Finally Kept My Promise (Vermont Day 1)

I made a promise to my friends in Argentina that we would see each other again and have a great time. I finally lived up to my promise to a few of those people this past week. I got to hang out with Brad, Ferron, and Ashley once again!!

I loved my time in Argentina, and I knew I had awesome friends there. Visiting with them this past week made me realize even more how awesome they are to me. I realized it has been nearly five years since the four of us were together, but as soon as we saw each other, nothing was different. We were immediately best friends again, and it was as if nothing had changed. I started to wonder what kind of friends I have like that at home. Answer... well, some, but not like Ashley, Fer, and Brad.

People always say things happen for a reason. There is a reason I met my wonderful friends in Argentina. More recently there must have been a reason I quit/lost my job. Not having to work Labor Day, meant I could make the trip to Vermont to send Ashley off with the love of her life. For those wondering... Yes I am very sad and almost stood up to say I object, but Dan (her husband) was one of the nicest guys I ever met. They seem so happy together, so I couldn't be happier to let her get away.

Thank goodness for losing my job and having a friend like Jody, who for some silly reason wanted to go tag along to Vermont for the adventure. We booked tickets and Jody inked herself into a world of craziness known as Brian's Argentina experience; except this time in Vermont.

DAY ONE: The idea was to leave at 0600 hours on Saturday (that's 6am), so we could arrive with plenty of time to enjoy the day. As with most of my adventures, especially my Argentina adventures, things never seem to go normal. Flight left Minneapolis as normal and arrived in Chicago. Then things got interesting. We were supposed to have a short layover, so Jody convinced me to go to the bar and get the vacation started. Gotta love beer for breakfast. Then, our flight got delayed a little. Then, it was delayed even more. We were fine though because we had a bar.

Five hours later, we boarded our plane. The pilot apologized for the delay and stated the captain's headrests were broken, and that is why there was the delay. Then, he said we needed to wait another 15 minutes to fuel up. People groaned, but remained calm until...

Midflight the stewardess came on the loud speaker and asked for a doctor. Apparently somebody was feeling sick. After being checked out, the decision was made that the person was stressed and overheating. To make that ONE person feel better, the air conditioner was put on full-blast, freezing us in the back of the plane. Good thing I brought a sweatshirt. No so good for Jody (Don't worry, I was a gentleman and offered my sweatshirt to her even though I didn't want to do it).

When we landed, we were told to stay in our seats because the medics had met us on the runway and were going to check on the person feeling sick. After a change of plans, we were told to exit the aircraft via stairs onto the runway. We were told if we felt sick, to go to the right, and if we felt healthy to stay left. When we exited there were fire trucks, ambulances, and paramedics all over with masks on grilling us with questions about whether we were okay.

Our bags that we had to check as we got on the plane were then re-routed to the baggage claim, so we had to go wait for our bags for 20 more minutes. Finally, we got our rental car, drove to the resort and arrived just in time for dinner. Dinner will have to be its own separate entry.

Visiting my friends long over due

I realize it has been over 4 years since my last blog, but I figured I could start getting this going again. I used to write all the time about the wonderful people I met in Argentina. I have stayed in contact with a few over the years including that beautiful blonde named Ashley (who everyone seems to think we look so good together),the imfamous Ferron who doesn't take crap from any of us, Brad who keeps me partying like I am 21, and of course the world's best friend, Brenda. Anyway, apparently Ashley thinks she is getting married in a couple weeks in Vermont. After her begging me to come visit for years, I have finally been convinced to make the trip (Probably because I realize she might actually get married to another guy and leave me in the dust forever). I was invited, but who says we can't crash the wedding. I booked my tickets the other day and look forward to meeting up with Brad and Ferron for Ashley's big day. I talked to Brenda the otherday, but California is a lot further away and for 900 bucks just for airfare she won't be able to make it. However, we've decided a Vegas trip needs to be planned soon. With all these plans to reunite with my friends, I figured I need to get the blog going again. Plus, being that I am currently not tied down with full time employment, what a better time than now to think about returning to Argentina? I miss my host family and I miss my friends from Argentina. I hope to see you all soon, and look forward to spending time with Ashley,Ferron,Brad, and whoever else suprises us in Vermont. I wonder who is still even reading this?? (Remember, when I started blogging, I was ahead of the technology curve. Can you believe that??)

