We're Not Gonna Take It!

Man oh Man have I been neglectful. Life has gotten away from me. Nothing new to really talk about. I have been just studying studying for my test which is this Friday. I'm really nervous about it, but everyone at the school seems pretty confident in me. I've hit the twenties with my countdown till I'm home. I just cannot wait to see everyone!

I finally got to go to the Wal-mart here in Mendoza. It's just like ours but with less colors ahaha. Oh yeah, it's also a whole lot dirtier. You know how you go to the furniture or home gym section everything's nicely displayed? Well not here everything is still in the boxes so you have to guess what it could possibly look like.

My host family is constantly bugging me lately about going to the park. I don't think they realize that I'm from the Natural State a park does not peak my interest. Besides the fact, that I've been there a billion times before.

We had student day last Tuesday which is a big holiday here. Basically, all the high school kids turn into deliquents for the whole day. I didn't have anything happen to me, but there were stories. Also, in the park that I previously sad I had not interest in going to, there was an all day concert. I will say that these Mendocinos loooove their reggaeton. It's still blows my mind that a place of people can be so set on one type of music. One thing I have learned is that not every place will have such variety on every level as the States.

Hahah..speaking of States..I'm really used to saying I'm from the states now. I got into trouble a few times for saying 'I'm from America.' Then someone would get in a huffy. My thing is I've never heard anyone from Brasil make a complaint. Usually the countries in South America have a lot of pride from being that country not the actual continent. Anyhoo, somethings make no sense at all here, but that's just the way things are.

Big Wheel Keep on Turning...

Well, I'm such a lazy blogger. That's all I can really say. That's the reason why I haven't written, pure laziness.

A couple of weekends ago I took an excursion up to the Andes Mountains...and I'm so glad I did. The mountains were beautiful, completely breathtaking. I took as many pictures as my camera could hold. I remember standing in front of La Puenta Del Inca thinking to myself, that I saw this same picture in one of my social studies books from Middle School. Now, I'm actually standing in front of it! Amazing!

Last weekend I realized that my host family has an amazing movie called The Neverending Story...La Historia Sin Fin in castellano. I was uber excited because I usually watch this movie at least once a week since my mom has bought it on DVD. Now the kids in my family, Morena 7 and Carmilo 6, bonded even more.

School is the same...torturous. I've always blew off how people say that learning a language is so difficult. Now going to school four hours a day and actually having to apply what I been told has been so very difficult. Some days my brain hurts from everything I still don't know about the Spanish language. The people at the institute are great and go over and beyond trying to make me feel comfortable. I'm still get strong bouts of homesickness, but I believe that I'm doing well here. I've meet amazing people and have developed some awesome friendships.

The grocery stores here are just plain ridiculous. Imagine going to Walmart on a Black Friday (or is it Thursday?) sale, and there is only one open check out lane. I live that every time I go to buy something. It makes no sense to me, and I have tried going at different times of the day! Tsk Tsk Argentina...

School vacation is over here. I think it's what they considered they're winter vacation. So that means I start up teaching my English classes again. Hahaha, sometimes I think to myself I speak a lot more English than Spanish here sometimes. It is what it is.

Also, this week I have to work with the government to get my Visa stamped, pray that this goes smoothly and painlessly as possible.

Missing you all
Un Beso

Kolby

'Living in America'

So much to tell! I couldn't blog last Saturday because I was in the happening place of Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires is a whole 'nother monster. I went with a friend of mine who works at the language institute. Her name is Nina and she's German. She lives with some family here in Mendoza. I had previously mentioned to her that I wanted to do a little traveling to Buenos Aires, but I was not really ready to travel by myself. She was all aboard about coming with me. She made plans with her host brother and his friend to take us in his car.
I must say that now, I'm a firm believer in making plans. Later on the next week we hop in to his tiny smelly little VW and travel 10 hours to Bs.As. We left Mendoza at 2 in the morning. I could only shake my head cause the way the trip was starting out was a sure indicator that Kolby was not going to be happy for the next four days.

