backpack and one of my bags went through the x-ray. I was happy about that!

The next pressing task was to find Ricardo--the person picking me up. I stood behind the glass wall like I was supposed to and waited, and waited, and waited. I stood there for over 30 minutes and then finally decided to put my contacts in and then call someone. That was some task by itself...because, in order to do that, I had to exchange some money. Well, after all that was done, I headed toward the phones. On the way, however, I got intersected by someone. He grabbed my arm and said Katy in Spanish. Within the next few moments, I noticed a small sign that said Nazareno...something and found out that Marcelo, not Ricardo was there to pick me up. I also learned about how Argentines greet each other -- a kiss on the cheek, more or less.

My first taste of the driving in Argentina was quite interesting, but I only got really scared once or twice. I really don't understand the way they think when they drive. There are very few left turn lanes--instead on the right side of the road there are lanes for turning left. Also, if there does happen to be a left turn lane and they cannot turn (too much traffic), the driver will pull over to the right side of the road. Then, they have to wait until both sides of the road are clear. Drivers don't really follow any of the other rules either. At times, they like to drive in the middle of two lanes or sometimes they just make a lane where there is none. It is like a contest to see who can be first. At a light the other day, a car just pulled up to the car I was in and made a new lane. It wanted to get in front of us, but had no such luck.

The first day seemed like four because was so tired and I took so many naps during that time. I also met a lot of people during the day, too many to remember! My room at the seminary is very nice. I have my own apartment pretty much, which can be a little lonely at times. I have been learning more and more words every day. The problem with coming to Argentina, however, is that the Spanish they speak here is very different than the Spanish I learned. Here they pronounce certain letters differently than any other Spanish-speaking country besides Uruguay. So many times someone has said a word I know but it sounded so different that I was very confused. I believe that no one in the States will understand me when I talk Spanish because I will probably talk with a Argentine accent. Lol.

Well, I have been writing this from many days so I think it is time to post. Ciao.