Challenges

Living abroad is an experience unlike any other. You are placed in this whole new world, simply with the implicit instruction of: explore! But real life is never too far away. And what is more mind boggling to me than marveling at the cultural differences of where you are, is actually getting used to where you live, completely adjusting to the culture around you. Feeling normal within those cultural confines. For example. To me, it now feels normal to sit in cafes for at least three hours, drinking tea and talking. It feels normal to ride the crowded subte, gasping for air each time that the doors open. It feels normal to go to the bank, and ask for a pile of monedas (coins), so that I can ride the bus. If feels normal to see 80 year olds and 3 year olds out on the town beyond midnight, eating dinner or simply strolling around.

However, some things just don't feel normal.

1) There are no planners in this city. I pretty much live by my planner in the states; it allows all my lists to be in one place, all my assignments to be in one place, and any odds or ends that I want to remember to be in that same, one place. In a move of stupidity, I did not bring my planner to Buenos Aires. I assumed that as a large, cosmopolitan city, there HAD to be planners. Right? They're ubiquitous, not affiliated with a specific culture. Well, I was wrong, After an extensive search, that included STAPLES, yes the American company, Staples, I have exhausted my search. Apparently planners are uniquely American. I think this is a clue about Argentine time and planning...that it isn't structured. I know that I should take this whole inability to find a planner as a new cultural experience, a clue to relax a little bit and go with the flow. And, I'm trying. Being here is definitely relaxed compared to my normally crazy life, but. But. But. But. I still wish I had a planner...

2) Medical care. I guess that my medical care was never "normal" per say, because I have two doctor parents. But I have recently experienced some medical care here in Argentina. When my tonsil starting swelling in an ungodly way about a week ago, I wasn't too concerned. No other symptoms, and I didn't want to be a baby (read: go through the hassle of seeing a doctor). However, 10 days later and considerable pain with eating, talking, and breathing (three things I do pretty regularly), I decided it was time. A friend accompanied me to the ER, where we waited for a 45 minute block, then saw a doctor, then got a strep test, then returned to the doctor to learn that it was negative, and then was told by the doctor that I would have to call in 5 days to see if the other strep test was negative. Whew, exhausting. Exhausting for both me, and my wallet. And I left with no clear answers! And a tonsil the size of a golf ball! Frustrating. And the craziest part of it all was that on my way out of the ER the doctor gave me the traditional porteño goodbye, a kiss on the cheek! And then did the same to my friend!! Mind boggling!!

All in all, I'm not letting the tonsil ordeal slow me down...theres just too much to do here! However, if only I could find any sort of planner...