Today was my first full day in Argentina, and even though we did not do anything extremely major, it has still been a blast. I have already noticed a lot of differences compared to the United States. One of the first things I noticed was how clean a lot of places seemed. I did not see as much trash in the streets as I expected. There was also a strong police presence throughout the city, which made everything feel very organized and monitored.

Another thing that stood out to me was how friendly people seemed. Even though there was obviously a language barrier, many people were patient and welcoming. This made the city feel less chaotic and easier to get around, which is important for someone visiting for the first time. It also made me think about how the way people act can really change how a city feels.

The first thing we did after getting off the plane was go to lunch through IES Abroad, the organization working with us during this trip. The meal included several different courses of meats and a very good dessert that tasted similar to dulce de leche ice cream. The restaurant had a balcony view overlooking the city, which made the experience even better. After lunch, I went back to the hotel room to unpack and refresh after the long day of traveling. Of course, I also called my mom to wish her a happy Mother’s Day and talk to my family.

Later in the day, I ate dinner at La Junta de 1810 with some of my friends. This restaurant was so cute and it was such a fun experience! here were many families and couples sitting down for dinner, which was interesting because it was only around 7 p.m., but dinner culture here is definitely different from the United States. I tried empanadas for the first time there, and they were amazing. I will definitely be coming back to try more flavors. The food overall was incredible, and I would absolutely recommend the restaurant.

I really love the vibe in Buenos Aires and I am so excited for the rest of the trip. Traveling to new places is such a unique experience that takes patience and being willing to adjust to new things, so I know this will be an exciting opportunity for me as a student and as a person.