Tucuman

On thursday we got off our bus (of 14 hours) and made our way to our new home for the next 5 days. The province of Tucuman has recently been flooded, and we came here to do what we could to help. We have been to different communities bringing bread and milk for children whose homes have been ruined. Its been quite an eye opening experience. Our hosts have been incredible, the hospitality, generosity, and kindness that we have been shown truly overwhelms me. Its so hot here that everyone takes a siesta from 1:30 - 4:30 in the afternoon...it is sooo great! we then usually eat supper at around 10 or 11pm. So, speaking of supper...In Latin America food is a form of love - what I mean is people show their love to you by preparing you food, and it is considered an insult not to eat what is set before you. Yesterday a hearty bowl of stew was placed in front of each one of us, and it did not take long to realize that somthing was very wrong...the stew contained massive amounts of meat which we learned was none other than ...cow stomach...I almost cried, it took me ten minutes to even pick up my spoon. But did I eat it? you bet I did!! can you say "character building"?¿?¿!! To be completely honest I am considering becoming a vegetarian once I come home!
that is all for now
ash

Outreach

The outreach phase of my school has finally begun, the adventure has started, and this means a number of things...I will be forced to live out of a backpack, sleep on floors, take many siestas!, use the little spanish I know, and meet new people everyday. Our team will be travelling around argentina for the next two months, volunteering, working in local churches, staying with families, and working alongside a group called "storytellers," helping them out with a documentary.
I cant even begin to explain how excited I am for this time...living in our apartment here in Buenos Aires reminds me a lot of the reality TV show Big Brother...I am with the same people all day long, and alliances have been made and broken...haha
Last weekend we stayed at a church and got to know some of the young people there, the three guys in the picture showed us around the city and we drank mate in the park!
On Monday we leave the city for good and will not return until the end of February for our graduation...
What are my plans after this??? Who knows! haha I know that doesnt give my parents peace of mind, but I am not too worried, I am sure I will figure somthing out in these next weeks.
I dont know when I will be getting to a computer anymore, I may blog, and I may not - but I still for surley would love emails!
ciao for now
ash