Not The End, But The Beginning

Apparently I just wanted to make all of you wait in suspense for my final blog. Based on popular request, I may or may not continue this blog after this one. I have been back in the United States for over one month now, and let me tell you it has been weird.

I have come to learn the major differences in our culture compared to the one in Argentina. When I left for Argentina, many of you were questioning whether or not I would keep up with my blog. I did for the most part.... until now. The reason for this is probably a result of reentry culture shock. I have been struggling for over a month now figuring out why there ALWAYS has to be something to do. In Argentina, the people value their family time or down time. They do not always have to be going somewhere, or have an assignment to do. Here in the United States, it seems that we always have one event after the other. A meeting today, church after that, then three homework assignments, then shopping, study for an exam, go to work, clean the house etc. I cannot believe how many projects I have had already in three weeks of school. This country overloads its people, so that instead of truly learning tasks well, they just learn enough to get by. It is impossible to do everything well, even more impossible when everybody thinks his or her task is the most important. Sorry, but my family and friends come before writing an encyclopedia like paper on what someone else's view of "Nationalism" is. Especially when it constantly refers to the United States as "America". I have heard the term America be used a thousand times since I have been back. I never noticed it before, but in Argentina, they feel they are Americans too.

Due to our wonderful culture of rushing and overwhelming ourselves with unimportant tasks, I have not been able to keep up with school, life, or this blog. I have so much to say now that I am back, but not enough time to say it. I have moved back to school, but am still not unpacked. I still have not cured my mates, so I cannot bring that to class with me. I have not bought half my books yet. Life is just a mess, and I already feel myself losing touch with some of my close friends from my trip.

As I have told many of you in person, I began treating this blog more like a journal for my benefit. Therefore, I am sorry for any dull spots, but I figured you could read if you wanted, and if not who cares.

For my spanish.... oh boy!! My spanish is fading incredibly fast. I just do not get to use it enough here. I try to use it, but I do not want to annoy the heck out of other people. I am okay with my spanish fading though. What I am not okay with is that what I learned abroad seems to be fading too.

I was shaped into a different person in Argentina. I walked everywhere, (including downtown with my brother) and get this, I rarely complained. Everything was lax, and nothing really seemed to serious. I felt like I grew up so much while I was there. If I wanted something done, I had to take initiative and do it. It was especially difficult to do in a different language. I felt like I matured a ton. Now, I feel like the immature college environment I am constantly around is making me resort back to my old ways of complaining and getting frustrated with authority.

To BE CONTINUED... Hopefully sooner, rather than later (for those of you still checking this site).

Yankee Landia Stole Me Back

Well, my journey is far from over... My journey in life that is. It is weird to think that just over five months ago, I had no idea what life was like in Argentina. I had 0 friends, and knew nothing. In such a short time I have made a lot of friends, learned a new lifestyle, and feel like I know Argentina better than most other things.

I left the United States on July 3rd. Gas prices were about 3.50 a gallon, the economy was great, and life was normal. The life there stopped for me on the 4th when I arrived in Argentina, but it did not stop for anybody else.

I realize that life doesnt stop anywhere. Life continued in the States and life will continue in Argentina with or without me. It is amazing how the everyday life that seems so normal can be so foreign to another. I see both sides now, and cannot imagine life without one of them. Lets just say that I am confused.

I miss my friends from home and my family of course, but I cannot imagine life without my friends from Argentina. Or for that matter, my way of life. I walk everywhere, drink mate, only text on my cellphone because its too expensive to call. Little things, but a big part of my life.

