There is no getting around it: I have failed you my readers. I created this blog with the intention of keeping everyone up to date with my time here in Rosario and I have done a horrible job. LO SIENTO MUCHISIMO. Come on Kayla! What are you? New?
Here are some final thoughts and experiences of my trip…
CÓRDOBA
In the weekend of week four, the “first five weeks crew” and the “ten weekers” had our final shibang at a small unsuspecting hotel in Carlos Pass, just outside of the city of Córdoba. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the city any more than what we saw from the El Torre bus (El Torre and I are not on good terms…), but what we could see was pretty sweet. Apparently Rosario and Córdoba have been in a constant argument over which is the second largest city in Argentina, Rosarians say Rosario and naturally, the Córdobians say Córdoba (note: I am completely making up these names for the citizens of the two cities). Our human rights professor Marcelo does a hilarious impression of the Córdobian’s “sing-song” accent. Just a little good clean teasing. While on the trip we stopped at more catholic cathedrals and were able to visit La Casa de Che, Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s childhood home. Other stops we made: The world’s second largest coo-coo clock, the mountain aerosillas (ski lifts), and an old Jesuit compound (pictures on the FB).
Sadly, the week after returning to Rosario, almost half of the group headed home. We had a goodbye dinner on the Friday before everyone flew out, complete with speeches, mucho comida, and never-ending vino (thanks AHA!) Made for some good times and laughs before having to say “chau!” to our buen amigos.
The Girls at the House of Che
BUENOS AIRES: PHASE TWO
One fateful weekend a group of us decided to tackle Buenos Aires on our own. This weekend was one of the most bizarre weekends of my life, if not the most, which is a shame because before the incident-filled trip I was completely in love with BA. My feelings have changed a little. The night before we were to set off on our own to the capital I found an AWESOME hostel called Eco-Pampa Hostel: Palermo, smack dab in the middle of one of the most top-end and coolest neighborhoods in BA. I made the booking online, we bought our bus tickets, and got ready to go the next day. Later that day, however, the booking agency who I went through to reserve our rooms e-mailed me saying that although they charged my card and confirmed our reservation, there was a mistake and they were working to accommodate us. So the group and I left the next day for BA, praying we would be able to have somewhere to stay. After arriving at the main bus terminal, the brilliant Bronwyn masters the Subte (BA’s version of a Subway) and we navigate our way to the hostel. Of course, the hostel knew nothing about us or our situation but luckily the girl working the desk was able to get us rooms at their other location: Hostel Pampa Belgrano. So we hop in cabs and make our way to our new hostel, still pretty modern and cool, but not anywhere near as nice as the other. But hey, we weren’t homeless in the streets, and that was all that mattered to me. The next day was pretty fun: went to the BA zoo, did some shopping and exploring, ate some pretty legit pizza (rarely found in Argentina), grocery shopped some ingredients to cook for dinner, played cards and cooked a feast of stir-fry at the hostel. Now it was time to go out! Everyone gets dressed up and we head back to Palermo. First stop was Bar Abierto for some drinks and after the group decided to split up: half continued to bar hop, my half decided to go dancing at Bruhas. After breakin’ out a few signature moves to constant techno at the boliche, I head home by bus and crawl into bed at around 6am (a pretty normal time in Argentina, not so much for me). I wake up at around 8am to the hostel office phone ringing and can hear Pepe (the hostel manager) answer. Here is where the trip started to go horribly wrong. Honestly, thought very hard about whether or not I should publish this post but what happened this trip really changed me and I think it is for the best that get it out here. From my room I could make out the gist of the conversation, and it sounded like someone was hurt. After my half-awake eavesdropping I lay back and think, “Oh God, please don’t be one of us.” A few minutes later the last of our group gets back from the boliche and I hear Pepe talking to them about our friend. Worst nightmare is now reality reality. I jump out of bed to join them. The phone call was from someone who said that they found our friend Zach, he was hurt, and he was in a taxi on his way to the hostel. After taking in this terrifying news, I woke up a few others of the group and we stood out in the cold in front of the hostel, no idea what to expect. Finally, a cab pulls up and we run to open the door: it’s Zach in very bad shape. None of us knew what had happened so we carried him into the hostel, bloody and not able to move. While a few others and I talked to him about what happened and started cleaning him up, someone else in the group arranged to get Zach to the closest public hospital. It is so hard to describe my feelings when all of this was happening. I, as well as the rest of the group, was in serious shock. But however horrible the situation was, our collective adrenaline-powered quick decisions got Zach where he needed to go. We all definitely grew up a little bit that day…
Hospitals in Argentina are incredibly different than those in the States, and honestly pretty scary and dirty. After getting Zach in to see a doctor and they take a couple initial x-rays, we get ahold of Beba, our AHA program director. Out of pure luck, she happened to be in Buenos Aires that weekend. Our guardian angel. She quickly arrived at the hospital as the news of Zach’s condition was released. 3 fractures: 1 in his cheek, 1 rib, and the worst, his pelvis. After spending the next 5 or so hours in the public hospital, we were able to arrange for an ambulance to take him to Rosario where he would be treated in a private sanitario. After almost a week in the hospital, Zach flew home to Oregon.