We finally make it to Bs.As. (safely..thank you Lord for listening to my prayers), and then we drive around trying to find a hostel. We eventually find one but it's far away from everything, and in the rich section of Bs.As. Bs.As. is expensive already then just to stick us in the rich section just made matters worse. We do some walking around, but didn't really see anything. That night we went to sleep.

We wake up the next morning ready for some adventure. I'm stoked to see Evita's tomb in the Recoleta Cemetery. Before leaving we make friends with Kendra from the Hostel, and she's from Ohio. Kendra's been to Bs.As. before and she sort of knows the general direction of the Cemetery and we make it. I get my pictures. On the way out we meet a older man from NYC..he's been everywhere, even the good old town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. We chat for a little bit longer then move on our way. Tell me what happens next, not only did I feel bad and a little creeped out that I took a picture of someones final resting place, I run smack dab into a funeral procession. I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed in my life. My momma taught me manners, so I must stood still removed my sunglasses, and was quiet till they passed us. And older woman from the procession, I'm assuming a member of the family, came over and thanked me for showing respect. I told her 'de nada', and turned and walked out of the labyrinth they call a cemetery.

We get back to the hostel, where Nina and I decided to move to another hostel in another part of the Bs.As. that would be closer to the touristy section. Nina relates to me that her debit card hasn't been working, and I'm thinking to myself 'you've traveled somewhere without money?' Foreshadowing...Foreshadowing. We move to a hostel that we like a lot better Tango Backpackers was it's name. Our room was three flights up at the end of extremely narrow hallway. I kid you not the stairs turned into stone carved out of an old building that used stand there. I felt like I was ascending Mt. Everest every time.

We decide to take the subway to San Telmo, which is the older part of Bs.As. when I say older I mean historical. This is the place that Nina wanted to go to, but it's clear on the other side of town. Not even possible to walk it. So we take the subway. Which was surprisingly easy to navigate. We walk around...I get a picture of the famous Plaza de Mayo, and we make our way into San Telmo. Nina decides she wants to go to the Port. I'm a little wary because we are walking there we start to pass..less and less people. We pass by the Police station when an older couple comes out a little ahead of us. I'm thinking yes people, and they are tourist just like us because they have a tour guide map out as well. I'm trying to walk pass them when something is mysteriously on me. Now I must tell you I'm one hundred percent paranoid while walking the streets in South America. I know down in my heart this man has thrown what appears to be bird crap on me from his flipping Pepsi bottle (I come from a Coke family). Immediately I get mad, and ask him did he not see me there when he tosses his drink. He's lady friend immediately looks up and says it was some birds. I'm not and idiot. Even though what he threw on me appears to be bird crap...I'm from the south...crap is a part of farm life. I told her no ma'am it's a freaking chemical because it smells like paint. She then graciously takes out a hold wad of paper napkins and a bottle of water. I'm still slightly suspicious...I'm thinking okay..old ladies do tend to have weird stuff in there purses. She tries to draw us back a few feet up the street. We don't need to move, just give me the napkins and bottle of water. Then all of the sudden the man starts yelling at her to come on. Okay she's trying to be really helpful and you get antsy pants all the sudden. I look at Nina who's been saying the whole time what's going on. I'm looking at her, they are trying to rob us. At this moment a man from the Police station comes out and asks what happens. I tell him nothing, they tried to rob us. He goes after the couple and they take off running. He comes back to us..telling us to be careful..basically there are no good Samaritans in Bs.As.

The thing that I was most made about was that I thought my favorite coat was ruined. I look at her, and say let's go back to the Hostel. We get back relay our story to some there, and we in turn here worse stories of robberies. How one time a lady from Australia was held up a gun point inside her own taxi. How crazy is that? That night in the hostel we meet some fun folks who wanted to go out. I ask where were they going because Nina wanted to go...the location was back to the daggum Port! I look at Nina and say We're me almost were robbed? You want to go back there? Germans...freaking Germans...and my dumb self decided to go with her because if something happened to her I would be mad at myself and stuck in Bs.As. We go and Scott a Afrikaan who lives in D.C. has connections with the owner. We are whisked away to the V.I.P section where I meet some famous actors from Argentina who found it very funny that I had no clue who they were and I had no interest in them for whatever reason.

