2:51 am Buenos Aires time zone

Indeed in the zone. DO NOT KNOW WHY I can’t get to sleep before 2am since I arrived here and I’m going for a record tonight, I mean this morning. It’s nearly 3 and I’m tempted to go out for dinner.

I’m reminded of a personal challenge I face. You see, I have balls of steel and often times I don’t think things through to the end, it helps me follow through with some of my craziest ideas. However, I am still a big chicken. For instance, I have a REALLY hard time booking a hotel sight unseen and confirming with a credit card. Anxiety. I have a difficult time planning for the future in general and I wait to the last minute to make a decision. Or if I do make a decision I dont actually notify anyone, including myself, until the last minute.

I can’t explain the mental-ness that invades my neuronic mind when I have too much time/space to do whatever I want, when I want, which is exactly what I want. I wish I could teleport DigDug to my cerebral mass to un-mass some earthen goo and clear my head. I’m drinking too much tea, its warm and i’m cold. And coke, its bigger here than in the states.

But somethings got to give. I am a total condundrum right now. In every way I am turned upside down inside out.

I’ve cried everyday since the day I left and I’m strangely ok despite the raw surreal-ness of my life. This is my life now, I don’t have a “home” to return to, no job to dread, no car to burn precious fossil fuels with. Only friends dearly missed.

Don’t cry for me Argentina.

Day 3 Catching up

Today I set some goals and am making plans for visit to Ireland and Greece. Honestly, BA is interesting and no offense, its just like any other big city except the people are expressionless. No really, this is not a judgment but an observation. Given my animated and expressive nature I’m not exactly feeling at home. I tap my foot to music, smile at strangers and today I made lunch for a new friend. Not like I’m living on the edge of insanity, well not that your eyes can detect, but truly BA is known throughout Latin America for their big machismos. Snnnnzzzzz

Ok, new friend, Juan. Owns a lovely little local and South American handcrafts store. He macramaes however you spell that, jewelry, very interesting. He speaks some English and has A LOT to say about local politics, not your average Argentine, more like a cross between Santa Cruz meets world traveled and rarely shaven. I made us lunch and then when I returned to present it to him I found his shop closed up with a big metal door. I thought he’d gone to get something to drink as he mentioned something about “gas water”, think he meant carbonated water. Anyways, I was perplexed. After waiting for him to “open” I returned to the casa and ate my sandwhich and sent emails to folks in Ireland (my experience is they tend to be ssslllllllooooooooooooooooooooooow to respond to emails so 6 weeks notice I might get a reply in time). Decided to go back and there he was! He was there all along and he didnt hesitate to give me shit SEVERAL times about he was there waiting for me and now he has to take his lunch so late. Shit man, all I hear about is how the portenos are always late and how they eat dinner at midnight.

Ah well, we enjoyed some more discussion about the Simpsons. He’s 30 and pays about $300 for his apartment in a not so good neighborhood. Business is slow after the protests about the farmers etc a couple months ago. We’re going to have dinner Tuesday night. I’ll be sure to take a siesta and drink mate for the stamina and fortitude required to eat a meal past 11!

Home alone at last. I took the opportunity to have the house to myself tonight as Paz, the owner or Loreena, the help is ALWAYS here. I am the only guest. I like to be alone sometimes. I like to leave my dirty spoon in the sink, for at least a minute. Yes strange to have someone picking up after me. I made the biggest mess in my room in quiet juvenile fashion tonight.

I depart on Friday September 5th for either Iguazu Falls or Mendoza, near the Chile border. Making reservations is tough as many of the websites are in Spanish. Oh you’ll enjoy this: many of the Spanish language schools, the-place-you-go-to-learn-Spanish, is in Spanish. I cannot read it. I sent a couple emails, thankfully there is excellent wifi here, to these schools saying as much but not really sure I want to patronize them, seems stupido. Comprende?

Here is Loreena. She from Paraguay. Her parents esta morte. She is 19.

Loreena my Spanish speaking servant… KIDDING!!

We are equalmente worried about each other: she because she is 19, pretty and looks too nice in her tight jean skirt and black boots that all the men on the street LOOK at her and I want to throw a wool blanket over her and feed her cookies and milk. me because i dont understand spanish, i got lost going to the grocery store a block away and she takes me there after work, i dont take sugar in my mate and i am happy to recluse in the house. My head is spinning from the last minute details to take care of, including moving, selling my trailer and my car. No really, nothing much.

