Woman CAN live off of bread alone (plus a few fresh fruits and veggies;))!

Buenos dias!

I must say that given that I regularly wake up between the bright and early hours of 6:30 or 7 - by choice, no less! - and that I consider the "normal" going out hour of 2 AM to be a bit past my ideal bedtime, I am pretty confident that, try as I may, I will NEVER be an Argentinian. That, of course, is not to say that I do not love Argentinians or being in Argentina, but rather that there are certain inherent traits embedded deep within my genetic code that will not be compromised. Of course, a late night or two wont kill me, but I dont foresee this lifestyle becoming MY new normal.

I say all of this only because I am writing this at 7:30 am on a Sunday morning. Even my own parents will be in bed many more hours! But I LOVE the mornings. I love to wake up and watch the sun rise and see everything slowly come to life outside. When you live in a city of 12 million people, things are rarely calm. But I guarantee that if you go for a walk at 7:30 on a Sunday morning, you are not likely to encounter more than a few passersby. And many of them are JUST heading home after their late night escapades in one of the many many boliches (clubs) around town. NOT my idea of a fantastic way to start my day. But that's just me. Perhaps, they look at my bright and cheery and rested face and think, "How lame!" And that is just fine with me, so long as I get to feel rested and rejuvenated as I explore the city before its grand population awakes - different strokes for different folks!!

Which leads me to what I could handle and that could very well turn me into an Argentinian: Fresh Bread, Fresh Fruits/Veggies on every corner, Fresh Bread, Medialunas (sweet croissants), Cafes on every corner, MORE Fresh Bread, MORE Medialunas, and did I happen to mention Fresh Bread?!?! I think to myself, why is it that my mom used to tell me, "Man cannot live on bread alone?" THIS (wo)man sure could! Ok, maybe a few vital nutrients from some deliciously fresh fruits and veggies at dirt cheap prices doesnt hurt...but given my way, I would stuff all of the delicious breads full of the nutrients necessary for survival and live off of nothing but yummy Argentinian bread enjoyed at a cute cafe for the rest of my life! (ok, I could be exaggerating... but only a wee bit;)).

But enough of that, now on to the exciting details of my life outside of sleep and food...

Week Number One in my new apartment has been delightful, and Week Number Two of both taking classes and teaching English to two Cardiologists went swimmingly. I still need to sleep a good 9 hours after sitting through 4 hours of class spoken in Spanish, but it's a good tired, so I am quite content. And in two of my three classes, I understand the professors almost perfectly. The other professor speaks at lightening speed, so I count myself lucky if I get 60% of what he says!

This next week should be quite busy as 4 friends from Ecuador are coming to visit and have asked me to be their tour guide in my free time - wish me luck! I also have class and a meeting with the head Rotarian here in Buenos Aires. I would not be lying if I said that the idea of meeting and speaking in front of him does not leave me a little weak-kneed! But at least I have my two fellow Rotary Scholars to support me;). Then comes a four day weekend thanks to Easter. I may head south to the campo to visit my friend's family. I spent nearly 3 weeks with them on their farm during Christmas and New Year's of 2008, and they are absolutely wonderful!

Thanks for reading and stay in touch;)

VIVA!

Cameron