After a total of 22 hours in airplanes including layovers in Santiago, New York, and Helsinki we landed in Moscow shortly after noon local time today. Six members of their team never received their luggage so our wait at the airport was held up for an extra hour and a half. Almost everyone managed to fall asleep on the tile floor after getting through customs.
We stopped for a quick snack and some groceries at a local mall which was quite comparable to anything you would see in America, except I didn't have a clue about what anything said. Argentina was easy as I could slowly translate most phrases and figure out what something meant. Here I am completely lost as p's mean r's and other letters are randomly thrown into the alphabet. Other than food and drink, the only word I know is "Dah." Thankfully our two guides, Paul and Sergei, know what they are doing.
We are staying at a church in Vladimir where we will be working with Mercy Ministries, specifically focusing on orphans. The building has four levels, with the sanctuary being on the second floor. There is a kitchen in the basement where we will be cooking most of our meals. Tomorrow is more of an exploring day, with a chance to hopefully knock off a majority of the jet lag. We will be attending a service at the church in the evening.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Fine Dining
It's been another busy week of class and work with LIFE in Buenos Aires. We have been working with a group of kids in one of the poorest slums in the city. There is a massive building in the area that was going to be a hospital that was never finished and many of the people from the area are living there.
After another long day of work we went to Tenadore Libre, an all-you-can-eat buffet on par with any five-star restaurant in America. It was most definitely the greatest meal that I have ever had, all for the equivalent of $10 US dollars. I would go back, but I know that I cant control myself in that place:
We enjoyed the day off today and the guys decided to cook a nice dinner for the ladies in the group. It was a great 3-course meal including salad, spaghetti, and ice cream for dessert. Two more days in Argentina before heading off to Moscow after a short stop in NYC on Monday.
After another long day of work we went to Tenadore Libre, an all-you-can-eat buffet on par with any five-star restaurant in America. It was most definitely the greatest meal that I have ever had, all for the equivalent of $10 US dollars. I would go back, but I know that I cant control myself in that place:
We enjoyed the day off today and the guys decided to cook a nice dinner for the ladies in the group. It was a great 3-course meal including salad, spaghetti, and ice cream for dessert. Two more days in Argentina before heading off to Moscow after a short stop in NYC on Monday.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Class in a Graveyard and the Zoo
On Friday we had class in the famous Recoleta cemetary, about a fifteen minute walk from our hostel. The graveyard is filled with family crypts dating back to the early history of the Argentinian nation. The graves of the first president and the famous Evita Peron (former first lady) are there.
In the afternoon we headed out to a neighborhood consisting manly of Paraguayan immigrants for our work with LIFE. The activities were similar to Wednesday's work, as we helped children color, played soccer in the street, and tossed some paper airplanes around.
We worked with LIFE again on Saturday as we took a group of some of the same students we had been working with to the zoo. Each volunteer was responsible for two children. Everyone was quite worn out by the time the 6 hours spent there were up. We returned to the hostel and had class from 6-8.
I teamed up with two of the other guys for dinner as we dismantled a restaurant's empanada menu by ordering one of each of the 12 specialties and splitting them up amongst ourselves. The four cheese was considerably better than the rest of the crowd, with the chopped veil bringing up the rear.
Today was another long day, as we took the train to an English church about a half hour away. After worship we continued on to El Tigre, a top vacation location. We about an hour boat ride along the river there, which was quite polluted as an uncountable number of dead fish were washed up on the banks.
We got off the river and took the train back downtown where we headed to a street fair like I've never seen. Vendors stretched for miles as the horizon was inundated with people. The powerful force of groups of drummers only added to the chaotic, yet enjoyable experience.
The cat has been causing my allergies to flare up, so I went with a few others to a corner convenience store for something to help my throat. We have become acquainted with a young Dominican man that works there as we typically pass him a few times a day.
