Queridos,

Wow, this past week has been filled with lots of fun stuff! Many of my friends are leaving this weekend so we've been doing a lot more sightseeing. We went back to the Recoleta market on Saturday, celebrated Magdalena's birthday on Saturday night, celebrated Jay's 21st on Monday night, and went for a run in Belgrano! There are some of the most beautiful houses in Belgrano, older with ivy running up the walls. We ran past an Ambassador's house with full on security standing outside.

Jay's 21st was awesome - we went to The Alamo, an American bar downtown. I met his roommates who are really cool, and mostly from the international crowd. I met Caro, the girl who owns his apartment - she's from Colombia and moved here about 4 years ago. Ali, one of his roommates, is part of my program - he's from Kuwait, but he's studying in LA! Pim is the other roommate, he's from Holland and is doing his Thesis here for a masters program back home. It was awesome getting to know them and where they're from...and why they're all here!

It has been the Argentine winter break for the past 2 weeks, so everyone is out and about. Last night we went to a few different bars, first Sullivan's (an Irish Pub), then to Madagascar, then to Tazz, Levitar and finally back to Madagascar where it turned into a club at 1:00 am. It was so much fun dancing to a mix of Cumbia, Reggaeton, and American hits as well.

I have to say this city never sleeps - ever. We got home at 4 am (and that's considered really early)! Imagine doing that every night of the week! Exhausting. Anyway, I can't believe I've got a little over a week left here. It's been a truly amazing trip...

Besos,

Sam

Buen Día!

¿Que tal chicos?

El jueves pasado, mis amigos y yo fuimos a un concierto de "The Beats" la mejor banda de Beatles del Mundo. In English, we went to see a concert of The Beats who are a Beatles cover band from Argentina. It was a real kick to listen to The Beatles on a slightly different take. The concert was at Gran Rex - a big concert venue that is an old Opera House downtown.

The band played many fan favorites and included several costume changes, all copying The Beatles' 60's groovy vibe. They even had the haircuts down to a T. The strange part was that no one in the audience was dancing! I know the venue wasn't too conducive to that, but literally, all of the Argentines were just sitting quietly in their seats, while we Americans were having a blast - dancing in the aisles and generally having some honest fun. I'm pretty sure we did nothing to reverse the general stereotype of Americans: loud, obnoxious, LOUD, obnoxious...? Ooops.

The best part were the encores of "She Loves You" and "Twist and Shout"...oh man, Twist and Shout was ah-mazing! We literally danced up a storm, and finally some others got up and started dancing with us too...

All in all, it was a great time! If any of you want to see video - I have some on my computer, but can't seem to post on the blog...ughhh!

This past weekend, we hung out at Aaron's house. He had an Asado (an Argentine barbeque) with housemates and friends. His apartment is the perfect hangout spot because it used to be a hostel.

Yesterday, Marijke and I went exploring downtown on Calle Florida. It was fun walking around and looking at the street vendors. They sell everything from scarves to Argentine flags to electrical outlets! Marijke got a pair of awesome shoes that reminded me of Toms...so cute!

Hope you enjoy the pictures,

Besos,

Sam

Finally Something New...

Hola,

Last night, we had a dinner party out our place. It was great because some of the newer program people came over. I didn't realize how our space is really conducive to a get-together; it worked out really well. Marijke, Eli and Aaron took over the cooking (burrito/tacos) and everyone else hung out around the guacamole... actually, it was probably just me eating the guacamole. Aaron and I had to go out on a scavenger hunt and find some ripe "Paltas" at the nearest Verduría.

This past week has been sort of a blur because I've been pretty sick. I have a pretty standard cold with a few flu symptoms (fever/chills), but its getting much better. Work has been extremely busy and we got an influx of over 100 new orders this week! It's pretty exciting to see such progress while I'm still here helping.

I've also been learning a lot of slang. Here are a few things that I've picked up on that Argentines say as fillers...

