Happy New Year!
Its January 1st, 2010! I've been home for a week and a half and finally feel ready to write a sign-off post although I don't think I can ever sufficiently sum up my semester in Argentina in one tidy little message. All I can come up with when people ask me is "it was wonderful," which is highly un-creative, but the one-word truth.
My goodbye to Argentina was an epic, month-long farewell. After Thanksgiving I had one last dance class and was done! Amazing! to be done so early!! I had a week to take it easy in Mendoza and say goodbye to friends, run in the park, eat meals with my host family and chat with my host grandma...basically enjoy what had become the normalness of living there. Then I went to Patagonia for a week. First to El Bolson with Caitlin and Evan, where we climbed to the top of Mount Piltriquitron , saw the Bosque Tallado (a forest of sculptures carved from trees burned in a forest fire), hung out at the hippie artesan market, and tried artesanal local beers and homemade jams. Then Caitlin and I went to Bariloche (an old swiss settlement gone high-end ski and hiking hub) and biked the Circuito Chico, a route past several glacial lakes in the mountains that looks just like "The Sound of Music" scenery of the swiss alps covered in wildflowers. Then I flew down to El Calafate and met Meagan, Hannah, Meryl and Bridget to see the glacier Perrito Moreno, which I believe is one of the world's last growing glaciers. Meryl and I also went on a strange, slightly cheesy Patagonian ranch excursion where we saw a sheep sheered, rode horses for like 30 minutes, and then ate an asado (argentina bbq) which, yes, included lamb from the ranch. I flew back to Mendoza in time to meet my parents flight at the airport.
I showed my mom and dad around Mendoza for four days (winery visits, dinner with my host family, hiking in Potrerillos, lots of walking and good eating). I said goodbye to a few more friends and to my host family. Then we went to a beautiful Estancia (ranch) in Uco Valley (closer to the Andes) for two nights, where we were totally pampered by excellent hospitality (we were the only guests!), awesome food, lots of wine, and unbelievable horseback rides through the rocky and steep foothills led by a gaucho (authentic Argentine cowboy). It was a perfect retreat time for me to let the last few weeks of goobyes soak in. Then we passed through Mendoza for another lovely afternoon and flew to Buenos Aires, where we spent three days seeing lots of cultural sites, some beautiful parks, and walking a ton.
So now I am home, safe and sound and COLD in 5 degree weather with lots of snow! It doesn't feel that wierd yet. It feels like home :) Christmas was relaxed and fun. I have enjoyed every moment of reuniting with my Minnesota friends. I have already made the recipes my host Grandma taught me (traditional Argentine cookie sandwhiches called alfajores and a mandarine breakfast cake that is her speciality). The only strange feeling I have about being here is knowing that my vida argentina is over for now and I won't be going back to that life when Christmas break is over. I hate to think of the past five months as isolated from the rest of my life and hate the tinge of finality that looms over goodbyes. This New Year's, when I heard the classic song "Auld Lang Syne," the lyrics about toasting to auld lang syne, to days gone by, held special meaning for me.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
I think this semester my new friends and I have "picked the daisies" and "run the slopes". We really had some wonderful times and made the most of everything. We also "wandered many a weary foot" on unforgettable trips. I went all around the country and across the width of the continent. Now between my Argentine friends and I, "seas between us broad have roared" and we are faced with the reality that we live very far away from eachother. But "old acquaintance" should never "be forgot". I made some "trusty friends" who I already want to visit again and would love to host. And so to that I will "take a cup of kindness yet" or a "right good-will draught." Salud, Argentina! Cheers! When I left, instead of saying goodbye, I made sure to say "Nos vemos" or "See you," and I hope that proves true.
Nos vemos, besos,
Jennie
