Estudiando Espagnol en Buenos Aires

---

Our first port of call was Buenos Aires, principally to learn some Spanish before venturing out into the wilder parts of SAm, but also to stock up on protein (we´ve so far consumed the best part of half a cow each) before we get into trekking in the cold of Tierra del Fuego, Torres del Paine and Patagonia.

We initially had a few difficulties with the Argentinian Spanish accent (swallowed esses and shhhhlurred ys) and novel verb forms, but are now beginning to apply these liberally in our daily activities. (Of course it´s a different matter whether we are making ourselves any better understood). By the time we finish our trip, we should be speaking with a full range of accents, some sounding more like speech impediments. To say ´you´ in Latin America, requires a new set of verb endings which are not in our dictionary (grrr), although the more we use them, the more sense they make compared to the irregularities of Spanish Spanish.

We had a traumatic first day of Spanish school, starting with a test which apparently established that Paul was thoroughly incompentent and Mad was just incompetent. We also had mucho Brazilians in our classes that picked up everything really quickly, but we couldn´t understand a word that was said.

We decided to stay in a homestay, for the total immersion Spanish experience. Our landlady, Julietta, was the niece of Che Guevara and several generations of Argentinian generals, each with their own sarcophogus in the famous and prestigious Recoletta Cemetary, at least that´s what we think she said. Julie treated us to some delicious meals (including the best home-delivery empanadas and ice-cream), and muy rico conversations. It´s thanks to her we have a new favourite saying - Que horrorrrrrrrrr! She was very patient with our muy malo Castellano (and blank faces).

Eva Peron is also entombed in the La Recoletta. Bizarelly, according to Paul´s teacher, her embalmed body was snatched shortly after her death by enemies of Peron. Her corpse was abused in some pretty grim ways, and wasn´t found until 20 years later. Somewhere in Italy. Que cosa! We have witnessed polar opposite opinions on Peron. I think I have it correct. He was a right wing dictator who was freely elected by the public 3 times on account of his social reform plans. Or maybe we need to do some further reading....

We particularly enjoyed the vibrancy and atmosphere of San Telmo (great ´Old Man´s´ bars) and the slightly edgy visit to La Boca. Unfortunately it is the mid-season break for the Argentinian football league, so no chance to see Boca Juniors play😞

All in all, Buenos Aires gets 6/10 from Madeline and 7.5/10 from Paul

Pictures to follow shortly, when we remember to bring all the bits to the Internet Cafe to download them.

Hasta Luego...
M&P

---

Photos

A Reflective Moment...
Cool bars in San Telmo. And 2 Madeline´s for the price of one. Lurvely:)

Casa Julietta
Our last night in BA at our homestay. Empanadas and Ice Cream. Deeeelicious.

Comments

[Greg]

thanks for the laugh....
I laughed and laughed when I read about your Spanish class test results.......

[jo coates]

Fantastico!
Great to hear your news! I also started my SAm adventure in Buenos Aires, a relatively gentle introduction, and probably the best food (even though I was veggie at the time, so ddidn't partake of the beef!) Think your homestay sounds fab, you are obviously learning loads (not just language!) which will help you loads on your travels. Do get up to Iguassu if you possibly can (fly up for a weekend if nothing else), it's awesome! Never got down to Torres Del Paine (wrong time of year) but am sure it's as amazing as it looks on our Nat Geographic calendar! I'm now 30weeks pregnant (again!) and have a week in Lanzarote to look forward to before double toddler terror hits us! (my choice, I know, but I'm beginning to wonder why!) Enjoy those empanadas, gringos! Jo xxx