Subte Travel to Invisible Pools

Hace calor en este pais, geeeeeze. Escalators sweat sounds and spiders. Stray dogs searching for ice cubes and people walking in rhythms to the sound waves in my head(phones). An ocean it is, guiding me through the city’s islands while barely keeping me afloat. Moving around the good airs is exciting, really. This place is starting to feel normal in a good way.

As I ride the subte (subway) multiple times a day here, I think about what it means to be a traveler. Life on the subte is seemingly dull, but beneath the surface it’s a fascinating world with much to explore. People staring glaring laughing chaos sleeping children falling people holding people kissing order thinking talking eating waiting planning dancing people begging sitting standing demanding chaos wishing writing lying buying people sighing giving taking waiting breaking communicating. Eye-contact is an understanding, an accident or an interest-- a form of speaking however vague or faint it may be. Who are you and where are you going I have no ideas and don’t want to judge. Weird and amusing places.

Are we unified by similarities or differences? The key is to fit in and stand out simultaneously.

But is traveling really about seeing the other, taking a peek inside the room next door that’s been locked since you were a child? Are travelers innately drawn toward climbing out of their skin and into the invisible pools above their eyes? It could be a hobby, an activity, a way of life, a metaphoric demonstration of birth and death, coming and going, or maybe a reflection of the innate desire to manifest our curiosity. We must know… because we always hear about it but maybe we actually want to see for ourselves how big the world really is.

Maybe we need a radical change of environment to rattle our senses a bit and spark the thoughts that tell us how fascinating the universe is in each moment. It’s easy to normalize everything now to the point where it takes some truly special or unordinary event to make us realize, think about, question, or even notice the astonishing abstraction of everyday life.

How about finding peace in new and uncomfortable situations? To learn and grow we must put ourselves in uneasy and unfamiliar positions that change our life’s context. When surroundings get too secure, safe, cozy, and agreeable, the ruts in the dirt grow deep and the sky disappears. It is easy to be fearful and avoid discomfort. But when you see yourself in a situation you are not used to, you see your self in truest form. I need to walk through the night, no matter how dark, because it keeps my experience fresh and my imagination fed. Development stems from the decision to escort risk and charm mystery.

And vulnerability is the consequence of living ardently.

Holes Beneath the Ground Dew

¿Qué hice? I know but I’ll still ask. We share things and then push away, that is so natural. There’s a small radio in my alley that sings songs of every emotion. It plays continuously and I can never find it to turn the dial. I have a problem, spinning wine bottles and cigarettes through the holes beneath the ground dew. Because maps and tacks and paper bags on the wall talk too, and ¿who am I? The crevices in my skin don’t feel all too real when the sun bathes them- all my dirt and hair and fear. This is not the last time toy boats will float in rhythms. Beating hearts will always conquer us and the fires we build in the streets. And the chains we find there won’t stick around for long, or even change color if we desire.

Run children there’s much to see.

A month here and I’ve nestled in quite well. Time’s moving too quickly but it always does. Next week will be my first week with all my classes, which are…(if you’re interested):

Philosophical Anthropology (UCA), The Anthropology of Music (UBA), The New Argentine Cinema in the Latinoamerican Context (FLACSO), Spanish (FLACSO), and Advanced Percussion (non-academic)

More than excited to really delve into these subjects a fondo. Already I’ve met three times with my Philosophical Anthropology class and it’s really captivating; we talked about nihilism today and the voluntud of the individual that creates reality— la calidad de valores simply thrown out the sphere of objectivity. Giovanni Reale (Italian philosopher) then argues that el amor (love) acts as the ultimate therapy for nihilism. Hmm. Real interesting stuff.

An Argentine girl took notes for me yesterday in English; it was such a nice gesture I didn’t know what to do when she gave them to me. People at UCA have treated me with a cool kindness that is nice to experience. I try to reciprocate.

The city is still grand.

Run children there’s much to see.

The Power of Nature And Magical Rainbows: Las Cataratas de Iguazú

So this weekend I traveled 18 hours outside of Buenos Aires to visit Iguazú Falls, the second biggest waterfall in the world. There ended up being a group of about 15 of us from CIEE that went which was definitely cool. Great hanging out time away from the city. However I spent the day at the falls alone and it was almost a sort of spiritual experience for me. I hadn’t been out in nature alone for a while, and I really needed it. The peace, the serenity, the speaking creatures, and of course, the air. Green everywhere. Leaves, moss, wet rocks… an intoxicating freshness. The natural world always shows me things I forgot about myself and my environment. It’s nice to be reminded we just might be part of something much larger, something city life doesn’t show us too often.

(It’s early and I feel just fine. Heat is at my back and Iguazú will never whisper a word, it doesn’t need to and I shouldn’t have said so much.)

I’ve never seen anything like Iguazú Falls. It was almost too grand, too large to understand. Pictures won’t give it half the justice it deserves, but I’ll post a few anyway:

La Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat): Elements…

The anticipation: water at the top waiting to be spilled over into the colossal thirsty throat…preparation and excitement as all tranquility is soon to be sucked away.

The falling water: simultaneously still and moving. You could see the liquid dissipate into specific ripples and waves as they slipped off the edge of the cliff…the drops appear seemingly free and full.

The moment of impact: water hits the core of the throat and a roar erupts into the skies…a moment of unity or truth or something of that sort.

The spray: mist shooting up and out as if it were showering us with fireworks in the time of festivities… all in celebration of its natural beauty.

People were so uncontrollably drawn to its grandiose allure, which was quite a captivating sight. The abundance of sheer beauty and shock pressed powerfully against my imagination as it took me to other places. The natural world is so fascinating isn’t it?

Argentina Begins

What is this city? Un muerto en la calle, se vive. Smiles and stuggles and communication. Simple, pero no.

So it’s been almost three weeks since I’ve written and now that I have some time to say something I don’t even have the slightest idea of where to begin.

This city is a wonderland full of life, passion, and humor.

Buenos Aires is huge, a walking city, which I love. It’s more of a social city than any I’ve ever been to. Last night I was at a café at 5:30 in the morning and there were adults chatting away as if it were their lunch break. The sense of time they adopt here is more than admirable. Moments can be enjoyed and cherished without preoccupations of the future. And nights begin in the morning. La comida es buena, of course. Lots of steak, empanadas, pizza, y sandwiches. Not too different than American food, but definitely unique. Y el vino (wine)… delicious.

Mi family is great as well. Sweet, fun, and patient. And they value music with a passion so intense and loyal. I’m really learning a lot. Language will be the ultimate challenge- the more I grow with Spanish, the more I possibilities I’ll have to expand cultural knowledge. Going out I’ve tried to meet and talk with porteños (Argentines) que quieren hablar. People are generous. It’s nice talking to porteños… cab drivers and people you meet in bars and clubs. Already I’ve met some really great people. CIEE (the study abroad program) does a great job of giving us tons of free time to explore the city and do what we desire. The freedom is great. There’s no way I could count the hours I’ve spent just relaxing and bathing in conversation at corner cafes. It’s just what you do here.

This city never sleeps, yet no one’s in a rush. Time runs far away.

Some moments here feel like dreams, and I’ve already begun dreaming in Spanish. My focus within the language is to develop my own character, my own Spanish-speaking personality that feels natural and unique. It’s difficult but it’s a mountain I will climb. I liked the city initially, and throughout the next five months I can only see it growing on me. Yes there are moments of seclusion here, but that’s the crux of the challenge.

First class Wednesday. I'm realizing this blog will not become a typical travel blog; I’ll continue to share my thoughts and insights instead of the things that I do. It all is so overwhelming and busy right now. Much more depth coming soon.