Wharton Women in Argentina #2

So, I'm actually back in the states now. However, I think being home provides me a great opportunity to reflect on my experience abroad. I was not the best at updating this blog. However, one thing I learned is that you really need to enjoy your experience while you are in a place, rather than jumping to technology to document it. I had an absolutely amazing time in Argentina. It is so strange to be back and to speak in English. This blog website is actually still in Spanish for me, which makes me happy. I learned many things abroad, including to appreciate what I have, and truly experience the culture and lifestyle of a foreign country. The greatest advice I have for all future Wharton Women traveling abroad is to take every experience to the fullest and try new things. This really made my trip memorable and worthwhile.

For example, five friends and I went to Iguazu Falls in Argentina. This area has one of the greatest amounts of water falls in the world. It is absolutely breathtaking, The trip took a fair amount of planning, but it was definielty worth it. First, we needed to decide what method of trasnportation we were goig to use: bus or plane. At first we really wanted to take a plane; we could get to the falls in under three hours and have more time to enjoy them. However, as I have noticed it is common in South America, airline tickets are very cheap for local citizens, but about $100 to $300 more for foreigners. Thus, we decided to take a 20 hour bus to Iguazu. Taking the bus there really made the xperience unique. First, we went to the bus station and found out there was a transportation stirke. None of the bus drivers were driving for at least 12 hours. I spoke with an older couple from the US. The wife told me that she spoke Spanish and could not get much information from the bus company. While the woman did speak a little Spanish, she only spoke basic Spanish, so I decided to try my language skills and find out more information. However, I received zero information. The man told me there was a strike and he did not know when it would be over. So we were going to have to wait. Strikes in Latin America are fairly common, especially in Peru and Argentina, two places I have traveled to this summer. Yet unlike the United States, these strikes usually just last one day. In fact, while I was in Argentina I witnessed two strikes: one with the airline baggage men and one of the bus company.

We left the bus terminal to return an hour or so before our bus would depart.

were thankful that the strike had stopped. However, the bus terminal was an absolute mess. If anyone has taken BoltBus or China town bus you are probablly thinking that the bus terminal has at max 3 buses. However, the bus terminal in Buenos Aires was like a mini airport, with at least 60 buses waiting to depart every hour. Sincce the bus strike had just finished, the terminal was swarmed with anzy passangers waiting for their buses and buses waiting to park and find their passengers. After waiting about two hours and meeting a nice PHD candidate from the province of Missiones, where we were going, we finally boarded the bus. When you think of a 20 hour bus ride, you probablly think of a hellish experience. However, the bus and the bus ride was anything from that. It felt as if we were in a first class cabin in an airplane, but on a bus. Our seats were amazing, very comfortable, and able to recline till about 180 degrees. In addition, we each received a pillow and a blanket, were able to watch two movies on the bus, and had a "bus" attendent serving us dinner with optional champagne, as well as breakfast. My friend with whom I was traveling watched the movies and had some champagne. However, after eating my dinner, I passed out completely and slept on and off for almost the whole bus ride! By the time I knew it, my friend was waking me up to get off the bus. I am really glad we took the bus, and have a story to tell because of it.

Arriving in Iguazu falls, we needed to make it to our hotel or in this case actually our hostel. Four of our other friends were planning on meeting us a few hours later that day. They had booked a later bus. When looking at accomadation we were all reluctant at first to book a hostel. None of us had stayed at a hostel before, or anything like it. We thought, "Why not just pay $20 to $40 more for one night and stay at a hotel?" However, we decided to pay the $13 and stay at a hostel. Going outside our comfort zone was a little nerve wracking; however, being able to do so, as well as find out that doing things differently you can have an even better experience, proved worthwhile.

Arriving at the hostel we had requested a room for the 6 of us only. The woman at the desk gave us our room key and we went to our room. Lo and behold, there were two semi-naked 25 or 30 year old guys in our room. They had made a mistake and given us the wrong room. However, while we were trying to sort out this mess, we made friends with the guys! They were from a northern province we had visited and VERY Argentinian. Later that night, we all hung out, as they played the guitar and sang Spanish love songs. Although our first encounter with them was very awkward, I am glad we met them, and were able to become friends with them. Thus, we truly could experience another part of Argentine culture. The hostel was very nice! We were really surprised. There was wi-fi and about 12 computers in the lobby, a travel "concierge," yummy food, very cheap happy hour, and ping pong, foosball, and pool tables. In addition, there were so many people are age there, which we met. We met a girl from Liver Pool in the UK, as well as two girls from Australia. Thus, that night the 6 of us, plus our three new friends went out to an amazing restaurant in town. Before the other 4 of our friends arrived, my friend and I went on our first adventure in Iguazu! We went zip lining, which was absolutely unbelievable, repelling, as well as on a nature walk. Our tour guide, as we have found most Argentine tour guides to be, was very friendly and very funny. In many parts of Argentina, individuals walk around with thermoses of hot water and special cups to constantly drink "mate," a type of bitter tea, which really grows on you. The greatest thing about mate is that it is a social experience. It is a communal drink that is often passed around in groups of people. We enjoyed the tea, as well as the bonding experience over the same cup.

The next day we went to the Iguazu falls. We left the hotel at about 9am and stayed till almost 5pm. It was raining and fairly cold, but the falls were absolutely breathtaking! The day before we had spoken to our "concierge" who recommended some excursions for us to do at the falls: a boat ride (more like a raft), a jungle jeep ride, and "La Gran Aventura" or the Great Adventure, which was a boat that took us beneath the waterfalls! We wanted to do the raft and jeep rides, but we were very skeptical of the boat ride beneath the waterfalls. Not only was it cold and rainy, we would become completely soaked going under the waterfalls. On the jeep ride, I almost made up my mind that I would not, under no circumstance, go on the boat ride. However, my friends reassured me, and I went. I am so glad that I went! While I thought this was going to be the worst part of the trip, it was actually the best part! Yes, I did get wet; however, it was worth it! On the boat we saw up close many huge waterfalls, the coast of Brazil, and going under the waterfall was so exhilarating. I am glad that I went outside my comfort zone, and did this experience to the fullest. The trip would not have been the same, if we had not gone on the Great Adventure!

When studying abroad, I recommend taking advantage of the city or town you live in. However, I also recommend visiting other locations, to get a better feel of the diverse culture and people in your country, and in your region!

I absolutely loved my time in Argentina! Two vocabulary words I learned were "che" and "linda". Che is the equivalent of "hey or man/woman" in Argentina. When addressing anyone or a pet you can say "Che, Roni (my cat's name)" or "Che, Stefi". In addition, linda means pretty or beautiful, but can also mean nice. In Argentina locals do not use the word bonita, which means pretty. In stead, they call everything linda, basically anything that has a positive connotation, such as a "linda" television, "linda" food, a "linda" person, or a "linda" house!

Hasta luego!

Cindy