As music and dancing is a part of the Latino Culture, I went out to dance Salsa. The first time I went to Azucar, the dance club, a lot of other students were there trying to move on the sweet music. It was fun, I definitly want to learn Salsa! The place was so hot, everyone was sweating! Une noche calor y caliente!!! haha After the first class my friends from school and I were drinking a beer, when a good looking man asked Katarine and me to dance with the first class of Bachata, because there were more men than women. In Belgium with Lindy Hop it is the opposite!! So we joint the class and if you look at the clip of La Lambada, you will see it is a sensual way of dancing ;)
After two weeks of Spanish class, I made an exam and the result was pretty good: 79% !
I still feel like an idiot speaking Spanish, but I practice a lot at school and at the hostel. :) Last weekend in San Telmo, I finally understood people talking to me!
I went to a Tango Show with live music and it was fabulous! The level of the tango dansers was higher than I saw in the streets of San Telmo and la Boca. The setup of the concert hall was also very enjoyable: tables per 4 people. There was a possibility to eat and as a guest I received a drink which was included in the ticket. I went to Tango Porteño at Cerrito.
I am doing a lot of things with so many different people, I am having a good time and I must say that I almost regret this is my last week in this city. This city is so easy to love, I never have to check the time as buses are driving around all the time, the supermarket is open every dag untill late in the evening and there is always somewhere a market or a party going on.
Another two days to go in Buenos Aires. I am so looking forward to leave this hot and busy city, I need some rest and silence. On Friday, I am leaving for Uruguay. It is a trip of 3 hours by boat to Montevideo. I will enjoy the beach with two Flemish chicas, Stefanie and Nele.
25 januari 2012
18 januari 2012
Life in Buenos Aires is good
I am starting to make my way into the jungle of words. The thing is that a lot of young Argentinians want to practice their english....while I try to express myself in Spanish. I have been told I should go to Peru and for sure Bolivia to practice! The first week of Spanish class was a bit boring, I started at the lowest level, but apparently I remembered more than I would have thought! So I changed level and now I am learning the past tense of the verbs, which is NOT easy.
I am happy with this school (ECELA), as the teachers learn you in a playful way the difficult stuff. The groups are only with 5 or 6 people, so we have the possibility to talk a lot. I realize that I have already learned a lot, now I just have to practice it during the 5,5 coming months!
I am staying in International Hostel Recoleta, which is a quiet house in a very quiet street. It is a cheap hostel, but it is relatively clean. The room with 12 beds is a bit crowed at the moment, so the bathroom is really dirty at the time I wake up. I have class in the afternoon, so I get up when I wake up (OH YEAH). In the morning, I have breakfast and study Spanish. At noon I sometimes cook some rice or pasta with vegetables or I get me some empanadas. I eat a lot of fruit, as it is so hot in the city, that I can hardly eat a warm meal.
Buenos Aires is an enormous city with a lot of barrios, but the city is like the greek invented: it is made out of squares which makes it very easy to find your way. I am living in barrio Recoleta, which is know for shopping and business. I have been to Palermo, the barrio to hang out in the weekend: shopping in a nice area, having a drink, dinner or going out at night. Me gusta Palermo!
Another Barrio is La Boca, it is the old harbour of the city. The houses are colored with left overs of the paint used for boats. On Sunday you can stroll in this area and enjoy carne asado and tango. I had my first tira de asado here, as you should know Argentina is the bbq (= asado) country!No way I will become a vegi!!! Another place to stroll on a Sunday is San Telmo antique market...you cannot believe your eyes! So many old stuff! Here elder people where dancing tango...tango es amor! That is for sure!!! I going to find me a boy who is passionate to dance!
I have also visited the Avenido de Mayo, with on one side the Plaza de Congreso and the other side the famous Casa Rosada. At the square before the old Congreso, people live in tents, I have been told that these people camp there out of prostest against the government in this time of crisis. It was a bit weird, I walked to the square and as soon as I saw the tents, I smootly returned and went around the square. I did not wish to push my luck :) The other weird thing is that the fountain was fenced... I have never seen such a thing...and I have been in a lot of cities in Europe.
Another remarkable thing is people wandering in the city with a cart (trolley) with all sorts of rubbish. These people collect and reclycle things to exchange on a certain market. This idea arised in the '90 due to the crisis, at that time, these people could trade things for services like a dentist, ...
