I Made It! – 9/12/18

I’m almost all unpacked in my new apartment…….in Buenos Aires, Argentina! And oh what a place. But first…..

The Journey

Flight number one from Chicago to Atlanta went smoothly for me. Not so much for the guy across the aisle from me that threw up. I have my mom’s habit of always carrying extra Kleenex or napkins, so he was very grateful to me very quickly.

I wasn’t looking forward to my next flight which was 9.5 hours. With good traveling companions, and not just because they didn’t puke, the flight went much better than I expected. It was one of those flights where everyone shut off the lights and quietly went to sleep for the majority of the flight. I even had the seat next to me open and a little more space.  This little Argentinian girl ended up taking up the seat for most of the night. In the middle of the night I felt her slowly inching closer and closer to me. I think she confused my leg for her pillow.

Despite how much I travel I do get nervous before a trip. I was feeling good that each leg of the journey from car and bus trips to the airport, my flights, the taxi ride and meeting my apartment host all went smoothly. I successfully undertook conversions in Spanish both in my taxi ride and with my apartment host.  Within an hour in the city I even had plans to meet someone for lunch. Merrily I headed out of my apartment building and then boom my face hurt ALOT.

Glass Doors

Women are told to break glass ceilings, but I guess I missed the memo of that only being a figure of speach. I collided at my normal speed walking pace with the glass door in the front of my apartment building. Immediately I ran back up to my apartment to start icing and slow down the damage. I was left with a huge bump on my forehead to accompany me as I made my first impressions in Buenos Aires. Later a swollen nose and bruises around my eyes got added to the mix. A smudge was even left on the door as a souvenir.

The next morning as I was leaving my building there was a maintenance man near the front door. I didn’t catch everything he said, but I caught the jist….he was fixing the door. What do you think, coincidence or not?

First Impressions

Every traveler has experiences that change and affect them. My experience in Russia was a unique experience in and of itself, but it also helped me learn what is important to me and not to take things for granted. I’m loving so many aspects of Argentina so far and I think my time in Russia helped to shape how I feel about them.

• Being able to Communicate…..mostly. I am far from fluent in Spanish, but I can get by. I was really apprehensive of my first grocery shopping experience because I remember how lost and confused I felt in Russia when I couldn’t figure out what anything was or even take home my oranges because I didn’t know I was supposed to weigh. It is so empowering and freeing to not be scared with every local I speak to. And thanks to you Russia, I knew to weigh my fruit myself!

• The People…..from the moment I walked on the plane and saw men helping people lift their luggage overhead I liked the people. Everyone I have interacted with so far has been warm, friendly and helpful. My host checked in on me to see how everything was going and my neighbor even invited me over for a chat! Locals have promptly spoken slower to me and put up with my slow Spanish.

• The Food….you knew it was coming. In a country known for its steak, I couldn’t be more happy. But the best part is I am staying in a really trendy neighborhood full of a variety of restaurants.

  

Other than my encounter with the door, my first 72 hours in Buenos Aires have been great. More to come soon, but now it is time for some empanadas!