Long time, long way coming...

These past 7 weeks here in Argentina have been packed full of Spanish speaking, meat eating, horseback riding, Argentine greeting (cheek kissing), tango dancing, empanada baking, leather shopping, llama picture taking, mountain hiking, soccer playing, Mate (regional tea) drinking, wine tasting, boots wearing, site-seeing, museum touring, and water-bottle buying!

I've been terrible at updating everyone and I really can't give an excuse except that I just get busy with the things of my life here. It's weird. I have one responsibility- go to class. And yet, I can't seem to make myself rest, be still and quiet, pray, and read scripture. I finally have free time and I don't know what to do with it. I've realized how fast I often go without pausing to enjoy the life I am living. Right now, I am craving time in the beautiful park down the street... to sit under a tree, take in the sun, and share my heart and my dreams with God. And yet, I can't seem to muster up the will to do it! It's almost like I've forgotten how to rest well. I've forgotten how to be still and know He is God. It was supposed to be easy for us (hence, the command to honor the sabbath, or take a day of rest). They rest well here though and they enjoy the simpler things more.

In the afternoon, everything closes and everyone here goes home or to the park where you will find people talking, eating lunch, drinking mate(the regional drink of Argentina), taking in the sun, playing with their kids, running with their friends, sitting and enjoying the silence. They do it well, because they practice this often. I pray that I can learn to rest well, because it is in the quiet and the rest that I submit everything to God and take in the peace that he offers! It is the time I take to sit down and share a conversation with someone that I learn about life, myself, this world, and God.

Now, though the Argentine's little siesta time in the afternoon often inconveniences and bewilders the foreigners (since everything is closed and we can't shop or buy anything or go to the bank; also providing less revenue and opportunity for profit), I envy the cultural value for relaxation, rest, and enjoyment of those simpler things in life.

Since my last blog, I've traveled north to Salta y Jujuy (northern region of Argentina). The girls from my program and I took an 18 hour bus ride and upon our arrival, got settled into our hosteria, then we headed for Colorado Pass. We took a beautiful hike through the pass and shopped in the quaint little village below. The next day, we headed to Salta, about two hours back south. The real adventure started there! When we arrived, our hostel reservation was only for 4, not for 7. We didn't want to split the group up, so we began an hour long search for another place to stay. But it was holiday for Argentines, thus, we were homeless... until an old woman offered to lease us an apartment for a reasonable price for our 2 nights in the city. Upon walking into the place, we took notice of only 4 mattresses. So she said she'd obviously provide 2 more for us, still leaving us one short. Two girls slept on those mattresses on the floor and the rest slept in beds, requiring that two girls squeeze into one.

The sheets had clearly not been cleaned (half of us found hair or dirt in our beds), the place had a strong stench, and we couldn't get the heater to work. Yup, it was cold. Our kind old landlord, Graciela, who was sure to tell Natalia (one of the girls of Jewish decent) that as a Catholic, she had nothing against the Jews, decided to charge us an extra 20 pesos per mattress. Pshh Totally reasonable! It was about this time, that I realized how impatient I often am and how entitled I act! WOW. Reality check was definitely in order! All the other girls took the situation laughing and I learned A LOT about how humor can really bring light to a situation such as we experienced!

The rest of the trip was a blast, complete with a bike-ride to a nearby town, glorious meals of Noquis and Llama meat, shopping (i bought some SWEET jeans and a few girls found some great leather!) and meeting a few other exchange students from Cordoba! Oh and I took a pic with a llama! It was kind of surreal since we had just eaten some meat.

After breaking the apartment heater (no worries, with the help of a coke bottle, it could stay on the wall and semi-function according to Graciela) taking group pictures, and saying our sad goodbyes to Graciela... we headed back home!

Since then, I have really enjoyed my classes in Spanish, though I often feel frustrated with my inability to understand the complete thoughts of my profs. I often get really down on myself. But the group of girls that I am with are REALLY encouraging and remind me not to take life or myself so seriously, we just need to enjoy the ride and learn what we can! Seems to be a theme, huh!?

With the other 7 girls that I hang out with, we often shop together, go out together, and hit on boys together! A few of our little excursions/adventures follow:

We went to a Mexican restaurant down the street from my house for Natalia's bday. The food was not Mexican, might I add. Ha! They have no idea what picante is here! Anyway, the waiter was a typical Argentine young male... and super hot! So one of us had to leave our number just for kicks, duh! And who had the honor? None other, than yours truly. After leaving my digits, I got a call within the hour from a Mr. Abel. The hottie went out one night with the 8 of us chicas! We found out that he was still taking highschool classes because when he was 15 he was drafted into Buenos Aires' soccer team. He played for them until last year. Needless to say, we were pumped to be out with a pro soccer player all night! Sadly, we haven't seen him since except when he goes to work across the street. awkward.

