Karma

Karma: Is a law which maintains that every act done, no matter how insignificant, will eventually return to the doer with equal impact.

Yesterday turned out to be one for the books. Just like any other normal day, I decided to go on a nice little run around my barrio (neighborhood).  Not realizing that I was in for a near death situation, I was high in spirits and ready to feel the wind against my face and sun on my back.  My headphones were on full volume and I was jamming to some Mumford and Sons (surprising?) just enjoying myself when I realized that a half a block back an old man had been trying to get my attention. I ran back and asked him (in horrible spanish) if he needed something, after about 5 minutes of him repeating the same sentence 800 times, I realized he needed assistance crossing the street. Linked arm in arm we crossed the street together, and exchanged a kiss on the cheek as he safely made it to his destination ( a cafe at 2 PM, oh the life!) and off I went. I could see our humble apartment so I decided to begin my sprints (due to the unacceptable intake of croissants lately). Low and behold, I stopped dead in my tracks, took a breath, and realized that a large brick from probably 15 stories up was thrown from a building landing only inches away from my head. Quickly unplugging my headphones I realize everyone in the streets was screaming and I was the epicenter of it all. Four construction workers were working on an apartment, one at the very top of the apartment was dangerously hammering away which explains the origin of the brick. What I couldn't figure out was why there was absolutely no sign of construction- no yellow tape, no fence blocking the area off, no bright orange vests, no one screaming "warning, inexperienced construction workers irresponsibly throwing bricks off buildings". Then I realized, I am living in a third world country with little regulation and oversight. Call me crazy, but I instantly missed the comfort and security of the ever so regulated United States. I will shamefully admit there was brief moment of abomination for this country. However, it was quickly overturned with my feeling of luck. I feet lucky to have met that old man, who asked for assistance in crossing the street, thus allowing me to do my daily act of goodness which in turn saved my life.  If you don't believe in Karma, well then I suppose you will say it was pure luck. But doesn't it sound so much more beautiful thinking that the old man gave me the chance to earn my good karma for the day which in return saved my life.

Un Abrazo

Make It Happen

It is crazy to think that we have almost been living in Buenos Aires for 2 months. Where has the time gone?? I suppose that I don't even realize how much we have settled into our new South American lives. It feels like yesterday I was telling my parents how terrified I was of this excursion and now I am plotting how to extend my stay here even longer. I read a great quote right before I left that has stuck with me, it said "Here's to saying- not everything happens for a reason, but creating the reasons and making things happen". I often feel as thought we do not give ourselves enough credit for making things happen. People always fall back on the idea that everything does happen for a reason. But what about changing that philosophy by giving us more power over our own destination. We forget how easy it is to buy a plane ticket, switch jobs, find a new apartment- all of these things require immense amount of effort and money and are also scary changes forcing us out of our comfort zone but are possible at your own will.  

Some of the many adventures

Here is some footage and pictures of some of the most memorable situations that Alexandra and I have encountered thus far. Be warned of our tendency towards odd, nerdy, and plain outright illogical behavior. 

Que es le dirreccion? 

Every time you make a transition to a new city, difficulties present themselves. For this duo, it was transportation.  For the first week we took full advantage of our bubbly personalities by making friends with almost every single bus driver who would point us in the right direction of the correct bus or waive his hand when it was the correct stop for us.  With these few days of our transportation successes, our sense of direction was at an all time high, which meant it could only go one way from here- down. After our first meeting with our new company Alexandra and I hopped on the 151 bus, thinking we were heading home.  It was around 12 AM and we figured we would be home close to 12:30 AM. After about 40 minutes we began to panic a bit but decided that maybe this was the longer route.  After about an hour, and taking a gander to the back of the bus only to find that we were the only two passengers left the freak out began. Not only were we the only two on the bus aside from the driver but we were driving through the dodgiest part of town, La Constitucion.  After briefly talking with the bus driver, we found out that this was his last stop for the night then his bus run was over.  After consistently telling him that we refuse to get off on the last stop, La Constitucion,he decided that he would drop off his time card at the main bus station and then take us home. Pulling up to the "bus station", an empty lot located under a bridge (SCARY!) we saw our bus driver (friend) walking, who we knew from previous bus rides.  Immediately we began screaming, AYUDAME! HELP HELP!, our new best friend (bus driver #1, and old best friend (bus driver #2) decided that bus driver #2 would start his route, it was now 2AM, and take us directly home. Lesson number 1: Own a map of the bus routes and always know the direction of the bus. Lesson number 2: Maintain close relations with all bus drivers.

