Don´t Cry for Me!

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Trip Start Mar 22, 2006 Previous
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  Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Arriving in Buenos Aires after traveling throughout Latin America is like arriving on another planet. First of all, everyone is white (still donīt quite get why that is); second, the super chic city is so flush with luxury that it could be the capital of any Western European country. But, most importantly, the people all speak a language that they claim to be Spanish, but that does not in any way resemble the language spoken in any other country in Central or South America. I knew all of this before I arrived, Iīve been here before, loved it, and wanted to come back. And yet, I was truly not ready for the culture shock. Iīve rented a beautiful flat in the posh Palermo neighborhood. The first two days in the apartment I kept looking around for a trash can in the bathroom to throw away my used toilet paper. And then it hit me, oh, maybe I can throw the toilet paper IN the toilet here. All of the sudden every modern convenience in the world was at my disposal. The area in which I am staying is packed with boutique shops that could easily be found in Paris or Rome. It seems that every other store is a European style bakery, and the ones in between are either high end shoe stores or luxury spas. Now donīt get me wrong, I do not in anyway pretend to be above this wonderful luxury. It only took me a day before I got a facial, a massage, bought two pairs of leather shoes, and ate enough empanadas and dulce de leche to make myself sick. But still, upon arriving in this gorgeous city, I really felt like a fish out of water.

I have really enjoyed my time in Buenos Aires. I met up with two sets of friends of friends. Everyone has been incredible warm and welcoming, offering to help me at every turn. But, it is obvious that this is not where I want to settle down. Fist of all, what I really want is to finish what I have started, to walk away from this experience and be able to say that I am truly fluent in Spanish. To do this, I need to get a job using my language skills. This is flatly not a possibility here in Argentina. I simply do not understand a gosh darn word these people are saying. If I stayed long enough, my ear would probably adjust, but Iīm not sure I want it to. I mean this is the only place in the world where people speak Spanish with a tone and intonation that seriously sounds like Italian. It takes me five minutes to translate the simplest of words. For example, someone said something to me the other day about apoyo (help or support) but actually said apojo. I looked at him with a long blank stare until it all clicked. Anyhow, as gorgeous as this city is, as nice as a place as it would be to live long term, it just isnīt what I am looking for right now. And so, it is time to move on...

Iīve been gone 6 months. Iīve traveled from Aztec ruins through the land of the Maya, across the Inca Empire. I have met a million amazing people, learned a language, developed a better understanding of our globe and its people, and in many ways found myself. But now, it is time to go home, at least for a bit. I have decided that what I really want is some time to rest, think, and re-group. I miss my family and friends, and am really looking forward to being home for the Jewish New Year. I am thinking of maybe returning to Mexico, but who knows? It was cheaper to fly from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles than any other point in Latin America, so the decision was easy, Iīll go home, and then figure out what is next.

I expect a pretty hard re-entry into life in the States, even if it is only for a while. Some things will be great, clean air, fresh veggies, order and efficiency... But, mostly I will struggle to reconcile all that I have seen with the life of privilege; I will search for a way to incorporate my experiences into my future, I will pray to maintain my sense of peace, wherever I land, be it Los Angeles or the other side of the moon. Most of all, I just canīt wait to see you all.

Lots and lots of love,
Julie

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