"1 de Julio, 2010"

So last night's computer malfunction was a minor tragedy. But I've been realizing slowly that while I'm here to have fun and enjoy myself, this is not a vacation. Its an assimilation. I may be staring out the window and fidgeting like a child during my 5 hour language classes everyday, but those damn words I'm learning come in handy!" While my summer program buddies are hitting the party scene hard every night, I'm learning how to buy fruit from the corner grocer, where to locate peanut butter (Barrio Chino in case you were wondering), what size shoe I am in cm, and how many pesos in costs to repair a computer charger. I'm really learning how to live down here, not just visit. I've even adopted the portena strut! I know I don't talk like a local, even on my most fluent days when I'm so impressed with myself for whippin words out like weapons in an old western (whew!), the street vendor or the cab driver will ask "So where are you from?" But I try to dress like a local, although my naturally blonde hair and green rather then vivid blue eyes are all a dead giveaway. But when night is falling and your still 5 blocks from the security of your all-night security guard waiting for a chat at your gated driveway, the portena strut is a great defense mechanism/self-esteem booster! Instead of cowering, avoiding all eye-ontact and staring at the ground (also to avoid dog poop), hands in pockets secretly gripping one's map and cell phone, lift the gaze above eye level, open up the chest, and slow the walking pace while lengthening the stride. Add an ounce of swagger to the hips, and now instead of whimpering " Please don't look at me! I just wanna go home!" your posture will cooly ooze "Get out of my way, you scum of the earth." You know what they say: When in BA, be BA!