He was friendly enough to give all of us his employee discount and also gave each of us an apple that he had brought along in his lunch. We talked for about a half hour about his homeland and baseball and after a few pictures he showed us a Santa Biblia that he had been reading while working. He attends the Catholic Church right down the street. We have now become friends with this once perceived mischievous character.
In the afternoon we headed out to a neighborhood consisting manly of Paraguayan immigrants for our work with LIFE. The activities were similar to Wednesday's work, as we helped children color, played soccer in the street, and tossed some paper airplanes around.
We worked with LIFE again on Saturday as we took a group of some of the same students we had been working with to the zoo. Each volunteer was responsible for two children. Everyone was quite worn out by the time the 6 hours spent there were up. We returned to the hostel and had class from 6-8.
I teamed up with two of the other guys for dinner as we dismantled a restaurant's empanada menu by ordering one of each of the 12 specialties and splitting them up amongst ourselves. The four cheese was considerably better than the rest of the crowd, with the chopped veil bringing up the rear.
Today was another long day, as we took the train to an English church about a half hour away. After worship we continued on to El Tigre, a top vacation location. We about an hour boat ride along the river there, which was quite polluted as an uncountable number of dead fish were washed up on the banks.
We got off the river and took the train back downtown where we headed to a street fair like I've never seen. Vendors stretched for miles as the horizon was inundated with people. The powerful force of groups of drummers only added to the chaotic, yet enjoyable experience.
The cat has been causing my allergies to flare up, so I went with a few others to a corner convenience store for something to help my throat. We have become acquainted with a young Dominican man that works there as we typically pass him a few times a day.
He was friendly enough to give all of us his employee discount and also gave each of us an apple that he had brought along in his lunch. We talked for about a half hour about his homeland and baseball and after a few pictures he showed us a Santa Biblia that he had been reading while working. He attends the Catholic Church right down the street. We have now become friends with this once perceived mischievous character.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A Trip to La Boca and the Triple Mac
This morning we discussed Argentinian history in our Contemporary Issues/Cold War class. After enjoying a nice lunch in a rather large park in the neighborhood we took a bus to La Boca, a somewhat tourist area downtown. The ride was perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, as we passed a variety of monuments and buildings that were directly connected to the events we discussed in class.
After a longer ride back during rush hour it was time too accomplish one of the trip goals- conquer the Triple Mac. A number of us enjoyed our entrees on the second floor of a futuristic McDonald's. The behemoth burger had one more patty than a traditional Big Mac but much less thousand island dressing.
We gathered tonight for some worship songs in the main room before hitting the books. Tomorrow we will be walking to a local cemetary where we will have class for 4 hours before doing more work with LIFE in the afternoon.
I finally got to have a conversation with a local about basketball, as opposed to soccer. Because of my height, he immediately asked if I played basketball. After bringing up Manu Ginobli I left him with a simple phrase..."Viva Los Lakers." We walked through a variety of shops and past the soccer stadium before sitting down for a small bite to eat.
The restaurant where we dined had live professional tango dancing. As I ate my ham and cheese empanada, things became more interesting as a number of people in our group took turns on the stage with the professionals. The dancers tried to get me to join them but I replied with some butchered form of "Im too good of a dancer for you."
After a longer ride back during rush hour it was time too accomplish one of the trip goals- conquer the Triple Mac. A number of us enjoyed our entrees on the second floor of a futuristic McDonald's. The behemoth burger had one more patty than a traditional Big Mac but much less thousand island dressing.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Livin' on 15 Pesos a Day
Today was our first day of formal class. After enjoying a breakfast consisting of some dulce de leche spread over toast along with some coffee we slowly gathered in a main room of the hostel to work on our Spanish skills. A walked with a small group of people around the corner to a meat shop during our break. Not only did the butcher possess an impressive meat slicer but also offered a great variety including a type of salami stuff with eggs, veggies, and cheese.
