SARAH PIXLER
Buenos Aires Correspondent
I have been in Buenos Aires for almost seven weeks now. I can hardly even begin to describe how amazing it is! I’ve been to the end of the world (Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego) and back. It was beautiful, by the way. The truth is that Argentina never ceases to amaze me. Sure, there is soccer, tango, gauchos, and beef, but there is so much more! Where else can you find glaciers, tropical beaches, orcas, penguins, and people from every corner of the globe?
The thing I love most is that there’s no need to be in a hurry. Everyone takes life at a pretty steady pace. No hurry to get through the checkout line. No hurry for dinner (it won’t be until at least 8:00). The clubs don’t even get going until 1:00 or 2:00. Come the next morning, hardly anything will be open until 10:00. I love it. There is no such thing as “to go”. There is one “take-away” coffee shop next to the gym, but it’s nothing like Starbucks, and no one likes it. One incredibly small espresso can last for a three hour conversation. I am now so satisfied with a tiny little 3 peso café con crema that I don’t think I can ever again bring myself to spend four dollars on a latte. It’s the little things like this that make me more and more thankful. Everyone just prefers to take their time and relax. Dinner can sometimes last for almost four hours. The time is there so you can enjoy yourself and the company of those around you. It’s a frame of mind. Time isn’t money here; it’s time, which is far more valuable.
In addition to the slower pace, everything is smaller. I’m pretty sure that everything in the States is on steroids. I admit that at first I was a bit uncomfortable in the tiny elevators, narrow aisles, and the bathroom which is barely wider than I am. The washing machine is a quarter of the size of the ones in the dorms at Pepperdine. Milk comes in little bags that are maybe equal to a quart, but I’m over that. My bed is amazing, even though it is less than half the size of the one I love at home. Not everything has to be huge.
Everything is much more personal, as well. I love the fact that we get to go to school at an Argentine campus. I have made friends with almost 25 Argentine from school. The first approach is always a bit awkward, like anywhere. But everyone I have talked to is excited to start a conversation. Most of them are as eager speak English as I am to speak Spanish. They are college students just like us (although they study more). They love everything about America except George Bush, unfortunately. I found out why though (if you want to check it out, look up the Gran Crisis of 2001). They like music and going out and just being with friends. We talk about school, family, sports, or just what we did that weekend. Talking with Argentines is probably my favorite thing to do. Being able to speak Spanish is so exciting. It’s beginning to take over my mind.
Above all, being in Argentina has made me more thankful to be an American. I am so grateful that we can trust the government to abide by the Constitution, trust the banks not to steal our money, and trust that our sporting events aren’t all fixed. A couple of days ago an Argentine told me that he can’t believe there are Americans who don’t vote. Everyone votes in Argentina. He added that American elections decide the fate of the entire world and we don’t even care. If you weren’t going to vote in November, please do, even if it’s just for Argentina!
Even though I am incredibly proud to be American, there is no greater compliment for me than for someone to think I’m Argentine. What it comes down to is that we’re all people and if we practice some languages and wear some funky shoes, we’ll probably realize that we’re a lot alike. Chau!
10-26-2006