Anyway, on to the point of this blog... Monday night I ate empanadas with my family outside during a clear and beautiful night. We brought the tv outside and watched that. I drank Baileys with Luis. I presented my family with a Minnesota Twins T shirt (one for each person). They loved it. I also told them how much I appreciated everything they had done for me. They in return had bought me a mate and painted on the side "de tu familia argentina" (from your argentina family). It was a late night of jokes and conversating in spanish. I hardly slept all night. My time in Argentina was coming to an end

Tuesday I woke up early to shower and start packing my bags. I ran to the store bought some items I wished to return with me. I left for a couple hours to say goodbye to my again "friend" Magui. I returned home for lunch. My LAST meal in Argentina.

I went to the airport with Irene, Luis, and my tutor Pancho. We said our goodbyes and I departed for home.

Four flights and 20 some hours later, I like to inform you all that I have arrived to my home in Minnesota safely. Yankee Landia has stolen me back, but I still have a piece of my heart in Argentina. Cordoba, I will return some day. The reentry shock has already hit me hard, with every little thing I do.

This is not my last blog, I plan (haha plan) on writing atleast one more this week about my reentry shock. Please, if you have enjoyed this blog, read the final one or two (who knows how many I will write).

But for all those wondering when I will be home, I am ALREADY home and I had a good safe travel. See you or talk to you soon.

One Tough Fun Week!!

Well what can I say... It has been one fun and tough week. With little time to go before returning home to the states for Christmas and the New Year, I had to say a lot of goodbyes. I thought this week would be very lonely as all the other United Statesians were gone. I was completely wrong.

I was out everyday visiting downtown, other host parents that I will miss so much, and of course eating my favorite foods, all well trying to spend as much time with my host family as I could. I even made a stop to my first host family's house to say goodbye. Marta was not there but I had a beer with Edzui. It was really fun, but sad to start saying more and more goodbyes.

My "friend" Magui left for Rioja, where she leaves. We had a lunch date on Thursday, and then met again early Saturday morning to say "goodbye". Funny how that works though because she returned to Cordoba again yesterday morning. We met during the afternoon, drank a juice, and again gave eachother little "going away presents".

I went to my school the other day to say goodbye to most of the professors and some friends before the school closes for the holidays and summer. It was sad, but had to be done.

I benefitted in the fact that I downloaded a lot of the pictures that had been taken by others. I bought a pen drive last week when I realized that the folder I saved all my photos to was on a computer in Argentina. My brother informed me that the folder would be pretty hard to access in Minnesota. I responded with the fact that I have a lot of them on facebook too. Again he informed me of the hours it would take to save each picture off of facebook. He clearly knows how to make me look like a knucklehead. Anyway, he influenced me to buy a pen drive and it paid off this past week as I gained a lot of new interesting photos of my experience.

I also have scrambled this week to buy as many gifts for people as I could. Will see how many of you actually get something. Unfortuanately I suck at that part of life. Dont expect anything exciting hahaha.

It is a sad week, but atleast 37 degrees C (98 F)is better than 0 degrees F (-12 or something C)

A Week With My Bro

For those of you who didnt realize it yet, I am still in Argentina. The program is over, and all I have been doing is having the time of my life. Last week, my Brother Matt came to visit me. He decided spur of the moment... imagine that coming from my family. Everybody knows we love to plan ahead hahaha.

He arrived Wednesday, and My host brother, sister, and mom all came with me to find him at the airport. We picked him up and got settled in. We had one busy week and hopefully fun. I know I bored the heck out of him a few times as part of the Argentina life is waiting or walking (ALOT).

Wednesday night we went to one of my favorite mexican restaurants here called Mariache. After that we went to my favorite bar Contender where I made him try Fernet and Coke. The description.... tastes like medicine hahaha. We hung out there with one of my tutors Matias.