The weather was bad for two days straight there as well so during the afternoons we watched the U.S. lose in soccer and Argentina win. The main reason why I went was so I could go to Uruguay and get my tourist visa renewed. That didn't happen, so I have to return to that dreaded city again at the end of July.

The final day in Bs.As. has arrived and we are waiting on the brother and friend to come and get us. We wait and we wait. I finally convince timid Nina to call them and see what's going on. Apparently they are at the hospital. First thing, I thought was 'let the car be okay'. She tells me that the brother's friend took some drugs from some chick he barely knew and thought that he was going to die. Well that's fine and dandy, but have some since and call us and tell us what's going on.

We decide to head out and get some food since we have no idea how long it's going to be. Nina decides to try and see if her debit card will work. Oh yeah, I had been paying for everything at this point. It did work thank the Lord, and she gave me the exact amount I thought I deserved, without me telling her. Oh Nina redeemed herself at that moment. We get back to the hostel brother and friend our waiting on us. We put our luggage in the car. The friend goes on and on about what he experienced. Our response yeah whatever. To be polite we told them we were going to pick up some empanandas, and asked if he wanted some (this is the brother of the friend) he replies with no he couldn't eat now if he wanted to. Nina and I buy five empanadas, two for each and we were going to split the fifth one. We needed to use the little girls room before heading out. We come back outside, and what do I freaking witness? The brother and his friend eating our food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still ticked just writing about it now. I can't believe I held my peace. I could have hurt them sooo badly. It was the straw that broke the camels back. I didn't talk to anyone except for Nina the whole way back. They dropped me off at home...we gave our 'mucho gustos', and the thought was I hope never to see those two men again. I kid you not they were a strange mix of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee mixed with Twins (Danny Devito and Arnold style). I'm very glad that trip is over next time I'm flying.

Yesterday was the big game for Argentina to see if they could make it to the Semifinals for the World Cup. They are treating this Coach Diego Maradona and this one player on the team Messi like a god. I'm not kidding. There are signs everywhere saying we pray to Maradona blah blah blah. I was like yep that's going to be your downfall, and you will be losing. Messi was supposed to be the right hand of god for the Argentinians, but he played like crap. From my limited knowledge and actually watching the games, Argentina had the talent not the technical abilities. I'm a firm believer that technique over luck will win the game. And they got spanked by Germany yesterday. Inside I cheered because this country, I'm sure like the rest of the other countries who care about soccer, have this holier than thou attitude when it comes to the game and it grated on my nerves. They couldn't understand why I didn't care about the U.S. in the World Cup. They must realize that I didn't know we had a U.S. soccer team till I was 16, and then I thought that was only for the Olympics. Who knew I was so wrong..lol.

Today is Sunday and I want to wish the good ol' U.S. Happy 4th of July!!! I never thought I would feel like I would miss the 4th of July, but I do. Can't wait till I'm back 'Living in America'!

Who let the Dogs Out?

I don't know if I've talked about the dogs here before, and if I have..let me apologize for the redundant comments. When I was researching about Mendoza, obviously one topic matter I looked for was what shots did I need to get. One of them was a possible rabies shot because of the many stray dogs they have here. Well, let me tell you. I have never seen so many loose dogs walking around in my life. It would be different if they were all mutts with mange, but let me tell you don't be confused. There are some pure breeds here that have no homes and it's just crazy because where I'm from some people treat their dogs better than their spouses. I have walked by countless terriers, chows, great Danes, Alaskan huskies, and the list just goes on and on! So...interesting to see the dogs that most people pay an arm and a leg for just aimlessly walking around the city. There's the usual 'mutts', but there are some great diamonds here as well. There's a mixed breed dog here that I have no clue what it is, but I swear to you I would believe werewolves are real. It's the size of the kiosco magazine booths here, with very sharp wolf features. It's really crazy.

Also another thing, did we transfer all the Classic American cars here? I'm constantly surprised to see vehicles, that I would normally see at some car show/festival, driving down the road. I know some men (ladies too)that would drool over the cars here.

Sorry it's taken so much with another update. I've decided to really schedule myself and try to update every Saturday. So that way I would have a routine for my blog.

I'm doing well, still miss the quirks of home, for example I would kill for a bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce or Chips and Cheese Dip.

