Sunday, January 13, 2013
I Hate Goodbyes
I hate goodbyes...that's practically it. How can I be expected to suddenly leave all these people behind that have formed and shared such an important part of my life?
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Dear Kerri
Dear Kerri of June 2012,
AFS has just sent you your host family and your anxiety is consistently building up. You are scheduled to leave in about two months and everything about your exchange is becoming real...you're so nervous and so excited. Counting down the days on your computer desktop and your iPod, you know exactly how much time is left until it finally happens. Basically every thought is starting to involve Argentina...whatever happened to Montana? Take a second...a breathe...and look around at your surroundings. Think about how much you are going to miss everything that you have right now: your family, your home, your friends, etc. Yes, you have so much to be excited for, but how did you not notice that you were going to miss so much what you had? Now, go out and enjoy your last few months at home instead of counting and wishing it away.
You're almost frustrated with how little you know of about the next six months of your life, about how many questions you have. You have very little idea, but an incredible six months are in store for you. AFS is trying to help you, give you suggestions, tell you what it will be like, but you're having trouble believing them-somehow thinking that you're exchange will be totally different than everyone else's. They are right. You will come home a different person. You will be homesick, you will have some of your lowest lows but also some of your highest highs. You will grow and mature an unbelievable amount. The Facebook message that you got the other day from the random people? They are your family now. The friend requests that you received from the random teenagers? They are your best friends. And the 2012-2013 Argentina Facebook group? They are your lifeline, the only others that understand exactly what you are experiencing. You are forming expectations like AFS told you not to...and in some ways those expectations will let you down. But don't worry, the good will so much outweigh the bad.
Be excited for the next six months of your life. But don't forget to get out there and enjoy your last few months at home, you will miss it.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of August 2012,
You are finally starting to buy host family gifts and pack because you leave in a few days. You are so anxious, so nervous yet so excited...and that is perfectly 100% okay and normal. Everyone is feeling the same as you. Now, say goodbye to life as you knew it and hop on that plane. An unbelievably adventure is ahead.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of September 2012,
You have been in Cordoba, Argentina for a few weeks. Already, you've met so many people and seen so many amazing things...and think, this is just the beginning. I know that you are realizing that it is going to be so much harder getting adjusted to a totally different lifestyle away from home, but everything does get better. And it's hard being away from home, but believe me when I tell you that you absolutely did not make a mistake. The new language is a shock, but before you know it you will be talking Spanish in your sleep...it will come, I promise. It seems like 6 months is forever, like January will never come in a million years; it will. And when it does, you'll be willing to give anything to be able to have that time back.
Be positive. Be outgoing. Get involved. Take pictures of everything. Talk as much as you can, you want to learn the language. Take in every single moment that you have in this wondrous place. Understand that some things don't meet your expectations, that things aren't like you imagined, but embrace it. Before long, everything that seems so weird will become so normal. You are starting to change, to mature, to see the world from so many other viewpoints. Be excited, this is just the beginning and you have so much to look forward to.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of January 2013,
The time has almost come. You have reached your last week left in Argentina. The time has flown by faster than you eveeeer imagined it could. Once again, the anxiety returns to you-the mutual feelings of nervousness and excitedness. You want to see your family, your home, your friends like no other. You miss them so much and you absolutely can't wait until the moment that you can embrace them, have them in your arms instead of talking over Skype. But at the same time, you never want to leave this new place...it's become your second home. In one second, you will have to leave your new best friends, your new family, your new way of life and you are expecting that this will be pretty much the hardest thing you have done in all of your exchange. Learn from your mistakes. Remember when you were so excited and overwhelmed to be leaving in August that you forgot to take advantage of what you had? Don't do that again. Take in everything. Do everything. Don't waste a second of your time left in Cordoba, no matter how hard it may be. It's right outside your window, now go embrace it because I can guarantee that in a month, two months, a year, or a decade, you will give anything to have this time left.
P.S.-Start packing early. This time your mom isn't here to help you and you have bought so much on your trip that you have no idea how you'll fit it all. :)
-Kerri of the future
AFS has just sent you your host family and your anxiety is consistently building up. You are scheduled to leave in about two months and everything about your exchange is becoming real...you're so nervous and so excited. Counting down the days on your computer desktop and your iPod, you know exactly how much time is left until it finally happens. Basically every thought is starting to involve Argentina...whatever happened to Montana? Take a second...a breathe...and look around at your surroundings. Think about how much you are going to miss everything that you have right now: your family, your home, your friends, etc. Yes, you have so much to be excited for, but how did you not notice that you were going to miss so much what you had? Now, go out and enjoy your last few months at home instead of counting and wishing it away.