Ah yes, I diverge

First I stopped in at the Basilica del Pilar for some good ole catholisism. Beautiful church with a small musuem that charges 3 pesos to get in. I’m sure she didn’t mean to short change me, after all this is a church, and we know how honest the good church It’s my blog, I can say what I want! Might I recommend the idea of “karma” enter the minds and hearts of ye brethren of thee cloth

Next door, the Cementerio de la Recoleta is where Eva Peron, among many other very dead and rich people, slumber eternity. She is #57 on the map in case you go and spend 15 minutes looking at the map like I did. This place is amazing, truly a work of art and the shadows, both literal and metaphoric, are not to be missed. It gives the feel of old money, a different time, and a flashy honorable farewell. I found the rooftops with cherubs and crosses most interesting. I met a fellow american also wearing a red jacket and asked her to snap a photo of me.

Lady of Plata Church Bell Tower

Tomorrow I go to Tierra Santa for some religious inspiration or at least humor. Oh btw, I am still shopping for the perfect boots to purchase for this trip. While they have SO many beautiful suede boots its just not practical. Besides, I am looking to take a 7 day horse back riding trip through Corientes near the Uruguay border and I’ll need riding boots for that. Still looking into this option, I have concerns. If you are reading this then you likely have concerns. Yes. Hmm.

My Spanish lesson starts Monday, they take it seriously, here’s the application and placement test, hint: no se!

A P P L I C A T I O N F O R M
-Name:
-Nationality / Town:
-Number of passport:
-Birthday:

-Profession or occupation:

-Phone number in Buenos Aires :
-Address:
- University / Organization you will join in BA (OPTIONAL):
-Languages you can speak:
-Spanish Level
-Have you ever studied Spanish Before?
-For how long?
-Have you learnt the tenses bellow? (Complete by using, very good, good,not very good, no)
Presente Indicativo (yo camino):
Presente continuo (yo estoy caminando):
Futuro (yo voy a caminar-yo caminaré):
Pasado Perfecto Compuesto (yo he caminado):
Pasado Perfecto Simple “Indefinido” (yo caminé):
Pasado Imperfecto (yo caminaba):

Pasado Pluscuamperfecto (yo había caminado):
Modo Imperativo:
Modo Potencial “Condicional”:
Presente Subjuntivo:

Imperfecto Subjuntivo:
Perfecto Compuesto Subjuntivo:
Pluscuamperfecto Subjuntivo:

-How did you know about CEDIC?

-Description of the course:
Total amount of weeks:
From:
To:
Group lessons: Hours per day: …Total amount of group hours: hours per day
Private lessons: Hours per day: …Total amount of private hours: …….
Private-group lessons: Hours per day: …Total amount of private
hours: …….

-Accommodation (YES / NO):
Host family:
Student residence:

Single room:
Shared room:

Arrival date (for lodging):
Departure date (for lodging):
Meal plan(Optional), breakfast or dinner:

-Airport transfer service (YES/ NO):
From Argentinean Airport:
Arrival date:
Flight nº:
Time:
To the airport:

prueba de nivel de español- spanish level evaluation

Nombre:

Fecha:

¿Has estudiado español antes? ………………………………………..……………………….

¿Por cuánto tiempo?………………………………………………………………………………………………

¿Dónde?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

A. Complete los espacios por favor:

1. ¡Hola! (ser)………………….. Gustavo.
2. Yo (llamarse)………………………….. Claudia Fernández.
3. Yo (vivir)………………………en Buenos Aires.
4. Tú (trabajar)……………………todos los días (a – en) ……………. una oficina.
5. Mis amigos y yo (querer-visitar) ………………………………. la ciudad.
6. María (tener)…………………… dos hermanos.
7. Yo (ser)…………………………estudiante.
8. Ellos ( ser o estar?)………………..en Buenos Aires por tres meses.
9. Buenos Aires ( ser o estar?)…………………..en Argentina.
10. El Tango (ser o estar?)………………………… un baile argentino.
11. Claudia (ser o estar?)…………………..muy tranquila, pero ahora (ser o estar) ………………muy nerviosa porque tiene un examen.

1. En mi casa ……………………….un jardín muy grande pero no ………………….plantas.
2. En la mesa………………………..muchos libros.
3. Hoy a las cinco de la tarde yo (tener que) …………………………. ir a mi oficina.
4. ¿A qué hora tú (tener que ) ……………………….. tomar el tren?

1. ¿(gustar- tí) …………………… Buenos Aires?
2. Sí. …………………………………………………
3. ¿(gustar- tí)……………………… los chocolates?
4. No. ……………………………………………….
5. A Ingrid y a Heriberto ……………. ……………los postres.
6. - ¿Qué (parecer-a tí)……………………………. mi peinado nuevo?

