Arriving in Buenos Aires was a treat just as good as the alfajores cookie I received as soon as I arrived. It still has not hit me, after the long plane flights and some hiccups, that I am finally here in South America, once the tasks of getting through customs and collecting our checked bags. As a collaborative group, we boarded a bus to take us all to the hotel. At first glance, I noticed the less modernized buildings compared to America, which matched my expectations because I saw them extensively in my research. But, for some odd reason, I didn’t release that outside the city would look similar to the countryside at home, with many trees, large grass areas, and cows. I knew it would be more “rural” than the city. Still, I could have pictured it as different from Western pa. As we got closer to the city, I noticed many apartments building with the essence of European style, which I did expect but not to that large sale compared to houses.
After checking into the hotel, Elise, Maria, and I explore the surrounding area to get more comfortable. We concluded that we all needed some coffee after a long trip to wake us up. Therefore, we could be more attentive for our big day in Buenos Aries. We walked straight on the cement path. We found a cute little coffee shop. Seeing so many small businesses on every corner of a big city was nice. Compared to all the franchises in the united states, in every corner you turn. As we ordered, I noticed they only spoke Spanish, occurring with many small shops. I attempted to use my choppy Spanish in response and reciprocated with no judgment to complete the transaction. It was a welcoming feeling of being accepted in a new place you had been before.
On the walk back to the hotel, I noticed many Argentino people staring at us Americans. I may have been hyper-analyzing the situation, but I saw that deep gazes were directed toward our little three-person group as we spoke the English language to one another. I wasn’t used to the feeling of being the odd one out because, in America, almost everyone speaks English, so it is the norm. However, I realized they must just be curious, which may be why they are watching us intently.
For lunch, we went t Ies aboard the offices for barbeque. It was the best bargain I had in a while. It melted in my mouth with so many choices of topping to pick from to make the food more spectacular than it already was. I chopped down on three big sandwiches just to the fact I count stop eating them. I took several pictures to see s if I could find anything replicating its beau once I’m back in the States.
As the trip continues, I want to explore the city more to find hidden gems, such as the coffee place. Try new food out of my comfort zone and even make friends with kids at the university once we visit them in the next two weeks. Still, I’m excited to explore the healthcare system more by talking to officials on the way to get a full grasp of how it affects the country or even their day-to-day lives. I’m happy to do anything that brings me new knowledge for my brain.
