Barenaked Ladies (get it?)

It's been one week and I am exhausted. Living in a city is great, because there is always something to do. The only problem is that there is always a group of people going out to do it, and I am compelled to sacrifice sleep for the possibility of a fun night out or the chance to explore a new barrio. I've been to museums, plazas, clubs, all sorts of restaurants, shops, street fairs, cafés, used almost every subway line and am in the process of deciphering the system of colectivos, or busses. Not to mention going to our program headquarters at FLACSO everyday for orientation sessions and class selection periods. It's definitely my own fault, and I could easily say no the next time a concert or shopping trip comes up, but where would the fun be in that? It's easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city, and our program coordinator was not lying when she told us Argentines in BA, or porteños, don't really sleep. Ever.

So, what specifically have I been up to? A few days ago, I joined a gym, which I think makes me a legitimate city dweller now that I can say "my club.." Unfortunately, my conception of what one does at the gym is very different from that of the rest of the female clientele. My idea of a workout involves sweat, strain, and comfortable clothing. The porteña idea looks more like this:


That is actually a picture from the gym website (http://www.gymfitnesscenter.com.ar/fotos.html) Sometimes they will actually put clothes on, exclusively small and tight so they can just walk around the gym with their personal trainers and look great because they don't actually have to work out to look that way. It's a little ridiculous, but also kindof funny.

Sometime next week I might try and get in on a pickup soccer game, and ton of people on the program play soccer so there's also the option of renting a small 6 v 6 field and getting a group together for that. Everyone seems really excited in general about each other and being in BA, and I'm glad I'm making friends from other schools instead of sticking within my Georgetown bubble (which would be easy since about a fourth of the program is Georgetown kids).

The only bad thing that's happened so far hasn't even happened to me, but still makes me feel terrible. Last night right after a girl left her cab to go into her apartment, 3 men on the street cornered her, put a knife to her throat, and robbed her. She was literally 10 feet away from her front door. Things like that are obviously horrible, and a sobering reality check for anyone who thought Buenos Aires would be the same as Suburbia, USA. I've been careful about asking the cab driver to wait for me while I open the door to go inside, but last night's incident definitely reinforces the idea of safety in numbers and smart traveling.

But other than that, the city is great and I'm seeing more and more every day!