Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ra Ra Recap!
I do apologize, but the lack of consistency in these posts should probably not come as much of a surprise to anyone. Nonetheless, here we are! But honestly, where would we be without some of these modern technologies? Luckily I've been able to keep in touch with family and friends through the convenience of Skype, email, and other means...I video chatted with my grandparents and the rest of my family last week! What would I have done 20 years ago? It still boggles my mind, which makes me wonder what Norbert thinks.
Apart from continuing to enjoy the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires (museums, parks, etc...), I suppose the most interesting going ons in my life currently has been my first big trip out of the city to a small town outside of Cordoba called Villa General Belgrano, the sight of one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich. After about a 12 hour bus ride, we arrived at our destination: a surprising quaint yet beautiful little German settlement that would become home for the next four days as we indulged in all things relative to German culture. These things included food, song and dance, and beer. Lots of beer. With our steins strapped across our shoulders, and feeling more like soldiers preparing for battle than tourists, we entered the festival for 3 consecutive days. Lingering amongst the highly local crowd, we made many new friends and represented the American minority with pride!
Upon checking out of our cabin on our final day, we took the windy 1 1/2 hour bus ride back to Cordoba only to kill the next 9 hours in the city as we awaited the arrival of our return bus ride (another 10 hours) back to Buenos Aires. I am not complaining, however. Cordoba is a beautiful city-in more ways than one-and the bus system in Argentina is incredibly comfortable and accommodating.
On another note, it seems as though running into old friends from the states is becoming a recurring theme here. Not only did I spend last weekend with two friends I never intended on seeing down here, but a former co-worker was recently visiting the area as well. Although attempts were made, we were unfortunately never able to coordinate our schedules and meet up. Also, another friend from LMU (and my "son" in our fraternity), is moving down to Buenos Aires in a week and will be shacking up with us for a short while as he formulates is long term plans. Even more outrageous has been the recent discovery of an old friend from high school, who has been in Buenos Aires recently visiting a friend and was even at the same Oktoberfest as me this past weekend! I can't imagine what it would have been like if our paths had crossed, though we'll get our chance tonight as we have plans to grab a drink before he heads back to Costa Rica tomorrow.
The next few months will be interesting ones, as was to be expected prior to our arrival here. Our current apartment's lease will be up on November 3rd, at which time my roommate David (poker player extraordinaire) will head to vegas for a month, hopefully only to return with loads of cash he will generously put towards a nice spot on the beach with his highly supportive friends! Furthermore, Sean and Ellery both have plans to do some extensive traveling in the month of November, something I hope to accomplish towards the end of my stay here when I am certain I have the funds available. This leaves Matt and I with some thinking to do: find another place in Buenos Aires? Move to another area in Argentina, maybe Cordoba? Uruguay? Do some hostel bouncing? The possibilities are endless, and that's what I love about it down here.
I love and miss all my friends and family back home, and wish my Uncle Larry a quick and healthy recovery from surgery.
Apart from continuing to enjoy the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires (museums, parks, etc...), I suppose the most interesting going ons in my life currently has been my first big trip out of the city to a small town outside of Cordoba called Villa General Belgrano, the sight of one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich. After about a 12 hour bus ride, we arrived at our destination: a surprising quaint yet beautiful little German settlement that would become home for the next four days as we indulged in all things relative to German culture. These things included food, song and dance, and beer. Lots of beer. With our steins strapped across our shoulders, and feeling more like soldiers preparing for battle than tourists, we entered the festival for 3 consecutive days. Lingering amongst the highly local crowd, we made many new friends and represented the American minority with pride!
Upon checking out of our cabin on our final day, we took the windy 1 1/2 hour bus ride back to Cordoba only to kill the next 9 hours in the city as we awaited the arrival of our return bus ride (another 10 hours) back to Buenos Aires. I am not complaining, however. Cordoba is a beautiful city-in more ways than one-and the bus system in Argentina is incredibly comfortable and accommodating.
On another note, it seems as though running into old friends from the states is becoming a recurring theme here. Not only did I spend last weekend with two friends I never intended on seeing down here, but a former co-worker was recently visiting the area as well. Although attempts were made, we were unfortunately never able to coordinate our schedules and meet up. Also, another friend from LMU (and my "son" in our fraternity), is moving down to Buenos Aires in a week and will be shacking up with us for a short while as he formulates is long term plans. Even more outrageous has been the recent discovery of an old friend from high school, who has been in Buenos Aires recently visiting a friend and was even at the same Oktoberfest as me this past weekend! I can't imagine what it would have been like if our paths had crossed, though we'll get our chance tonight as we have plans to grab a drink before he heads back to Costa Rica tomorrow.
The next few months will be interesting ones, as was to be expected prior to our arrival here. Our current apartment's lease will be up on November 3rd, at which time my roommate David (poker player extraordinaire) will head to vegas for a month, hopefully only to return with loads of cash he will generously put towards a nice spot on the beach with his highly supportive friends! Furthermore, Sean and Ellery both have plans to do some extensive traveling in the month of November, something I hope to accomplish towards the end of my stay here when I am certain I have the funds available. This leaves Matt and I with some thinking to do: find another place in Buenos Aires? Move to another area in Argentina, maybe Cordoba? Uruguay? Do some hostel bouncing? The possibilities are endless, and that's what I love about it down here.
I love and miss all my friends and family back home, and wish my Uncle Larry a quick and healthy recovery from surgery.
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