I have a pretty set standard routine now, I teach English on Tuesday and Thursdays. My student is named Laura and she runs three different wineries here. Class time is always an adventure and full of charades. Father's Day is tomorrow and I have purchased my host dad the cupcake of Argentina. I would bring some back, but all they really glorified moon pies...noot my cup of tea. Anyways, it's late and I need to be in tip top shape for the dia de los padres.

Suerte,

Kolby

Let's Do the Time Warp Again!!!!!

So sorry that I have not been diligent with the posting. This one should be a very long one since I have much to tell y'all. I'm going to start with the most recent ending with what's happened a few weeks ago.

Right now I'm writing to you from a hostel in Córdoba! Woohoo, took a trip to another place with my friend Logan. She's this cool chick from my school, who has been traveling for awhile now. She's a very living in the moment type kind of the person. I've got mad respect for her because of that. We arrived here on a Sunday, and let me tell you this bustling city was nowhere to be seen. It was very much a ghost town. That night you would not believe how many people came out and were walking about. I convinced myself and I also think Logan that we were surrounded by vampires. We went to a cool restaurant where a few couples were doing the Tango. I was very pleased to be able to witness that. The next day we took a trip to an outside city Alta Garcia, so we could go see the house Ché Guevara grew up in. It was very interesting to see some of his artifacts, and many pictures of that Good Ol' Boy Fidel. We also walked a little ways to see the Jesuit Ruins. Tonight we are going to help Córdoba begin their celebration of Argentina's 200 years since the Revolution.

I don't know if y'all have seen much in the news, but Argentina is partying it up. Well really Buenos Aires. The other parts of the country I'm sure well come around by Tuesday.

I did not watch much random television before I came to Argentina, but now that I'm here I'm a die hard channel surfer. I've got a t-shirt and everything. One thing that's different is that there's a lot of stuff I would never watch, but since it's either Spanish voice overs or subtitles I'll let a lot of things Slide. For example I watched Pearl Harbor, Mona Lisa Smile, and The Four Feathers in Spanish or with subtitles. There is also the other great aspect of watching movies I love in Spanish. For example The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pride.

So I have found myself saying "surely" a lot. For example 'Surely, you can get change from this place.' or 'Surely, they would have different types of shoes in these stores.' Surely, for me, has become the word that subconsciously tells me that I'm in the wrong. The things that the Argentinians are inefficient or efficient about are completely ridiculous and backwards. For instance I have to take a ticket for a EXTREMELY small fresh fruit stand on the corner, when there are no people around, and on the other hand they have gates up along side the roads that even cover the walkways,therefore, making it hard to get on the other side of the street! Craziness??? I think that would be a resounding yes.

Rotary News, I've meet up with my counselor, Francisco Perez Diez. He's probably the warmest Mendocino that I have meet. I have had dinner with his family, and I've attended my first meeting. The Rotary meeting was very different to say the least. To begin with it was at 9:30 at night therefore making the time I left around midnight. Only me, except for Paulita, who is Francisco's daughter, were the women there. The men there were some extreme flirts, but it was all in fun. Most of them wanted to practice their English. I got a poem, "Roses are red, Violets are blue, Honey is sweet and so are you!" I cackled like usual. He could have been my great grandpa. The dinner was very elegant, a lot of wine and a ton of utensils. But I must say I held my own. The man that I sat next to was the exact replica of Stacey Keach. Hopefully, I can get a picture next time.

