enferma

Today I had my first in-house doctor visit ever. The custom here in Bs As is to call the doctor to come to the house, or go into the clinic when you feel sick, unlike in the States where you wait until you can't stand it any longer. I'd been sick since Sunday mid-day, but didn't want to have a doctor's visit. Yesterday I almost passed out while riding my bike because I was really dehydrated, and I was up all night last night. So this morning at 5, I caved and called. Turned out great because it's included in our insurance with the program and I got a certificate for missing classes! That means my absence doesn't count against our mandatory 80% class attendance in order to pass. winnnn!
That was a big relief, so I've been doing my homework, resting, and trying to get ready for the rest of the week. I'm going to try to make it to my last class at 6 pm and I may meet up with Sabrina again. She's from Switzerland and I met her in Uruguay. She Michelle and I had dinner Saturday night because she's spending a few days here in Bs As before going back to the land flowing with cheese and chocolate.
Language update: Vale gave me some encouragement Sunday morning while we spent the morning on the terrace in the sun. She told me that she's noticed a huge improvement in my Spanish and that she appreciates that I try to speak Spanish even with my Flacso friends. She said that for the other students that she hosted, she noticed that their Spanish worsened from studying abroad because they practiced so much beforehand so they were spot-on when they arrived, but then stuck to the English-speakers and lost their abilities. I think I should be proud of that, even though it's kinda like receiving the "most-improved" award... if you're terrible to start with, you're bound to improve! And I certainly did not practice before coming here.
Anyways, I have some fun things planned for this next week: at some point, I'm going to meet up with 2 friends from the hostel in Mendoza; going to have a night of Truco (Argentine card game that's very complicated), Mate, and Tango music at the house of someone I met at Vale's party either Thursday or Sunday (with Missy too!); Friday I'm going to a musical and dinner for Annie's birthday, Saturday is zoo day! Beyond excited! And then that evening is the very formal birthday party for Marcelo's dad. And on Sunday Missy and I are planning to finally get to the Rey de Reyes Iglesia that we've heard so much about from past Hope study abroad students.

I just hope my body gets its act together!!

Also, in the meantime I need to write a research paper, in addition to all my other work... yikes! Makes me appreciate Hope College resources and classes in my native tongue so much more.

Another side note: I lost 1 of my dance shoes... really inconvenient because now I have to buy a new pair that'll serve my Folk Dance class as well as Tango.. Vale says I'm waiting for my prince to bring it to me. In reality, I think Astor robbed me!

If you want to get more of a feel for Argentina, watch these videos I've posted on my youtube!

from Vale y Marce's Tango show


TAMBORES show:






Human Rights Protest, Los Tambores No Callan:




Soccer Game when it rained: