Concrete Jungle (Tigre included)

Now that I'm starting to settle into Buenos Aires a bit, and decompressing from the overwhelming size of the city, I've been more aware of the subtle details that make it lovely. Out with the old big, in the with new small.

[Greengreygreengreygreengrey.]

Upon first impression BA is an urban city: pedestrian-unfriendly traffic, tall buildings and all. Upon second inspection, BA is a fine fusion of jungle pride and concrete sidewalks with growing trees against static architecture and grand parks amongst cluttered streets.      
                          

As wild as the city can be, our group decided to escape to the more natural landscape of el Tigre. El Tigre is a quaint town about an hour out of the city and hosts a river landscape. The water is a tinge of dark olive/light brown due to the water that arrives from the jungles in Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. 

It's a pretty hopping site on the weekends, alive with tourists and porteños alike. Fortunate enough, we tapped into our porteño side and booked our own private boat (thank god for the currency exchange rate here... take the price and ÷ by 4). Instead of accepting the usual ride and restaurant stop, we asked if we could be dropped off at a site where we could swim and bask our pale (not nearly porteño) bodies in the sun. 

The result? An unforgettable get-away in the 'natural' landscape of el Tigre. In reality, it seemed like the city just naturally follows the porteños wherever they go, because with the city comes amenities and conveniences. But only when the balance of natural outweighs the urban can a porteño finally relax. 

Me, Kylie, Amy and Alyssa
on the boat ride to relaxation.

One of the many hang sites along the river we
decided to stop at and enjoy for the day.

    

MACHISMO

MACHISMO: a representation of the goods or compensation for what's not there?

This statue may answer the question

CONTEXT: the men here are quite, um, friendly. Either they haven't seen foreign women in several years or it's part of the culture.

[I'm going to go with the later seeing as I've seen plenty of tourists on the street who are just as lost and white as me.]

It's been part of the assimilation process to hear whistles and just-audible-enough commentary here while walking on the street. I'm not trying to paint Argentina as a country built on sexual harassment, not at all. Just that the men have a different form of communicating and expressing salutations. And that in comparison to the U.S., it's forward. Needless to say, it's going to be very interesting working for a feminist organization in such a patriarchal society. 

Let the juxtaposition begin!

Hot Stuff

My time in BA is heating up, literally and figuratively. I feel like the whole city is melting right now. It was about 94 degrees today and I think I sweat off all of my water weight. Not to mention you have to avoid the dripping air conditioners on the sidewalks.  

Figuratively-- I was just informed of my work assignments today. I had a lovely date with Carolina (the program director here) and we chatted about my two internships and the difficulties of studying abroad in another country. 

Internship #1: Artemisa- La mujer mediatizada (The Determined Woman)

-I get to design a logo and pamphlet for an extension of this feminist organization. It's the only program of its kind in South America that caters to women, and helps improve the role of women in the workplace and the media. The more specific extension that I'm designing a logo for is all about "ecofeminism." Ecofeminism preaches a connection between women and the environment. Does Carolina read minds?! I don't know where this philosophy has been hiding from me, but I'm glad I found it. I'll update you when I know more details! 

-I'll also help design the website for the ecofeminism extension.

Internship #2: Avant Garde (Avante Garde Advertising Agency) 

-I'll be starting for this agency in March after working with Artemisa for a month. I have absolutely no idea what I'll be doing with them, however I do know their clients... and I just about peed my pants when I found them out. Good thing I had already sweat out all the water in my body walking home. Are you ready for this? Some of their larger clients include...

Quilmes (the Budweiser equivalent in Argentina), Tru TV, Johnson & Johnson, Heineken, Tang, Nestle, CNN, Cartoon Network, Ford and Absolut Vodka

-I'll also be worshipping the ground these advertisers walk on.

As far as studying abroad goes? I hate Spanish. There, I said it. I hate Spanish... for now. Carolina told me about her study abroad program to France and how it was the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of her life. She too hated French for awhile before she finally buckled down, took a few nights to study the language instead of lose brain cells to vino, and turn on the radio to listen to copious amounts of talk radio. She recommended I need to stop fighting the language and embrace it. I guess I can do that, especially if that translates to excelling at my internship with Avante Garde. 

Pop Culture

I'm not exactly sure how los portenos (the locals) view Americans, but I've definitely seen some trends. One of said trends is that our media has quite a large influence here, as evident by some phrases that our tour guide (Juliana) used when describing certain sites and places.

"You have the pink panther. We have the pink house."

[sidenote: the White House equivalent here is pink]

"People either loved her (Evita) or hated her, like Woody Allen."

I hope I will have Spanish of this interesting wise nature in the near future.

P.S.- I should have plenty of stories and pictures to share after this weekend! You should probably mark your calendars for an epic post on Monday or Tuesday... probably Tuesday seeing as el cumpleanos del (the birthday of) Kylie is on Monday! 

Little Girl, Big City

Talk about reality checks.

-I'm a pale white American. 

-I don't know Spanish very well. 

-I can't read a map to save my life, nevertheless to find a restaurant or supermarket. 

-I get lost easily and frustrated even more frequently. 

-I don't function well on an empty stomach. 

-I don't feel ready taking classes again (which I started today).

I feel stripped of all my security: my family and friends, my language (aka my ability to communicate well), my culture (aka my understanding of social etiquette and norms), and my high expectations for quick assimilation. 

My largest reality check? Study abroad requires patience. I don't think that word even exists in my vocabulary. Who needs that when you have the Internet (oh wait, my apartment's isn't working properly at the moment...), and smartphones (oh yeah, I can't use mine here without paying a crap ton o money...), and a clear understanding of the city your living in (like I've acquired that in three days, pshya)? 

Hmmmm, so I guess that means I do. A little optimism may play nicely into the mix too. Then sprinkle a little bit of faith and I'm in it to win it.

You guys are going to think I'm hallucinating when I show you the pictures of where I am, but believe me. It ain't easy being in a place that's green (and really freaking big and foreign)...

My group! Max, Amy, Alyssa, Me, Kylie and Bianca

A large park that resembles a botanical garden in Palermo.

Role Play (¡Mi Llegada!)

Here's the moment you all have been waiting for... I've arrived in Argentina! And I'm left speechless. Literally, speechless. I can't speak Spanish to save my life right now (as evident by my failed attempt to converse with a woman who rung up my food at the grocery store to feed my aching stomach). I feel like useless comatose in a sea of beautiful Argentineans. At least I'm a spectacle for some to gawk at whenever I leave my apartment. I haven't seen ONE redhead since I've landed (neglecting a baby in a restaurant where I ate dinner tonight). Definitely not a pale redhead with freckles and an American accent.

What can I say? Well, I guess I give into stage fright every once in a while. Argentina is my stage and I can't remember a single line from the scripts (textbooks) I learned in my prior spanish classes. How pathetic, right? I freeze up whenever someone asks me a question or makes a comment, and my mind goes blank like an empty piece of paper. Then I'll begin an overly complicated response and stop halfway through when I realize I'm digging a linguistic hole for myself. Finally, I start over and reply with something a second grader may mutter (and that's giving myself a lot of credit).

Now I'm sure you're dying to know, what's your plan now Anna? After a bit of stressing, a few tears and some motivation from my friends, I decided the show must go on. So I settled on a fine actor who shall be my inspiration as I embark on my spanish journey. He's optimistic and friendly, slightly (okay, maybe a bit more that slightly) naive, and soaks up his surroundings. He's... Spongebob Squarepants!

Spongebob Squarepants
(I hope I made you proud R. Smylie)

What a spitting image, no? Glasses, freckles and all! I have a weak spot for tube socks too, but don't you dare call me square.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011
 http://www.style.com

Fortunately, Marc Jacobs has come up with the perfect costume for me to wear if I ever felt compelled to emulate my role model...

Wish me luck as I stutter and stammer my way through Argentina. At least I'll do so in a shining (yellow) manner.

¡Chao!

¡Che Boludo!

My older sis gave me an absolutely hilarious, and most likely necessary, book this Christmas on the art of Argentine spanish. And I AM OBSESSED. From what I've gathered, Argentines have a language they could call their own once one factors in all the slang.

"Argentines in particular always seem to be just as aware of their shortcomings as they are of other's. This keen sense of discernment is illustrated by the vast quantity of words used to precisely describe an idiot, a braggart, a liar, a scam or the quality of anything from personal character to household appliances."
- James Bracken, author of ¡Che Boludo! A Gringo's Guide to Understanding the Argentines (gasp! that's me!)

Just a few key words and phrases I've been memorizing from this magical book:
apoliyar: [v] to sleep. *from a polilla (moth) sleeping in the cocoon
banana: [f] someone who thinks he/she is really cool but is never taken seriously by others (duly noted in case anyone tries to call me "Ana Banana")
boludo: [m,f] lit. someone with large testicles
1. fool, idiot
2. used as a meaningless interjection or casually between friends, "¡Che Boludo!"
cachengue: [m] a party
"la noche esta en panales": 'the night is in diapers'; the night is young

I wonder if I'll return with a dirtier mouth and a mind deeper in the gutter... who are we kidding? Shit's guaranteed. Oops.

Pa(ni)ck Attack

I've always prided myself on packing. I may or may not have called myself the "packing queen" once or twice. I try to defy the girl stereotype of excessive packing, yet allow myself options for outfit creativity. However this trip has caught me off my guard. I won't be in Argentina for a long weekend or a couple of weeks. I'll be there for FOUR MONTHS. Four months of traveling around its diverse climates (tropical rain-forests down to the bitter glaciers). Four months of going out to discos and learning the tango. Four months of working at an advertising agency. 

Talk about a packing challenge.

Mission: fit four months in three bags. 

Now I'm not a math major, but that doesn't seem to add up.
[Curse you, United Airlines!]
Fortunate enough, there will be plenty of tiendas (stores) in Argentina for me to supplement my wardrobe and cosmetics.
[I bet you're sighing right along with me, especially you Mumsie and Popsicle]

Strategy: Selectivity and Premeditation. 
Selectivity- n. se.lec.tiv.i.ty
1. "the state or quality of being selective."
2. "take the fashion forward clothing and leave the unworthy at home."
Premeditation- n. pre.med.i.ta.tion
1. "the act of speculating, arranging, or plotting in advance."
2. "pack knowing roughly who you'll meet, where you'll be visiting, and what you'll be doing."

Prep: research Argentine fashion, make a check list and do the damn laundry.
What's a mission without a list? Now, will I try cheating the list by stuffing this cute top and that tight pair leggings that I accidentally forgot to include on my list in any square inch available? Um... yes. Here's to buying another duffle while I'm down there to haul back my Latin wardrobe additions!

As far as research, I'm sensing a trend in bright colors, flowy shapes, and tribal patterns.

mix and clash--
http://sociallysuperlative.com

concrete jungle--
http://new.xinhuanet.com

ziggy stripedust--
http://newshopper.sulekha.com 

Execution: TBA. 
Stay tuned my beloved followers!

Muppet Surgery Failure

Just wanted to follow up my last post with a series of shots from my time with a cupcake.

[Pretty sure Jim Henson may turn in his grave at the thought of this post... so, RIP to him and an unidentifiable blue muppet.]

The Cookie Monster/Gonzo cupcake.

We performed some pretty successful lasik eye surgery.

However, the brain surgery didn't go so well.

And then, um... well, we ate him.

Married!

People say it's hard being a tourist in your own town, and I have to agree. I'll talk a lot about tentative plans to visit Millennium Park or the Sears Tower when I visit home, but such plans always slither away from me. Whether it be my parents' stocked kitchen or my empty wallet, there's always a reason to stay home and invite friends over instead.

So I made a vow this break as I committed myself to happiness:
"I, Anna Smylie, vow to pursue excitement and adventure with a sense of openness here in Oak Park or Argentina, whether such times be planned or spontaneous, through sickness (err, depending on how severe the symptoms) and health. In the name of Magellan, de Leon, and Dora-- I do."

And I have been doing my best to stick to my vow as I host my boy in Oak Park this weekend (my last F-Sun before I jet off. Tear, tear). We can boast  a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, swing-dancing at U of C, and a trip to downtown Oak Park for shopping and a movie. Not bad right?
And I'm off to drink tea with my ladies downtown this evening and see Wicked come Tuesday.

I have a confession though. As fun as it is to make extensive lists of places I've been and sites I've seen, those aren't really the times I remember first. I remember CJ and my sprint home from Five Guys as we try desperately to keep the burgers and fries warm. I remember our attempt to carefully dissect a muppet cupcake... only to make a mess of blue frosting and vanilla crumbs.
[stick with me as I get cheesy here]
Basically, I remember the time I share with someone rather than the event or place itself.
[there! that's it for the cheese, I swear!]
And I intend on finding those experiences in Argentina. I do.

Two Weeks Notice

I had a reality check when I came home from Kansas City this Monday: I'm leaving for Buenos Aires in two weeks. TWO WEEKS.

[sidenote: Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a majestic sort of midnight. Insert a mushy, gushy shout-out to the boy here.]

So naturally, I made an extensive to-do list as a placebo to make myself feel like I've accomplished something. In fact, it just reminds me of the state of anxiety I should be in instead of my reality. The result of my list of threats... in addition to a dark lair of a basement, a Bad Girls' Club marathon and the world wide web? Preparation Procrastination!

At least my procrastination got me somewhere in the ballpark of being productive. I follow quite a few blogs, mostly fashion ones, that finally pushed me to start one of my own. After all, what better time to launch a riveting blog that attracts millions of followers than now as I head down South? So, in case you too need some minutes of your life spent staring at a lit computer screen, I provided my top blog picks aka my bomb-tastic bookmarks:
1. The Sartorialist- the man's a street fashion genius.
2. Manrepeller- for the fashion (not men) conscious.
3. Serious Eats- prepare to drool when photograzing.
4. Garance Dore- the women equivalent to the Sartorialist's Schuman.
5. VBS- okay, okay so this site isn't a blog, but talk about amazing documentaries.

Wish me luck as I slowly but surely cross each item off my list. My couch be damned!