Book Fair! Meeting Chanti

Friar drinking Mate

Today I decided to go to the Book Fair. La Feria del Libro is literally a book fair that lasts 2 weeks in Plaza San Martín, at the heart of the city. When I got off the bus and was walking through the pedestrian area, there was so much going on! There was a preacher shouting "I LOVE GOD!" There was a guitarist playing for tips.  There was a group of young music students playing classical music. And there were so many people everywhere! So I arrived at Plazoleta de Cabrera, a smaller plaza right next to San Martín's. There was a celebration there as well.  A lot of Catholic groups were having a fair of their own. They had stands about different things and in the center they were singing songs and playing music.  It was fun, but I eventually left and made my way to Plaza San Martín.

Catholic Celebration

There were three really long tents full of book vendors. It was great! There were many many many many many displays for the works of Cortázar, a literary giant in Argentina.  Last week marked 100 years since the beginning of his career.  There were all kinds of book vendors- A Bible Society, Children's Book Corner, comic books, history books, Popular books translated into Spanish (like The Hunger Games and The Fault in our Stars.) I bought something for my sister, a Bible and a book for me. Once I went through the whole fair, I rested in the plaza for a bit and then went to Patio Olmos to eat lunch.

From there I went back to Plaza San Martín to look for the main event. In addition to book sales, the Fair has daily activities.  Today a famous Argentinian cartoonist named Chanti was coming to present his latest books and to autograph books. There were so many people here to see him- of all ages. When he showed up, the kids went wild! He talked about his new books, he drew some of the characters, and he did a Q&A in which he hid behind the character he drew and answered the kids' questions for that character.  It was fun, because he had to think up answers and improvise.  One thing that really impressed me was that the kids really knew the characters and came up with good questions. At the end, his drawings were given away in a raffle.  I was so close! (They called A13 and I was A15). Yes, after this session, even I was enough of a fan to want his drawings!

The line for Chanti

Then he went upstairs to autograph books. I got in line too. I was in line for FOUR HOURS! In those four hours, I made friends.  First I made friends with the people behind me- A mother and her daughters.  We traded books while we waited.  Since I had bought the latest book, and she hadn't read it, the look on her face was priceless when I offered it to her.  After we finished, we traded again and kept waiting. Eventually, they had waited long enough and they left.  Then I made friends with the people in front of and behind me- 3 mothers, and 5 kids. We talked about Chanti, Argentina, and Asados as we slowly made our way through the line.  We finally got to Chanti! He had already signed hundreds of books, sketched on thousands of books and agendas, posed for even more pictures, and chatted with everyone thus far. However, he was still full of energy and in a good mood when I had my turn.  He's such  a nice guy! So he signed my book and I went home. I made it just in time for dinner. Then I went to sleep.

Rain check

So since it's been so wet outside recently, today's plans for the volleyball-picnic-pizza extravaganza were cancelled.  So sad! Especially since it didn't even rain today. Sigh. So I spent the rest of my day planning out my next couple of weekends.

Looking towards the Future

I woke up a little later today, since the thunder woke me up at 2 in the morning. When I got up, I rearranged my room to get ready for a Skype call with someone who contacted me from Teach for America.  I had breakfast, I came back and waited for the time to come. When it finally came, we talked about my study abroad experience thus far and her organization.  I have the chance to go to teacher training with Teach for America for a summer and start teaching in some school district of their choice. There's also a way for me to get a teacher's certification in 2 years. That's good news! I was very excited about this.

After the call, the rest of the day went by pretty quickly.  Tomorrow will be fun.  The tutors and the exchange students are going to have a volleyball game, a picnic, and homemade pizza for dinner! I can't wait.

THUNDER!!!!!!!!!!! The First Rains of Spring

Yes it is 2 am.
What, pray tell, am I doing writing a blog at 2 am?

Well, it wasn't my idea.  I was sleeping very well when THE LOUDEST THUNDERCLAP I'VE HEARD IN MY LIFE WOKE ME UP AND SCARED 50 YEARS OFF OF MY LIFE.
So I try to catch my breath, and I listen.  The doorbell rings. and rings and rings and rings and rings and rings. And then it stops.. Wow it's like a horror movie! I got out of bed because I heard another thing that surprised me- the pitter patter of rain.  I opened the curtain and looked out the window.  It was raining!!! Not just a little bit either.  It was storming. I was so excited I wanted to blog about it.  Winter in Córdoba is very dry; it never rains.  so this weather is ushering the coming of Spring. Yessss!



Here's a verse I found that conveys my emotions.
Job 37:4-5

"After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. "God thunders with His voice wondrously, Doing great things which we cannot comprehend."

Okay. I'll try to go back to sleep now. Spring is coming. It's raining, it's pouring.....do I snore? Whatever.

Productive Day- Getting things done

Today I had a doctor's appointment. In order to use the gym at UBP, I have to have a medical profile on file.  The one I sent before coming ended up being incomplete, so I needed to go to a doctor to get it completed.  So today I got up, devo, showered, ate breakfast and got on the bus. When it was time, I got up and went into the clinic. I didn't have to wait long; the doctor called me in, I explained what I needed, and we did the medical check up.  After we finished, she signed and sealed it, and I was good to go.  I went home and did all my homework for this week. Wow! All that's left for today is class. Oh, and my weekly Wednesday night video call with the church family back home. Good day. Good day.

ONE MONTH! ? ! ? !

One month ago today, I was just arriving in Argentina. Everything was completely foreign and new. One month! I can't believe that it's been that long! So much has happened in this month, but it's flown by so fast. I've gotten lost, and I've found my way home. I've eaten asado, empanadas, milanesa, locro, criollos, and many other typical Argentine foods. I've had mate with my friends at parks and by a lake. I witnessed an indigenous ceremony, experienced Pentecostal worship and lived the party life once.  I've gone shopping, I went to an anime event. I visited Buenos Aires. I've made friends, I've done schoolwork. Wow.  What a month!

Stopping to think about it, I'm very thankful for the opportunity I had to study abroad, and I can't wait to live these next three months.I'm thankful to my parents, because even with scholarships, this would have been impossible without them. I'm also thankful to my church family, who generously gave to help me get to Argentina and not be broke. And to the many others who gave and prayed for me. Thank you. I LOVE IT HERE! ! !

I'm other news, I went to finalize the process of getting my visa today. Everyone says it's terrible-a seven hour wait and a miserable experience. However, it wasn't that bad. It took Paula and me three and a half hours, and everyone was friendly. So after all that, I'm all set to get my student visa.

Have a great day.

Breath Marcos, Breath

Uuug this week is going to be busy. Tomorrow I have to go to finish the process for getting my student visa, Wednesday I have another appointment, Thursday I have a Skype appointment, Friday there's a volleyball match. All of that plus class and homework... whew!

I have to breath and relax. Haha a month ago today I was running around the airport teeming myself to breath and relax! (More nostalgia tomorrow) 

That's it for now. Gotta get some homework done.