Hermosa

I am starting to really enjoy mi vida en Argentina. I think it started with Spring Break, the opportunity to leave this massive city and travel, without many time constraints or to-do lists, was a very liberating experience. David and I traveled to Chile, via bus, up and over the Andes terrain. We stayed there for 4-5 days, sleeping in the spare bedroom of a very nice, young, generous couple we met through CouchSurfing.com. It was free and more informative about Santiago, Chile than any hostel would have been! We struck gold with this couple and fell in love with Chile. Clean metro stations, public art, mountains, fresh air, nice people, chess in the parks! (for DAVID), comida rica! (POR FIN), and overall much more laid back experience than we had been having in Buenos Aires so far. Next we ventured toward Mendoza, Argentina, with the rest of our EAP group. We stayed all together in a hostel, and seeing everyone return from their own trips during the week made me realize how much I have grown to care for these people. It was an hermosa reunion. We then went wine tasting, rented bikes and did more wine tasting, and ate parilla- as usual! It was also a bit more relaxed than the hustle-bustle/NYC-look-alike Buenos Aires offers us. Pero, while we were gone, especially in Chile, with all of its ancient Catholic influences and 400 year old churches, Lent happened. Although I do not consider myself incredibly religious, I do feel spiritual. And I took this opportunity to better my last month and a half in Argentina and find something I could sacrifice from my daily life here, something I've become dependent on, that was not serving me well...I gave up COMPLAINING (quejando). Ever since I arrived I feel it is easy for me to make judgments and criticisms sobre este pais, esta ciudad, la gente, el clima, et cetera...and giving up THAT (complaining) is the best thing I ever did for myself. Ever since, I have felt more positive, happier, more loving, more appreciative of everyone and everything around me. I find different ways to see and say things. I keep negative thoughts to myself until I get rid of them or forget them. It is fabulous! Its really changing how I experience this city. <3 I also feel like things are just coming my way because of my new attitude. This week we unexpectedly played soccer with a group of Argentines, and I scored a goal! When I was stressed, David and I were able to watch a movie en el cine (a calming activity). Last night we stayed at a friends apartment, instead of going to a bar, and it was so tranquilo, facil, y divertido...just what I was looking for...I am going with a flow now, and enjoying it, and I could not be happier. Tambien, mi amor, David, has started a blog. I am a follower of it, so you can link into it via my or his facebook. He is a beautiful, eloquent, and honest writer, and estoy muy orgullosa de el para empezarlo. As usual, missing family, friends, and California. Much love to all. Thank you for reading. <3