Sunday 28 February 2010
We are all well in Rosario
Hello everyone. I wanted to make a special blog entry to tell everyone we are fine and back home. Even though there was a terrible earthquake in Chile, life in Buenos Aires and Rosario seems normal, with another sunny and warm day. We start classes this week, and will settle into a normal class routine.
Jim
Jim
Enjoyable time in Buenos Aires
We returned to Rosario from Buenos Aires Saturday evening. Although there were earthquakes in Chile, Buenos Aires and Rosario are fine (some high-rise buildings in BA were evacuated, but other than that, the city was functioning normally). All the students are in Rosario and living with their host families.
Here are some pictures from our time in BA.
Thursday 25 February 2010
BA the beautiful
Today we went to the La Boca area of BA. This is the area that was famous for a high concentration of Italian immigrants. With little money and a need for quick shelter, many homes were constructed with corrugated metal as exterior walls. To cheer up the buildings, the homes were painted bright (I mean, REALLY BRIGHT) colors. The area now is mainly a tourist attraction (too kitschy for my taste) but itś a well-known place and I knew the students would like it.
In the afternoon we went to the march of the Mothers of the Disappeared at 3:30 p.m. in Plaza de Mayo. Itś a very moving experience, as the mothers of some of those 30-50,000 people who ¨disappeared¨ in the 1970s according to the government march around the Plaza. Itś a difficult part of Argentine history, when the government turned on many of itś own citizens.
After the march, I took the students to Cafe Tortoni, THE classic cafe in Buenos Aires. Itś a fun place that harkens back to the days when Buenos Aires was at the forefront of literature and politics.
Jim
In the afternoon we went to the march of the Mothers of the Disappeared at 3:30 p.m. in Plaza de Mayo. Itś a very moving experience, as the mothers of some of those 30-50,000 people who ¨disappeared¨ in the 1970s according to the government march around the Plaza. Itś a difficult part of Argentine history, when the government turned on many of itś own citizens.
After the march, I took the students to Cafe Tortoni, THE classic cafe in Buenos Aires. Itś a fun place that harkens back to the days when Buenos Aires was at the forefront of literature and politics.
Jim
Wednesday 24 February 2010
The group in BA
We are in Buenos Aires!!! Yes, we took the bus from Rosario to BA (thatś what they call Buenos Aires here) yesterday. Already we have walked along the Puerto Madero area, as well as seen the Casa Rosada and the Plaza de Mayo.
I know that some of you will be coming to Argentina over the next few months. I think thatś a great idea. After these days in BA, the students will know how to take the bus from Rosario, ride the subway in BA, and have a good general knowledge of the biggest things to see. I told them when family members come to visit THEY should plan to show YOU around and act as YOUR tour guide. Although they have classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (and the advanced students on Friday morning) there is nothing required for Saturday through Monday, so they can get away for extended weekends.
The weather is beautiful here -- lots of sun, with highs in the upper 70s. I will not ask how the weather is back home.
Hasta luego,
Jim
I know that some of you will be coming to Argentina over the next few months. I think thatś a great idea. After these days in BA, the students will know how to take the bus from Rosario, ride the subway in BA, and have a good general knowledge of the biggest things to see. I told them when family members come to visit THEY should plan to show YOU around and act as YOUR tour guide. Although they have classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (and the advanced students on Friday morning) there is nothing required for Saturday through Monday, so they can get away for extended weekends.
The weather is beautiful here -- lots of sun, with highs in the upper 70s. I will not ask how the weather is back home.
Hasta luego,
Jim
Monday 22 February 2010
Two steps forward, one step back
Trying to communicate in a language you didn't grow up with is difficult, and it gets even harder the older you are. I had one of those moments this evening at the supermarket. When I was checking out, one of the items I was buying was on a discount, but I needed a coupon, which I didn't have. So the cashier started talking to me, the woman behind me in line was talking to me, and everyone was staring, probably wondering why I wasn't responding. Finally, the woman behind me in line said to the cashier, "El es norteamericano."
So the secret was out and I couldn't hide it. But I figured with my broken Spanish I could at least explain where I was from and what I was doing in Rosario. We did what all people do to break the ice -- talk about the weather, and they knew that Iowa has been cold with a lot of snow. We all started laughing, and when I left they said "goodbye," the only English I heard my whole time in the store.
It's going to take me awhile before I start relaxing with Spanish. I don't know when it will happen, but I know it will!
Hasta luego,
J.
So the secret was out and I couldn't hide it. But I figured with my broken Spanish I could at least explain where I was from and what I was doing in Rosario. We did what all people do to break the ice -- talk about the weather, and they knew that Iowa has been cold with a lot of snow. We all started laughing, and when I left they said "goodbye," the only English I heard my whole time in the store.