Zach’s accident could have been so much worse. The incident details are not as important as the way it was handled and how well we all came together to help our friend, who was so incredibly strong and brave throughout the experience. Although it was incredibly traumatic for all of us (we are all still pretty young and none of us had dealt with something like this, let alone something this bad on our own in the capital of a foreign country), I am so impressed with the maturity of our group and with the diligence and swift actions of Beba and AHA. And like I said, we are all a little changed and stronger because of it.
BUENOS AIRES: PHASE THREE
Ironically, the trip planned by AHA for the following weekend was back in Buenos Aires, and after much deliberation, I decided to go back. I was definitely a little nervous and not looking forward to returning, but I am very glad I did. We started off in the beautiful pueblo of Tigre, an incredibly cool little town on the river Tigre about an hour outside of BA. After a quick museum tour and taxi boat ride up the river for lunch we returned to our amazing house-like hostel (which was nicer than any hotel we had stayed in yet) and had a pretty low-key night (at least most did. I would like to call out Brandon and Peter, the new up-coming karaoke stars who I missed but were thankfully caught on film). The next day we had another tour of the capital for the newcomers and returned to my favorite place in the world: Recoleta (an amazing artisan fair by the cemetery).
Early 1900's Country Club: Now Museum in Tigre
MENDOZA
Last weekend, the group and I once again boarded my favorite bus in the world, El Torre, and set off for the Argentinian wine country next to The Andes: Mendoza. Absolutely breath-taking. First stop was the Catena Zapata bodega (winery and vineyard) for a tour of the crazy cool winery and wine tasting. Amazing views of The Andes, grape fields, and world-class vino. Next was an incredible lunch in a tiny little restaurant, the name I wish I remembered. Maybe one of the best meals yet. The hotel to top it off was great, complete with jacuzzis and a full spa. The next morning we boarded the bus again and drove through The Andes to a natural Inca bridge, which was unfortunately but fortunately blocked off to preserve the natural landmark. The only downside to the Mendoza trip was the bus ride: 12 hours each way and both were overnight, meaning I got to try and get 2 full nights of rest on a tour bus. Shea… No.
OTRAS
Other fun things: Went to a Rosario Central fútbol game with Bronwyn, Amber, Rachael, and John. So much fun. Kind of like a duck’s football game only instead of green and yellow it was all blue and yellow and there were no opposing fans to yell at (shame). Apparently the matches become so violent that they don’t allow the other teams fans into the cancha. I guess that’s one way to deal with competition.
Also, headed to the campo for a day (the country) and had ourselves a little gaucho party. Asado, a cultural dance show (where I of course was made to dance at one point), horse-back riding, and a friendly game of touch football, Ducks vs. Beavers. So much fun, and just like last year (and the year before) ducks were victorious. Like there was any doubt, pfft.
New Horsey Friend in the Campo
FINAL THOUGHTS
I fly out in 5 days. I cannot believe how fast these last 5 weeks have gone by, especially compared to the first 5. This trip has definitely shaped me into a different person. Don’t worry family and friends, I’m still me, just complete with a little different outlook on life 
I am very excited to get home and be able to give everyone a big squeeze. And mexican food, I will never leave you again, I promise. I cannot WAIT to eat the deliciousness that is spicy food again. Or a salad… Mmmmm. Ok… I need to end this before I get dangerously hungry. And who am I to complain, I’m about to eat dinner with my AWESOME mamá Emilce, who’s cooking has been my safe haven of food here in the ol’ Argentina.
Chau for now and see you all PRONTO!