So let me give you a little bit of fact about the Argentinians. They are fanatically crazy about soccer. And, you don't joke about soccer or go to the games wearing the wrong colors. It's extremely dangerous, especially in Buenos Aires. So dangerous in fact women and children really don't go anymore. So you can only guess what I did when one was occurring in Mendoza. I went of course! Nothing like getting the heart pumping like being near death! Anyhoo, there were a ton of people, and you were shuffling your feet to get to the check point or what I'm calling a check point. The check point was this gated area with police, and I mean police with dogs, on horses, etc. The crowd splits in to men and women. The women go through really fast because there weren't many of us there. I would say the ratio of men to women had to be about 40 to 1. Not even exaggerating. So you get through the gate then there's another wave of police who pat you down. And my female officer enjoyed herself, a little bit too much in my opinion. Then we women had to wait on the guys of our group, the group is a group of students from the school. It was crazy to watch the men trying to force their way through the gated area so they could get patted down. Now I'm in a country that loves their alcoholic beverages, but drinking is banned at all soccer games here, if that tells y'all anything. We get in the stadium, and I'm anxiously waiting for the game to begin. When the team comes out confetti is thrown into the air. There's so much confetti that it actually feels really heavy when it hits you. There are so many chants that I really don't understand, but I know they were full of profanity. Then comes this huge banner that the fans were covering our side of the stadium. So you stand there a good ten to fifteen minutes with a banner that covers thousands of people that basically blocks the sky. It was the creepiest feeling I've had in a while, and I was glad once it was finally lifted. The fanaticos as they were called have their own section, which I was aware I was really close to it. They were lighting fireworks like crazy. Fireworks are prohibited, and the reason we have a pat down in the first place was to keep fireworks, weapons, etc. from entering the stadium. Guess there were some sneakies. The soccer game was as boring as they usually all are for me. I'm so glad that our team won though because walking out could have been.....tricky. Once we won, the fanaticos flood the field and the police dogs were let loose on them. It was one of those moments when I said "Surely, they wouldn't let those dogs on people!" I can only shrug now. LOL Our team came back, Godoy Cruz, just to wave at the fans, kind of like a thanks for coming. There were a couple of kids that got on one of the players and tour his uniform off. "Surely not!" I just shake my head now thinking back on it. When it was time to go we had to hang back, and let all the really crazy fans get way ahead of us. It was intense, but not as horrible as it could have been.

This post is coming to it's end. I'm just wanted everyone to know how I was doing. I'm getting better with my Spanish, talking a lot more. I have cravings for the craziest things, for example, I would give my left foot for a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit from Doug's. Umm...the breakfasts foods here are dry toast and tea, not filling at all. Welp, that's it for now!

Peace, Love, and Chicken Grease
Ciao

Kolby

There's No Place Like Home!

So, I'm still fighting homesickness I have my good days and bad days. My host family is really starting to be my foundation. I live with Susanna (the mother) but her nickname is Pupí pronounced poopee, and her son Cova rhymes with Cobra. I know right? Don't get me started. Anyway, she has four daughters three of whom still live in Argentina. They are over all the time, and the family gatherings are big, loud, and always in front of the t.v.

We have a new set of students this week at the school, and let me tell you they are no where near as great as the first group of students. That's for you Tina and Ian, but I'm not lying.

I have met up with my Rotary counselor Francisco, and I have plans to meet of with another Rotary Scholar named Laura. Things are starting to click into place more and more. Francisco is muy funny, and I haven't meet someone here that reminded me so much of Jimmy Welch personality wise...who wasn't insane. So it's really a good thing.

Now onto one of the Argentine mysteries, ladies and gentleman, the mullet, rat tail, and the infusion of the dreadlocked rat tail.

This is soo popular with the men down here! It was like whiplash the first time for me walking down the street. I'm thinking is that a mullet, whiplash, is that a rat tail, whip lash, is that a DREADLOCKED rat tailed mullet!!!!

I just cannot describe to you how much this is a GINORMOUS DOUBLE NEGATIVE NO NO. Alas, it seems pretty trivial to post about it but I must tell you it's a heavy part of the Argentine culture. I'll try to make sure to put a pic of it up in the next post!

Ciao Ciao,
Kolby

Bad Romance..

You would not believe how current American music is here. I cannot tell you how many times, Lady Gaga plays throughout the day! Bad Romance is muy popular here.

It's really amazing to have my first week go by. I'm still learning the streets and everything. Getting lost here is a common thing. I have become really good friends with the people at my school, and it's going to be sad when I make good friends every week, just to have them leave on Fridays. That will be hard because you sort of have this security blanket every week only to have it ripped away Friday after Friday.

This first week has been good, still getting my land legs. Yes, I know that wasn't the correct situation for that phrase, but I still appreciate my own attempt at wit/humor.

Until next time,
Besos,

Kolby