Argentina: Community Service and the Great Outdoors

A weekly blog for the program of The Experiment in International Living

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Argentina Reflections by Chad, Experimenter

As I sit here on a 2 hour plane ride, back to where it all began, I think about the breaking ground for new friendships, new perspectives and a new life. The memories we made and the places we left behind. On that very first day in the airport we all in someway connected. We all met around 4pm and by 6am the next day we were a group that seemed as though they knew each other for years. We all felt excited to see new things and meet our new host families. The first two days was group orientation in Buenos Aires. It was more than just group orientation, it was laughing, crying, playing, and bonding. 

By the third day none of us wanted to separate and be alone with this new family for two days in a strange city with out having any way to get away. The home stay for everyone was nerve wrecking, exciting, amazing, and overall one of the best experience of our lives. One the last day of the homestay no one wanted leave. We had all just adjusted to the new lives we had. Now we had to change all of that again? We had done amazing community services in our city. We had met some of the friends and family that were now our friend and our family. The strange city of Salta was now our city, our home, and was no longer strange. By the last day it had felt like we knew our sisters and brothers since we were born. It felt like our parents were raising us like their own. We were excited for our new adventure in Chicoana but definitely dreading the goodbyes.   

One our first day in Chicoana everyone was a little down. We were all still in the mindset that we would see our brothers and sisters in just a few hours. That we would be going home to them. First thing we visited the school and immediately everyone was working hard to fix up the school despite the sorrow. The school needed to be painted and cleaned. We painted the hallways of the school and it was amazing how much brighter the school seemed. We also put a stone walkway in front of the school. While at the school I had a very special project. I planted a garden in honor of the Megan Hughes Foundation. I was able to create my own addition on to the schools amazing garden. On our last day in Chiconna we were able to meet the students. They were all so grateful and welcoming. They were at first shy but it did not take long for them to warm up to us. By the end of the day they were sad to see us go and the whole school gave us a huge thank you. Our next adventure would be the horseback riding. 

The horseback riding was an amazing part of the trip and for me a huge lesson. On our first ride of the day I discovered that I was highly allergic to horses and would be unable to continue with the rest of the group. Although it was not what I wanted to do I was able to see some amazing students at English Land which is a local English institute in Chicoana. The students were so happy to be able to talk to a "native" English speaker. I had an amazing time teaching them a little bit about my life. After a long three days, I was reunited with the group. I was able to here about all the funny and not so funny moments that happened. Next we headed to Cafayate. 

While in Cafayate we went on a bike riding excursion to some nearby sand dunes. The ride was so much fun. For some of the group it was tough, but it was great to see everyone trying there hardest to push through it. While on the ride we passed many vineyards. Cafayate is known for its wine and beautiful vineyards. When we arrived at the sand dunes everyone began to play in the sand and take photos. We had a great time in the Salta. Our guide Sergio was amazing and we all were sad to have to leave him. Our last day in Salta was spent revisiting our favorite places and our host families. 

We arrived and Buenos Aires and had a team meeting. Our team meeting was an activity where we used yarn to create a web that connected all of us. We all said something we would be taking backing to the states with us. At the end we cut the web and we each took a piece and made a bracelet out of it. We would now be bringing a piece of everyone back with us. We will all be leaving a piece of ourselves here, Whether that piece is big or small.

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Quilmes ruins in Tucuman

Today, we visited the Quilmes ruins in Tucuman. They were constructed in 800 A.D. and there was a population of about 6,000 people. The tour guide informed us about their ways of life. They spoke a language called Calcan, built walls made out of rocks since at night it would get windy, and some parts were partly submerged underground. They also used the mountains as protection. They utilized cacti for the roofs of their houses, and put a coat of mud over. The Incas invaded around 1480 and the Spaniards in the 1530's. Several inhabitants committed suicide in order to not bare children into slavery. Those whom were captured decided not to reproduce anymore so their offspring wouldn't have to be enslaved as well. The site contained cacti all around; interestingly, they grow approximately 3 to 5 centimeters per year. We were able to see 10 percent of the ruins because the rest was being preserved. Overall, I enjoyed learning about the indigenous people, and how they managed to survive before the Spanish arrived. Also, I admired the beautiful scenery and tranquility.

