Mate and Yoga!

Today I went to class from 10 to 3 then to mate class with Andrew and Michael at API. Jimena taught our mate class... I think it's because Carmen hates Mate.

I loved it! I especially liked the 'terere' or mate and juice that we made. It was served cold and would be great to drink to fend off the Texas heat when I get back.

After I went to mate class today i went on a short run with my friend Rocco (a fellow Texan) from class and then did some yoga in Parque de Las Heras a few blocks from my house. It was so nice to move I haven't worked out since I've been here. Tomorrow i am going to try to go to a museum and hang with some more friends from class and the following day is the first day of the world cup in Brazil so I'll probably go to watch that with some friends!

The past week

The past week has been super challenging but very rewarding.

Last week we had a test and this past weekend I went to Iguazu (it was extremely beautiful there). A combination of homesickness and the stress of the test Thursday pushed me over the edge a bit.

I am looking forward to the next week and took sometime to really plan out what to do.

Below I've posted some pictures with extensive captions from the last week, enjoy!

The boys from API and I making homemade alfajores (the national cookie of Argentina) at our cooking class last week! 

Our coordinator Carmen and her sister who also works for API Jimena and their other sister who taught us how to cook traditional cookies and empanadas. Carmen has been such a great coordinator the boys and unanimously voted her the most comforting lady we have met on the trip and she gave me the best hug ever last week. I'm so glad that these women stumbled into my life on this trip.

Valarie, my fellow UNT student that is in Buenos Aires with me! She's great! 

A beautiful picture of a beautiful woman! Gaby makes everything a little bit more exciting!

A timid cat at a nature preserve outside of Iguazu.

The API family! This pretty much sums us up...

Little anteater like creatures that crawl on tourists to get their snacks. They were very strange and strangely cute.

A bird resting next to a picnic site at Iguazu.

One of the national guards at a flag ceremony outside of la Casa Rosada. 

Me at the bright pink Casa Rosada lit up by some very pink lights at night.

Some graffiti at Las Heras Park next to my house.

Me at a common destination with friends las Heras Park.

Andrew, Rocco, Michael and I eating tacos at a Mexican restaurant-- a surprising find considering my host mom doesn't know what tortillas are! 

The view from a garden behind the university building.

A man making light effects with recycled material at "verde fest." 

Some wonderful art from my trip to the MALBA.

MALBA had some interesting watercolors that reminded me of Kathleen's work!