2/24

After breakfast I had my first independent travel-- one whole street and 3 blocks away! haha. Impressive, I know. Megan and I came down from our room to the hotel staff informing us that "todos salieron." Luckily, my mom had written the address to Flacso on my luggage tickets and I'd memorized it in the airport and from walking yesterday knew that Ayacucho was just the next street over. Otherwise we would've missed the ejercicio de besos (learning the art of Argentine greetings). We had a bunch of workshops today that were pretty helpful. I learned the differences among subte, colectivo, taxi, y tren. In the housing workshop, I asked what form to use with my host mom, seeing as I didn't know her age. Meli answered that there is never a situation formal enough to use usted, not even with the president, and vosotros legally takes the place of tu. Pretty great, except for the fact that none of us have ever learned vos in school! But at least this way, once I get it, I'll use it for everyone. Yay for simplicity!
After packing and attempting to buy una tarjeta de viaje (swipe card for subte y colectivo) twice, I was picked up by my family! So exciting! Her name is Valeria and I call her Vale. She's just perfect and so is the house-- perfect example of Argentine elegance and excellence. We took a cab to her apartment, talking the whole way over, where we then lugged my suitcases up the stairs to the apartment. The first floor is very open with wood floors and deep brown furniture and a tiny kitchen and a bathroom. Upstairs is her room and my room which is just adorable-- window, big armoire that magically fits all my clothes, a little desk, and a bed that my suitcases fit under.

Astor the cat is so pretty-- muy flaco y amable.

My favorite place in the house is the terrace above our floor.

I could tell that Vale is experienced with housing students, because she immediately told me to ask her a thousand times to repeat whatever she says until I understand. She also had evertyhing set up for me, including space in the shower rack and an ethernet cord on my desk.

tengo que irme de repento!