You're almost frustrated with how little you know of about the next six months of your life, about how many questions you have. You have very little idea, but an incredible six months are in store for you. AFS is trying to help you, give you suggestions, tell you what it will be like, but you're having trouble believing them-somehow thinking that you're exchange will be totally different than everyone else's. They are right. You will come home a different person. You will be homesick, you will have some of your lowest lows but also some of your highest highs. You will grow and mature an unbelievable amount. The Facebook message that you got the other day from the random people? They are your family now. The friend requests that you received from the random teenagers? They are your best friends. And the 2012-2013 Argentina Facebook group? They are your lifeline, the only others that understand exactly what you are experiencing. You are forming expectations like AFS told you not to...and in some ways those expectations will let you down. But don't worry, the good will so much outweigh the bad.
Be excited for the next six months of your life. But don't forget to get out there and enjoy your last few months at home, you will miss it.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of August 2012,
You are finally starting to buy host family gifts and pack because you leave in a few days. You are so anxious, so nervous yet so excited...and that is perfectly 100% okay and normal. Everyone is feeling the same as you. Now, say goodbye to life as you knew it and hop on that plane. An unbelievably adventure is ahead.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of September 2012,
You have been in Cordoba, Argentina for a few weeks. Already, you've met so many people and seen so many amazing things...and think, this is just the beginning. I know that you are realizing that it is going to be so much harder getting adjusted to a totally different lifestyle away from home, but everything does get better. And it's hard being away from home, but believe me when I tell you that you absolutely did not make a mistake. The new language is a shock, but before you know it you will be talking Spanish in your sleep...it will come, I promise. It seems like 6 months is forever, like January will never come in a million years; it will. And when it does, you'll be willing to give anything to be able to have that time back.
Be positive. Be outgoing. Get involved. Take pictures of everything. Talk as much as you can, you want to learn the language. Take in every single moment that you have in this wondrous place. Understand that some things don't meet your expectations, that things aren't like you imagined, but embrace it. Before long, everything that seems so weird will become so normal. You are starting to change, to mature, to see the world from so many other viewpoints. Be excited, this is just the beginning and you have so much to look forward to.
-Kerri of January 2013
Dear Kerri of January 2013,
The time has almost come. You have reached your last week left in Argentina. The time has flown by faster than you eveeeer imagined it could. Once again, the anxiety returns to you-the mutual feelings of nervousness and excitedness. You want to see your family, your home, your friends like no other. You miss them so much and you absolutely can't wait until the moment that you can embrace them, have them in your arms instead of talking over Skype. But at the same time, you never want to leave this new place...it's become your second home. In one second, you will have to leave your new best friends, your new family, your new way of life and you are expecting that this will be pretty much the hardest thing you have done in all of your exchange. Learn from your mistakes. Remember when you were so excited and overwhelmed to be leaving in August that you forgot to take advantage of what you had? Don't do that again. Take in everything. Do everything. Don't waste a second of your time left in Cordoba, no matter how hard it may be. It's right outside your window, now go embrace it because I can guarantee that in a month, two months, a year, or a decade, you will give anything to have this time left.
P.S.-Start packing early. This time your mom isn't here to help you and you have bought so much on your trip that you have no idea how you'll fit it all. :)
-Kerri of the future
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Hello Everyone! I hope all had a very Merry Christmas and are getting ready for a happy and prosperous New Year! I know it's been way too long since my last post. I always find myself sit down to write and then get distracted...it's pretty easy to do when you have a whole new country to be exploring! Like last post, everything continues to be going great. It goes without saying that I've been a little homesick over the holidays but, of course, I was expecting that. However, that definitely doesn't mean my holiday season hasn't been good. My mom sent me a box that I received the week before Christmas with a Santa hat, some candy canes, five packs of gum, sugar cookie ingredients and frosting, cookie cutters, and a letter. That was really fun to be able to bring that tradition to my family and make sugar cookies with my cousins. They really enjoyed that activity and thought they were absolutely delicious. A few days later, I received a box from my Grandma and Grandpa Harmon with a 2 lb. bag of Reeses, 2 lb. bag of Sour Patch Kids, a pin for my host mom, two ornaments for the Christmas tree (it needed some...bad), and a letter. My friends and family have been absolutely fascinated by all the sweets sent and various people have recently promised me that they'll send me dulce de leche if I send them American candies when I get home. I celebrated Christmas by going out to dinner with my host dad, his girlfriend, and my two siblings late Christmas eve. We went to this huge