- ¡(encantar- a mí) ………………………….! Con ese estilo (parecerse-tú)…………………………. a tu madre.

1. Yo quiero ir a esa fiesta. Si tú no quieres venir conmigo, ¡no ……………………………. (importar – a mí)!
2. Mañana Claudia (futuro de viajar) ……………………. Venezuela.
3. ¿A qué hora (futuro de salir) ……………………………… el avión mañana?
4. (respuesta)……………………………………………………………………

B. Completa usando los verbos y tiempos correctos en el pasado:

26. – La semana pasada Jorge ( casarse) …………………… con una chica muy bonita.

¿Sabes dónde (ellos- hacer) …………………………… la fiesta?

– Sí. Ellos la (hacer)…………………………….. en una sala muy elegante en Recoleta. ………………. una fiesta increíble. ………………………………. muchas personas.

28. – ¿Qué (pasado de hacer) ……………………… el fin de semana pasado?

– El sábado yo ………… ……………. ………………., pero cuando (llegar- en pasado)…………………… la película ya (comenzar-pasado)……………………………………

29. – ¿Quién ……………………… la chica que …………………hablando contigo anoche?

– Ella ……………………….. Mariana, la prima de Fernando.

30. – ¿Qué te gustaba hacer cuando ………………………. niño?

– Cuando yo …..…………………ocho años, (vivir) …………………en el campo y (gustar, a mí) ……………………… mucho andar a caballo con mis hermanos. Mi casa …………………… muy grande y bonita.

…………………… un jardín que……… ……………….. muchos árboles y plantas.

La vida allí …………………… muy alegre porque …………………… niños por todas partes.

Por las mañanas mis hermanos y yo …………………… que estudiar, pero por la tarde …………………… jugar.

C. Complete con un pronombre. Usa los verbos en los Modos Imperativo, Subjuntivo o Condicional:

31. Camarero, por favor ( traer a nosotros- imperativo)…………………….una botella de vino tinto.

Señora (Dar a mí, imperativo)………………………….. ese libro por favor.

32. – Marina, ¿(Poder ) ……………………….. prestarme tu diccionario de español, por favor?

– No puedo. Tengo que (usar + pronombre) ……………………….

– Bueno. Entonces voy a (pedir + pronombres) ……………………………….. a Mónica.

33. – Juanito, ¡no (tocar) ……………………. la cámara fotográfica !

– Juanito, ¡tu madre ya te dijo que no (tocar + pronombre) ………………………………..!

– ¡(Dejar + pronombre )…………………………… en la mesa ahora mismo !

34. – Es necesario que los niños ( recibir)………………… una educación adecuada y es muy importante que (estudiar)………………. Un idioma extranjero.

35. El clima está muy lindo. No (creer)…………………….. que (llover)…………………. esta noche.

36. Matías no vino a la clase porque está muy enfermo. Ojalá ……………………….

37. Yo siempre llego tarde a mi oficina. Mi jefe me regaló un reloj despertador para que yo (llegar ) ……………………….. temprano al trabajo.

38. Mañana voy a comprar un mapa de Buenos Aires para que mi amiga de Colombia no (perderse) ………………… cuando (venir) …………………… a esta ciudad.

39. En mi clase de español no hay nadie que (hablar) ………………………. alemán.

40. –Disculpe señorita, ¿Podría mostrarme alguna guía de Argentina que (tener) ……………………….. fotografías a color.

– Sí señor. Aquí tiene una guía muy buena que (tener) …………………………….fotografías hermosas.

– ¡Muchas gracias! Después de que (yo-ver) …………………… otras opciones, decidiré si la compro o no.

41. – ¿Qué (hacer)………………………..si (ganar)…………………. la lotería?

– Bueno, yo nunca juego a la lotería, pero si yo (ganar) ……………..la lotería, ( viajar) …………………. por todo el mundo y (estudiar) ………………… otros idiomas.

42. – La semana pasada tuve un examen muy difícil. Ojalá …………………………..

43. – Por desgracia no pasé el examen porque yo no estudié, pero si yo (estudiar)…………………….., yo lo (pasar) ……………………

44. – ¿(Encontrar)……………………. tu pasaporte?

– Sí. ¡Por suerte! porque si yo no lo (encontrar)………………………………….. (tener que ir) ………………………. a la embajada.

