UMW Abroad

Okay, I know I said I would finish with Brazil but let’s take a pause first. Because it’s my last few hours in Buenos Aires. I’M SO SAD.

So here I am six months later. I know you may expect some kind of inspiring conclusion to my journey but I am not sure I can muster that. (And, let’s be real, it’s me, you were not expecting that!) I am first of all surprised I have written 43 entries. Anyway…

Allow me to be superficial. I am really looking forward to eating waffles, bagels, sour patch watermelons and chocolate chip cookies, lemonade, Dr. Pepper, french toast, and tacos as soon as possible. I am looking forward to driving, using ziplock bags, having coffee to go (and food!) and wearing sweatpants. I am looking forward to using my heated rollers. And doing my own laundry (except for folding.) And good customer service. Ah, the comforts of home!

I’m coming back and making as much money as I can before I settle back in Fredericksburg in a few weeks. It will feel nice to be settled. At least until May 2011…They say college isn’t real life, so I don’t know how you would describe studying abroad because this definitely hasn’t been real life either. Everything has not been on pause? It’s summer again? The world doesn’t revolve around me? Ha, just kidding. But really things might be strange. I’ve had a great time and I’m so sad but I guess as Maria told me “things come and things pass.”

Well, I guess that’s it then. I don’t think I have much else to say. See you soon!

Dale, bueno, chau, besitos,

Kelly

I have put this off for too long and better do it now before it’s too late!

Elena, Anna (Elena’s friend from High School who studied in Quito this past semester) and I left Sunday the 20th in the afternoon for Porto Alegre.

That was our first mistake.

Due to finals and my non-accessibility to internet in the proceeding days and weeks, I had done zero amount of planning for this trip. Yes, that’s right, no hostels booked…not even for the first night. This was actually completely fine although definitely not recommended during the high season. Oh well, everything turned out just fine.

Anyway, the Porto Alegre mistake was that Porto Alegre is definitely not a city for tourists. It just didn’t really live up to it’s name. I believe it was decided upon due to its relatively close proximity to Buenos Aires. Everyone we met there asked us what we were doing there. But it was funny joke later. No regrets!

(If you are curious, most people seem to go from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls to Florianópolis and onward.)

So we had one day in Porto Alegre in which we spent on a day trip to Canela. It was a two hour bus ride away. Canela is a cute little town and we saw a waterfall.

We felt guilty we hadn’t seen anything in Porto Alegre, so we planned to wake up early and go for a run. Two birds with one stone. (Clearly this was not my idea.) We knew this was ambitious but we decided to try anyway. At 6:30AM the alarm went off and everyone was up and willing to go! Yet, it was still pitch dark outside! Whoops. Too dangerous. We fell back asleep, woke up again and were successful! I was very proud of us.

Tuesday the 22^nd we leave for Florianópolis. I believe that was a six hour bus ride.

I know that only covers two days, but that’s all for now. Stay tuned!

I guess I will talk about my weekend first…

Friday was exhausting. I woke up really early (okay fine 9am but that’s really early for me now) and ran down to the Retiro bus station to meet Elena and buy tickets to Brazil (yes I said BUS tickets). Then we walked to the Brazilian Consulate hoping it would be quick and easy and they would grant us visas even though we didn’t bother obtaining all of the requirements. And they did! We just had to go back to pick them up on Monday. I’m all set to enter Brazil whenever I want until 2020. (Argentina, too. So start planning!)

Afterward I really wanted to go home and sleep but it was a nice day so I met Trisha and we went to the Rose Gardens and went paddle boating! Then to the Japanese Gardens, too. I’m trying to check as many things off of my list as possible! I should update with pictures but it is a lot of work so that will have to wait until later.

Saturday morning I woke up to the sounds of Argentina scoring! Then I went to go volunteer, but I checked my e-mail about two minutes too early and hadn’t yet received the e-mail about the activity being canceled. (It rained all day.) I went all the way to Recoleta and back and was very wet by the time I got home.

Because of  Brazil, volunteering will have to begin in July. That’s what I’ll be doing until I leave. I’m still trying to move my flight up though but there are no seats available. Yet.  I’m sure I’ll be happy volunteering but hopefully I can still get a few days in AND be able to come home sooner!

Sunday I went to Palermo and San Telmo like I basically do every Sunday but this time I actually did a good job getting presents. We ate at El Desnivel again and it was delicious! Steak, beer and french fries yum!

Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday have involved a lot of take home finals and late nights. But school ends TOMORROW thank goodness. Most of the time I still can’t believe I’m here. And now I am saying my goodbyes!