The Argentinian is arrogant, at least the ones I have bumpt into in the city. I think it has to do with status. Especially elder women do not move and run you over like you were not there at all, in shops they are like some flemish people at the supermarket: without a smile. Although some peole are really kind and the ones I went out with are more than ok (but they were friends of my friend)!
As a European I have already practiced a lot of patient in the supermarket. It is just terrible, it takes for ages. You can ask for a home delivery of your goods, a good thing about the supermarket! Well for the old women of course ;)
And a funny aspect: everyone takes the bus of subte (metro) and people waiting for the bus are standing in line. I have never seen such a discipline in Flanders!!!
Los 3 secrets de la vida en Argentina son Reir, Soreir y freir! (Laugh, smile and freire / lachen, glimlachen en bakken...in ons landje is dat dus frituren ;)
My first weekend in BA, I spent most of the time visiting barrios and drinking Fernet. Fernet is a typical liquor from Cordoba, you drink it with coca cola and ice. Here you eat everything with cheese: pasta, empanadas, bread, todo! I went out with my friend from Buenos Aires, I know her through ESHRE, we worked together for four years and now we finally met! So together with 4 of her friends, I experienced nightlife! And it was fun! On Sunday morning I went to bed at 6.30 am and got up at 11 am to go to La Boca and San Telmo...so at 5 pm I was exhausted...estaba cansada!!!!
During the week, I do not go out, as I have to study a bit. But if I eat in the kitchen of the hostel, I'll always find someone to talk to and it happens that I hang out there longer than I have planned.
I have to admit, I miss some of you!!!! I wish I could just spend one evening at my favorite pub!
But hey, I may not complain...I am living in + 26 degrees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I think it will stay a hot summer, as even in the south the weather is nice!
Oh, I have a new best friend...Freddo! Helado muy rico!!!mmm
I am happy with this school (ECELA), as the teachers learn you in a playful way the difficult stuff. The groups are only with 5 or 6 people, so we have the possibility to talk a lot. I realize that I have already learned a lot, now I just have to practice it during the 5,5 coming months!
I am staying in International Hostel Recoleta, which is a quiet house in a very quiet street. It is a cheap hostel, but it is relatively clean. The room with 12 beds is a bit crowed at the moment, so the bathroom is really dirty at the time I wake up. I have class in the afternoon, so I get up when I wake up (OH YEAH). In the morning, I have breakfast and study Spanish. At noon I sometimes cook some rice or pasta with vegetables or I get me some empanadas. I eat a lot of fruit, as it is so hot in the city, that I can hardly eat a warm meal.
Buenos Aires is an enormous city with a lot of barrios, but the city is like the greek invented: it is made out of squares which makes it very easy to find your way. I am living in barrio Recoleta, which is know for shopping and business. I have been to Palermo, the barrio to hang out in the weekend: shopping in a nice area, having a drink, dinner or going out at night. Me gusta Palermo!
Another Barrio is La Boca, it is the old harbour of the city. The houses are colored with left overs of the paint used for boats. On Sunday you can stroll in this area and enjoy carne asado and tango. I had my first tira de asado here, as you should know Argentina is the bbq (= asado) country!No way I will become a vegi!!! Another place to stroll on a Sunday is San Telmo antique market...you cannot believe your eyes! So many old stuff! Here elder people where dancing tango...tango es amor! That is for sure!!! I going to find me a boy who is passionate to dance!
I have also visited the Avenido de Mayo, with on one side the Plaza de Congreso and the other side the famous Casa Rosada. At the square before the old Congreso, people live in tents, I have been told that these people camp there out of prostest against the government in this time of crisis. It was a bit weird, I walked to the square and as soon as I saw the tents, I smootly returned and went around the square. I did not wish to push my luck :) The other weird thing is that the fountain was fenced... I have never seen such a thing...and I have been in a lot of cities in Europe.
Another remarkable thing is people wandering in the city with a cart (trolley) with all sorts of rubbish. These people collect and reclycle things to exchange on a certain market. This idea arised in the '90 due to the crisis, at that time, these people could trade things for services like a dentist, ...
The Argentinian is arrogant, at least the ones I have bumpt into in the city. I think it has to do with status. Especially elder women do not move and run you over like you were not there at all, in shops they are like some flemish people at the supermarket: without a smile. Although some peole are really kind and the ones I went out with are more than ok (but they were friends of my friend)!
As a European I have already practiced a lot of patient in the supermarket. It is just terrible, it takes for ages. You can ask for a home delivery of your goods, a good thing about the supermarket! Well for the old women of course ;)
And a funny aspect: everyone takes the bus of subte (metro) and people waiting for the bus are standing in line. I have never seen such a discipline in Flanders!!!