It's going to take me awhile before I start relaxing with Spanish. I don't know when it will happen, but I know it will!
Hasta luego,
J.
Sunday 21 February 2010
Meat in Argentina
Argentina has the highest per capita consumption of meat in the world. They love to eat meat here, and it's very, very good. The traditional form of meat consumed here is called asado, which is basically an Argentine version of barbecue. Today, the dean of the UCEL business school took me to lunch and I opted for asado.
Unlike in the U.S. where we typically eat one BIG piece of meat, often steak, asado is an assortment of meats, eaten in smaller portions. Today, I had:
Morcilla (pronounced "more-see-zha") (basically a blood sausage)
Chorizo - a sausage, like the chorizo you might be used to
Costilla - (pronounced "co-stee-zha") (beef short ribs)
There are a lot of other meats that can come with an asado. This site summarizes them quite well.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/article/Argentina/Beef-Cuts-of-Meat/473
Most asado meats are very simply grilled, with salt. I can guarantee that you will not find steak sauce on your table, and if you asked for it I don't think they would know what you were talking about. Ketchup is available in Argentina, but ONLY for french fries. I suspect that if you tried to use ketchup on asado here, you would get a LOT of strange looks. Really, you don't want to put it on the meat since it is so tasty on its own.
So for those of you coming down to visit, if you like meat you HAVE to try asado.
JP
Unlike in the U.S. where we typically eat one BIG piece of meat, often steak, asado is an assortment of meats, eaten in smaller portions. Today, I had:
Morcilla (pronounced "more-see-zha") (basically a blood sausage)
Chorizo - a sausage, like the chorizo you might be used to
Costilla - (pronounced "co-stee-zha") (beef short ribs)
There are a lot of other meats that can come with an asado. This site summarizes them quite well.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/article/Argentina/Beef-Cuts-of-Meat/473
Most asado meats are very simply grilled, with salt. I can guarantee that you will not find steak sauce on your table, and if you asked for it I don't think they would know what you were talking about. Ketchup is available in Argentina, but ONLY for french fries. I suspect that if you tried to use ketchup on asado here, you would get a LOT of strange looks. Really, you don't want to put it on the meat since it is so tasty on its own.
So for those of you coming down to visit, if you like meat you HAVE to try asado.
JP
Sunday
First, a note on my blog. I changed one of my settings so that you don't have to be registered on the blog to make comments. I look forward to hearing your comments.
We have been here 4 days now. From my experience leading students abroad, as well as from our representatives at UCEL, at first it's good for the students to spend more time with me, for me to show them around, etc. As time goes on, however, it's important for the students to develop friendships with others their own age. This is one of the great strengths of partnering with UCEL. There are a lot of students here interested in meeting and communicating with non-native Spanish speakers in both Spanish and as a way to improve their English skills. And I feel better that the UCEL students are well known.
After we return from Buenos Aires, our students will start their classes a week before the regular UCEL students start. This will allow them to get used to taking classes and feeling comfortable around the campus before things get busier on campus.
Chau,
Jim
We have been here 4 days now. From my experience leading students abroad, as well as from our representatives at UCEL, at first it's good for the students to spend more time with me, for me to show them around, etc. As time goes on, however, it's important for the students to develop friendships with others their own age. This is one of the great strengths of partnering with UCEL. There are a lot of students here interested in meeting and communicating with non-native Spanish speakers in both Spanish and as a way to improve their English skills. And I feel better that the UCEL students are well known.
After we return from Buenos Aires, our students will start their classes a week before the regular UCEL students start. This will allow them to get used to taking classes and feeling comfortable around the campus before things get busier on campus.
Chau,
Jim
Saturday 20 February 2010
Walking Tour of the city of Rosario
I think the best way to get to know a city is by walking in it. Today we spent a few hours walking around the major pedestrian shopping area on Cordoba street. It was so much fun, and people enjoyed finding new things. Here are some pics from today of the Flag Monument (the Argentine flag was created here).
Estamos en la Argentina!!!
WE HAVE ARRIVED!!! Our flight connections were fine and we all made it to Rosario. All of the students have moved in with their host families, and we had our full-day of orientation at UCEL, the university where we will have our classes. On Saturday we will take a walking tour of Rosario.
It is hot here -- yesterday in the low 90s, with rather high humidity (remember, we're south of the equator, so it is summer here), but a big thunderstorm last night seems to have cooled things down.
Jim
It is hot here -- yesterday in the low 90s, with rather high humidity (remember, we're south of the equator, so it is summer here), but a big thunderstorm last night seems to have cooled things down.
Jim
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