Fun in the summer sun :)
Since it has been a while, I will fill you in on the big events you've missed. Number one, my host brothers graduation dinner. I'd compare it to prom, but the whole family is invited. It was a pretty big deal.. they all had their red carpet entrances and they even hired a host for the night. By the end of the night, two cooks hit the dance floor carrying meat on fire above their heads!!! (Sadly I don't have a picture). It was pretty over the top.
This is a pic of my goofy sister and I on the special night.
Event number two, I went on a day trip with my AFS friends. When we all get together it is always fun. We left at 8am and headed North to the province of Jujuy. The scenery is spectacular, I've never seen anything like it. One second we drive by mountains that look like they've been chopped up and filled with Cacti, and the next minute we come across the most colorful mountains range I have ever scene. We even visited the ruins of the Native Tribe of Jujuy. I find culture and anthropology fascinating, therefore I was the only one not sleeping when our tour guide explained the history of the tribe and architecture. They built their houses out of clay and rock. Jujuy is HOT so I found it absolutely amazing how the second you walked into the structure it felt like it was air conditioned. All in all, it was an beautiful day with my extranjeros (foreigners).
(2 Italians, 1 from Germany, 1 from Switzerland, 1 New Zealander, and me! GO USA)
Our "boring" tour guide and in the background a statue made to show what a person from the tribe looked like.
Sadly, a few of my AFS friends have left or are leaving soon. They were either only here for the semester or have already been here for a year. We had one last get together at my house to drink Mate and candy from the US that my Aunt Terri sent me for Christmas. They loved the candy! It will be sad to see them all go :(
Extranjeros for life! :)
Next it was Christmas!! Christmas this year didn't really feel like Christmas because I'm so used to the traditions in the States. Christmas in Salta is a lot different. Since we eat dinner at 10:30, we celebrate Christmas at mid night. Once it hits mid night, everyone in the city lights off small fireworks (the illegal kind in the States). We went to a family members house to eat and celebrate. At mid night we gathered on their balcony that had the best view of Salta with the Andes in the backdrop. It was a beautiful moment standing on the balcony, looking out at the city and fireworks. It reminded me how blessed I am to be here celebrating the holidays in another country. After some fireworks and kissing everyone on the cheek wishing them a Merry Christmas, we opened a present. I say "a present" because they don't celebrate Christmas like we do with an unnecessary amount of presents, they celebrate it with food and family and enjoy each others company. After the family dinner, I went to a friends house around 3:30am to celebrate the way the kids do. Overall, it was a great night.
Family...
{From far left, Matias, me, Edu, Papi, Mommy, Satiago, Rosario, and my grandma.}
and Friends :)
New Years is celebrated almost the same way, just a little more Champagne and more fireworks. We went to Tucuman to celebrate the New Year with my Grandmother. The next day we went to my oldest uncles country house. The house was on a farm and it was absolutely beautiful. The pool, tree house, patio, asador, and so much more. We spent all day in the sun and had some really good food. Just another amazing day! :)
YUM!
After New Years life was relaxing for a a week or so. Then January 12th came along and it was my host dad's 50th birthday! We threw him a party at the house which took days of preparation because we had to find out how to fit 40 people in such a small place. Well we did it, and it was beautiful, he was very happy with the night. My host dad is great. He is caring, generous, and loving. I am so lucky to have him in my life. He is a true part of my family now, and I can say he will always be part of my life :)
Feliz Cumpleaños Papi! <3
It has been an amazing month. I have been living here for a bout 5 months now and I love every second of it. I have learned to experience and enjoy life because time goes by SOOO fast! I added a count down to my blog, but I'd like to think of it more as time awareness. My time here has had its ups and downs, yet overall it has been amazing. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss my family over the holidays. I had a great talk with my parents on skype the other day which is just what I needed. I do miss them, but its not because I'm having a bad time here, if anything, my time here is better then ever. I miss them, but I'm looking forward to them visiting me in June. I can't wait to join my two family's. I love them both So much. February 1st is going to be a big day in my family. Rosario leaves for New Zealand the day before and Matias moves to Tucuman to start college, making me the only child left home with the parents. I will miss Ro and Matias a lot!! Its definitely going to be hard to say goodbye to my sister. We've gotten really really close and I'm not really sure what I'm going to so without her. All I know is that I am very exited for her because I know she will have an experience of a lifetime, like the one I am having right now. My Birthday is also coming up, February 6th. I still can't believe I will be turning 17 in Argentina. My life is so exiting right now and I am just loving every second of it.
Ta Ta for now!
Can't wait to double the size of your family in June. Love you! mom
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