Day 5 - Feriado

There is probably nothing I like more than waking up to the sound of a gentle rain.  I like to think that it is a song God writes just for me.  

Add to that a relaxing day and I'm a happy Sari 

(NO ONE calls me Sarah, and it's kind of hilarious and I definitely love it).

Today was a feriado (or holiday) honoring the veterans, especially those who died in the War of Malvinas (aka: Dia del Veterano y de los Caidos en la Guerra de Malvinas), so I didn't have school and Tio didn't have to work.

Tios and I went to buy the tickets for my trip with Mom to Colonia, Uruguay.  I'm excited!  I know that it's not a huge deal for those of you who were dragged (drug?) there unwillingly as children, but I think it's gonna be grand.  :)

Despues, we went for a little drive and came home to finish of the FREAKIN' amazing torta de atun (tuna fish pie thingy) that Alicia (Tios' housekeeper/cook/amazing wonderful lady) made. Mmmmmm. In Argentina, most families have a housekeeper or cook or maid or nanny...and sometimes all of the above.  It's an interesting relationship to see from the outside because in some ways these women (are they ever men? I have no idea, but highly doubt it) are an intrinsic part of the family.  And then at other times it is very evident that they are the help and that they are viewed that way.  Maybe it's just that it's not what I'm accustomed to.  Either way, Alicia and Carmen (an angel who lives during the week with Abuela...seriously I love her) are incredible people.  

Oh, and Mom, Carmen really wants to have us over for lunch.  She's going to cook her world-famous gnochi!!!! Wooooooohoooo!

This evening, after stopping by Abuela's for tea, we went to Tios' friends house (Nelly? Nenny? gosh, WHY am I so bad with names??) because this friends' kids (who are like 40) are leaving for a trip to Europe next month.  Tios have traveled everywhere. I'm convinced that there are fewer things in this world that they haven't seen than the number that they have.  It's wild.  

It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster staying by myself with Tios.  I love that I can spend time with them and really get to know them without Diego.  As much as I love Hubster, it is hard at times to really be forced to practice my Castellano and improve my relationships with his family because he doesn't want me to be frustrated when I'm speaking.  So, it's good that I feel confident and independent.  However, on the flip side, I don't feel independent at all.  It's a bit of a challenge explaining to Tia that I'd like to go to a club with my classmates because (as I mentioned before), everything is dangerous in BA, according to her.  Not to mention that it's not like these are my best friends.  I'd be a whole lot more likely to go out and explore and do las cosas de los jovenes (like dancing, going for drinks, etc.) if Diego was here.  Either way, I'm enjoying the experience for what it is as well as for what it isn't.  I know that it will change many many times over the course of this whole trip and I'm looking forward to it all.

On that note, time for bed.  Tomorrow's my last day of school.  :)   :(   At least for now...maybe I'll take a class in Cordoba at the end of April.  We'll see.  Either way, this chica needs some rest!  xoxox to you all.

p.s. If anyone can tell me how to upload videos to the blog (or YouTube to link to the blog), please leave me a comment or email me!!  I really want to put up the videos of Abuela, especially for my wonderful siblings-in-law.  :)