Part of me loves that I still long for Mi Buenos Aires Querido, and I know that I'll never completely edit those feeling out of my life...and thank goodness right? Who wants to move on that quickly?
What I struggle with, however, is that this is an equally formative time in my life and I feel partially stuck in a different hemisphere. As I embark on my last semester as a undergrad I know that the memories I make in this very special time will rival anything else I've done up until this point. Except maybe climb on a glacier in Patagonia...but we'll just have to see.
And don't even get me started on the whole milestone of moving away from my home to go live with my boyfriend of 2(ish) years. Cold weather + far away from my parents/sister + unfamilar turf + living in the same abode with the previously long-distance significan other = scary. I know I can handle the challenge of so many elements colliding at once, but part of me is worried that the nuclear fission of my life will not result in the best outcome. (Extra points for chemistry imagery.)
But getting back to the wrapping up of my Argentine adventure. The final month or so in the Southern Hemisphere was spent traveling about Patagonia, scaling mountains, crunching around on glaciers and squeezing every beautiful moment out of my study abroad experience that I possibly could. Are there still things I wish I could have done? Of course. I'm glad there are, because it gives me a solid reason to go back.
I could give a very detailed run-down of everything I did in my 10-day adventure in Patagonia, but it doesn't really give it justice. If you're really curious, come over to the house for a cup of coffee or call me up on the phone. We'll chat. I have a wealth of adventures and stories.
I will, however, throw some pictures up here because Patagonia (the southernmost tip of South America...it belongs to both Chile and Argentina) is possibly the most heart-crushingly beautiful place I've seen. Mountains and ice and glaciers and lakes and guanacos and flamingoes and other creatures I never though I'd see in the wild (like penguins!!)
Getting ready for what ended up being a 15 mile hike in Torres del Paine Nationa Park in Chile. No, I didn't hike with all of that gear the entire time. However, we did hike up and down a mountain. Amazingly beautiful scenery which I still managed to appreciate the next morning when I couldn't move.
"Lobos Marinos" (Sea lions) on our boat tour in Ushuaia, Argentina. The southernmost city in the world...literally the end of civilization. Also, the most concecutive days of snow I've experienced in my life (four)...ps, it was springtime while I was there.
PENGUIN!! I really shouldn't have to explain why seeing penguins in their natural habitat is amazing.
Also part of the boat tour. I loved how low the clouds looked with the broken down shack and Argentine flag limply flapping.
The harbor in Ushuaia.
The Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate, Argentina. One of the only glaciers left that's advancing. I also got to go on an ice trek on top of this big guy for four hours. Crampons, hiking boots and everything.
Photographic evidence that I didn't just steal all of these pictures of off Google Images.
So there it is folks, the wrap up of what was easily the coolest thing I've done so far in my life. Which is saying something, because I've been fortunate enough to do some very cool things. The gratitude I have for this opportunity is endless, but I'm going to try to capture at least a little bit of it here while I have you all still listening (reading?)
First and foremost, I have to give my parents an enormous thank you for pushing me to pursue this trip, and for helping me fund it. You guys are amazing, and inspire me to keep traveling as much as I possibly can. I should also thank ISA because they provided the platform. Every Spanish teacher/professor I've ever had contributed in one way or another to my love of this language and culture, which in turn inspired me to take this trip.
To everybody I met during this adventure, thank you. Even the most seemingly insignificant moments stay with me back in "real life." You all know who you are, but there are a few people I'd like to mention individually.
Meredith: I have no idea what Argentina would have been like if you weren't there. Probably empty, the kind of void you know is there, but have a hard time finding the exact cause. Raphael: You rock, and also happen to be my media naranja. You have the biggest heart in the world, and let yourself get completely infatuated...sometimes to your demise, but I love your passion. Keep it up.
Jesse: You inspire me to be a better writer and a better traveler.
Sonya: I'm so glad to meet another opinionated, smart, strong and driven woman. You will succeed in whatever you do, I have no doubts about this.
Tara: I could not have asked for a better roommate. Whether it was ISA being spot-on in pairing us together or just incredible luck, you introduced me to new friends and dragged me along on a spectacular Chilean adventure. The laughs, memories and experiences are endless.
Belle: It took us forever to meet, and when we finally did it was under rediculous circumstances. Thank goodness we did though and you better be seeing me in Boston.
Kelly: Nobody thought we'd be traveling together, but we did it, and managed to conquer Patagonia while we were at it.
Jose, Kirby, Mark, Stella, Christina, Miles, Sara, Kirstin, KRumm, Allison, everybody I met traveling on the Patagonia trip, Felipe, Christine and anybody else I carelessly forgot to mention. You have all changed my life in one way or another. Each and every one of you has a permanent place in my heart.
That's all for now. My blog won't stop just because the South American adventures are over...I have a feeling this last purge will actually inspire me to write even more about "regular life."
It was an amazing ride while it lasted. Argentina, nos vemos otra vez. Catch you on the flip side.
So there it is folks, the wrap up of what was easily the coolest thing I've done so far in my life. Which is saying something, because I've been fortunate enough to do some very cool things. The gratitude I have for this opportunity is endless, but I'm going to try to capture at least a little bit of it here while I have you all still listening (reading?)
First and foremost, I have to give my parents an enormous thank you for pushing me to pursue this trip, and for helping me fund it. You guys are amazing, and inspire me to keep traveling as much as I possibly can. I should also thank ISA because they provided the platform. Every Spanish teacher/professor I've ever had contributed in one way or another to my love of this language and culture, which in turn inspired me to take this trip.
To everybody I met during this adventure, thank you. Even the most seemingly insignificant moments stay with me back in "real life." You all know who you are, but there are a few people I'd like to mention individually.
Meredith: I have no idea what Argentina would have been like if you weren't there. Probably empty, the kind of void you know is there, but have a hard time finding the exact cause. Raphael: You rock, and also happen to be my media naranja. You have the biggest heart in the world, and let yourself get completely infatuated...sometimes to your demise, but I love your passion. Keep it up.
Jesse: You inspire me to be a better writer and a better traveler.
Sonya: I'm so glad to meet another opinionated, smart, strong and driven woman. You will succeed in whatever you do, I have no doubts about this.
Tara: I could not have asked for a better roommate. Whether it was ISA being spot-on in pairing us together or just incredible luck, you introduced me to new friends and dragged me along on a spectacular Chilean adventure. The laughs, memories and experiences are endless.
Belle: It took us forever to meet, and when we finally did it was under rediculous circumstances. Thank goodness we did though and you better be seeing me in Boston.
Kelly: Nobody thought we'd be traveling together, but we did it, and managed to conquer Patagonia while we were at it.
Jose, Kirby, Mark, Stella, Christina, Miles, Sara, Kirstin, KRumm, Allison, everybody I met traveling on the Patagonia trip, Felipe, Christine and anybody else I carelessly forgot to mention. You have all changed my life in one way or another. Each and every one of you has a permanent place in my heart.
That's all for now. My blog won't stop just because the South American adventures are over...I have a feeling this last purge will actually inspire me to write even more about "regular life."
It was an amazing ride while it lasted. Argentina, nos vemos otra vez. Catch you on the flip side.
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