buffet that pretty much had every type of food you could imagine: asado, seafood, sushi, asian, salad bar, etc. Obviously there aren't many gifts here because of the financial status but my host dad and his girlfriend gave me a jar of dulce de leche :) Then, after dinner, we went to the my host grandma's house (Nuki's mother) where that part of the family was. I opened two gifts: an Argentinian flag and a little bathroom bag with a caramel inside. On Christmas Eve, my host siblings and the older host cousins went out to go dancing but I decided to come home and pass the night with my younger cousins, aunts and uncles, and the grandparents. On the 25, we slept in until 12 or so and then left for the Aunt's house 40 km. outside of the city to spend the day. It's nice to go there when we're going to be together for for than a few hours just because it's more spread out and there's more space-like the cabin or ranch. We ate lots, swam in the pool, walked to the river to go swimming, and played some cards. For New Years, we will probably meet up on the 31st at the grandma's house to eat and chat for awhile. Then, at 7 am on the morning of the 1st, my cousins and I are planning on walking to my aunt's house. It is 40 kilometers away and we are estimatiing 6 to 7 hours of walking. Lots of water and sunscreen will be used that day for this girl!! I'll have to let you guys know how that goes :) These last few days I've just been hanging around. I really don't have much time left so my excuse that I have plenty more time to buy things here doesn't work too well anymore! I went to the Paseo de los Artes (artisan street market) with my host sister and I've met up with a few friends in the center to do some shopping and to eat lunch or dinner. Sometimes, I just go for a walk for a few hours on a main big street close to my house where I often find a few things I like and sit down to eat at some cute little cafe :) A few days, I've met up with friends from either school or AFS to go to a park and share some mates and chat...that's something I'm going to miss when I come home. It's been so so hot here. The 24th was 104, the 25th sbout 95, and the 26th 103....I seriously don't think it's dropped below 85 or 90 the entire past week and 75 in the night. That will be a nice welcome to Montana come January 17th...wooh. Speaking of which, January 17th is only 19 days away. And January 13, when I leave my friends, family, and new home is even sooner-15 days. That's two weeks and one day, so so crazy. I'm trying to use every last day that I have here to it's fullest and enjoy every last second I spend here in Cordoba, Alright, chau amigos (bye friends) Hasta luego (until later)...nos vemos pronto (muy muy pronto) (see you all soon (very very soon)!!! <3 Kerri
Eating at cafe downtown
Spending day in park with Anna (Germany)
Christmas day with cousins in pool
Went on a walk to abandoned airport tower
Mili (17), Ber (20), Fernanda (19), Coco (19), Emi (14)
Beautiful view of Carlos Paz
Continued walk down to the lake
Taking some group photos along the way
Gangsters
We misjudged how far we had to walk (waiting for parents to come in cars)
MT Christmas cookies
Decorating sugar cookies with host sister and cousins
USA, MT, ARG cookies
Santa's workshop
Contents of Gma's package
Monday, December 10, 2012
Summer Update
Hello all! Sorry that it's been so long since my last update. I've been doing really great...pretty much just living the life in Argentina on summer vacation! I usually go to bed a little late and wake up a little late, as one cousin claimed "Kerri, you've become nocturnal, I swear!!" I'd say the weather here is just a tad different than the US, it's usually in the mid 90s during the day with a good thunderstorm in the afternoon. At night, it doesn't cool off too much so I sleep in shorts and a tanktop with the fan on full blast and no sheets...and I still wake up in the middle of the night pretty much panting and sweating. I told my parents that if I were at my house with people that I would feel comfortable disrupting when they're asleep, I would take a shower probably 5 times a night to cool off! As the same cousin stated, "It doesn't cool off too much during YOUR night, Ker. Maybe if you slept at nighttime, it might be a little more comfortable!" But, as uncomfortable as this may all sound, everything is going amazingly amazing. During the day, I go out with my friends downtown to shop, eat an ice cream, lay in the sun on the roof and drink terere, or simply meet up in a park to relax and talk. Oh, and of course, don't forget the midday siestas wherever they may happen (on the roof, in the theater, etc.) At night, we go out dancing, meet up to eat pizza, go to the movies, or go on the roof and watch the stars...like I said, it really is the life. This past weekend, I went to an AFS camp in a little town about a hour away from Cordoba. There were about twenty of us and we all met up at the terminal to take a bus there. Our camp was like a little camping site with various cabins full of bunk beds, a dining room, and a big pool. Guess what?! I killed a scorpion!! I was standing in my room changing into my swimsuit and all of the sudden this little thing comes scurrying by my feet. Obviously, I've never seen a scorpion before but when it lifted up it's tail thing (the pincher), I knew what it was!!...so I stomped on it:) The AFS director confirmed it was a scorpion but said they had never seen them at the camp but not to be scared...even though all the girls were absolutely freaking out. My host mom said that you have to be careful of them here in the summer, especially in wet places like the bathroom. I'll be keeping my eye out!! Anyways, it was so so hot both days but also very very fun. At first, I was not very happy that we had to go at 7:30 in the morning and stay overnight but I'm so happy that we went. It was the last camp we'll have together here in Cordoba before the