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1. • CommentAuthorvorder28
   • CommentTimeJul 14th 2010

    

   Argentina has been amazing since I first arrived with the other students. I stay with a large family in Parana, just six hours east of Buenos Aires. The season between junio y agosto is autumn/winter. Therefore it is very cold. However, my sister tells me it never snows. Think about that - if it never snowed, I would go crazy.

   Every day I go to spanish class 2 times a day, in the morning and afternoon. I am in the language study part, which I love. Meanwhile, I also go to school with my two sisters and younger brother. The school I have is a private, Catholic school with uniforms, classes of religion, and two staircases - one for guys and one for girls. I think that is really cool! On 9 de julio, it is their Independence Day but they dont really celebrate their Independence Day like we do in the US. At the school in Parana, they had an assembly to honor their Independence Day with singing, dancing, and students carrying the flags, but thats about it. I mean, they have more passion for futbol than for their Independence.

   My teacher here in Parana insisted that we write something online to recollect our recent trip to the Iguazu Falls in Cataratas. If anyone goes to Argentina, I beg you to go there and one of the largest, grandest waterfalls of the western hemisphere. My group went and, in Cataratas, it rains every day, no joke. There was one day that it didnt rain during our 4 day excursion, then the following day, it poured. Everyone was soaked, but it is worth it. Well, you definitely get soaked if you take the boat ride right below the falls. that was my favorite part, hands down, of the trip. my advice to first time travelers is to definitely bring 2 pairs of shoes (if u do go to Cataratas; my group in Parana did - it costs a lot, around 300 pesos) and money to buy gifts and stuff. Its really cool.

   While we were on our excursion in Cataratas, we traveled to Minera Wanda, a mine with many piedras preciosas (precious stones that are beautiful). We traveled to La Aripuca, a small park with buildings made solely of logs. There are native Indians there ( no stereotypes, mind you) that sell beautiful animal figures, necklaces, windpipes, many things at really low prices. Those places were like heaven, I loved them. Then, the last site on our itinerary was the Ruinas de something. I cant remember the whole name. We didnt see it because it was too late, but from the looks of the brochure, it seemed really interesting.

   In general, when one is packing for Argentina, depending on the place, you should pack for cold weather. Not like 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I mean, long johns, long pants, maybe a couple turtlenecks, long sleeved shirts, and scarves are immensely popular in Argentina. I mean that I brought many turtle necks, that I still havent had an opportunity to use. I am still surviving on undershirt, long sleeve shirt, jacket, and two layers of pants. Think warm when packing. Also a couple tshirts and shorts. like one or 2. you never know when you will use them. i did.

   ¿Que mas? Bring money, and/or creditcard/debit card. You will spend a lot of money here, in pesos. $100 in pesos is the equivalent of $25 in American dolares. People talk fast, drink lot of mate, and are crazy about futbol. I honestly thought they were bluffing about their futbol obsession, but no. when there is a game involving Argentina, literally everyone watches. The first day I was here, I got a t shirt in Argentina"s colors and we watched Argentina play against... who was it? someone. Messi is their best player, because he is internationally known. Diego Torres is a famous singer in Argentina, and many people love to listen to Shakira, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus.

   Well, I think I"ve said enough today. Oh, and adios is not common here. Most people dice ciao! with cheek kissing to women and hand shaking for guys. and their table manners are very good. theyd never heard of burping before, when it accidentally happened among my family. they didnt know the sound. i had to reenact it for them to understand. pleeez, everybody try to avoid letting loose your inner air.

   Pues, ciao!