Technically, this isn't Day 96 as there were only 94 days in total, but who cares. I did start with a Day 0, after all. Well, so we flew to Buenos Aires, and then to Salta. Saturday and Sunday were neatly divided between Karina-and-Daniel and Mercedes-and-Nestor-and-families. Sadly, I didn't see any of my friends from school again. And now I don't know when I will. On Sunday night, we had a goodbye party at Mercedes's house. Both families showed up to it. We packed up our things into (I'm not even exaggerating!) ten suitcases and Monday afternoon, we drove to the airport. Our friends met us there, and we exchanged tragic goodbyes. And then we got on a plane, and left.
Not quite done yet, though. We stayed a few days in Buenos Aires. Monday night, we met up with Karina's nephew Nahuel (remember when he and his sister came to Salta?) who lives not far from our hotel. We went to a restaurant, and then headed back to the hotel and said goodbye. We took a tour around the city on Tuesday. We saw Argentina's White House, which is pink, interestingly. We saw Boca's (Argentina's most popular soccer team) stadium, and we saw the old wharf area, with brightly painted houses from leftover ship paint. It was a good day. At night, we went to a tango show organized by our tour. That was pretty fun. We sat next to some Brazilians. And we saw some, I'm sure, very authentic tango.
Wednesday was our last day in Argentina. Our flight wasn't until the afternoon, so first we walked around the city some more. We went to Recoletta Cemetary, where, basically, everyone famous from Argentina is buried. We saw Evita's grave. And then we just walked around some more until we had to go to the airport. And now we are done. Goodbye. Don't cry for me, Argentina.
Many, many hours on multiple planes and severe turbulence later, the four of us arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where, to my surprise, people spoke English. What is this? A language I understand?? And now we're suddenly back home. For, I think, the first time in my life, I actually heard how people here speak with Minnesotan accents. I know we may say we don't have accents, but. We do. And now, I think, we're basically already used to living Minnesotan again, even the normal eating times. Maggie, crazy girl, has already performed in a dance recital. And next week I have two big standardized tests to take. Which I haven't finished learning the material for.
I feel like, after three months in a foreign country with a foreign language and foreign customs, I should have something wise and multicultural to impart onto you followers. I am wracking my brains trying to think of that wise philosophy, but you know it all. You know about our trips to Iguazú, to Patagonia, to Chile. You know about my cultural faux-pases I made when I first got there. You know about my troubles figuring out that weird language. You know about the friends we made together, and the friends I made in school. You know all about my experience in school, the good and the bad. And, most of all, you know how much I missed peanut butter.
I am glad to back home, and be able to see my friends again, and at the same time, I miss Argentina. The people, the places, the empanadas. But as gone and as far away as that all seems now, I know it really isn't. I'll be back someday.
I have so enjoyed reading your blog Sam. I especially appreciated reading about your struggles in the classroom and all of the cultural differences that exist in Argentina. I am a Spanish teacher in Ohio who heard about your blog through my daughter. She is a Math professor from Westminster College and is currently teaching with your Mom and Dad this summer. If you and Maggie are ever interested in Skyping my Spanish students during the school year to talk about your experiences, please contact me. We would love to learn more from you!
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