kids who leave in January go home so it was really nice to all be together this last time. We did some really great activities, played in the pool, laid out to watch the stars, etc. but the thing that made it the most special was simply being with the friends that I have made over the past 4 1/2 months. It's so hard to explain-my friendship with these 20 other AFS exchange students. It's almost like these kids who go on exchange all have so much in common-who knows? maybe that's what made them all go in the first place. We're all so similar, we just fall right into place like we've known each other our entire lives. It's the moments like when I'm laying out in the grass with my best friends from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the US that I'm really going to remember and miss in a few months, years, decades...it's these moments that make me so scared to leave. Now that's a whole other topic...my departure. We'll leave that for another post...my bipolarness, my yearning desire to see my friends, family, home and my growing fear to abandon the life, family, and friends that I have formed here over the past few months...I don't expect many to understand, but it's how it is-it's how everyone said it would be. Anyways, hope life is going as good in the States as it is here! I love you all lots and will see you soon...only a little over a month!! -Kerri
My best friend from Germany, Anna, and I after playing with some paint :)
Franci Sinatra from Italy (I call her Frank Sinatra) and I
Anna and I again
Fun with paint!!
Silvia from Italy and I
My best friends from Italy and I
Friends from school (Mili, Faten, and Juli) and I
Kids who leave in January with our certificates
Drinking terere and suckers on a hot day
Terere on the roof with school friends
AFS Cordoba Girls-I love them!
Frank Sinatra and I
The entire AFS Cordoba group!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Remainder of Trip
11/21 21:30- Today was another very fun and exciting day...but also very physically tiring! We were awoken at 7:30 to get ready and shower and were instructed to meet in the breakfast room at 8. The same food was served for breakfast today but I am very content with it as it is the best breakfast I've had since being in Argentina: watermelon, melon, juice, yogurt, medialunas, and cereal. We loaded the bus at 8:30 to depart on a few hour ride to the river where we were going white-water rafting. Upon arrival, we got off only to load some of these heavy duty van type buses to drive to our launch site. We headed up a narrow, curvy, washed out, and steep road where following the river upstream. As it was a hot, humid, not windy summer day us smart ones applied loooots of sunscreen and bug spray (those who didn't had a great punishment waiting for them). Those who wanted a wetsuit were given one, obviously not Annalea and I, the two Montana girls who have both swam in much colder water in Montana. We were all fitted with lifejackets, given an oar, and split up into groups of six plus one guide. The ride was absolutely amazing. There were 9 rapids, the first 7 being Class II and the last 2 being class III. The scenery was absolutely fabulous and the weather was perfect. When we arrived back to our withdrawal site, some of the guides had stayed back to cook asado while we were rafting. We ate a good lunch of choripan (bratwurst) and chips. Then, about five of us (3 being American girls) decided we were going to swim in the mountain lake that the river dumps into (Cabra Corral). It was sooo warm and I swear it was like the Dead Sea. I could float when I was actually trying to sink-so crazy. On the ride back to the hotel, pretty much everyone slept the entire time and, right upon arrival, everyone bolted for the shower. A few minutes ago, we got back from dinner at an empanada/steak restaurant that was really great. Our night still is not finished. At 22:30 we will go to my first "Pena" which is like a dinner spot with live folklore music and a dancefloor but we won't eat dinner, at least as I understand it. Hope break is going good. Love you all.
11/22 21:30- Right now, we are half way through a 24 hour bus ride. I swear that when I go home driving to Chester or Missoula is going to be nothing. We woke up at 7 this morning and loaded our bags and everything onto the bus, ate breakfast at the hotel, and got on our way. Since then, we have been on the bus. Everyone slept for the first few hours but then kids started singing, dancing, playing music, playing cards, etc. Us Americans on the other hand had gone to the supermarket last night and bought EVERY American brand of food we could find. Needless to say, they were all junk food like Lays, Pringles, Oreos, Skittles, M and M's, Hubba Bubba, Sprite, Fruit Loops, and Trix. We poured everyone sprite and did a toast where everyone said what they were thankful for. I said something to the point of "I am thankful for the amazing friends and family that I have both here in Argentina and back home in the States. I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have been provided with to come to Argentina and for the opportunity to travel in the country on this trip. I am so happy to be here with all of you sharing a day as special as this. Although it may be the weirdest and most untraditional Thanksgiving that I have every participated in, it will be one that I know I will never forget for as long as I live." I'll just say I'm glad I brought my toothbrush on the bus so I could brush my teeth after eating all that healthy healthy food. Right now, we are in Resistencia where we started the trip as a half-way point. Some kids are only doing the first part and some only the second part to Iguazu. When we load back up, we will head to dinner, then we have another 12 hours on the bus to arrive in Puerto Iguazu, the town near Iguazu Falls in the northeast of the country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!
