Well, it's been a long minute since I last posted, I suppose it's about time to update. Honestly, I found a bit of a rhythm, teaching, cleaning, cooking, starting to run a bit again, and doing little things here and there with the apartment. Oh yes, and spending time with Alvaro of course. I'm quite relieved to have found a rhythm, something to make me feel like I'm truly living, and not just getting by. It certainly helps diminish the feeling of foreignness that seems to constantly find me (for obvious reasons).
One event that broke the schedule was my trip to Argentina to see my parents!
Trip to Buenos Aires!!!
So I decided to visit my Mom and Dad in Buenos Aires (there was a Pediatric Infection Disease Conference there that my Mother was speaking at) and sooo glad for it. The city was certainly a different experience from Lima. Huge streets, organized bus systems and an underground metro called the Subte. Oh yeah, and everyone was tall and white. Argentina has a SUPER STRONG Italian influence and it was obvious. Many of the most common dishes were pizza, pasta and empanadas (okay, so that last one is a pretty common South American find).
It was fun to be a tourist again for a bit. Wandering around, living and being guided by the infamous Lonely Planet and sticking to tourist centers and hotels. It was great to see my parents, and just hang out with them again. I feel like after all my 4 years in college, the first time I've truly missed them (my family in general) has been now that I'm done and here in Lima. I've decided that since Oberlin (and most American universities) create families/homes-away-from-families/homes the idea of missing your own is slowly diminished as your friends, professors and mentors absorb themselves into the folds of your life to a point where the warm sense of "home" doesn't truly seem to disappear. I've found myself realizing how truly important it is to have that sense of comfort and support; without it, I feel as if I'm more prone to worry, doubt, confusion, and simple instability. But, the Bayona clan has aided me, whether they know it or not, in keeping my sanity. Although it's not my family, they've been extremely gracious and supportive that I don't feel quite as lonely as I think I would if they weren't around.
Well, a quick recap of Buenos Aires: went to Tango shows, shopping, eating fabulous foods and breakfast buffets, staying up late watching TV and meeting the doctor who invented the first measles vaccine....(this is what happens when Mom is a doctor...). It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of my famiry in about a week!
Alvaro will be joining me in my 3 weeks at home to visit my family and travel around California! I'm extremely excited to show him my home and to catch up with family and old friends. It'll be great to do some more California trekking, too :D. One thing that will be missing, however, is Eric sleeping on my couch :( sad times, I got used to having him at home. Well, I will be sure to update more after my trip at home. Love from afar! <3
CA!
ReplyDeleteYay, I'm glad that Lima is starting to feel like a home away from home! Have fun at that other home of yours in Cali too :)
ReplyDeleteSending warm vibes from the other side of the world!