Perro

On the way to meet with my very first student, Alexandra and myself co-adopted our first child together and we named him "perro".  Perro took on more of Alexandra's traits with the light brown hair and slim figure. Perro was about 14 inches long, weighing in at around 6 pounds.  Enough of the fake adopted child story- here is the real deal of "un perro" On our walk over to Carlos, my first and favorite student, a stranded weiner dog began to follow both Alexandra and myself. At first it was funny, the dog really took a liking to us. However, after about 40 or so blocks and countless terrifying crossings of main avenues, we began to worry that perro may never find his home.  I was already running late for my interview so I  quickly ran into the office building thinking that the perro would leave and find a set of new parents, perhaps one's that spoke his native tongue. Low and behold, after the hour and a half "interview" with Carlos, Perro was waiting directly outside of the office building.  This story can truly throw cat lovers for a loop, I mean talk about the loyalty exhibited by this little creature. On our walk back, and I say "our" as in Alexandra, myself and the "Perro", we decided that the perro could use a little snack before we made our departure.  After filling up his belly and quenching his thirst, Alexandra and I decided it was best to depart from Perro and hope that he would make many more friends along his journey. We have yet to hear from Perro but we send our warm wishes for his safety every morning. 

Hippy man

The moment they laid eyes on each other they knew it was true love- true story about hippy man and Alexandra.  After only seconds of meeting each other he shut down his entire leather shop and acted as not only Alexandra's personal shopper but also her spiritual guru. Take a look and witness the sparks for yourself. 

La Tormenta

On our way home from our friend, Addison's, house, the largest storm of eternity began- not really, but you know my tendency to exaggerate. Of course, we were both ill-prepared with no functional umbrella, jackets, or close towed shoes.  Being as brave as we are, we decided to take the storm head on.  I honestly do not know if the pictures of video does the storm justice. 

The last footage is simply of Alexandra being Alexandra. I wish I could capture all of her wonderful moments, but I feel as though the shorts represent her quite accurately. Get down with your bad self Alex. 

Abrazos,

Talia 

The Asado

Traveling to the meat capital of the world as vegetarians has its disadvantages when ordering in restaurants, sitting down to dinner with new friends and embarrassingly refusing to participate in an argentine tradition of meat. On the upside, we have learned the proper Spanish translation of vegetarianism, created concrete relationships with our neighborhood fruit/vegetable vendors, and are able to explain our stance on the issue in native tongue.

Our own perception of meat consumption was recently altered when we attended a traditional asado gathering at one of our argentine friend’s apartment. Asado is used to describe the piece of meat (ribs of a cow) and the cooking technique on an open fire grill (parrilla). The method of slow roasting the meat over hot coals lasts about three hours. There is a designated asador that tends to the grill, shoveling the coals and managing the rotation of meat. Accompanying the asado on the parrilla are different meat products such as chorizos morcillas (black pudding sausages), chinchulines (cow chitterlings), mollejas (sweetbread) and a variety of flavored vegetables. 

In true argentine fashion, the party guests were enjoying glasses of fernnet and coke or wine throughout the duration of the asado. Argentines possess no concept of time and appreciate the longevity of the asado discussing politics, partaking in friendly banter, listening to a combination of American and Argentine artists and of course speaking in spanglish with us. 

It was such a beautiful occasion. After the hours of cooking, we sat down on the terrace overlooking the city scrapers of Buenos Aires under a warm summer night sky. The asador received multiple standing ovations throughout the meal, signifying the meat must have been delectable. Maybe next time we will be able to truly clap our hands in gratitude of the craftsmanship. 

After this wonderful experience, only time will tell when we turn back the clock to our carnivore habits. 

Un beso. 

Bienvenidos!

The Set Off

We packed, stuffed and conquered.  We managed to fit a years worth of medicine, reading material, and clothes into 1 pack and 1 duffle.  Impressive, right?  I sure think so considering my previous packing ways, Mom and Dad you know what I am talking about.  After our last suppers, we said our goodbyes and were off.  Not long into our journey we stumbled upon a wonderful gift from the ever so thoughtful Lindsay Maclean which included a mini doll of herself (aka Madelina- it's a long story).  Immediately, we decided to include Madeline into our journey whether it be during our take-off or the sports bar in Mexico City.  Above is a mimi-video of our travel experience through SFO to Mexico City for 15 hours and then the much anticipated 9 hour flight to Buenos Aires. Adios! 

The countdown

This is a recap of mine and Alexandra's journey together so far.  Together we have experienced college, studying abroad in Barcelona, traveling Europe, and are now entering the next phase... South America. As we get our bags packed and our checklists ready our excitement to begin a countdown has to be exuded through some form- so came the video.