In a few days I’ll be on an airplane heading to the winter from the Sonoran Desert, leaving behind me, the colorful spring from Argentina. Completing this six months studying and living in Buenos Aires. A time of lessons, of interacting with so many cultures, walking everyday those bumpy paving stones, feeling the diversity of their people, the city and its traditions.
I could sum up a little of the everyday journey: It started with a fast walking, like any other “Porteño” (In Spanish: Citizens from Buenos Aires), looking at my watch to realize if I had to run or was still on time to catch the train. I had to avoid the rush hour from the subway or kept running to find those little signs from the bus stop. Always updating the weather app, with a coat on my arm, because you never knew when the rain would start or you had to fight those typical hurricane winds.
Oh! And I always forgot that break from mid-afternoon and how I had to wait until “17:00 hrs.” for some shops to re-open.
An hour felt like minutes during any occasion when I tried to explore and visit a museum or any little corner, trying to listen at each story this country has to share. I really enjoyed so many cultural events, its music, the “milongas” (Def. Traditional parties, musical and dance events) the tango, every trip, and those indescribable landscapes.
Though I speak Spanish, I also learned some new words and include them in my vocabulary such as campera, laburo, quilombo, remera, pebete, subte, copado, boludo, panchos, facturas, birome, among others.
Even with all these running, Sundays were the best day to look at how the city stopped. If it was a sunny day, you could see people that were on a picnic, at a park or visiting the trade fairs and festivals. Although my favorite moment and spot, was being at the Obelisk, in the 9 of July Av. Just standing there, you can appreciate it all, the people, the traffic, its speed, the buildings, theatres, restaurants, everything… That’s the energy from Buenos Aires, that’s the city of fury
Looking back, this time helped me grow as a student and in a personal way. These months also helped me reinforce my academic basis and acquire different knowledge and tools. All this thanks to the support of true friendships and always living based on my values and what my family has taught me. “Keep learning… every single day”.
Something that describes me is the way I plan and sometimes schedule everything. During this stay, I learned to accept that ―most of the time―those plans will change and vary completely, even more than expected…
That’s how life works. There will be real perfect moments, and at the next day, maybe luck was not on our side. I guess that’s kind of the climax of our everyday stories. To analize the situation and react with our best solution. There will be some obstacles harder than others… but while we’re still standing in this world, nothing’s impossible. And if there’s a smile on us, way better.
I shared my traditions, my life, and my Mexican culture proudly, and now, I’m almost sure that the people I met during this amazing journey, has learned more about Sonora.
«Boludos!» This was an incredible experience. I’m taking with me everything I lived and learned, every moment, adventure… and obviously, some “alfajores” for my way back home…
Che! I’m leaving “re contenta” (def. very happy) and deeply grateful. Don’t cry for me Argentina!