Jaylene, Experimenter

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Camping in Chicoana

We just got back from spending two nights in the mountains, camping, in Chicoana. The whole time, the only way we got around was by riding horseback. We went on six rides, each being extremely different, but all fun. We went through a river, up a very steep mountain, through a valley? And in busy roads. At night, we were sleeping in tents and it was absolutely freezing; the type of freezing that keeps you awake at night. The second night everyone piled in three tents, snuggling. But during the day, it was warm and sunny and had our afternoon siestas laying in the sun. The campsite was also very interesting as it was a ranch with puppies, sheep, cows, pigs, and horses. They also made a lot of fresh food, including warm homemade bread. We would eat this for an afternoon snack with hot tea and coffee, just as it was starting to get cold. We would eat this before settling around the campfire, listening to the ghost stories the Gauchos would tell us, specifically about the area we explored on horseback and the campsite. And that night, no one left in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, there wasn't one. We left that camp closer with nature than ever before... We also got the chance to play games around the campsite, some with the Gauchos and some with ourselves. At night we played manhunt, freeze tag, and buckle buckle beanstalk. With the Gauchos we had saddling competitions, a blindfold race, and a very intense game of tug-of-war. Over the course of three days, we became closer with the Gauchos, we would eat together, always some kind of barbecued meat and usually potatoes, and of course, bread. Even though we were all sad that three Experimenters could not continue camping due to medical reasons, we ended up having a lot of fun bonding with the Gauchos. Arianna M. and Maddie, Experimenters

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Our bike ride to Las Dunas de Cafayate (sand dunes)

7/23/2016 After a long, winding drive we finally arrived in the beautiful town of Cafayate. There we had lunch at Macacha and began our bike ride to Las Dunas de Cafayate (sand dunes). Although many of us were sore from biking, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery that we saw along the way: colorful mountains, orangish sand, rare rocks. Once we reached our destination we all climbed up the sand dunes and took amazing photos in which we captured many of our silly moments. We also made a remake of one of the photos on the EIL website and used our bodies to spell out "EXPERIMENT" as well as "ARGENTINA" and "CAFAYATE." As we were getting ready to head back to the hostel some of us, including myself, were a bit hesitant to get back on the bikes due to body aches and surprisingly hot weather. Despite these doubts we were all able to get back safely. From this experience we learned that we were all capable of doing anything we set our minds to, even things we never thought we'd be capable of accomplishing. Jenelsy, Experimenter

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Horse Trek in Chicoana

Yesterday, the group had our horseback riding adventure. We traveled up a mountain on horseback with several gaucho guides. We had a delicious asado lunch and camped in the mountains. It was beautiful!

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Community Service

By Brenda Santos

July 15, 2016

The experience of being able to help others from other communities just filled my heart. We went to a church called Iglesia de San Francisco and helped out by cleaning a storage room. The room had broken objects, old chairs, and many pieces of wood with nails. We carried out everything from the room and cleaned it. We stained the wooden chairs and tables, we painted the outside walls, and also painted the inside of the storage room. After it all dried we threw away what we didn’t need and trash. We put the tables, and paintings back inside. On the last day we didn’t have to bring lunch because the church was going to provide us lunch. They made the best burgers ever. I had a blast helping out and painting. Helping out is something I enjoy doing.  Hopefully I can comeback in the future to help again.

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Water rafting by Maelyn, Experimenter

Water rafting had to be one of the best parts of the trip so far. Although some members of the group may have been nervous or unsure, all the worries washed away as we went through the first couple of Rapids. The amount of excitement within us heightened as the water crashed into the raft and onto our bodies. A sense of rough adventure was what almost all of us craved as our excitement and hopes for rougher Rapids grew. There was a short amount of time where everyone went silent and we all took a moment to appreciate the amazing scenery surrounding us. The end of the adventure came too early, however a warm shower and tasty food was not something any of us could say no to. We drove about 30 minutes back to the base, took a shower, and ate some “asado”. A salad bar, sausage, and steak was served along with water and juice. After eating, we saw the pictures taken of us as we went through the Rapids, and were able to purchase ice cream, t-shirts, and CD’s if desired. Less than 2 hours later, we drove back to Elite, and almost all of the group ended up taking a nap. By the looks of everything, it seemed that everyone had a great time, and it is a memory no one will forget. I am proud of those who may have faced some fears, and on behalf of the group, I would like to thank Salta Rafting for an amazing opportunity. Maelyn, Experimenter

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My adventure trekking in Argentina is not what I expected. It was way more fun and interesting! It was so fun to be able to go on a mountain in Argentina and hike. It was also cool because it looked like a rain forest. I would not expect it to look like that. 

