Buenas tardes!
It is a lovely Fall day here in Buenos Aires. I am having a hard time accepting that I am diving right back into the two seasons I most recently lived through - Fall and Winter. As I am perpetually cold and have even been known to wear sweaters in the summer, I am not the biggest fan of cold weather. But such is the way of the weather systems in our hemispherical world. So from Winter to Fall I go. Ok, so I cant COMPLETELY play the "woe-is-me" card, as I did get a month or so of warm, sunny late- Summer days. But here I am in Fall, once again. So long the warm days of Summer;(!
This past week was completely delightful. After having Holy Week off, I returned to the life of a university student. And given the amount of holidays they have here, - we have had at least 5 since I arrived 6 weeks ago! - I cannot blame my dad for asking me if I am, in fact, going to school!! Hard as it may be to believe, somehow in the midst of all of these holidays, they do find a way to fit in a little time for education;)!
Classes have been interesting. My Tuesday morning class is quite interesting as it meets at a hospital (let's not talk about the hour-long commute at 6 am...). This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with and observe a few patients with eating disorders during their 30 minute therapy session. All public medical care is free here - ALL of it - AND that includes Mental Health - what a crazy thought! Later, my classmates and I met up at a local cafe (yes, we had class at a cafe as their is a wee shortage of classrooms. When in Argentina...), to discuss the patients we observed. I cant believe I am getting to observe patients already - so interesting! Friday, I had to give myself a big pat on the back after I understood every last word in my two classes - woohoo!! This is not to say that I normally do not understand, simply that sometimes I have to sort of - well - deduce the details from what I gather in the big picture.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I taught English to my cardiologist friends, and, in turn, learned all about the crisis of 2001 when from one day to the next the peso was devalued from 1 USD = 1 peso to 1 USD = 4 pesos (i.e. - an apartment that cost $600 pesos a month, all of the sudden cost 2400/month while NOTHING changed as far as salary, etc.). The price of everything increased, and, quite frankly, I really dont know how they survived it. But Latinos are survivors, that's for sure! I would not be exaggerating if I said that I am quite possibly learning more from them than they are from me! (Last weeks subjects were drinking mate and buying and building a house in the city - fascinating!)
Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Annual District Rotary conference and speak a little bit about myself and my reasons for being here. There were nearly 300 people in attendance as there are 42 Rotary clubs just within the city proper!
I also made some new Ecuadorian, Colombian, and Argentinian friends - woohoo! I spent Saturday learning to make arepas, a traditional Colombian dish, and Sunday, I baked muffins and a frittata with another group of friends. I must say this is COMPLETELY out of character as I, Cameron Taylor, do not so much as boil water at home. If it cant be made in the microwave, I am not the one preparing dinner. But I seem to be turning a new leaf and becoming a bit of a cook. Last week I made a delicious (if I do say so myself...and I DO:)!) lentils dish and, today, I invented my own rice stew creation. Also delicious. However, do not be calling me Susie Homemaker just yet. I did get sick after cleaning the bathroom yesterday. Susan says I must be allergic. And Im willing to agree!
I wonder what this week will bring?! VIVA!
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