I ventured over to a nearby supermercado run by two Chinese immigrants for lunch. One of the workers began to translate Chinese to Spanish, but it obviosly did not end upo being much of a help. I was able to get 4 bananas, a package of delicious pastry crackers, and a massive Golden Crisp version of a rice cripsy treat for 8 pesos.
In the afternon we headed into the "villa" or slum area of the city to throw a birthday party for about 80 street children. After spending an hour as a place kick holder, the rugby ball that we were playing with popped after it went through a stake in the fence. One member of our group then decided to give one of the children a piggy back ride, something that suddenly turned into a full blown two hours of mayhem. It never stopped, as the kids began to refer to me as "El Cabillo."
Then came a very ankward moment. A father came to pick up his children and asked me my name. I replied "Me nombre Esteban" and he shook by hand and inched his cheek close to my face. This meant trouble, as I had become aware of the Argentinian custom of greeting via kiss on the cheek. I hesitated as long as I could, before slowly brushing up against his beard. Why am I writing this down? I'd like to get it out of my memory.
When we got back to the hostel the city was struck with a heavy thunderstorm that lasted about an hour. It was pretty cool to go up onto the roof and simultaneously hear the thunder as lightning lit up the South American sky. After having a free hamburger at the b-day party earlier, I enjoyed a mixed salad at Pericles, a Greek-owned cafe two doors down from our hostel.
The night got capped off with a trip to a local gelato shop owned by a real Italian. I enjoyed a dulce de leche con brownie cone and have begun to form a checkilist of flavors I will try before i leave.
I continue to keep my distance from Roque, the hostel housecat who mysteriously keps finding its way into our room even when the doors are closed. He is mean and ferocious, but how else is he suppossed to survive on the streets on Buenos Aires?
I ventured over to a nearby supermercado run by two Chinese immigrants for lunch. One of the workers began to translate Chinese to Spanish, but it obviosly did not end upo being much of a help. I was able to get 4 bananas, a package of delicious pastry crackers, and a massive Golden Crisp version of a rice cripsy treat for 8 pesos.
In the afternon we headed into the "villa" or slum area of the city to throw a birthday party for about 80 street children. After spending an hour as a place kick holder, the rugby ball that we were playing with popped after it went through a stake in the fence. One member of our group then decided to give one of the children a piggy back ride, something that suddenly turned into a full blown two hours of mayhem. It never stopped, as the kids began to refer to me as "El Cabillo."
Then came a very ankward moment. A father came to pick up his children and asked me my name. I replied "Me nombre Esteban" and he shook by hand and inched his cheek close to my face. This meant trouble, as I had become aware of the Argentinian custom of greeting via kiss on the cheek. I hesitated as long as I could, before slowly brushing up against his beard. Why am I writing this down? I'd like to get it out of my memory.
When we got back to the hostel the city was struck with a heavy thunderstorm that lasted about an hour. It was pretty cool to go up onto the roof and simultaneously hear the thunder as lightning lit up the South American sky. After having a free hamburger at the b-day party earlier, I enjoyed a mixed salad at Pericles, a Greek-owned cafe two doors down from our hostel.
The night got capped off with a trip to a local gelato shop owned by a real Italian. I enjoyed a dulce de leche con brownie cone and have begun to form a checkilist of flavors I will try before i leave.
I continue to keep my distance from Roque, the hostel housecat who mysteriously keps finding its way into our room even when the doors are closed. He is mean and ferocious, but how else is he suppossed to survive on the streets on Buenos Aires?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Arrival In Buenos Aires
After nearly 24 hours in airplanes and terminals we finally landed in Argentina at around noon local time. Our flight from Lima to BA was forced to land in Uruguay do to bad weather and our plane sat on a runway for over two hours as a result. It is about a half hour bus ride from the airport to the hostel we are staying at downtown. As expected, the highway was chaotic and we observed several pickup soccer games taking place on rooftops as we headed deeper into the city.
After settling in, all of the guys decided to go out to become familiar with the surrounding area. There is a 4 story opera house just around the corner from where we are staying that has been converted into a book store. South America seems to have some obsession with threes as can be seen in the Oreo 3x and Tripsmack from McDonald's. On our way back the the hostel we stopped by a small cafe for some empanadas and invited an elderly Argentinian woman to our table.
She was initially hesitant ot join us, but quickly warmed up to us thanks to the fact that David, a Costa Rican citizen, was able to act as a translator. A few minutes of small talk past before her order came. She was so thankful to meet us that she cut up her two empanadas and shared them with all of our table. She said that God had put us into her life for a reason and as a result she is going to begin to learn English. After a prayer together she gave us her address and invited us to barbeque on her rooftop before we leave town.
I shared a provolone and olive pizza with a fellow classmate for dinner, with the aceitunas being particularly strong. Because most of the restaurants dont open for dinner until around 8:30 or 9, the establishment was not crowded.
After 12 hours in the city the is one job that I envy and another that appears to be near suicide. I would long to be a pizza deliver boy, as they speed through the streets on their motorcycles bringing the hot pies to specific destinations. While this would seem slighty precaroious it is the garbage men that are in true danger. Dressed in neon green jackets these men make their rounds begining at around 10 pm (the middle of the dinner rush). Humans do not have the right of way on these streets as there is no way any pedestrian can expected a vehicle to even think about slowing down for them when crossing a crosswalk. This was a quick lesson as I was nearly flattened by a bus as I took a premature step onto the street.
Tomorrow we are working with an organization called Life Argentina to help throw a birthday party for about 70 children of poverish families. While the hostel does offer a free breakfast they admitted that they have never had to feed even close to thirty people as most guests usually sleep in until noon. As a result we will be eating in shifts. We will meet for class mid morning and head out to our service project in the afternoon.
Pictures coming soon
After settling in, all of the guys decided to go out to become familiar with the surrounding area. There is a 4 story opera house just around the corner from where we are staying that has been converted into a book store. South America seems to have some obsession with threes as can be seen in the Oreo 3x and Tripsmack from McDonald's. On our way back the the hostel we stopped by a small cafe for some empanadas and invited an elderly Argentinian woman to our table.
She was initially hesitant ot join us, but quickly warmed up to us thanks to the fact that David, a Costa Rican citizen, was able to act as a translator. A few minutes of small talk past before her order came. She was so thankful to meet us that she cut up her two empanadas and shared them with all of our table. She said that God had put us into her life for a reason and as a result she is going to begin to learn English. After a prayer together she gave us her address and invited us to barbeque on her rooftop before we leave town.
I shared a provolone and olive pizza with a fellow classmate for dinner, with the aceitunas being particularly strong. Because most of the restaurants dont open for dinner until around 8:30 or 9, the establishment was not crowded.
After 12 hours in the city the is one job that I envy and another that appears to be near suicide. I would long to be a pizza deliver boy, as they speed through the streets on their motorcycles bringing the hot pies to specific destinations. While this would seem slighty precaroious it is the garbage men that are in true danger. Dressed in neon green jackets these men make their rounds begining at around 10 pm (the middle of the dinner rush). Humans do not have the right of way on these streets as there is no way any pedestrian can expected a vehicle to even think about slowing down for them when crossing a crosswalk. This was a quick lesson as I was nearly flattened by a bus as I took a premature step onto the street.
Tomorrow we are working with an organization called Life Argentina to help throw a birthday party for about 70 children of poverish families. While the hostel does offer a free breakfast they admitted that they have never had to feed even close to thirty people as most guests usually sleep in until noon. As a result we will be eating in shifts. We will meet for class mid morning and head out to our service project in the afternoon.
Pictures coming soon
Sunday, August 15, 2010
T - 17 hours
I fly out for Argentina tomorrow from LAX. Our group will be buying out a hostel in Buenos Aires and will be staying there for three weeks before heading to Russia. I will try to make a post as soon as I get settled in. I contniue to ask that you keep our groupo in your prayers as we begin our journey around the world.
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