River, Mi Buen Amigo!

Hi Family! I know it has been a while since I've sent out an update, but I'm sure the Sabres' game 7, Marcell Dareus, and Osama Bin Laden (in no particular order) have kept you busy enough to at least temporarily forget about my South American exploits. I blame an intense midterm week combined with a delicate mix of spring break shenanigans and my laziness, the latter of course being a result from my dedication to being immersed completely in latin american culture.

Two weeks ago was my midterm week, which ended up being almost as brutal exam week back home. Within a 2 day period I had two take home exams that were 18 pages combined, 1 essay for Social Entrepreneurship, 2 in-class exams, and a role play of a 1940's Argentine Radio Show. Apparently study abroad also includes studying, who knew? Although it was pretty tough my Spanish got better than it's ever been and I know infinitely more about Argentine/Latin American history and foreign relations. I got 3 of the exams back today and A's on all of them!

Highlights from outside the classroom:

I finally made it to a soccer game, seeing my boys from Riverplate take on Godoy Cruz. As you know I'm now a diehard River fan, and I knew that my host mom's son Marciano had some connection to the team. I had no idea how much of a boss he was, as he simply snapped his fingers and they let me and my buddies in without tickets. Everyone at the stadium seemed to know him, and my friends and I now refer to him as "El Padrino", or the Godfather. The game was an INCREDIBLE experience, mainly because of the passion of the Riverplate fans. They sang and chanted throughout the entire game, even after they lost tragically. I loved singing along to the songs, including my favorite "River, Mi Buen Amigo!!"

River scores!!

Los Borrachos del Tablón, the superfans...out of control

Ever since the game Marciano, who used to not give me the time of day, has been my good buddy. I told them my favorite song from the game, and the entire family broke into a spontaneous rendition of River Mi Buen Amigo at the dinner table. Also at dinner one night, I was attempting to describe the process of the NFL draft to the family and explain why I had to get up in the middle of the meal to watch the Bills' pick. They really had no clue what I was talking about, but Marciano excused himself with me and we watched the selection of Marcell Dareus together. He still had no idea what was going on but respected my passion haha.

I also spent an afternoon bonding with my new Mexican roommates. We went to the best mexican restaurant in town (I found eating tacos with Mexicans to be quite hilarious) and saw Cuento Chino, the latest movie with Argentina's best actor, Ricardo Darín. The movie was awesome, and I understood pretty much the whole thing. It felt great to be laughing at appropriate times with the rest of the audience.

I continue to get caught up in the house/electro music craze down here. I don't love just listening to the music at home, but the concerts are such a blast. The latest concert was at Pacha, one of the biggest boliches in the city. I made a compilation video with  some highlights from the concert I took with my blackberry, as well as the ASOT concert from my last entry. You'll recognize remixes of Zombie Nation and I'm Coming Home.

I also went to the best two parillas in town, Cabaña Las Lilas with John's parents and La Cabrera last night. Let me emphasize again that steak doesn't get any better than in Argentina! It's ridiculously good. Las lilas was incredible with amazing service and a fantastic view right on the water in Puerto Madero. La Cabrera is listed on all my guides as the best steak in all of Buenos Aires, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. You could have cut the steak with a spoon, and it came with about 10 different delicious sides and sauces.

La Cabrera

Other highlights:

-Scotch with the boys at the very cool ocho7ocho, making sure to emphasize that "if you guys think this is good, you should taste the 18 yr old I had with my Uncle Jim, unreal..."

-A trip to the Recoleta cemetery, where all the famous figures in Argentine history are buried. Gorgeous and unlike any cemetery i've ever been too, a must visit for anyone in BsAs. Afterwards we were just looking for a quick bite to eat when we stumbled upon a restaurant famous for its homemade beer, so we had no choice but to get a sampler.

-An impromptu Post-Osamadeath AMURICA party, which included plenty of Bruce Springsteen and USA chanting at an American bar. It was amazing to see all the Americans in town rally together in a foreign country like that...so much fun.

Ryder Cup fleece, America #1!!

I miss you all more with each passing day! I've got a big week ahead which will hopefully will include the Superclasico, a graffiti tour, and a trip to the zoo. Chau!