Temporarily Argentinian

COUNTRY: Argentina
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Care Work
WRITTEN BY: Antonia Ioannou

After a week of intense Spanish lessons and settling into the city we temporarily call home, we began volunteering with L.I.F.E, which is a non-profit organization, aiming to provide for children in underprivileged areas.

We each have been volunteering in the various ‘villas’ (slum areas or run down parts situated in the outskirts of the city where the disadvantaged live), to get a feel for where we would like to spend the majority of our time. We were all quite amazed at the one villa area Ejercito Celestial, which is based around a historic abandoned hospital, also the basis of the movie The White Elephant. We have all really enjoyed our volunteering thus far with the kids. Their faces just light up when they see us, and not just because they excited to use our faces for painting.

Its been a busy few weeks for us foreign Argentinians! We explored the frantic markets of San Telmo which are known for their exquisite antiques and vintage items.

A few of us recently discovered the amazingness of the ice cream store right across the road from us! Also, the frozen yoghurt cafe two blocks away has become a group favorite.

We were also treated us to a cultural drum show by La Bomba Del Tiempo, which was thoroughly enjoyed. We had the privilege of attending a tango lesson, which enabled us to engage with the locals and immerse ourselves in the cultural dance of Argentina.

So far we have celebrated three birthdays in Buenos Aires. Cailey and Antonia.C recently turned nineteen and Alice had her eighteenth birthday in the most beautiful city. Alice’s birthday also fell on the monthly pizza night, which included home made pizza and Argentinian wine.

Most of the group recently went to a La Boca game, which was a La Boca Juniors vs. San Martin. It was a very loud experience which was thoroughly exciting.

The boys jumped on a bus and headed to Mendoza for the weekend, which included olive oil and wine tours, hikes in the snow, and some ‘bro-ing out’. This weekend coming, it’s the girls’ turn! Anna, Tim, Freya and our friend Demi hopped over to Tigre for the day to escape the busy city of Buenos Aires. There were spectacular views and Tim loved the colourful houses, insisting that he would buy one eventually!

Alice has recently moved in with her host family for the coming month. So far it has been said that the food is spectacular and the house is a big step up from our darling Roadhouse.

In the Roadhouse there are people staying for all around the world and we have already made friends for life. Especially our favourite Montanan American Demi who sadly left us a few days ago. We already miss her tales of her cat Boomer and of her horse riding to school.

We are really making the most of our time here and look forward to the months ahead.

Hasta pronto, mucho amor Antonia.I, Felicity, Tim, Henry, Cailey, Courtney, Antonia.C, Alice, Giulian, Ciara, Amy, Freya, Annabelle, Anna.