LEGAL HANGOVER

Hey thanks Mom and Dad for making me, I think you guys did a pretty good job!

That being said, I have about 15 minutes before I have to get ready for class so I'll see what I can fit in. Yesterday was my 21st birthday. Every year my parents ask me if I feel older. Oddly, this year I do. All the sudden, that voice in my head telling me to get back to doing my homework or stay hydrated or do my laundry..... is my own. Creepy, huh? Quick! Someone help me set up my retirement fund! No wait, I think I'll put on some Depeche Mode, instead.

I'm sorry I haven't yet written about my trip up north, minus the mini last post. It was so great. I always feel like it deserves a long amount of time to sit down and write. I will share a quick photo though....


Here's me at the "Salinas Grandes," one of the biggest salt flats in the the world (I think in Bolivia is the biggest?) outside of a mountain town called Purmamarca. It was really cool to go out into the country and imagine all the things I've read about, about Argentina when it was just developing. Also, it was incredible to go to these sleepy towns where people actually still dress like gauchos and call themselves gauchos and feel SUCH intense pride in their traditions.

Okay that's all I've got time for. Much love to all!!! Off to history!

The Dying Tobacco Plants of Chicoana

That afternoon in Marzo I crept over the barbed wire

into your family reunion,

courted your veins.

Raindrops fell sleepily to its withering brother leaves below,

hand-me-downs knitted by the sky.

The impact sounded like footsteps: I waited paitently

under the heavy gray sky,

my sneakers being devoured into the mud,

mosquitos rain-dancing through my bloodstream.

How does it feel

when the hummingbirds stumble through the graveyard of your flowers,

trying to suck nectar from your empty pink carriages?

Do you mistake their slender beaks for those of vultures?

The gentle wind for bandits of your seeds?

For every plot of land, there are tongues to lick it clean.

Y Ahora, La Semana de Examenes

Made it back alive! Just got in about an hour ago to the Retiro station. Later this afternoon, I have my first final. This is cruel and unusual torture. More later. Over and out.

SPRING BREAAAKKKKKK!!!!!!!

So I guess I'm on Spring Break now? It doesn't quite feel like it seeing as I have to work tonight and tomorrow night. The majority of kids from my program have already left (either to Machu Picchu or Patagonia) but since I can only get ONE week off of Spring Break at work- my weeks being Wednesday through Saturday- I couldn't join any of them. Thus, I am going traveling alone. This Sunday to the next Sunday doesn't leave me a TON of time, but hopefully it'll be enough to get to know more of the country. This afternoon, I bought my going and return ticket to Salta!



Salta is a province in the north of Argentina: 20 hours by bus. I've never done a trip on my own, and I'm just so excited for it. This picture up there (which I stole from google images) is one of the places I believe I'll be headed.) I have planned out the different areas I'll be going to (new place each day) but other than that I've got nothin'. I have a list of some cheap camp sites so I may do that as well. Other than that... wish me luck! I'd say it's moooost likely I won't be blogging for the next week but I'll write in my journal a lot and share later.
Hasta luego!

Life is a Celebration

CARNAVAL
in San Telmo

(nothing says a good time like a man dressed up in a nun costume, dancing down the street)

("Is it raining men? Why I believe it is! Hallelujah!")

This chick was not havin' it....