As I came back from our family holiday we talked about things that I missed about New Zealand then it got me thinking about the things I'll miss about Argentina, then the things that I don't miss.
Things I will miss about Argentina
-My Host Family: As I said in my last post that my family is some of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of being around. Graciela my host mum is so caring, always eager to do anything for me or to help me in any way. Eduardo my host dad is also so caring and loving, He literally would do anything for us and he goes out of his way to help. Abuela (Olga) my host grandma who lives with us, is the best cook and is such a lovely old lady. Brenda (13) my host sister, if not a bit hard to share a room with sometimes, was very open to accepting me like a sister, teaching me a bit of Spanish and just a kind and very sweet girl.
-The Food: After getting used to the different foods here I love it! Dulce de Leche #1 of course, those who haven't tried it seriously need to seek out international food stores! Other things like Empanadas, Tortas Fritas, ñoquis, Asado and Mate of course. I'm bringing lots of reciepes home as well as some different things in my suitcase so I can at least introduce a bit of Argentinian food to my little town :)
-Playing Basketball and in a regular league: I loved playing basketball here for Gimena Padin and I will probably miss the team the most. In the 3 months I played I made such great friends in the team. Their was no bitchy-ness as their is often in girls sports teams back home so that was very refreshing! Of course because their is way more people to choose from here its easier to be apart of a big league which was so cool to experience.
-The caring and friendliness of the Argentinians: The majority of people here will go out of their way to help you or just to talk in the street. As we walk down the street my parents just about say hi to everyone and others do the same, or in the line of the supermarket everyones just quite open.
- How social everyone is: The amount of parties, dinners and afternoon teas that I've shared with people here is crazy!
-Things new and exciting: An amazing thing of this experience is that just about everyday I have been able to experience something new. From the supermarkets, to school, to what we are having for dinner, what's on tv, music, roads, people and so much more!
-The Language!: Of course I will really miss Spanish (Castellano in Argentina). I am just starting to get a lot better at talking and I understand just about everything at normal pace now. Hopefully when I come back to NZ I can keep contact with people here so my level keeps to where it is now!
Things I won't miss
-Stray dogs: All through out Argentina there is always lots of stray dogs just wandering the streets. It's so sad at times to see their ribs and sad faces :(
-Waiting: As some people know I am not the most patient person in the world, but here man I got tested haha. Because everyones so relaxed and layed back their is a LOT of waiting. A thing that amazes me is that it doesn't seem to bother a lot of people. They all just wait there patiently, not complaining. Everywhere their is lines and usually a lot of people so it was a wake up call for me after being from my little town!
-Unpunctuality: Here time is not really worried about. So often if something starts say at 8pm no one will show up until at least 9ish or a shop that opens at 10am will be about 5 or 10 minutes late to open. Often it doesn't really matter much but it can get quite annoying sometimes.
-Constantly having to be careful (safety): Obviously you have to be careful everywhere you go but I never have experienced it quite like in Argentina. Simple things I took for granted like being able to go away and leave the house unlocked, which here you definitely can't do, I haven't seen a house here yet that doesn't have bars on the window or metal shutters that lock in front of the windows. Even walking down the street, always having your bag in the front and being conscious of your things.
-Heat!: I have never experienced heat like this before. The hottest its been is 40 degrees here so apparently I have been spared but it doesn't feel like it! The hottest part of the day is from 3-6pm and from then the heat stays around until at least 12am or 1am. One night it was still 33 degrees at 11.30pm :( Although heat does have a few benefits like the tan I now have :)
Friday, 9 January 2015
Looking back
As I'm writing to you now we are in 2015 and I currently have 4 days left in Argentina. I cannot begin to describe the mixture of feelings that I have at the moment. On one side I am full of excitement to see my family in New Zealand, I can imagine the airport greeting already and I start to get butterfly's inside. I never realised how much I loved and valued them until they were on the other side of the world and now I get to see them after 4 1/2 months. I also can't wait to just see all my friends again and be able to properly talk to them and catch up.
But then on the other I am really sad to leave Argentina and this different life I threw myself into. I will miss my host family very much, apart from my family, they are possibly the sweetest, kindest people I have had the pleasure to be around. I will also miss the friends I have made here and the ones that will be leaving to their countries soon as well.
My time here has gone so fast but slowly at the same time. As I had a few complications that I couldn't control at the start of my exchange, I wasn't able to have the full 5 months so I ended up with just over 4 months here. Despite this I tried to make the most of my time here and I can't think of anything I regret.
Thinking back to when I first chose to go on an exchange my main reasons for doing it was to learn Spanish, experience life in another country and to learn more about that country's culture. But I never realised that I would gain so much more than just that. Things that money can't buy and that you would never fully feel or experience travelling as a tourist. I feel like I have changed as a person, I feel a lot more confident with in myself and more sure of myself. I also have learnt to appreciate my life more. There's that common saying "you never know what you have until its gone" and that's absolutely true. Even though I technically didn't lose anything, it was all on the other side of the world, too far out of my reach.
My exchange has been one of the most rewarding, most unpredictable, most difficult and most fun moments of my life so far. I never thought such a short period of time could have changed me so much and could have offered the most amazing experience that I was fortunate enough to have. I have never laughed, smiled, cried or been so out of my comfort zone so much before. I still amaze myself by looking back at what I have done and learnt, something that my 15 year old shy-self never would have been able to do. The sights and places I have been able to see, the incredible people I have became friends with, the cultures I have been exposed to and the experiences that I have been able to have. Something I will treasure and keep close to my heart forever, and also something that I will look back on forever and still be telling stories about when I grow old.
To end this blog post, I'm going to add some quotes that sum up my exchange :)
But then on the other I am really sad to leave Argentina and this different life I threw myself into. I will miss my host family very much, apart from my family, they are possibly the sweetest, kindest people I have had the pleasure to be around. I will also miss the friends I have made here and the ones that will be leaving to their countries soon as well.
My time here has gone so fast but slowly at the same time. As I had a few complications that I couldn't control at the start of my exchange, I wasn't able to have the full 5 months so I ended up with just over 4 months here. Despite this I tried to make the most of my time here and I can't think of anything I regret.
Thinking back to when I first chose to go on an exchange my main reasons for doing it was to learn Spanish, experience life in another country and to learn more about that country's culture. But I never realised that I would gain so much more than just that. Things that money can't buy and that you would never fully feel or experience travelling as a tourist. I feel like I have changed as a person, I feel a lot more confident with in myself and more sure of myself. I also have learnt to appreciate my life more. There's that common saying "you never know what you have until its gone" and that's absolutely true. Even though I technically didn't lose anything, it was all on the other side of the world, too far out of my reach.
My exchange has been one of the most rewarding, most unpredictable, most difficult and most fun moments of my life so far. I never thought such a short period of time could have changed me so much and could have offered the most amazing experience that I was fortunate enough to have. I have never laughed, smiled, cried or been so out of my comfort zone so much before. I still amaze myself by looking back at what I have done and learnt, something that my 15 year old shy-self never would have been able to do. The sights and places I have been able to see, the incredible people I have became friends with, the cultures I have been exposed to and the experiences that I have been able to have. Something I will treasure and keep close to my heart forever, and also something that I will look back on forever and still be telling stories about when I grow old.
To end this blog post, I'm going to add some quotes that sum up my exchange :)
 |
| Very accurate! |
 |
| ♥Love my host family♥ |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)