11/23 22:45-Hello all, we made it to Puerto Iguazu this morning right before lunch. On our way, we stopped in the town of Wanda and visited this place where they dig for semiprecious stones. It was really interesting and pretty to see but a little bit downgraded as we had a pretty inexperienced guide and it was pouring the entire time, but still cool. After lunch, we had some time to settle into our cabins (I'm rooming with 2 American girls and 2 Japanese girls) and then these awesome safari type trucks with no sides came to pick us up. Let me explain, in Puerto Iguazu it rains aaaaaaaall the time, the roads are dirt, and the soil is like bright red so pretty much everything is just like muddy mud mud. We drove through the middle of the Amazon rainforest for about 20 minutes on this really muddy road slipping back and forth the whole time...it was like a rollercoaster ride! But then, the fun stopped when our truck got stuck. We waited a few minutes and then another truck came and picked my group us. We arrived at this trailhead where they fitted these holster type cables around our legs and stomachs to do the zip-line and rapel. Then, we had to hike a few kilometers and we arrived at the top of this 15 or so meter waterfall. One at a time, we went to the edge and our cable was hooked onto this rope that went down to another guy who was at the bottom. We were instructed to jump. After jumping, you come back to the waterfall and kind of push off as you climb down a rope. For those of you that have rock climbed, it's like being holstered down after you reach the top. The whole entire time, you're in this waterfall and tons of water is falling over your head. You end up in a pool lake thing at the end where you can swim until the others are done. FUNNEST THING EVER!!!!!!! I insist that my family tries this sometime. Then, we took another hike to the zip-line activity. Pretty standard zip-line but very fun! Once again, this would never happen in the US as one simply has a pair of heavy gloves and reaches behind them on the cable to stop themselves. It was very high over the jungle canopy, the view was great, and it lasted for a long time. There were five different cables, I think. Those two activities were so so fabulous, I could do them over and over. Came back to the hotel for dinner here and headed to bed for a long day in the sun at Iguazu National Park tomorrow.
11/24 23:00-I am still in awe. This post will not even come close to doing justice for how beautiful Iguazu waterfalls are. It's just something that you have to experience for yourself. We woke up, ate breakfast at the hotel, and drove in the bus to the Iguazu National Park Entrance. Obviously, this is a very touristy attraction so all signs have English translations and all guides are required to translate what they say into English. The entire day was spent in the sun walking to and from different viewpoints but I swear that I could spend weeks admiring the falls. Not only the sight of sooooo much water pouring over, but the sound of this amount of water is so loud it's unbelievable. We ate lunch at a restaurant in the park and, in the afternoon, we did a really fabulous activity where we took boats on the river where the falls are. It was called the "Gran Aventura" or "Great Adventure". During the excursion, we actually go undeeer where the waterfalls are various times and everyone gets soaking wet! I even got to touch Brazil and Paraguay...!!!! I can't even try to explain what I saw today anymore...Pictures and videos will come soon. Returned to the hotel. Ate dinner and headed to bed after a very long and hot day. Love to all!
11/22 21:30- Right now, we are half way through a 24 hour bus ride. I swear that when I go home driving to Chester or Missoula is going to be nothing. We woke up at 7 this morning and loaded our bags and everything onto the bus, ate breakfast at the hotel, and got on our way. Since then, we have been on the bus. Everyone slept for the first few hours but then kids started singing, dancing, playing music, playing cards, etc. Us Americans on the other hand had gone to the supermarket last night and bought EVERY American brand of food we could find. Needless to say, they were all junk food like Lays, Pringles, Oreos, Skittles, M and M's, Hubba Bubba, Sprite, Fruit Loops, and Trix. We poured everyone sprite and did a toast where everyone said what they were thankful for. I said something to the point of "I am thankful for the amazing friends and family that I have both here in Argentina and back home in the States. I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have been provided with to come to Argentina and for the opportunity to travel in the country on this trip. I am so happy to be here with all of you sharing a day as special as this. Although it may be the weirdest and most untraditional Thanksgiving that I have every participated in, it will be one that I know I will never forget for as long as I live." I'll just say I'm glad I brought my toothbrush on the bus so I could brush my teeth after eating all that healthy healthy food. Right now, we are in Resistencia where we started the trip as a half-way point. Some kids are only doing the first part and some only the second part to Iguazu. When we load back up, we will head to dinner, then we have another 12 hours on the bus to arrive in Puerto Iguazu, the town near Iguazu Falls in the northeast of the country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!