Los 3 secrets de la vida en Argentina son Reir, Soreir y freir! (Laugh, smile and freire / lachen, glimlachen en bakken...in ons landje is dat dus frituren ;)
My first weekend in BA, I spent most of the time visiting barrios and drinking Fernet. Fernet is a typical liquor from Cordoba, you drink it with coca cola and ice. Here you eat everything with cheese: pasta, empanadas, bread, todo! I went out with my friend from Buenos Aires, I know her through ESHRE, we worked together for four years and now we finally met! So together with 4 of her friends, I experienced nightlife! And it was fun! On Sunday morning I went to bed at 6.30 am and got up at 11 am to go to La Boca and San Telmo...so at 5 pm I was exhausted...estaba cansada!!!!
During the week, I do not go out, as I have to study a bit. But if I eat in the kitchen of the hostel, I'll always find someone to talk to and it happens that I hang out there longer than I have planned.
I have to admit, I miss some of you!!!! I wish I could just spend one evening at my favorite pub!
But hey, I may not complain...I am living in + 26 degrees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I think it will stay a hot summer, as even in the south the weather is nice!
Oh, I have a new best friend...Freddo! Helado muy rico!!!mmm
9 januari 2012
Lleve en Buenos Aires. Avenida Libertad
De busreis van Rio naar Iguazu, was een luxereis in vergelijking met wat volgde. Vertrokken in Iguazu aan de kant van Brasilie betekent uiteraard de grens oversteken. Eerst met de bus stoppen aan de Brasiliaanse douane: uitstappen, paspoort controle, instappen, 1 km verder rijden tot aan de Argentijnse kant. Opnieuw paspoort controle, bagage controle...alles uit die bus halen en dit allemaal in + 30 graden. Ik was een plas water met een trekzak. De busmaatschappij Pluma is echt geen aanrader, de airco blaast eerder warme dan koude lucht. Dus op de bus nog steeds aan het zweten. Ik dacht eerst even geluk te hebben en weer alleen op een bank te zitten...maar alsof de goden me wilden pesten zetten ze een dikke, zweterige Brasiliaan naast me. Hij kwam met zn schouders al voorbij mijn zetel en aangezien ik zelf niet van de smalste ben, zat ik daar mooi gesandwisht tussen een hete bus en een zwetende beer. Ik bespraar jullie van verdere walgelijke details met betrekking tot geuren en geluiden. ;)
Gelukkig had ik mn raampje om uit te turen en te genieten van de groene provincie Misiones... can't wait for nature!!! Zondagmiddag ben ik letterlijk stinkend toegekomen in de busterminal Retiro de Buenos Aires, vanwaar ik te voet naar mn hostel ben gegaan. Dat was een kilometertje stappen, maar in deze hitte met een trekzak en een rugzak zag ik er schoon uit: knalrood met vele druppels op mn hoofdje!
Aangekomen in mijn woonplaats voor de komende 3 weken, namelijk een 'dorm' met 11 andere vrouwen, een douche genomen en de buurt wat verkend. Ik verblijf in Recoleta op wandelafstand van de taalschool en Recoleta blijkt de posh buurt van BA te zijn. Net wat ik nodig heb, muhahah met mn rode hoofd en mn laatste set zomeroutfits. De straten lagen er verlaten bij, zoals in elke stad op een zondagmiddag. Op goed geluk vond ik een supermarkt om me over te geven aan appel en mango. Oh ja en de bananen in Brasil zijn LEKKER!!
Het valt me op dat er een Europese invloed heerst in de stad, zoals de ambassades in mn straat en de hostel waar ik verblijf. Allemaal oude herenhuizen met nog hogere plafonds dan die in Gent. Veel bomen in de straten...zalig en ik heb nog niks gezien buiten de posh buurt he!
Deze maandag gestart met de Spaanse les en het ging vlotjes. Ik zit in een groepje met nog 3 Nederlanders en 1 Duitser en al zeg ik het zelf, wij Vlamingen zijn toch wel beter in onze accenten juist leggen. Zodus tres Holandaises, un Allemand, una Flamenca y una professora dramatico! Geweldig plezant!
En straks word ik uit eten genomen door een local die ik via het werk ken...maar nu eerst una HELADO!!!
