resurgence and perspective

This weekend, I attended the induction weekend of my local committee here in Buenos Aires. Let me first preface by explaining that AIESEC in the Southern Cone of South America has struggled for the past few years, from a lack of infrastructure and economic disasters that have plagued two of three countries. The LC of Buenos Aires has been nearly non-existent in the recent past.

The new team here and the rest of the members have through their own efforts have shattered all perceptions about their country, city, and region, proving that AIESEC is in fact relevant in this part of the world and in this culture. This weekend, over 30 new members were shown the beginning of AIESEC and now have the exposure two a myriad of potentially life changing experiences and opportunities, both domestically and abroad.

It really took me back to my first experiences in AIESEC. To the time when I liked the idea of the organization, but had no idea what it really was. Presence in 100 countries is so hard to conceptualize and now it is something I don’t even think about because it is so natural and I know people in many of them. Also, I haven’t spoken with anyone who is 18 and starting their university careers in about a year, so it was very interesting to have that perspective and to see my own personal growth from being I their shoes to where I am now. While life is still often unclear, it is MUCH clearer than it was three years ago.

While I felt that the atmosphere was “trying to be AIESEC” rather than simply living AIESEC (due to the overall lack of experience of the participants), I loved the energy and the passion of all the participants. I am really excited by the momentum of events and I can’t wait to see the number of trainees and BA grow exponentially. It’s such a good city for 100+ trainees. Why not?

Looking forward to SDL in a few weeks. To go to Chile, Cordoba, or both?

confession

I have a confession to make. I normally use this blog to bitch to the masses. Surprised? I am a native New Yorker and like it or not, we are good at complaining. No excuses though, it has been very useful for me to vent my frustrations on this space because so many people who read my blog have had very useful insights. It is not always 100% comfortable to read, but i think anyone who has this opinion that a traineeship is enjoyable 100% of the time. Looking back on my time in Colombia, I only have happy memories, even though the majority of my time there was very difficult for me. So for those of you looking to hear about my "awesome adventures" I'm sorry to disappoint, but that's not what I generally use my blog for. Just so you all know, this isn't related to the stream of comments I received on my last blog. It is more derived from the reaction that I have gotten from people questioning my sanity when it appears I'm not having a great time.

So what is the reality. I really like the organization that I am working for. I am not yet pleased with my day to day work, but I am learning a ton about NGOs, Argentine culture, myself, and business. For me, this is a good sign. My next concern is results, which I am figuring out how to achieve in the best way for everyone.

Culture shock is taking hold in a different and less intense way and I have a lot more perspective and experience to manage it. I notice more things I'm not used to everyday and I get used to relatively few things, but overall, adaptation is a process that you can't force and happens naturally. I am increasingly comfortable in this place of "instability," and my only real fear is returning.

Roommates leave next weak and change comes soon.

Chao Chao.

Hate!

Dear Blogger,

I have found a new hatred for you. I can´t seem to get you to switch my layout options into the new blogger. My love for Google fades rapidly with each fleeting click. Are any other nomadlife users having the same problem?

In need of help.

Arthurnyc

and then there was one

So the family went home and I moved into my permanent apt, finaly!! Work starts up hardcore tomorrow and I go back to finding my way in thi large and confusing city, I can't wait. My apt makes weird noises and the paint is chipping off the walls in certain places, but other than that it's cool. I'm rolling penthouse baby. Top floor, no view from any angle, but if i put my head out of the window and crane my neck, I can see the sky!

Last night was extremely eventful. It started at a new "Cuban"bar that was packed and more than a little sketchy. I met Will and his friend from Ecuador on a balcony of sorts in the one room bar. Note to self, don't go to anymore bars without doors. After about 10 mins, a drag queen with some serious five o'clock shadow forces us down the stairs because the "show" was starting. I complied because he/she looked like she meant business.

Once the balcony was cleared, she started by proclaiming her hate for the new anti smoking laws recently imposed banning smoking in bars and restaurants. She yelled, and wished "tit cancer" upon herself and then proceeded to recite her poem about mr. Peter Johnson.

I was confusedly amused, but very happy to leave when charlie made an appearence next to me.
We went to another club after that. I was amazed by this place. It was huge, the music wasn't terrible and every direction I looked in, I fell in love. Drinks were quite out of my price range so it was either walk home or stay sober. I choose the latter and had a great time people watching and awkwardly dancing just like everyone else. Still getting used to the clubbing culture here, which nobody has fully explained to me, but I think it's a matter of finding select party spots rather than the biggest and most well known.

Today was relaxed and i took care of logistics and lack of sleep from the night before. Back to life as usual tomorrow.

Photos are too slow to upload to blogger so see my flickr for the fam visit.

BA family style

It's very odd to have my family here with me while I'm on my traineeship. On the one hand, it's cool and a privledge most people do not get. On the other hand it is an invasion of my territory a bit. Either way, I can tolerate anything for a week. It is also cool to see how far my Spanish has come since I left for Colombia in September. Sometimes it is difficult to see progress as it happens, but navigating the city for my brother, father, and Margaret has shown me my comfort and proficiency in comparision to the few words they speak.

I'm a bit sad to report that my lovely Colombian influenced accent is slowly changing to the operetic porteño Castell[sh]ano (the Argentine Spanish dialect). I suppose it had to happen, I just hope I can switch back to normal Spanish. We had a good laugh though when I was informing some argentines of the real spanish terms for "un shopping" (mall or centro comercial), "un delivery" (delivery or una entrega a domicilio), or "un mail" (e-mail or correo electronico). Oh well, never hurts to have more vocab.

The past week

So my mom has been in town for the past week and it has been interesting. We are living in a beautiful apartment in lovely Belgrano. Let's just say, I'm not living the broke life for the first time during my year's sojourn, and I could get used to it. Tomorrow morning, the rest of the clan +1 arrives. They should have gotten here on Saturday morning, but we can all thank an air traffic control strike in Brazil for that little hiccup.



Last night my mom and I went for an asado at my mom's friend's house outside the city. Holy shit, I have never tasted steak so tender in my life. The parilla was in the living room and almost everything was cooked there. The spanglish conversation was also enjoyable mixed with smooth tunes.



Tonight, we went out to eat on the Avenida de Mayo and caught a Tango performance at Cafe Tortoni, one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Buenos Aires.

I'd say we're living the dream and the porteño life all at once and doing it in style as well.