Here goes....
General Update...
"Alex, when are you coming home?"
After much craziness, I was able to change my flight home. As it stands, if I am able to finally support myself down here, I am going to stay here until A) my spanish gets perfect or B) I decide I want to come home....whichever happens first. If the I'm not able to work a sweet deal for myself job wise, I'm going to stay in Buenos Aires until the end of February, travel around during march and head home back on April 1st, getting back home on the 2nd. So it's pretty much in the air.
Housing Update.....
I'm out of the apartment with my homestay family, Hugo y Susy. It's completely tragic. I really miss them. They were such a fun couple. My biggest regret is that they never got to see too much of the crazy happy-go-lucky Alex. I'm not sure why. I'm sure they think I'm this really boring person. I do miss them, but I will be able to see them since I'm staying in the city, so that's nice.
I moved a week ago to San Telmo. VERY traditional-type area. Tall apartment buildings, very (Insert a word that means "it looks old") looking neighborhood. Also a little dangerous. It's definitely not the most dangerous place to be in buenos aires, but it's not well known for being safe either. After a week of getting acquianted, I like the area. The apartment I'm in is very quaint. Tiny, but I like. There's no microwave, so I've been having to learn how to use the stove for something other than heating water. (*gasp) I'm living with Juan. He works with antiques, goes to cooking school and works in a restaurant. His boyfriend Juan Cruz (I know, Juan and Juan, weird huh?) is also insanely helpful. The apartment is 2 blocks from a subway station which is INSANELY convenient. I haven't really done a tour of the area yet.
School Update....
I am currently in a little break between my schooling. I finished my originally allotted 12 weeks. I didn't know I needed to set in stone my free two weeks that I won with the school, so when I showed up (late) last monday, I was told I would have to wait to take them. I'm actually pretty thrilled. The week off was nice to have time to adjust to my new surroundings. My Intermediate 2A teacher, Ariel was amazing. I loved him. He was a really cool guy. Spanish 2B was with Silvia. Very nice woman, a little subdued, but we had fun nonetheless. It's weird to not be going there regularly since I did for 12 weeks. It's where the mass majority of the people I know in the city are. I'll be happy to go back next week.
Job Update....
Still can't believe it happened, I REALLY can't believe it has lasted this long, but I GOT A JOB! It's only on fridays and saturdays. I'm working at a bar as a Mozo/Moso (don't know how to spell it) I essential tend the tables and get drinks for people. There was a salsa class through the school at the bar. I asked the people there about a job, one of the girls from the school talked to the boss and then I got the job. I know it sounds impressive and most people think "oh, your spanish must be AMAZING" it's totally not the case, haha. 90 percent of the people want either un litro de cerveza (liter of beer) un daikiri (daiquiri, but not the US version) or soda. So I only have to call upon my spanish when there is a question. Usually I can understand 2 to 3 words in the sentence and try to figure out what they're asking me for or to do. Usually it works, but there are times I have to call upon a coworker. After my first night a month ago, I thought I wouldn't go back. I didn't know what I was doing, I had 0 confidence with the whole thing, and people kept staring at me like I was from mars. But I decided the next day I was going to tough it out, and I'm glad I did. It's been a wonderful learning experience, and my co-workers eventually warmed up to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy about being in a smoky bar (with asthma) being on my feet for 9 hours, working until 7 am for what is realistically $1.83 USD/hour, but I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to practice my spanish and get a better idea of life in Buenos Aires.
Amongst all the bar craziness...Alex has a job interview on Wednesday. About a month ago, I answered an ad (thank you craigslist) of a company looking for an english speaking actor. I answered the add, talked briefly with a rep from the company, was told to wait for an email about an interview, and didn't hear anything again. Then on Sunday of last week, while sorting out my flying home arrangement, I checked my professional email and saw that I had received an email from the company about an interview. As it stands, I go in for an interview on Wednesday of this week. If they like me and I accept the job, I would rehearse for a few months and then tour around South America for the rest of 2009. It would be quite the commitment I think, but I really would like to do it (pending what is discussed at the interview). It could be the deciding factor on whether I stay or leave south america.
Christmas update:
Navidad was pretty nuts. Hugo and Susy, their grown offspring Paz y Matias, and I all venture to the city of Chascomús (pronounced Jackomoose) to spend the holiday with their family. It was VERY intimidating because not only did I only know a few people who were going to be there, I didn't speak the language. We arrived at this petite camp-ground type thing equipped with a mess hall, pool, cabins with bunkbeds, the whole nine yards. Susy's nephew Mariano was cutting hair and immediately I was hit with comments about getting my hair cut. Yeah, I felt immensely better. In general (can you tell I've exhausted my desire to type a lot?) It was a total blast. The kids found me to be interesting. I found everyone fascinating, so it was a good vibe. There were times where I REALLY didn't know what the heck was going on due to the language thing, but it was ok. Then someone dressed up as "Papa Noel" (Santa) and gave out the presents. Here in BA, it's a little different than in the states. Christmas is more like new years. They wait until midnight, and then they go ape-crazy. It was pretty funny to watch. In general, I was doing really well with the whole, away from home on christmas thing. That was until Papa Noel pulled out a gift with my name on it. Then the idea really hit me. It made me think of home and miss the people I care about most. I was still ok though. Christmas hasn't been a big deal for me in over 5-6 years. It was just the idea of family being together and me missing out on it that bummed me out for about 20 minutes. At the end of the day I ended up with a keychain and a bottle of shaving cream. Totally adorable if you ask me.
We all went to sleep, and in the morning we hung out, went swimming, etc. It really was one of my favorite memories of being in Argentina. I really felt like part of the family. It was a great time. We came back to the city of Buenos Aires, and I chatted with my family on skype for over an hour. Truly awesome amazing blessed times. It was great seeing all of them. I miss them a whole lot.
New Years...
Was pretty tragic. I was expected to work (I think) and I was trying to get out of it so I could go to El Tigre with friends, and then spend the weekend in Iguazu falls with new friends from the school. Essentially I was expecting to have to quit or get fired from the bar......but funny how the tide changes. Taking care of my ticket problem with the airline took out all but 39 USD of my bank account. I went from not wanting to work at all last week to working 3 days, in a weird and wacky way almost for survival. There was a dinner at the bar with some of the employees. The fireworks display was absolutely fantastic. we were on a roof and we set some off and watch from some of the other areas as well. Truly inspiring. At midnight, much like Christmas, everyone goes around the circle and kisses each other on the cheek. Afterwards, we worked until about 8 in the am. I was so thrilled to finally make it home.
That's the highlights of what's going on.....I'm to tired to keep writing.
Next time on Alex's Thought Bubble:
*Crazy antics of the month of December in buenos aires.
*Pictures
*Reflections and goals of 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment