Arrival in Argentina

The horizon of the Argentinian mountains is illuminated by an early 5am pink sunrise. Landing in Buenos Aires was very easy after meeting a friendly Argentinian couple in the Miami International Airport who helped me along. Baggage was fine although a little damp from the storm that had delayed my flight a few hours, and international customs was quick. I felt like I had Argentina in my hand until my international phone would not let me place calls, my blackberry had no signal and the airport had no wireless internet service. I suddenly felt stranded in the middle of an urban airport with no communication. After stressing for a few minutes and evaluating my area I kept thinking, “If I can get through this, than I can get through anything.” And I did. Flashing back 12 hours earlier and my journey starts in Miami International Airport. After my 2:30pm flight from Logan Airport in Boston to Miami I was more than excited to begin this adventure. I had a short layover in Miami before I boarded my plane to Buenos Aires for 8:30pm. Traveling in itself is a great adventure between baggage checks, waiting in terminals, passports and idle time, never mind the language barrier on top of that. Many families with small children also took the long flight and are also experiencing the same anxiety to touch down in Buenos Aires that I am. I am nervous about what awaits me, but also eager to start this journey. I have high expectations of friendly people, a lovely community and a culture rich with history and art and life. I am exhilarated to jump into this semester. I am hoping for the best, but I also know to expect the worst. It is difficult to leave behind the normalities and comfort of family and friends who wait for me in New England, but I know I am approaching a new life that will surprise me. Home is where you are happy, moreover where good people are. When I arrive in Argentina I will be staying with a family, as opposed to residence hall or apartment style living. This has given me a different outlook on the trip I have ahead of me. I can imagine the recreational parks I will walk by where the school kids play futbol after class. I can smell my breakfast of rich coffee and fruit from a small market store. I can hear the street dancers on the cobblestone alleys entertaining with their tango dancing. The familiar smell of the crisp salt of the Atlantic lingers a few blocks away. I imagine the laundry lines hanging from window to window, where below people gather on apartment stoops to gossip. After work and school the families will gather at home for a large dinner full of laughs and stories. I see Argentinians or “portenos” with great national pride, their blue and white striped flags waving proudly from their small apartment windows. With the World Cup in progress I can see the streets filled with excited fans chanting for Messi and Argentina’s national team to win it all. I expect my home to be filled with laughs and fun as I try to interact slowly with the three teenagers I will be sharing a home with. It will be interesting to see the communication between us as we have studied each others language in school. I see my college to be a spread campus, much different to that of Merrimack College. I hope to be able to interact with the students beyond the classroom. I see free time as an opportunity to test my language skills as well as interpersonal skills with the locals. I know I will be able to enjoy my environment and appreciate the gift of studying abroad. I expect the semester to fly by, but also give me an opportunity to stop and enjoy my place. As the plane door closes, another one opens.