Sidewalk Sweepers

Every morning I wake up and hear the sidewalk sweepers. It’s a peaceful sound—much better than the buses or the car horns. The door attendants or other workers of nicer buildings/businesses spray off the sidewalk with water and sweep it into the street. It’s a petty attempt to keep the city clean, but I like it because it reminds me that the everyday life can be simple in the middle of something so big and complicated.

Last week was another difficult week. I had class for 6 hours a day, instead of 5, and I had to take my midterm on Friday. I did not have enough time to study or practice my Spanish, so I’m pretty sure I didn’t do well.  It was also stressful trying to plan my vacations. The website for the ferry to Uruguay was not working correctly, and trying to talk to the company on the phone was above me. The flights to Bariloche were also being difficult. I had to reserve my price online then go pay for them in person because I needed to prove I’m an Argentine resident (because they like to rip off the tourists). Anyway, trying to get 4 people’s schedule together and take into account everyone’s preferences, was very difficult. But after several hours of planning, we have our airfare to Patagonia!

Valentine’s Day was both bitter and sweet. I had asked Dorothy to help be my cupid from afar and get chocolate covered strawberries and flowers to Glenn. She did a great job and he was surprised and to find even from 1000 plus miles away, I could still key into his room and leave him surprises. It was ironic, right after I asked Dorothy for help, Jessica’s boyfriend messaged me on facebook and asked if I could get her flowers from him. I liked paying it forward, especially since I know how difficult relationships can be from afar.

When I got home that day, my host mom was telling me that I had a message. So I had to call this number and talk to them (keep in mind my Spanish is not good in person, much less over the phone). Thankfully my host mom came to my rescue and talked to them. Apparently I had a delivery, but I was not home when they tried to deliver it earlier. So it would have to wait for the next day. This just goes to prove my theory that everything is harder in Argentina. Turns out my mom sent me flowers for Valentine’s Day. She is pretty much amazing and always knows how to make me feel loved. Even though I had to wait until Wednesday to get my roses, I very much appreciated getting something so simple yet so significant. (Love you, mom). I celebrated the day smelling the roses from my mom and eating the alien chocolates Dorothy gave me.