expectations are just that, expectations

I had my expectations about this trip; what kind of family I would be staying with, how my work would go, who I would meet, things I would do. However I can safely say that all those expectations went straight out the window when Ines (my Projects Abroad coordinator) opened the door to the apartment I would be staying in.

It seems almost European-style, with tall ceilings, open spaces, sparse decorations, and a full-length window looking out over the street below and through which you can hear the constant sounds of Spanish music. Bienvenidos a Rivera Indarte.

Jeremias Di Pietra and Franca Maccioni? Not the parent-like couple I was expecting. "Jere" is a soon to be 24 year-old graphic design student at one of Cordoba's universities and Franca is his 23 year-old girlfriend who works one day a week as a secretary, speaks minimal English, and is quite nice.

I was under the impression that I wouldn't have a roommate until Laura arrived to study medicine from England, however that too was just one of my many misinterpretations. I share a room with Sophie, a 20 year-old from Grenoble who, after an early midlife crisis while studying science at university decided to go to Argentina for five months, speaks flawless Spanish and talks (in a good way) all the time.

In another room is Ari and Francie, two girls from Germany here for six months to learn Spanish. On a walk around the city today I learned - and met - the seven thousand other German students which can be found pretty much everywhere in Cordoba.

It's been a tiring day. I spent most of the day at the park with Sophie and millions of German students playing ultimate frisbee and drinking mate (mah-tay) which is a very strong, traditional Argentinean tea which involves putting a bunch of marijuana-resembling substances into a cup, filling it with boiling water, passing it to one person who then drinks it out of a fancy straw. Once empty it is refilled and passed to a next person and so the process continues. **apparently you don't say "gracias" until you have had all the mate you want, because it's a sign that you are finished.

Tonight I went for a walk around the outdoor market (which stays open until midnight) and am now back at home waiting for dinner, which apparently isn't eaten until 1130 or midnight, 1030 if im lucky.

bueno, nos vemos :)