Deep Breathes and an Open Mind

This entire time I have been talking about spending 3 months in South America and how it is not going to be a big deal. I have traveled to other countries and as Dad said “It’s just another one of your adventures.” Even though I was nervous about coming here, it didn’t quite sink in till we hit the runway in Buenos Aires. Then there was a big “OH NO! What did I get myself into???”

So, I calmly told myself that it was going to be okay and I needed to put on my big girl panties. As I began meeting all the other people that are participating in the ISA program, they kept on saying, “It’s only 4 weeks.” Well for them it is just 4 weeks...I once again took some deep breathes and told myself to keep an open mind. Everything is going to be okay.

We waited in the airport for the rest of the students to arrive and then took a bus to the University where we met our host families. I lucked out and am one of the few that received a roommate. Her name is Lea and she is a farm girl from Nebraska. She is very nice and we have a lot in common so far! Our host mother’s name is Pupi and she is a very experienced host mother with ISA students. Her apartment is located in the Belgrano district, very close to the University and ISA office (about 4 blocks). Pupi made us lunch and then we headed back to the University for orientation.

Orientation went well and we met all of the people from the Summer 1 program. There are only a few of us that are doing Summer 1 and Summer 2, so that will be interesting. I found out that I do get to stay with Pupi during my Summer 2 and I might be getting a new roommate when Lea leaves. Tomorrow we head back to ISA for a 3 hour orientation meeting and then a city tour!

Finally getting to shower felt really nice! Remember when I said I was thrilled about having hot showers? Well they are most definitely hot and no matter how much cold you add, it is still pretty hot water. I guess that’s what I get for wanting hot showers every day! Oh and BTW there has been no observation of water flowing counter-clockwise. LOL