Ya fue (shaw fway): means nevermind, don't worry about it

Dale: Ok or go

Que onda: what's up? It can also mean that whatever it is has a good vibe

Tonight we're going to see a Beatles cover band called The Beats. Aaron hooked us up with some good tickets, so that should be really fun. I'll post pictures tomorrow!

Besos,

Sam

4th of July!!!

Hola chiquis,

This weekend was an absolute blast - full of interesting new people, places and HAMBURGERS. We ended up not sleeping from Friday night to Saturday morning, vowing to stay up until the Argentina v. Germany game at 11:00 am. It was a sad day for Argentina, and although there won't be a HUGE victory party, being here for the World Cup is a unique, once-every-four-years experience.

We fell right back asleep on Saturday after Argentina lost, exhausted and happy to be home. Yesterday, the Fourth of July, a bunch of us (Americans) got together and had a bbq on the terrace at Bill and Eli's house. Bill and Sam made hamburgers and hotdogs, while Claire and Debra made guacamole ... it was DELICIOUS, and reminded me of home.

It was a weird, humid 80 degree day ... only a hint at what its like here during their summer. Tomorrow I think a few people are going to a Parilla - a restaurant that is all you can eat. You can ask the chefs to make whatever you want ... empanadas, pizza, french fries, yummmmm.

Besos,

Ciao,

Sam

...And The Hiatus Is Over

Hi!

Lo siento for the little hiatus there. I've unfortunately been a little under-the-weather and thus, have been inside staying warm rather than sightseeing. However, yesterday, for work, I was sent to Belgrano, another barrio in Buenos Aires in the opposite direction of downtown. Belgrano is a very residential area, although its main drag, Avenida Cabildo, is an extremely busy thoroughfare that reminded me of El Microcentro (downtown).

Off to the side of the main Avenue, the streets are tree-lined and you get into a more suburban neighborhood area. I walked by a few schools and I noticed that there were bars on every door and every window, but the kids looked happy playing soccer in the main dirt/sand area for recess.

Nearby my apartment I have found the most delicious little bakery, Il Panino. I think the owners might be Italians, but all of their pastries and facturas are Argentine and wonderful! There are these little breakfast pastries called "Medialunas" which are Argentine croissants, and Alfajores, which are basically cookies filled with dulce de leche. Breakfast here is like dessert, coffee, pastries, cookies (except they do often eat meat for breakfast too).

On Saturday, my friends and I went to a bar nearby owned by an expat called Sugar (the first picture) to watch the US play Ghana. It was wild! The bar was FILLED to the brim with Americans. They had set up a huge screen and everybody was packed in close. The food was exactly what you need when watching a sporting match - french fries, hamburgers, nachos, you name it? They had it.

I'm not sure what we're doing tonight, but I will make sure to keep you posted.

Love you all,

Ciao,

Sam

A Little Homemade Dinner...

Last night we went over to Bill and Eli's apartment and made dinner (we ended up eating at 12:00, midnight)! It was so much fun. We made Chicken Parmesan, a huge salad with red bell peppers, palmitos, tomatos, cucumbers and almonds, bread with olive oil and mozzarella, and finally wine all around!

Ciao,

Sam

Argentina Wins and a little more Tango!

Hola Chicos,

Yesterday I went to San Martin Plaza to watch the live telecast of the World Cup game featuring Argentina versus Greece. It was absolutely insane: smoke, firecrackers, drinks, etc. But I have to admit, the Argentines love their country and it's something that I admire. When Palermo scored (I guess he's big in La Boca, a big barrio in Buenos Aires), the crowd went WILD! They chant, they scream, they cuss, you name it? They do it! I've tried to add pictures and video of that, hopefully it turns out.

Last night I went back to La Catedral for Tango round 2. I didn't dance, but watched my friends and other Argentines take on the "8 easy steps". The atmosphere was great, and the space got really crowded towards 11:30 when the free-dancing started. It was real, authentic, and super underground (how cool!). I've posted some pictures of the cathedral (they don't allow cameras inside, so I had to turn off the flash and improvise!).

Ciao,

Sam