11/23 22:45-Hello all, we made it to Puerto Iguazu this morning right before lunch. On our way, we stopped in the town of Wanda and visited this place where they dig for semiprecious stones. It was really interesting and pretty to see but a little bit downgraded as we had a pretty inexperienced guide and it was pouring the entire time, but still cool. After lunch, we had some time to settle into our cabins (I'm rooming with 2 American girls and 2 Japanese girls) and then these awesome safari type trucks with no sides came to pick us up. Let me explain, in Puerto Iguazu it rains aaaaaaaall the time, the roads are dirt, and the soil is like bright red so pretty much everything is just like muddy mud mud. We drove through the middle of the Amazon rainforest for about 20 minutes on this really muddy road slipping back and forth the whole time...it was like a rollercoaster ride! But then, the fun stopped when our truck got stuck. We waited a few minutes and then another truck came and picked my group us. We arrived at this trailhead where they fitted these holster type cables around our legs and stomachs to do the zip-line and rapel. Then, we had to hike a few kilometers and we arrived at the top of this 15 or so meter waterfall. One at a time, we went to the edge and our cable was hooked onto this rope that went down to another guy who was at the bottom. We were instructed to jump. After jumping, you come back to the waterfall and kind of push off as you climb down a rope. For those of you that have rock climbed, it's like being holstered down after you reach the top. The whole entire time, you're in this waterfall and tons of water is falling over your head. You end up in a pool lake thing at the end where you can swim until the others are done. FUNNEST THING EVER!!!!!!! I insist that my family tries this sometime. Then, we took another hike to the zip-line activity. Pretty standard zip-line but very fun! Once again, this would never happen in the US as one simply has a pair of heavy gloves and reaches behind them on the cable to stop themselves. It was very high over the jungle canopy, the view was great, and it lasted for a long time. There were five different cables, I think. Those two activities were so so fabulous, I could do them over and over. Came back to the hotel for dinner here and headed to bed for a long day in the sun at Iguazu National Park tomorrow.
11/24 23:00-I am still in awe. This post will not even come close to doing justice for how beautiful Iguazu waterfalls are. It's just something that you have to experience for yourself. We woke up, ate breakfast at the hotel, and drove in the bus to the Iguazu National Park Entrance. Obviously, this is a very touristy attraction so all signs have English translations and all guides are required to translate what they say into English. The entire day was spent in the sun walking to and from different viewpoints but I swear that I could spend weeks admiring the falls. Not only the sight of sooooo much water pouring over, but the sound of this amount of water is so loud it's unbelievable. We ate lunch at a restaurant in the park and, in the afternoon, we did a really fabulous activity where we took boats on the river where the falls are. It was called the "Gran Aventura" or "Great Adventure". During the excursion, we actually go undeeer where the waterfalls are various times and everyone gets soaking wet! I even got to touch Brazil and Paraguay...!!!! I can't even try to explain what I saw today anymore...Pictures and videos will come soon. Returned to the hotel. Ate dinner and headed to bed after a very long and hot day. Love to all!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
First days of trip!
Hello! I have been trying to keep a few entries in my iPod on long bus rides well it's still fresh in my mind of what we've been doing. Staying at same hotel last night, tonight, and tomorrow night with wifi so will update quick. love you all and happy thanksgiving!
