Here is how the rest of this week has ended up:
Tuesday - ended up being a pretty great day. I took a bus to the popular shopping area of Rosario, about a 20-25 blocks away, but I found that all of the shops were closed (I'm guessing) due to Carnival. I think this is strange because on a holiday you would think that people would want to get out and shop. But it wasn't up to me. So I ended up walking around in the direction of home, looking for a place to sit outside a do a little homework. I ended up walking around, stopping here, stopping there, for about an hour when I found a park with perfect tables and a surprise sent from heaven.... A BASKETBALL COURT! And people were playing pickup! So I quickly did my homework and joined in on the next game. People in general are very friendly here, even though they don't necessarily look like it on first approach. The athletes are no exception as they invited me to play as soon as the previous game ended. There were some pretty good players, I was pleasantly surprised. I played a quick 4 games (4v4, half court, games were to 12 - which was weird to me) and called it a day. They told me to come back on the weekends.
After resting a home for a bit, I went to go play futbol, which is always a blast with this group on Tuesday nights. 5v5 on a paid for, turf, enclosed field, and an hour straight of competitive playing. And I am not the worst one there, a plus.
Afterwards, I went to meet up with some locals celebrating carnival. It was really cool. There was a live concert at a park near the river and we danced/jumped to Argentinian music for an hour and a half. Then to end the ceremonies, they set fire to a large paper/wood king's head. Quite the experience.
Went to bed early - 2:30.
Wednesday - After class we had pizza and hung out at the school to celebrate Stephanie's birthday. The pizza here is quite delicious, and it seems like ordering just cheese is not comprehendible. And they ordered enough for even me to be full.
At 4pm I had plans to visit a PT clinic, so found my way there, but unfortunately the PT was caught up in business, so we rescheduled for the next day, and I had some free time. I leisurely found my way home before relaxing for the majority of the night. Also, when I say 'relaxing at home' it is pretty much a lie. These kids are attention whores. It's basically like this repeatedly, but with crying/pouting if there is no response -
Tuesday - ended up being a pretty great day. I took a bus to the popular shopping area of Rosario, about a 20-25 blocks away, but I found that all of the shops were closed (I'm guessing) due to Carnival. I think this is strange because on a holiday you would think that people would want to get out and shop. But it wasn't up to me. So I ended up walking around in the direction of home, looking for a place to sit outside a do a little homework. I ended up walking around, stopping here, stopping there, for about an hour when I found a park with perfect tables and a surprise sent from heaven.... A BASKETBALL COURT! And people were playing pickup! So I quickly did my homework and joined in on the next game. People in general are very friendly here, even though they don't necessarily look like it on first approach. The athletes are no exception as they invited me to play as soon as the previous game ended. There were some pretty good players, I was pleasantly surprised. I played a quick 4 games (4v4, half court, games were to 12 - which was weird to me) and called it a day. They told me to come back on the weekends.
After resting a home for a bit, I went to go play futbol, which is always a blast with this group on Tuesday nights. 5v5 on a paid for, turf, enclosed field, and an hour straight of competitive playing. And I am not the worst one there, a plus.
Afterwards, I went to meet up with some locals celebrating carnival. It was really cool. There was a live concert at a park near the river and we danced/jumped to Argentinian music for an hour and a half. Then to end the ceremonies, they set fire to a large paper/wood king's head. Quite the experience.
Went to bed early - 2:30.
Wednesday - After class we had pizza and hung out at the school to celebrate Stephanie's birthday. The pizza here is quite delicious, and it seems like ordering just cheese is not comprehendible. And they ordered enough for even me to be full.
At 4pm I had plans to visit a PT clinic, so found my way there, but unfortunately the PT was caught up in business, so we rescheduled for the next day, and I had some free time. I leisurely found my way home before relaxing for the majority of the night. Also, when I say 'relaxing at home' it is pretty much a lie. These kids are attention whores. It's basically like this repeatedly, but with crying/pouting if there is no response -
Also, happy Chinese New Year! A bunch of the guys/girls from the language school went out for some Chinese because of the girls (Jane) is from Singapore and wanted to celebrate. So they did and I almost went. Cool story, I know.
Thursday - After class I hurried back to the PT clinic, where I met with Carlos, he was ready this time. Carlos is a PT and at the top of the totem pole at this clinic. Super nice guy and trying to learn English, so it worked out really well. The clinic is huge and very cool/modern, I was very impressed. It features neurological, pediatric, and orthopedic PT, and is 4 stories tall. It was a really cool experience and I have plans to go back next week. If you're in the PT world and really want to know more, just let me know.
I left at 4:15 with the intention of catching a bus home eventually (the PT clinic is quite far), but I decided to walk back to the shopping area first. Being a normal non-holiday, this area of town was hoppin. On 'Cordoba' street, there are probably 5-7 blocks cleared off for solely walking/shopping. It's a fun place to be and the weather was absolutely ideal, great call by this guy. I walked around for a bit, didn't buy anything yet, and decided to enjoy the day, avoid the crowded bus, and walk all the way home. Probably about an hour later I arrived home and hung out the rest of the night.
Oh and I finally got my local phone to work.
Friday - Today I bought tickets to the Rosario Central futbol game tomorrow, and I'll be going with Claudio (Stephanie's husband and one of the teachers, who I have gotten to know pretty well). I am super pumped already. Tonight I am going to some local show/event with Romi and the kids to help her watch them, and then, I have plans to do the unplanned. A subsequent engagement, if you will.
Thanks for reading the few of you who actually make it to the bottom :)