The first week of TEFL classes and this past weekend have been a whirlwind— an interesting mixture of adventure, fun, frustration and sun that has left me with little time to update my blog. I'm actually in a bit of shock that tomorrow is already Monday and time for some more school. You might ask why I'm dazed and confuse; didn't I just have a whole weekend to recuperate? Well, let me tell you about the porteño schedule: they don't sleep; they don't slow down; they don't stop (I'm pretty sure I've heard mummies and zombies described in similar terms).
On Friday night, our TEFL group was invited to join BAIS (Buenos Aires International Students) for a swanky meal at a Peruvian steakhouse in the Palermo Soho neighborhood. One of the BAIS members is friends with the restaurant owner, so we had a special set price of 50 pesos for a full meal including appetizers (bread with exquisite veggie mayo; shot glasses of sushi sautéed with lemon juice), one pisco sour with several fruit varieties and your choice of a main dish (I picked the steak). Sadly, I did not have my camera, but to share such pictures without delivering the goods would probably be cruel and unusual.
After dinner, our international group, which consisted of three German students, one French student, three Brits, several locals and another American from TEFL went to a nearby bar to grab some drinks and relax. Okay, I think to myself, this is great; this is my "going out" speed. Guess again. Around 1:30 a.m., when I would usually be calling it a night, we left the bar and went to a discoteque. While there was nothing remarkable about the venue—strobe-lighting, over-mixed Lady Gaga, a thick haze of cigarette smoke, etc.— my first expression of sleepiness (a mild yawn) was taken as an offense. "Why are you sleepy? It is not late. The party is here," cried the porteños. One even tried to explain the mentality behind dancing until dawn. "We want to be active, to live to the fullest," he said. I concur, Carpe diem! And at 2:30 in the morning, I decided that the best way to seize the day was to get more than two hours of sleep before our group trip to Tigre.
And since I'm still on the Circadian rhythm (read: not Argentine schedule), I will finish my weekend review at a later time.
It sounds like you are having a really good time in Argentina! I hope you're not too tired from the weekend and are still able to stay awake in your classes ^^. Post more :D!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're having a blast! Did you manage to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes? Did you eat some medialunas in the am?? I need more details!!!!!! Love you!
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