Gelukkig had ik mn raampje om uit te turen en te genieten van de groene provincie Misiones... can't wait for nature!!! Zondagmiddag ben ik letterlijk stinkend toegekomen in de busterminal Retiro de Buenos Aires, vanwaar ik te voet naar mn hostel ben gegaan. Dat was een kilometertje stappen, maar in deze hitte met een trekzak en een rugzak zag ik er schoon uit: knalrood met vele druppels op mn hoofdje!
Aangekomen in mijn woonplaats voor de komende 3 weken, namelijk een 'dorm' met 11 andere vrouwen, een douche genomen en de buurt wat verkend. Ik verblijf in Recoleta op wandelafstand van de taalschool en Recoleta blijkt de posh buurt van BA te zijn. Net wat ik nodig heb, muhahah met mn rode hoofd en mn laatste set zomeroutfits. De straten lagen er verlaten bij, zoals in elke stad op een zondagmiddag. Op goed geluk vond ik een supermarkt om me over te geven aan appel en mango. Oh ja en de bananen in Brasil zijn LEKKER!!
Het valt me op dat er een Europese invloed heerst in de stad, zoals de ambassades in mn straat en de hostel waar ik verblijf. Allemaal oude herenhuizen met nog hogere plafonds dan die in Gent. Veel bomen in de straten...zalig en ik heb nog niks gezien buiten de posh buurt he!
Deze maandag gestart met de Spaanse les en het ging vlotjes. Ik zit in een groepje met nog 3 Nederlanders en 1 Duitser en al zeg ik het zelf, wij Vlamingen zijn toch wel beter in onze accenten juist leggen. Zodus tres Holandaises, un Allemand, una Flamenca y una professora dramatico! Geweldig plezant!
En straks word ik uit eten genomen door een local die ik via het werk ken...maar nu eerst una HELADO!!!
7 januari 2012
Rio de Janeiro
Het plan was dus om afgelopen maandag op te stijgen, maar een zieke steward dacht daar anders over. Gelukkig hebben mijn partners in crime Sam en Gianni me dinsdagochtend naar Amsterdam gebracht en 12u later stond ik op Brasiliaanse bodem! En god wat was het lekker warm. Dankzij Dirk en Pati werd ik door Pati's broer Tchin en mama Venicima opgehaald. Venicinma nam me de volgende twee dagen mee naar Rio om mn busticket naar Buenos Aires te boeken en wat sightseeing te doen. Rio is een stad van ongelijkheid, drugsverslaafden slapen op de berm tussen de opritten van autosnelwegen, vele inwoners van de randgemeenten bussen dagelijks 2u enkel om in Rio te werken...en dan staan ze die 2u meestal nog recht ook. Ik heb foto's gemaakt van het dorp Seropedica, waar ik verbleef en dan zou je al denken dat zijn de favelas. Maar dat is een normaal dorp. Onderzeg naar het westen van Brasil krijgen de huizen plakkerij en daken, maar in en rond Rio zijn het bakstenen en hekken...voordeuren bestaat niet, het zijn poorten en hekken zodat de koelte binnen kan.
Gisterenmorgen vertrokken we om 5u met de auto naar Rio en ik was net op tijd om mijn bus van 8.30u te halen. Die rit was een hels avontuur! Door een ongeval stonden we 40 min stil en uiteindelijk zijn we op de autosnelweg (!) rechtsomgekeerd om via een andere route er te geraken....overal file, ik dacht dat ik het niet zou halen en heb de laatste 3km in de hete zon gestapt naar de busterminal. En dan 24u gerust op den bus.
Als ik jullie een raad kan geven....niet pissen op den bus. De bus wibbelt zodanig hard dat je .... hum
Enfin, tot zover het eerste nieuws. Mijn pc tijd zit er ver op!
If there ain't no heaven, maybe there ain't no hell! Flaming Lips
Gisterenmorgen vertrokken we om 5u met de auto naar Rio en ik was net op tijd om mijn bus van 8.30u te halen. Die rit was een hels avontuur! Door een ongeval stonden we 40 min stil en uiteindelijk zijn we op de autosnelweg (!) rechtsomgekeerd om via een andere route er te geraken....overal file, ik dacht dat ik het niet zou halen en heb de laatste 3km in de hete zon gestapt naar de busterminal. En dan 24u gerust op den bus.
Als ik jullie een raad kan geven....niet pissen op den bus. De bus wibbelt zodanig hard dat je .... hum
Enfin, tot zover het eerste nieuws. Mijn pc tijd zit er ver op!
If there ain't no heaven, maybe there ain't no hell! Flaming Lips
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