This was such a cool experience because the path included rivers, rocks, and steep inclines that we had to overcome and work together as a team. This made us grow closer. When you first look from the top of the mountain you are amazed at the view and how high you walked. The only sad part about my hike was when I returned to the bottom because it was the best hike and one of the most breathtaking views at the top. 

Overall, it was a great day because we made it to the top together.

-Elijah, Experimenter

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Each day is full of hours, full of minutes, full of moments. It's the moments I'll remember when the rest has gone away. The moments I was nervous, like meeting my host family for the first time. The moments I was tired, like after a long hike. The moments I was amazed, like crossing La Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world. 

There are moments when I'm lonely and moments when I'm sad. There are moments when I feel so far away from home. And in some moments, we're shooting through an intersection with no stop lights or being followed on the street by three stray dogs.  And in some moments, everything is different here. Then, my host sister pulls out a deck of cards or my host brother beats me at Mortal Kombat. Then, I remember that some things never change. 

There are moments when I wish I could sleep in my own bed and moments when I wish I could stay here forever. There was a moment on the bus, looking out the window, when the mountains that rise high above the city were only shadows painted in the early morning sky. There was a moment when I was on top of it all, when I had climbed, when I had panted, when I had reached the summit, when I was part of that shadow in the sky.

These days feel longer but the hours seem shorter and the minutes just fly by. It's the moments that can last forever, the moments I'll take with me. And here, in this moment, I am alive. 

-Sophia, Experimenter

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Adventures in Salta

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July 6, 2016

We arrive in the Salta airport late in the evening on Saturday July 2nd. I was immediately greeted by my host brother, Emiliano, and was taken to their brand new home. We ate a late dinner around 11 PM, as is typical in this culture. The next morning we woke up fairly early to walk the dog and buy breakfast for the family. After eating the bread and tea, the family traveled to their old house to transfer everything into their new hose. After taking the bus back home, we all took a traditional afternoon siesta.

In the evening, I walked to the local Salta shopping center where I met and ate with a couple of Emiliano’s friends. Throughout the next few days we followed a fairly similar routine, with the addition of Spanish class with the group from 9-12:30 in the mornings. I also got to experience a dance class which was very entertaining.

Mentally, there have been even many ups and downs through the first few days in the home stay. At first, it was demoralizing not being able to communicate thoughts and feelings to my host family because of language barriers. Fortunately, even though we are only a few days in, I can already sense an improvement both in myself and in my friends. I hope to continue to improve my Castellano, and in turn, have a great week and a have more fun in the homestay.

-Thomas, Experimenter

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Buenos Dias de Buenos Aires! We arrived on Thursday morning and have been on the go ever since. Our first day we met Wanda, the local coordinator, who gave us a brief orientation and then sent us off to see the sites in Buenos Aires. We started with a ride on the Buenos Aires Subte (subway) to get to Recoleta. 

Recoleta is a famous area of the city where the richest Argentines used to have their palace-homes. While strolling on the plaza de San Martin we learned about Argentina’s rich history. Just as impressive as the architecture of the city, were the sculptures of the Recoleta cemetery. 

Today, we cruised on the Delta Tigre and browsed in the Puerto de Frutos. 

More than anything, we have bonded as a group. Experimenter Brenda summarized it best when she said that her “rose (positive) of the first few days was also a thorn (negative): the stronger the bonds our team forms now, the harder it will be to be apart during our home stays.” 

All the same, Saturday we will visit Playa de Mayo and La Boca where we will practice castellano (Spanish) in preparation for our much looked forward to meeting with our host families tomorrow night. 

Stay tuned for more updates!

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Experiment Argentina Group Leaders Ingrid and Luz look forward to meeting their participants! Here they are at Leader Training on our beautiful southern Vermont campus.