Today I went to my first futbol game, and even though Boca lost and it was freezing it was still really good! Way more exciting than any of the Bills games that I’ve ever suffered through, there was so much energy in the crowd. The fans were cheering and singing a couple select songs almost the entire time. I’m hoping to learn the words and join in next time.

I got to enjoy a long weekend, Friday we didn’t have school because it was the first day of spring and el dia del estudiante! So instead of Spanish class, we had a chicken salad picnic outside on a friend’s terrace. Now that it’s been warmer, there’s always people hanging out in the parks and I finally joined in on the park  Saturday. It’s almost mandatory to have mate if you’re going to sit, so there we were with the yerba (tea leaves), thermos of hot water, and the mate cup relaxing for a couple hours. Instead of football or Frisbee its common to see someone almost tightrope walking between two trees. I got to watch a guy and his friends take turns walking on a rope tied between two trees nearby and it looked so hard, but I wanted to try! I’ll have to add tightrope-tree walking to my list of things to do before I leave.

I’m still trying to get used to the phones here, but its not getting any easier. I was really hating seeing “Check Operator Service” on my phone every time I tried to send a text. And sometimes for no apparent reason when you’re talking to someone the phone will beep (loudly) in your ear three times and then disconnect. It’s great.

And I finally almost have my student visa here! 3+ hours and 240 pesos later, only one step remains before I’m in the clear. Sadly, going to morning class isn’t getting any easier.

I still can sort of speak Spanish, and it’s a good thing because the company I just started working for is desperate for bilingual workers. Even at my level, my Spanish is useful.

One year ago I was starting off in Spain, now I’m starting off in Chicago. My dad has been bugging me to write this ‘one year later’ post for a while, and since I’m having trouble focusing on this Saturday afternoon I decided to try.

Since my return from Spain I’ve been happier than ever. Being away from your loved ones is the most wonderful way to recognize how crucial they are. And now I am in the Midwest, away from New York City where most of my world now lives.

Yet I am much more aware of the potential of a new city, and I give Spain partial credit for that wisdom. Many things are within my control, and with an adventurous spirit and a bike I have access to them. I also am sure about my theory that it takes at least three months to feel at home anytime you move – so I’m now checking out Chicago and feeling ok about the troubles that one experiences in the first month of a new place.  Note to those going abroad: the Seville program in the fall semester is just that three months, so it is not at all enough. Go in the spring or stay a whole year…really the best thing you could do.

Let’s see…lasting effects of studying abroad – I know that I have to be nicer to people I live with. I also know that I want to try to live in South America within the next few years. I’m also more confident about taking buses around a city, handling airports on my own, and doing any day to day thing en solo. Oh and one of my most exciting outcomes is my enthusiasm for epistolary communication.

On a particularly sad note, the digital camera I received before coming to Spain is gone already. Less than a year for me to confirm that I just can’t have nice things. So if anyone sees it, it’s a slightly busted Kodak digital camera in an American Express black leather case, please holla back.

Finally, New Paltz makes it relatively easy for students to go abroa.  If you’re thinking about it, do it. America is as weird as any other place, so enjoy an excursion in relative weirdosity. And read my first book when it gets published twenty years from now.

I’m so happy it is finally starting to get warm here! And I have managed to start thinking in terms of Celsius like the rest of the world! The weekend here was perfect weather, but it has been humid I don’t even want to think about how its going to be in the summer. As it is now, its pretty bad in the gym and when the bus or subte is crowded, its the worst!

In addition to the weather, BA had a lot of interesting things going on. Friday was the Vinos y Bodegas wine festival which was really nice. I went with a friend that is a sommelier, so naturally he knew about all the wines and everyone working there. We got invited up to a little VIP area for some special wine tasting! There was also a dead bodies exhibition going on which sounds disgusting but was really interesting to see. I’ve never seen skeletons complete with muscle, skin, and veins! It was really intense to say the least.

Sunday was La Boca, the neighborhood in Buenos Aires known for its painted houses and tango shows. It was really nice, packed with people and artisan stands, and had such an atmosphere of energy. An artist we passed invited us into her studio and showed us the most beautiful paintings she had done of the painted houses and tango dancers.

Today was the step 1 of 2 towards getting my visa here. It was very simple, all we needed was a photocopy of the first two pages of our passport, and 40 pesos in cash. We also had to get fingerprinted, which was kind of weird! Seeing all of my 10 prints on the computer felt like I lost a little part of myself. Nest week we have to take a copy of our residential certificate and pay 210 pesos, and then I should be officially legal to study here.

I’m hoping to visit Uruguay or El Tigre soon, if it’s nice this weekend I should have some good stories from one of those places!

So I really write this as my last blog. I am a week into the start of the semester and its strange. I seem to keep looking for familiar faces from school in Australia, and I find myself saddened by faces in NP that I don’t know.

Adjusting back was strange. I almost didn’t want to talk about my experience, thinking that people would get bored of my endless stories of travels and laughs with my friends. I do truly miss it though. Small things remind me of there and its again hard to believe that I am back home at school again in NY.

If I can give any advice to anyone. Don’t be afraid to go away alone. Its hard but totally worth it. You learn to travel independently and make friends with out the comfort of having someone with you who you already know. It makes those you meet even more great! When is the only time you can go to another country and pay the same tuition you are paying at NP if you find an exchange program? A 1600 dollar plane ticket to Australia for 6months really makes it seem like nothing at the end of the trip. Keep a personal journal, and save everything. I saved everything, and i mean everything! When you see something, a ticket stub, photo, or even a word it sparks up a memory that you would have never remembered without that small thing.
Its been an amazing adventure, and I am happy to say I am keeping in contact with everyone. Two of my best friends are coming for Thanksgiving, one from Toronto and one from Australia. I’m totally excited.

Well lets end this…thanks to all who read this and I hope it has inspired you to go away.
Lauren