So, I’ve been in Buenos Aires taking classes for two and a half weeks and I’m starting to feel comfortable here.  At first it was really cool and exciting.  Then, I started to miss friends and family, playing Frisbee and basketball, American concerts, playing the piano, and the comfort of knowing how everything works.   But, I think I’m over the hump and I am feeling more at home each day.

I’ve been really busy over the past few weeks, just the way I like it.  I have my intensive Spanish class Monday through Friday from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. We cover a ton of grammar each day and I learn about 50 new words each class. There are only 7 students in my class, so it’s a great opportunity to practice speaking too.  Also, throughout the day I carry a pen and a little notebook in my pocket to write down Spanish words I don’t know or English words that I need to translate when I get a chance. 

After class, I like to come back to my dorm and relax for a bit.  Then around 9:30pm (they eat really late dinners here) I go downstairs to eat in the small restaurant/cafeteria.  It’s fun to eat a new type of Argentine food each day and to make friends. About half of the students in the residence are from Argentina and the other half are international students.  My favorite friends are the chef Federico, a loud and crazy guitar player with a big mustache, and his assistant Guada, a silly girl who always has funny stuff to say.  Neither one speaks much English so it’s a good chance to practice my new Spanish phrases.

In addition to going to class and making new friends in the dorm, I’ve been able to do a lot of cool stuff in Buenos Aires.  For example, every Monday night there is concert nearby called “La Bomba del Tiempo” (the time bomb).  It’s a group of 25 Brazilian percussionists who perform for a crowd of 500 people.  The crowd participates with syncopated claps, everyone dances their butt off, and the energy is incredible.  Each week they feature a different music guest, like a guitarist, bassist, or French horn player to accompany the percussion group.  I’ve been twice so far and I’m going to try and go every Monday night that I can.  Check out the pictures here: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2362372&id=9432033&l=9487c7d2a7  I also went to a Tango lesson – more on that next time!

However, that wasn’t even the coolest thing I’ve done.  About a week ago, a group of friends and I were invited to a free dinner and music show at the restaurant of Federico (the chef at the dorm).  I agreed without really knowing what I was getting myself into.  After a 50 minute train ride, we arrived at an unmarked green door in an abandoned-looking town.    Federico greeted us at the door and led us up some stairs and into an apartment that was decorated like a gourmet restaurant!  I proceeded to eat the best beef stroganoff and carrot cake I’ve ever had in my life.  And, that wasn’t it!  After dinner, we witnessed an incredible music performance by the chefs and the waitress.  They played some fantastic original songs, and a killer rendition of “while my guitar gently weeps.”  After a few songs, Hannah, my friend from Maine who plays clarinet, and I were invited to play along with them.  We played music until after midnight and missed our train back to Buenos Aires.  I ended up sleeping on the floor, and we caught the train back at 9am…totally worth it.  Check out the pictures here: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2365066&id=9432033&l=77029b7f6 I definitely want to go back again.

Until next time, see ya!