11/19 2:10: Hello all. Figured I'd try to keep a little journal along my trip just to record down everything while it's still fresh. I left Cordoba at 21:30 Saturday night with aSwiss girl and Finlandian girl, both who arrived in Cordoba in February. From Cordoba, we had a 11 hr. bus ride to Resistencia in the province of Chaco. The Swiss and I got lucky and had the best seats on the bus: top level and very front, full windshield view and room to stretch legs. A blanket and pillow were included and with those I was out for the night. When we stepped off the bus in Resistencia, it was so hot I couldn't get my sweatshirt off quick enough. Two AFS volunteers and two Italian boys that had already arrived were playing cards and waiting to greet us. We waited another hour or so and finally left with 7 students and 2 volunteers. We took taxis to one if the volunteer's houses...or should I say mansion, where we all changed into shorts and had a cool glass of agua. Then, we were off to the supermarket to buy food for lunch. We bought lots of lasta, bacon, cream, etc. and a huge watermelon to top it off. In regards to the cooking, I'll just say I LOVE Italians. The two boys cooked the 9 of us a full Italian pasta lunch...mmm. Meanwhile, we took turns setting the table, pouring terere (mate), relaxing in the sun, playing ping ping in the backyard, and sitting in front of the fan. After lunch at around 4:15, we all walked down the street to the house of the cousin of the volunteer...another big one with a big pool in the backyard. The afternoon was spent swimming, jumping off the wall into the pool (for the boys), swinging in the hammock, taking pics, and eating watermelon. Pretty similar to Montana November days, no? After showering and all, we headed to the terminal to meet the others. How fun! There are five of us girls from the states and were having a great time catching up from August! Overall, there are about 35 students I would guess...Japon, Thailand, Italy, Germany, EEUU, Switzerland, Finland, and lots lots more. We left the Resistencia terminal on a nice two level bus with TVs, reclining chairs, and a water/coffee/pop bar at 22:30 with an 11 hour ride ahead to Salta province where we will spend the next couple days. Dinner was fine-three plain sandwiches, an empanada, an an alfajor for dessert. I swear I will NEVER wear shorts on a bus again.....so cold. Slept a good two hours but woke up a few minutes ago shivering. No blankets or pillows provided but you guys know me-I can sleep anywhere. There is a huge thunderstorm outside right now: rain falling, thunder cracking, and so so much lightning. I hope we have good weather. Not to mention they drive like 30 mph on the highways here and it's really frustrating me. Alright, I'm going to try to sleep again so I'm not to much of a witch tomorrow even though they just turned the air on again! ah crazy Argentinians!
11/20 17:45: Hola! Hope you guys are having a fabulous Thanksgiving week and a good two day school week. I'm having an absolutely amazing time on my trip, though it may be a little different than you all...95 degrees and spent the day in the desert today. Yesterday was lots of fun. We arrived in Resistencia at around 9 and went to the hotel in Salta. I am rooming with a girl from Minnesota and one from Chicago. We lucked out and got the corner room with four beds and lots of room...but a broken air conditioner. Luckily, it cools off lots at night where we're at. At 12 we met for lunch in the hotel of pasta. Then, we went out with a guide and had a city tour which also included a gondola ride to the top of a mountain...such an unbelievable and peaceful view. We went to a street with a bunch of artisans and I bought a few things (surprise)! We went to dinner at a restaurant where we were served empanadas, salad, steak, and fruit salad for dessert. Woke up this morning at 530, are breakfast at hotel, and loaded bus. We had a 2 hr. ride to Jujuy in which we all slept. There were lots of artisans, monuments, etc. to walk around and shop at. Also, there were the hills of seven colors which are best explained through pictures...kind of like layered colored rocks and sand that makes awesome mountains. We did a three kilometer hike through the hills in the middle of the dessert. Lots of sunburns this afternoon (no, Mom and Dad, you've taught me well to use sunscreen). After, we drove another hour to the city of Huemaca where we had a typical dish for lunch of cooked meat, carrots, potatoes, and onions mixed together with fruit salad for dessert. We had some time to check out the artisans and local shops...I love them. We stopped on our way back to the hotel to do a hike to these ancient tenples/huts/pyramids/rock structures where it was very windy. Loaded the bus back up and now we are still in our way home to Salta. I've heard that tonight we'll have dinner then we're going out to a Pena which sounds like a disco with folklore music...should be interesting! We will go white-water rafting tomorrow...can't wait!! Pictures to come. Have a good vacation and please travel safe. Love from the desert, Kerri