45. – Ahora vivo en Buenos Aires, pero si yo no (venir) ……………………a este país, probablemente (ir) …………………….. a México.

46. – Yo soy argentino. El año pasado yo (casarse)……………………. con una chica italiana. Por eso ahora vivimos en Roma. Pero si yo no (casarse) …………………….

con ella, yo no (mudarse) ……………………. a Italia y ahora yo (vivir) …………………….en Argentina.

D. Completa con la preposición correcta

47. Me encontré ayer………………la calle…………………el hermano de Julia.

48. Vamos ………………..empezar el nuevo curso …………………marzo.

49. Mi madre viene ……………….. mi casa tres veces ………………… semana …………………ayudarme…………………los niños.

50. …………………..mí me gusta mucho montar……………….caballo.

51. El joven se enamoró inmediatamente…………………ella.

52. Marta piensa todo el día ………………..su novio y sueña ………………..casarse ……………….él

53. Como siempre, llegaste tarde………………la clase de español.

54. Ellos se mudaron ……………….. un departamento que está muy cerca ……………….nuestra casa.

55. Florencia escucha ……………….. su profesor. Ella escucha ……………….. la lección.

56. Ayer yo traté………………encontrar ………………. Diego ………………..su casa, pero no fue posible.

57. Perdón, señorita. Estoy buscando……………….. señor Gonzáles.

58. ¿Vamos ……………… tardar mucho ………………..hablar correctamente español?

59. Marina se parece mucho……………….su madre.

60. Ellos me llamaron …………………….teléfono ……………………invitarme a su fiesta.

DUDE!

Day 2 of 183 El Ateneo

Yesterday I walked around and found a park with several dog walkers and tons of dogs. Then I went over to El Ateneo, one of the most beautiful bookstores in all the world. Here’s a link to learn more: http://argentinastravel.com/268/el-ateneo-in-buenos-aires-a-bookstore-to-end-all-bookstores/

Old theatre now cafe

See the orbs?

Balcony seating

Que?

Indeed Grand

First day and morning of BA

Arriving into centro

Buen dia amigos. I have had a good nights sleep with over 12 hours of rest. It’s 7:30 which means I am up at 3:30am beloved California time. Looks to be another drizzly day here.

Here are some pics of the drive from the airport. There are some pretty trees about as well as interesting buildings.

Trees

The flight from SFO to Miami was a dream as I managed to get the front seat meaning no one sitting in front of me and it was an exit row plus the passenger who was to be sitting to my left never showed so I had no one sitting next to me. I put my feet up, watched a movie “Made of Honor” which I don’t recommend unless you are on a looooong flight, it was the classic “chic flic” with Patrick Dempsey. The staff on this American flight were funny, lots of gay men attendents and passengers. When he was demonstrating how to inflate the life preserver, he said “pull or blow your choice” and a resounding “blow” came from the seat behind me, followed by some giggles. This came from the same man who was distraught that his new leather luggage had gotten knicked by the overhead compartment closure thingy. I imagine they were energized by a lively visit in San Francisco.

Apartment building

The Miami airport terminal  was ghetto, it had empty slots where the Arrival/Departure monitors once were, no airlines staff, poor lighting, and two choices for dinner: beer or pizza, so I had both. It was also my first taste of being in a foreign country as I was the only American I could see or hear, lots of Argentines talking rapido Spanish, couple of parents arguing with their children, and couples embraced, kissing passionately… get a room kind of material. Already I am missing my friends and home.

Love this pic

The flight from Miami to Buenos Aires was much more full and I was near to the rear of this huge plane sitting 9 people across. I was joined by Tricia, from Boston, who had just finished passing the bar and returning from Italy to be with her family. Her destination was Patagonia and would see Buenos Aires on the way back in, if she had time. We were served dinner, chicken with pasta, and had our own movie screen to watch what we wanted. Then it was time to sleep, which I did for awhile. My lower back was so pained that I walked around alot and did some stretching. Tricia slept the whole time, in the same position, until the people in front of us opened their shade and let in so much light it woke up nearly the entire half of the plane.

This reminds me what I learned or relearned from my massage I received in Mt Shasta: that I have a long neck. I don’t mind how long it is, it happens to be a good neck HOWEVER its a little harder to hold it up and tends to fall over and give out when sleeping with no neck support. So my snooze on the plane was short lived, hard to explain unless you have giraffe neck too.

