The Days with my Parents and a Tiger, Yes, A TIGER!

ADVENTURE #1: Parents Weekend

My life dramatically changed this last week as I got a different perspective of Buenos Aires…I became the tour guide! I took all my knowledge that I have accumulated over the last 4 months from living in the streets of Buenos Aires, and from the amazing classes I have taken at the University of Belgrano, to lead my parents on an adventure of a lifetime. And, an adventure it was. First off, it could not have been a better weekend for them to come as Latin America was celebrating their bicentennial anniversary. The streets were packed and independence events were being held all across the city. If there was one thing I really wanted to show mis padres, it was the fire and passion the Argentines had for their country and for life, and believe me, they got to see it. Of course we made our way to the important sites such as Plaza de Mayo, Puerto Madero, La Caminita, etc, etc, but to get to these beautiful places, we walked. We walked and we walked and we walked. Mis padres loved walking through the city, people watching, window shopping, and just taking in all my information about each place we stopped at. I must say I was in a powerful position, telling historical facts and translating constantly during the weekend. But, I promise it was all true, don't worry mom.

The trip in general was definitely a bonding experience for all of us, as we were constantly laughing/joking around, and spending about 20 hours of the day together. Mom and Steve were great sports and just jumped right into the Argentine lifestyle, which means little to no sleep and constantly going. We woke up with café con leche and medialunas, took short siestas at around 6, and then grabbed some dinner around 10. I must point out that of all my friends parents whom have come to visit, they all stayed loyal to the “American hours,” but us Griswolds, we go all out or go home.

Here are some highlights:

-Picking up my parents from the airport! It was the greatest feeling to see that they arrived safely, and I had been looking forward to this weekend since I got here. Plus, it was their anniversary!

-The first night we hit up a tango show/dinner that turned out awesome. I will be blunt and say the dinner was average, but the dancing was amazing. Steve and I got pulled up briefly to dance with a cute tango dancer, and when it was Steve’s turn, he whipped his foot around her so fast the dancer was amazed. She later told me, “your father is a good dancer” in Spanish.

-Steve speaking French, telling a street vendor écoute instead of escucháme, or listen up.

- Mom learning the meaning of “Mira Vos” or “look at you” and the famous gesture of sticking one of your fingers directly below your eye, pulling your eyelid down, and saying “OJO” or watch out.

-Splitting the most tender rump roast I have ever had in my life.

-Mom showing the Latin Americans the right way to Zumba.

-Crazy taxi drivers telling us about George W. Bush and Texas oil.

-Walking in between millions of people celebrating the bicentennial on the widest avenue in the world, 9 de Julio, and then getting rained on for 2 hours while we looked for a taxi home.

-Cleaning up for dinner, and then getting a facial of water through the taxi driver’s window by a passing car.

-Steve and I went to a casino around 1 A.M. and he taught me how to play craps. After I got the gist of it, we both took spots around the table and started the “father-son duo.” The dice handler kept telling the table in Spanish “el hijo y el padre” over and over whenever one of us would roll the dice or place our bets. And, I won some good dough thanks to Steve’s great teaching skills.

-Grabbing as many travel size packs of dulce de leche at breakfast for mom to bring back to Gab and Hay.

-Acting like important people and having teatime at the incredible Alvear hotel.

-The view of the Recoleta cemetery from our hotel room.

-Getting dragged by a tango dancer to pose in pictures in La Caminita.

-Rating the Caesar Salad at every restaurant….Nucha (a small café) won!

-Purchasing a really cool mate cup and an Argentina soccer jersey.

-Memories that will last forever

It was really nice to show my parents my daily schedule and how much Spanish I had picked up over the last couple of months. I mean, it is one thing to explain everything on the phone, but to finally show them what I do and how I live so far away from home was the best feeling...I just felt proud. I felt proud to show my parents my knowledge on this foreign country/huge city, my Spanish skills (singing like an Argentine when I speak), and most importantly proud to show Buenos Aires my parents. Without them, I would not have been able to live here and take on one of the best experiences of my life…so thank you!!

ADVENTURE #2: Lujan Zoo

The Lujan Zoo is considered the most “controversial and the world’s most dangerous zoo in the world,” but if your up for the risk and the adrenaline rush, it is something incredible.

Along with my three friends Ilya, Tiffany, and Sergio, we took a bus to another Argentinean province about an hour away to have the possibility to sign our life away for forty pesos, a cheesy printed map of the zoo, and the ability to sit nose to nose with some of the world’s most dangerous animals. It was basically a petting zoo to the extreme as we spent some one on one time with tigers, lions, bears, pumas, sea lions, and elephants, but the lion and tiger cage was definitely the most intense. And when I say this, I speak the truth because only in South America can you be let into a cage with 5 full grown tigers circling around you and one lion watching your every step. Not to mention, put some milk on your hand and let the tiger decide if he is hungry or thirsty. But the animals were amazing, their coats were beautiful, and their size and strength was something I have never seen before. Literally when the male lion made the slightest noise, I felt the rumble in my eardrum.

Besides the lions and tigers, I really enjoyed the elephants. They are such amazing animals and we stood literally eye to eye with them feeding them for at least 30 minues. Just to watch these gigantic animals functioning especially with their tusks reaching around you and looking for food, it was overwhelming but in a mind-blowing way.

You’re probably asking “why I would go to such a thing?” But, I figured if I brought good energy and was as cautious as I could be, this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. I mean even people that go to Africa for professional safaris do not get the chance to get this close to the animals. Plus, I needed some more dangerous/exciting things for you guys to read about besides soccer games. So I did it, and lived to tell the day..thank goodness.

At first, I was a little skeptical about visitng the zoo and giving them my money because I had heard rumors that the zoo drugs the animals so they will remain calm around the visitors. However, after doing a little research and seeing the animals in person, they were highly active and got your heart's ventricles pumping madly. That day, my heart was racing from the moment I walked into the zoo until I finally laid down to sleep that night.

I love Argentina