11/19 2:10: Hello all. Figured I'd try to keep a little journal along my trip just to record down everything while it's still fresh. I left Cordoba at 21:30 Saturday night with aSwiss girl and Finlandian girl, both who arrived in Cordoba in February. From Cordoba, we had a 11 hr. bus ride to Resistencia in the province of Chaco. The Swiss and I got lucky and had the best seats on the bus: top level and very front, full windshield view and room to stretch legs. A blanket and pillow were included and with those I was out for the night. When we stepped off the bus in Resistencia, it was so hot I couldn't get my sweatshirt off quick enough. Two AFS volunteers and two Italian boys that had already arrived were playing cards and waiting to greet us. We waited another hour or so and finally left with 7 students and 2 volunteers. We took taxis to one if the volunteer's houses...or should I say mansion, where we all changed into shorts and had a cool glass of agua. Then, we were off to the supermarket to buy food for lunch. We bought lots of lasta, bacon, cream, etc. and a huge watermelon to top it off. In regards to the cooking, I'll just say I LOVE Italians. The two boys cooked the 9 of us a full Italian pasta lunch...mmm. Meanwhile, we took turns setting the table, pouring terere (mate), relaxing in the sun, playing ping ping in the backyard, and sitting in front of the fan. After lunch at around 4:15, we all walked down the street to the house of the cousin of the volunteer...another big one with a big pool in the backyard. The afternoon was spent swimming, jumping off the wall into the pool (for the boys), swinging in the hammock, taking pics, and eating watermelon. Pretty similar to Montana November days, no? After showering and all, we headed to the terminal to meet the others. How fun! There are five of us girls from the states and were having a great time catching up from August! Overall, there are about 35 students I would guess...Japon, Thailand, Italy, Germany, EEUU, Switzerland, Finland, and lots lots more. We left the Resistencia terminal on a nice two level bus with TVs, reclining chairs, and a water/coffee/pop bar at 22:30 with an 11 hour ride ahead to Salta province where we will spend the next couple days. Dinner was fine-three plain sandwiches, an empanada, an an alfajor for dessert. I swear I will NEVER wear shorts on a bus again.....so cold. Slept a good two hours but woke up a few minutes ago shivering. No blankets or pillows provided but you guys know me-I can sleep anywhere. There is a huge thunderstorm outside right now: rain falling, thunder cracking, and so so much lightning. I hope we have good weather. Not to mention they drive like 30 mph on the highways here and it's really frustrating me. Alright, I'm going to try to sleep again so I'm not to much of a witch tomorrow even though they just turned the air on again! ah crazy Argentinians!
11/20 17:45: Hola! Hope you guys are having a fabulous Thanksgiving week and a good two day school week. I'm having an absolutely amazing time on my trip, though it may be a little different than you all...95 degrees and spent the day in the desert today. Yesterday was lots of fun. We arrived in Resistencia at around 9 and went to the hotel in Salta. I am rooming with a girl from Minnesota and one from Chicago. We lucked out and got the corner room with four beds and lots of room...but a broken air conditioner. Luckily, it cools off lots at night where we're at. At 12 we met for lunch in the hotel of pasta. Then, we went out with a guide and had a city tour which also included a gondola ride to the top of a mountain...such an unbelievable and peaceful view. We went to a street with a bunch of artisans and I bought a few things (surprise)! We went to dinner at a restaurant where we were served empanadas, salad, steak, and fruit salad for dessert. Woke up this morning at 530, are breakfast at hotel, and loaded bus. We had a 2 hr. ride to Jujuy in which we all slept. There were lots of artisans, monuments, etc. to walk around and shop at. Also, there were the hills of seven colors which are best explained through pictures...kind of like layered colored rocks and sand that makes awesome mountains. We did a three kilometer hike through the hills in the middle of the dessert. Lots of sunburns this afternoon (no, Mom and Dad, you've taught me well to use sunscreen). After, we drove another hour to the city of Huemaca where we had a typical dish for lunch of cooked meat, carrots, potatoes, and onions mixed together with fruit salad for dessert. We had some time to check out the artisans and local shops...I love them. We stopped on our way back to the hotel to do a hike to these ancient tenples/huts/pyramids/rock structures where it was very windy. Loaded the bus back up and now we are still in our way home to Salta. I've heard that tonight we'll have dinner then we're going out to a Pena which sounds like a disco with folklore music...should be interesting! We will go white-water rafting tomorrow...can't wait!! Pictures to come. Have a good vacation and please travel safe. Love from the desert, Kerri
Monday, November 5, 2012
Empanada Joint Restaurant
Just a quick post. Uncle Logan and Aunt Amanda mentioned to me a few weeks ago that they had heard that a new restaurant was coming to Missoula that just served Argentinean food! Today, Annalea Kamplain (my friend from Bozeman who is also in Argentina) and I found an article about it that was in the Missoulian. The main dishes that will be served are empanadas, dulce de leche, and mate...just what I'm guessing I'll be needing. Feeling a road trip with Annalea this spring!
http://missoulian.com/business/local/new-restaurant-to-offer-pocket-of-argentina-in-missoula/article_72ab26f8-6ff2-11e1-8198-001871e3ce6c.html
http://missoulian.com/business/local/new-restaurant-to-offer-pocket-of-argentina-in-missoula/article_72ab26f8-6ff2-11e1-8198-001871e3ce6c.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)