Anyone close to me, probably even those not so close, know about my affection for clothes. More than likely instilled by the multiple hour shopping trips funded by my grandmother from the age of 'before I could remember', I enjoy all types, styles, colors, and prices. So this wont come as a surprise that I didn't leave Durango with only a suitcase and a carry-on (the current restrictions for Continental International travel), I paid for the extra suitcase and commandeered my travel companion's (Emily) large checked luggage. Three, 50 lb. ragged bags, a carry on and one personal item later I'm on my way to the next great adventure!Two weeks ago I left for Buenos Aires, Argentina to become a student at the Universidad Nacional del General San MartÃn (UNSAM) to study a post graduate degree in conjunction with Georgetown University. I'll be studying Development Management and Policy, something like International Development: Save the world kind of stuff. But first, I had the chance to live like a tourist for a week with Em.
Leaving her little one at home for the first time, (for which I am ever so grateful!) Emily flew with me to BA and traipsed around the city not only to search for a place to live, acclimate, and protect me, but to offer moral support. A city of 12 million is not a small task to take on and can obviously be intimidating. Thanks to Dad and Emily, the transition to my new home could not have been smoother!
Food, lots of delicious, relatively cheap food to be exact, beer and wine, plenty of cafe's con leche, streets of antique/vintage stores, markets, a couple of museums, a concert by a Paraguayan group and a a four hour brunch with my new landlord later, Emily already had to leave. The week flew by, but as we are extremely productive travelers, I don't think she felt cheated out of a longer trip. We saw EVERYTHING it seems! Not only did I feel completely confident and safe after the first few days, she had the grace (as every true friend does) to leave me in wonderful company.
The day Emily had to fly out we met up with Kristin, a fellow American making her first trip to BA for the masters program. After three days of failed coffee date attempts we finally managed to catch up and I am so glad we did. Right away, I knew we'd be buddies and now she's my roommate!
All said, I am safe, happy, acclimated and comfortable in my new neighborhood. Love the apartment, have found several groups of fun and interesting people to hang with, enjoyed my first day of class, and am confident that the next couple of years are going to teach me more than I had expected. So stay tuned for future posts because even though I'm getting a late start there will be plenty of time to catch up! xo
Do you remember when you were a about 10 and when Money Bags came to town she decided to give you each a $100 to spend on our shopping trip. You were all so excited and much more selective about what to buy. However, on the next trip you all declined the $100 saying you didn't like being on a budget.
ReplyDeleteI must say you are a much better shopper now; you actually consider the price of the things you select.
Glad you are having just a wonderful experience. Love you, Grandma aka Money Bags Your Shopping Mentor