Salta la linda

(The view from the restaurant, horses and the Andes)

Sunday was my first day in my new home. When we arrived in Salta, my heart started racing. I was nervous and at the same time, very exited! When we got off the plane, and walked around the bend to gather our luggage, a bunch of people were standing on the other side of the glass with balloons and welcome signs with our names on them. In that moment, I new I was home J I greeted my family and then we were off. On the way to my house. They explained that they are going to speak only in Spanish for the first 6 months, but when I don't understand something, they will help me in English.

After eating lunch at 2:30, we talked for a while, I unpacked my things, and then my sister Rosario took me to a friends house. The house of another AFS student that is staying in Salta from Germany. There were a lot of other kids there. Our host families wanted us to meet some of the kids we would be going to school with  us so we wouldn't feel too alone on Tuesday. I love how people greet each other in Salta. No matter who it is, you kiss them on the cheek, even if that means walking around a room of 20 people, you kiss THEM ALL on the cheek. They asked me so many questions, all at the same time, I thought my head was going to explode. Good thing is, I can understand a lot more Spanish then I thought I would. So, all of the people who said I was screwed, were wrong :p My host family was surprised at how much I understood. Eventually I had to tell them to stop repeating themselves too much cause I actually understand what they´re saying. LOL. But they caught on. As long as they talk slowly and use their hands, I can communicate with them. I am also shocked by how much Spanish I am taking in. I can already tell that I am learning a lot!

BEFORE PICTURE

In Argentina there are many traditions. Sunday night they made asado. Asado is grilled meat and it literally melts in your mouth it is so delicious!!!! We ate dinner at 10… yes, at 10 PM !!!!!!!!!! And when people say that in Argentina they eat a lot of meat, they´re not kidding. On the side, they have normal salad, but the first course is one kind of meat, then the second is more meat, and more meat, and more meat! I´m not complaining though because all of it is delicious.

(AFTER PICTURE)

On Monday, I finally got to sleep for longer than 5 hours. I woke up and had toast with dulce de leche for breakfast. Then, we went to visit the horse at the jockey club. We gave him sugar cubes and grassed him for a while. Then I got to try my first taste of Mate with family (I got to have my first taste at the AFS camp in Buenos Ares). Mate is the famous herbal tea they drink in Argentina. It contains twice the amount of caffeine then a normal cup of coffee, which explains how they are able to stay up so late. There are 2 different types, one sin asucar (without sugar) and another with sugar. The one with sugar is what kids normally drink at parties. When it has sugar, it is seen as "less Argentinian". I´ve tried both and its actually not that bad :D Just takes some getting use to.
  The are many rules of edicate when drinking Mate. For example, there is one person who pours the water into the cup. Then that person will mix it and pass it to the person who wants it. That person must drink all of it and quickly so the other people don't get impatient. Plus you never touch the straw, that is the job of the poorer.

After that, we drove to a nearby town to eat lunch. My father is best friends with the owner, who is also the president of the jockey club. The food was amazing and again the people were friendly and welcoming :D It had an amazing view of the Andes. There is snow on the mountains right now because it is freezing!!! I wasn´t expecting it to be this cold. During the day you will get hot if you stand in the sun, but if your not in the sun its freezing.

Tuesday was my first day of school. The school uniform is a Little crazy. You have layer upon layers of clothes you have to wear! I thought I would be more nervous for school but I really wasn't. I think its because everyone is so friendly. The director of the school introduced me to the class and then the second I sat down, they all asked more questions. Actually they asked non stop questions from 8am to 1pm. I didn't mind, but once it was finally 1pm I was more then exhausted. I am in class C, which is economy. Unlike in the US, you have one class and the teachers are the ones who move from class to class. Most of the teachers scare the crap out of me (excuse my language!). Not only are they scary, but I also cant understand what there saying. I copied down all of the class work which was a lot easier then I thought, but I still didn't understand it. I think I have homework, but I have no idea where to start. I guess this is just a part of the total immersion. I know I will understand it eventually, but right now I just need to be flexible. Later this week, the school is throwing a huge party to raise Money for their class trip. The top 2 grades go to Baleloche, a city near Slata, for the end of the year party. For example, I will be working the haunted house. Plus there will be other games for the little kids. Should be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to it :D

Sorry about spelling or grammar! Not only am I using a Spanish computer, but I can´t think in Spanish or English properly. Tonight, my host brother is going to help me label everything in the house. Were going to put the Spanish name and the English name. My host sister is going to New Zealand on AFS in January and my host brother is going to college in Miami to play football (soccer). This way I can learn all of the names faster, and it will also help them with their English :D