Hola Argentina! After days of preparation and hours of traveling, we finally arrived in Buenos Aires. As we were flying over Argentina below the clouds, the terrain did not look much different to me than the United States. However, as we drove from the airport to our hotel, the city looked much different compared to ones I have been to before. There were many horses and dogs on the sides of busy roads where little farms resided. Many people were also jogging or biking through the grass on the side of the highway which was something I was not used to seeing in the United States. 

After the short bus ride, we made it to the hotel and dropped our stuff in our rooms before heading to an asada lunch. We had a refreshing salad and the best sausage sandwiches I’ve ever had; and of course we had beef asada. This meal was my first impression of the food in Argentina and I am excited to keep trying new foods and desserts here!

My first outing into the city was to Plaza de Mayo, a famous plaza in Buenos Aires. As other students and I walked there, I was surprised at how quiet the city was. I am used to the sounds of many cars and sirens in Oakland but walking in Buenos Aires today was nothing similar. There were not as many people as I expected and cars were few other than one Main Street. Once we made it to Plaza de Mayo, all the surrounding roads leading into the plaza were closed, so many people were taking photos and walking freely throughout the streets. 

My last food and dessert stops were at a wonderful restaurant with empanadas and a bakery my friends and I found on our way back to the hotel. The waiter was kind to us despite the language barrier and the food was delicious. I shared a strawberry cheesecake with Meg that was kind of like a mixture between a cheesecake and flan!

Shoutout to my mom because it’s Mother’s Day!