Life in Belgrano

Now I am living in an apartment with two other people from my exchange program, Clarisse from Paris, and Jan from Germany. We live on 11 de septiembre street ( on the 13th floor) which is a bit unnerving but everything has been going well so far. Next to the apartment is a park called "Las barrancas del Belgrano" (the hills of Belgrano) Now that it is warm there are always couples on the benches, people sunbathing, and playing soccer. In the park there is a small replica of the Statue of Liberty (no idea why??)I walk across the park every day to get to the train that goes to school. more later....

Animales!

This friday my friend Amanda and I went to the park near my house and the Buenos Aires Zoo.
The zoo was great. There were random small animals like swans, peacocks, and RUOS's(large rodents) wandering the zoo outside of cages. Below is a peacock just chillin near the playground.

Gauchos!

Last friday I went with my study abroad program to gaucho country. We went horseback riding and ate some huge slabs of steak from the outdoor grill. There was also a lot of traditional dancing. More later.

I started clases at Universidad de San Andres yesterday, I have been taking the train that is 2 blocks from my apartment to school. It takes about an hour each way. The classes are really long but all we have been doing is discussion. Today we talked about the corruption in the Argentine government and the economic crisis of 2001, interesting stuff.
After class we had a tour of the city by bus. We visited all of the famous sites of the city. I found out that I am living on the same street as the Argentinean president. It is a very famous street and it goes through most of the city.
We saw the casa rosada (pink house) in la plaza de mayo. La casa rosada is the symbol of the presidency but he does not live there-it is only offices. La plaza de mayo is where many protests happen- the most famous being the mothers of los desaparecidos.
more coming later.

¡Estoy Aca!

I'm here safe-I've been hanging out with Tania (my homestay sister) and her sister clara all day -in between naps. We went out to eat and we got empenadas which are so good (they are like hot pockets.) I got ones filled with corn and cream and also with cheese and tomato-so good. Then we went to get the famous Argentinean ice cream. It is really light and creamy-I got this Brazilan fruit and dulce de leche. Then we walked around the city a bit-it is like New York but it lacks uniformity-there could be a skyscraper next to an old rundown house.Also-the driving here is pretty crazy, the lines on the street aren't really used. The apartment that I am staying in with Tania and her familyy is really nice. We have a balcony and a patio. They have a really cute but off dog named Pili. Tomorrow I am going to el centro and shabbat dinner. Will post more later.