SKIING in the Andes Mountains! Yup I did. I mean I did half the time, the other half I was on my butt sliding down trying to keep my fear at a minimum. However, the views were wonderful and my time with Christy and Mary was such a blast! We were about at the same level and skied a little path down to the lodge after lunch at the top of the lift. The view, as I said, was breathtaking. But so different from Colorado. Here there were NO trees. Not one. I mean, it eliminates a few (maybe a lot) of hazards... but it was weird. Still, what a sight it was!

Shopping here is amazing! It's so cheap! But dangerous, because you think you are saving money when in reality you end up spending more than you normally would! I'm saving up for some leather boots- legit leather knee-high boots- that will cost a whopping 120$ US dollars... maybe less. BTW Leather is so great and so easy to come by!

The bars here are not like the bars of the states. They are more like coffee shops that serve alcohol and people typically eat and sit at tables all night, talking until 3 or 4 in the morning. I love this time of the week when we can relax and enjoy taking and hanging out as late into the night as we want. Here it's normal to stay out until 5 or 6. Crazy I know.

On Friday, Mary and I went to a lunch for a club called the Mendoza Expats. They are a group of foreighners (from the US, Europe, Asia, etc) that have come to Argentina to live and work. Mary and I sat next to an old couple, Bob and Ann Clark. They were a riot. Both ex-professors from Washington state, they were looking to buy land in South America. They were headed to Chile in the coming months to check out the fly fishing. Bob introduced us to the handsome son of a British television typhoon type, reminding us that he was rich, good-looking, and rich. It was clear Bob had a hobby of matchmaking. Oh but he and his wife still seemed just as in love, even though he had to be at least 75 years old. They were so kind and invited us to the house where they were staying in Mendoza. And not to mention, Bob so considerately sent two older guys (from England and Holland) after us to ask us out for a beer. Turned off by the cupped wine stain on the Brit's upper lip, I politely declined. But that didn't deter the blond Dutch guy from hitting on Mary. It was more than entertaining! We owe a big thanks to Bob! We will be returning to next month's affair!


Christy and I went to hang out with the youth group (They call them jovenes, and they are considered the kids between the ages of 17-25) of a friend's church on Saturday. We'd been to the church on Sundays and enjoyed the sermons. But we are trying to make some great Argentine friends. It was definitely made easy Saturday night! The people are wonderful, welcoming, and love foreign students! I really hope to continue to build relationships there and have that be a place where I can be poured into, where I can be reminded of the truth of God.


On Wednesdays, I've been playing soccer with Lindsey Hodge (a friend from highschool and church) who is missionary on a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base. They do a sports/soccer school and two of my friends (Danny and Raynor) go out to join the fun! It really is a blast and I love getting to play with guys who are REALLY good. However, the soccer isn't too intense as there are a lot of people who play, that have never played before. And being with Lindsey is always so fun! Their living situation on the base seems so hard... but she talks about it in a way that makes it so funny! Seriously, she and the girls need to write a book! Anyway, I love playing soccer with them each Wednesday night... not to mention beating up on Raynor and Danny... ppshhh hardly. It's more the other way around!

My Spanish class here is increasingly becoming my favorite class simply for its relaxed nature and the class bond that comes with it! We are all basically in love with our professor Gladys! She's an absolute riot and so sweet and patient! I am definitely thankful to be in the lowest level of Spanish where the bonds run deep and the laughs are plenty!

On Sunday, I went to my first Asado. Asado is basically a BBQ. But here, they cook their meat with salt, only! Cooking your meat with spices is looked down upon as it means that the meat is of lower quality and needs the spices to enrich the flavor. The Asado was held at my host Mom's ex-husband's parents' house in San Martin, an hour from Mendoza. The cousins were all there and it was so great to see my host family enjoying their family time. We just hung out, played on the swings, laid out in the sun, took naps, chatted, drank mate, and ate a lot of meat!

On Saturday, I am going to an Argentine Quinceanera! It's the birthday party of my host mom's friend's daughter. I am really excited and will be sure to take plenty of pictures as it is going to be a really big deal!



I am so thankful for all of your prayers and ask that you keep in touch! I'd love to hear from you!

Prayer request:
1. My Spanish to improve, God will be my strength and receive the glory for it.
2. That I will forge deep friendships here
3. I REALLY miss UT football and fall season life at UT right now. Pray that I will still take every advantage I can to enjoy this gift of studying Abroad while I am here! As small as this sounds, it weighs on my heart at times!
5. That I will be a sources of support and love for other students here. I can only do this if I am going to God to receive all those things.
6. That God will provide an internship and eventually a job for me when I get home!



Thanks again for your prayers! Email me at sewesley@gmail.com to keep in touch! I'd love to hear from you! :)