Coming to Buenos Aires I didn’t know what to expect. This was going to be my first time in South America. You better believe I was excited. I could barely speak the language, despite taking a few Spanish classes on campus. I never had to depend on my Spanish language ever before so it was an experience that I had a little anxiety about but like most things, that shall pass too.
The first step in my departure was to make it to Miami to catch my flight. It was the easiest and most affordable way to leave the country to South America. Like most college students on a budget, I had to make smart decisions about my money, I decided to take a 3-hour bus ride to Miami International Airport, then a 9-hour flight to EZE in Buenos Aires. I was so sad about leaving home sweet home, I almost didn’t want to leave. I shuttled on to a packed airplane for departure. Unfortunately, I was smack-dabbed in the middle of two older people and it was hard for me to sleep because I did not pack a neck pillow. If you’re ever taking a long flight make sure to pack one.
The passengers to my side were both Argentines, an older couple. This was my first contact with the country. I noticed that speak a lot with her hands, but she was very patient with my broken Spanish. One gesture she made was a scraping motion under her chin. I didn’t understand what it meant until later. I thought it was a derogative gesture because in some countries it is. This time it was meant to signify “I don’t know.”
After a long flight, and 12 hours of traveling, I was finally here. It was dark and cold this morning. I arrived at 6 in the morning, expecting a rally at the airport, but I had arrived a day prior to my program, so I had to find a place to stay for the night, which I was completely prepared to do. Being an adult that makes their own money, I had to think fast and be ready to take on a new world on my own. What an exciting first experience.