The rest of the week is a blur for me. We slept in usually, and then went out to eat or walk or something. We spent a lot of time with the one gringo still here. Ashley the really pretty blonde I always hang out with. We spent many hours downtown and touring the city. We even went three times to see this water fountain light show, which never happened. We also took a trip to a nearby city to swim in the river and enjoy the sun. We ate at almost all my favorite restaurants, but could not eat at all of them due to times they were open and location.

Almost everyday we enjoyed ice cream. Thats right ice cream in the heat during December. I made Matt try all my favorite foods here too. Empanadas, dulce de leche, lomitos, panchos, and of course choripanes.

On Sunday, we didnt intend to but ended up walking four hours from my house all the way to downtown. (YES, IT CAN BE DONE). We never want to do that again though. Monday we went out looking for futbol tickets. It was a long and interesting journey, but we eventually found the tiny boleteria in the middle of a field where we bought the tickets. Then we even managed to find the field too. The game was amazing. We ate Choripan because thats like peanuts and crackerjacks at the baseball game. The Talleres were the home team and they won 3 to nothing. There was nothing more fun than jumping up and down yelling GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!

Anyway, I took him to a friends apartment, to a club for my friends birthday party, we enjoyed mates at my school, and even made it to an asado. I hope he enjoyed every minute of it.

It was fun to see him instantly become friends with my friends. He left on Wednesday on the same flight as my friend yankee Ashley and two of my friends from here Flor and Nati. From the pictures, it looks like he had a good time on the flight with them.

Well, I have to run, but I will write more about my experience soon.



We could

Now I Feel Comfortable Because There is no Typical Day

My life in Cordoba has changed dramatically the last few weeks. I have finished classes, and said goodbyes to some of my best friends in the world. The program is over, but I must have missed the memo because I am still here. Unfortuanately being here is a little bit like finishing highschool. If you elect to stay at home, your friends leave, but if you leave, you are leaving all your friends. Atleast 20 of my friends have moved away in the past week back to their home country, but here I am still in Argentina.

I have noticed that my typical day has changed. I dont mind at all though because I hate routines and knowing what is coming next. Now, I wake everyday without a plan and it is great. Throughout the program my day used to go something like this...

I would set my alarm for noon everyday. I know tough life huh. I would get up and eat some facturas or criollas with dulce de leche for breakfast. Then I would take a shower and finish whatever homework I had left over or needed to get a head start on. Sometimes I would just read spanish things for fun, or go online at my house. After that, I would eat lunch around 1 or 1:30 before class. I would grab my headphones and walk a half hour to the university.

Everyday I had class at 2 or 2:30 which sucked. It was right during the siesta hour. After class I would usually bum around the university, studying, talking with friends, or using the internet. It was always an adventure at the university talking with the girls. Recall my earlier blog where I told one girl I did not have a penis. Another incident occurred after I wrote that blog. I asked a girl if she wanted to go play soccer at the field. "Queres jugar futbol en la cancha". However, my wonderful pronunciation turned "cancha" into "concha". Instead, I asked, would you like to go play soccer in the pussy. Anyway, back to my day.

Tuesdays always sucked as I had class until 8:30 at night. Mondays I had to hang around school becasue I had Tango class at night. Thursdays were a little different because I had to get up at 9 am for horseback riding. Otherwise my days were pretty much the same.

At night I would return home for dinner with my family where they would eat and watch on tv "Por Amor A Vos". After dinner it would usually be "Bailando Por un Sueno" or something like that. Some nights I would go out to the boliches or bars. When that happened, I would rarely return early. I would be out until 5 or so in the morning and then sleep all day.

Now, I dont have the stress of school. I do what I want and go where I please. This week is going to be very fun though, as tomorrow my Brother Matt is coming to visit. I don´t have a plan at all, but we are going to find some things to do in the hot summer sun.

As for when I am returning... That is still a surprise.