The Awkward Traveler

I feel old. I remember as a kid I would try and count out the upcoming years in my life, alright… I’ll graduate high school in 2004 and then college in 2008. Now that 2008 comes to a close I feel a little lost. I’m almost 23! What should I do with my life? As some of my friends drive themselves into wedding and baby fever, I can’t help but feel a little stunted. I still feel like the same awkward teenager, albeit a little hairier and hopefully wiser. 

I know I have a lot to be thankful for and I’m excited for what 2009 holds. However, for tonight I’m going to party like the 22 year old who works at a bar in Buenos Aires. And when I watch the sun come up this morning, I know everthing is going to feel just right. 

My friends Leah and Kanika have arrived! Which mean I’ll be spending the next two weeks playing tour guide. Should be good clean fun, plus I’ll get to look super cool. It’s always interesting seeing a city through the eyes of a tourist. I think I’ve gotten comftorable here, a real city dweller, and sometimes you end up take things for granted.

I think things are starting to look up. I found a farm, I don’t think I’m going to be homeless, and I passed my Spanish class with flying colors. What more could a boy ask for?

My giant German roomate returned home yesterday. But, before he left we had a chance to address the elephant in the room. Yes, the 9 foot tall blond haired blue eyed German and the jewy Jew (me) talked about the Holocaust. 

Argentina actually offers an interesting case study. Buenos Aires has a huge Jewish community, many left Europe for Argentina before the War. However, Argentina also offered asylum to many of the Nazi’s after the war ended. So a situation was created where former Nazi’s were living next door to Jews. 

The anthropologist in me was dying of interest. But we both tiptoed around, careful not to insight riot. When he left yesterday a hug was shared and now I might consider buying a Volkswagen. 

While the city of La Plata may share the namesake of a dorm at UMD, it in no way resembles the high rise with views of the Diner. Instead it offers a nice day trip from “the city” with such sights as a Cathedral and… well mainly just a Cathedral.

We were exhausted and we zombie walked through the little town stopping for some falafel and many bench breaks. Eventually we almost fell asleep and decided it was time to get back to BsAs.

I’m getting the boot. As of the 10th of January I’ll be homeless. My roomate rented out my room, due to some confusion, and now I’m left to the streets. 

I’m taking it as a sign and am thinking about going for greener pastures. By this I mean literally going to a farm. Buenos Aires has been great, but I think I’m ready to move on.

Anyone have a place I can crash Jan 16-24?

This weekend we took a little beach break. The 3a.m. bus brought us to the beach at a bright and early 8:30 a.m. After stealing some of the hostel breakfast we plopped ourselves down on to the Atlantic sands. Exhausted from the night bus ride, we passed out on the beach. I reapplied sunscreen, but to no avail. I was burned everywhere, even my eyelids, thanks to my nap.

We suffered through our burns and managed to hit the town. At the club, one of the girls I was traveling with found herself a moto riding Argentine. The next night he took us to one of his favorite restaurants and almost tricked me into eating intestine and kidney. Luckliy I’m not easily fooled by strange looking meats.

Besides the sun hazards Mar del Plata is a magical place. It’s like Buenos Aires if it was cheaper, had a beach, and had nicer people. We all convinced ourselves that we should move there by the end of the weekend. Special shout out goes to the superb Italian Cannoli ice creams!