Mood: blurry

Above photo most accurately describes how I feel when I arrive at my “hotel” which is really a woman’s home. I realize I had not seen any photos of this place but rather gone off reviews from other people on tripadvisor. It also reminds me that I had totally forgotten to take down the information like address and had to call Lin, via a pay phone in Miami, to have her google it. I took a bus from the airport to the bus terminal at which time a nice young man told me I had to get off the bus and take a cab to the hotel. I was like no, that is not what I was told, he apologized politely and so I got off. Then, to my relief, I wrote down the address on my receipt and was taken there but a man in a car. I think he worked for them, not sure. I literally was delivered to the doorstep, so happy, as cars stopped and honked, to have arrived. Shit, I don’t remember which apartment #, A or B. So I start ringing them one by one while a serious looking man eyeballs me. Someone has buzzed me in after saying my name into the intercom.

The street below is quiet at 7:30 this morning, I take a couple pics from the balcony…

The golden arches abound

Up the street from balcony

This street bustles during the day with tons of taxis. There’s a lot of shopping, I saw a crystal store on the way to dinner last night. Clothing oh and my first boot store sighting. I’ve heard so much about the leather work here and so many of the chica’s are wearing tall boots. Trivia about me: I have 8 pairs of tall leather boots and I’d like nothing more than to wear them all the time. Or my $8 pair of flip flops. Sooooo, it will be quite tempting to pick up a pair.

I’m off to have my morning comida: breakfast. Adios and thanks for reading!

Mt Shasta

I managed to get away for a couple days to Mt Shasta, it was marvelous, so beautiful. I captured some water from the mouth or “headwaters” of the Mt, making the Sacramento River. I’ve never tasted water so alive! The bed and breakfast was divine and I relaxed entirely. I was able to hike on the mountain 2 days and even befriended the Inn Keepers dog, Kailua, the love beagle. She proved to be the ambassador to Panther Meadows and as we sat in the shade, eager to greet the guests, I took in the amazing vivid green trees and blue sky.

Headwaters

Black Butte from Lookout

Shastina

Kailua the Love Beagle at your service

Curious

3% = Goals

One of the motivating factors for this trip is the fact that I have only seen 3% of the world.  If I stick to the schedule I have at present, I will have only seen 10%!!! Thats obscene when you observe that I will still have seen more of the world than most people.

So that gets me thinking about life goals.

Pregunta: Have you seen enough of this world?

6 months abroad and I still have yet to book a room for my trip

well the title just about sums it up. i need a breakthrough, i’ve been looking online and in several travel books for a clean safe hotel in a nice part of buenos aires that doesnt cost over $100 american dollars. from what i’ve seen, the prices are no better than what we charge here, so much for the dollar going far huh?

i admit that i dont care to book hotels online, sight unseen, as the pictures may look pretty but if the vibe is wrong its a deal breaker. i’m more of a spontaneous this place has a great vibe kind of traveler which to suffice to say not everyone can deal with that style of travel. i travel alone ALOT, smile.

Findhorn Scotland

http://www.findhorn.org

Will go for experience week and possibly stay on for an additional week, to integrate. Depends on how yummy this place is…..

I’ve dreamt of this place for years, ahhhhhhh

Airstream Belrepayre Trailer Park

I plan to visit this trailer park located at foot of the Pyrenees:

www.airstreameurope.com

In case you didn’t know this about me, I live in a 27 foot trailer here in the bay area. July 21st was my 1 year anniversary and I had no idea that I would LOVE this tiny home, lifestyle and community I created here. I will miss it dearly! But alas I go in search of other spicy creative souls living in wonderful extra) ( ordinary ways.

Fun living in France

Filoli at last

Today I turned a corner and finally saw the gardens of Filoli. I highly recommend leaving the country for 6 months, its motivates you to do all the things you have been yearning to do, voila, or have been putting off, dentist appt.

Here are some pics of the day, the maples were marvelous, the water lilies pure love and the company exquisisito. Thank you to Sophia and Josiah for making this day so great! Oh and Kayla, I didn’t get any pics of the frisky come shy dog but she left paw prints all over Josiah.

Ask me what its like to be a fish in that pond…

Maples dappled with sun kisses

Pst! this is what you would look like if you were born a girl...not too shabby!

Filoli Fairies for the day. Behind us was a most sweet pink hydrangea bush.

It took me 3 hours and $13.70 to get home today. Caltrans in San Carlos to Bart in Milbrae to Larkspur ferry at Embarcadero in SF. Happy to save the gasoline but doubt I saved money or time in the deal. And to boot I forgot my bag of Filoli born peaches and plums and leftover sandwhich in the car But I did meet a guy from Peru and shared some intercambio.