The Journey:
After my parents got us lost on another exciting tiki tour, my nerves were going wild. And although I still arrived about half an hour early, I couldn't have been more excited to get on the plane and go to Argentina! As other students slowly arrived I couldn't help but grin at them and watch them grin back all with similar feelings to me. Scared, Excited, Overwhelmed.
Once I had finally made it past the obstacles of crying parents and NZ's famous customs with my new posse of exchange students, we were introduced to the Spanish speaking airline, 'Aerolineas Argentinas'. No backseat TVs. Beware. However most of us were too tired to care and slept, or at least dozed, for half of the 12 hour flight. Didn't touch my book once. Sorry Ms Goldie,but Wheel of Fortune on my laptop is a lot more entertaining the the struggles of poverty. At one point, I went for a walk to go see where Lily and Toni went and I found them hiding at the air conditioned area at the back of the plane with the air hostesses andwhat I thought was a bong... THAT was when I was introduced to my first drink of 'mate', the herbal Argentinian drink that is drunk from a metal cup and metal straw which I still think looks like a drug instrument...but it still tastes very nice, like a strong sort of tea.
After that flight, we finally made it to El Aeropuerto de Buenos Aires! Which we then had to wait a further six hours for the Malaysian exchange students to arrive. It was actually more exciting than it sounds, there was heaps of things to look at including a lifesize lego Argentinian flag sculpture! :D Also going to a bookstore and seeing lots of translated books was pretty exciting too! Especially when you have the same book in your bag :D
Next, we had a bus trip through Buenos Aires to the orientation camp. As this was at night, we saw part of the nightlife in Argentina, the clubs, the people. Our hooker count got to 7. And there was one young man who was standing outside our bus window when we were making a stop and I just couldn't help but cry from laughter when he tried to hop on the bus to tell her face to face. Apart from that, the architecture is amazing and every third house was either a palace or a shack, all sharing the same cool looking creeper vines, ¡que linda! Once we made it to camp, we were served some amazing steak for dinner! Surprising, I know. Soon after, we were taken to our rooms which were nice and cosy. My room mates were Noa and Dion from NZ. No one got jetlagged at all, it was really weird, but we just put it down to just having a late night or something similar. The following morning, we woke up early and rearing to go until we found out the activities started in the afternoon when more exchange students arrived...so we sat watching spanish kids shows all morning and learnt a fun thai version of the slaps game which I really want to teach everyone when I get back... in 5 months! :D
And then BAM! Suddenly the americans, canadians, germans, scandinavians and many more cultures came through the door. Once they were settled, we all dispersed into our colour groups for activities. Team Armadillo (Amarillo) for the win. We a lot of scenario type activites in order to prepare everyone for the exchange, acting like animals included. After that was when the only Australian arrived just in time to join the talent show along with the New Zealanders. Australasia for the win. Except heads shoulders knees and toes in maori and flax flowers wasn't enough to woo over the judges and get us a winning prize... :( que lastima! Then we had dinner, isolating our New Zealand selves into an Elite group where few foreigners are allowed in, (Labour party?) That night, after a long fiesta of dancing and letting our bodies feel the rhythm, we found a giant spider in our bedroom and like the savage New Zealanders we are, we hunted it down, and killed it! It rained the next day, coincidence? I think not.
Last day of camp was rather fun, never have I ever thought that I would be pretending to be a tangled vine with a german boy that was as determined as me not to let the gardeners win. Once again Maria, I{msorry for kneeing you in the face, it{s an intense game to play. After this, I had an amazing time just getting to know eachothers cultures and traditions but sadly, that had to be ruined because of the end of orientation camp and how we had to say goodbye to all our nuevos amigos. :( Right now, I hope they're having an amazing time travelling all over Argentina to find their host families andI wish them the best of luck. Buena suerte! ;D Y hola from La Plata!
After all our sad goodbyes, I made it to my host family. I couldn't have wished for anyone better! :D They are solovely and it turns out I can hold a conversation (kinda) for 2-3 hours in spanish! I'm so excited to go and see the rest of my city and meet lots more amazing people, well, I typed this all last night on my phone but my phones being lame so I'll wait until I have wi-fi before I upload any photos, sorry guys! But I hope you're all having fun whereever you are! And I'll catch up with you when I'm next available. :)
Chau
Hi Zac, just reading that in the Spanish class. Bonnie misses you -so she says-. Keep updating us.
ReplyDeleteAh the old parental tiki tours, few things are more stressful when you are angsting about getting to the airport!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having a fab time. Its great you had so many people to travel with. I've always been online and it gets booring! Plus it makes going to the bathroom really difficult as you have to take all your stuff with you!
I'm also super impressed at your Spanish speaking abilities! If you've managed a couple of hours already I'm sure you'll be near fluent in no time.
Can't wait until we both get wifi so we can Skype!