Hola Amigos!


On the plane from Iguazu falls in the north on my way back to Buenos Aires so I finally have some time to update my blog.
So much has happened in the last 3 weeks that I am not sure where to start, but one thing’s for sure….I have had an amazing time so far!
My last blog was from when I just arrived in BA. After that I had another beautiful sunny week in the city checking out all the different areas. My favorite part is San Telmo. Its in the old part of BA and a really nice. Old building, small plazas with couples dancing Tango, old men sitting in the park playing chess in the afternoon sun , nice bars, restaurants and small antique shops everywhere.
Another highlight was the cementario in Recoleta….A truly fascinating and strange place! Instead of being buried under ground there were huge monuments that the people were buried inside….A true necropolis! This is also were Evita is buried.
The apartment I borrowed is in Palermo just by a huge park. So when I was not out sightseeing I would hang out in the park, read and work on my tan. Nice!

After a week I was ready for getting back to the ranch. We drove back the Wednesday before Easter and had a really nice week. Hugo’s family was also there for Easter so it was social nights, lots of good food and of course hours of riding horses:)
I had really nice experience the one day at the ranch when I went out for a walk taking pictures. In one of the fields there a two mares with their foals. The foals are approx 4 months and haven’t had any human contact yet. When I walked in to the field all the horses came running toward me and were very curious about whom I was. So I sat down in the grass and after a little while the two foals were nuzzling my back and my hair….so nice. And in the end they let me pet them on the face and neck. Such a good feeling when you can get animals to trust you:)

Last Friday I jumped on a bus in the local town close to the ranch and headed 15 hours North to Iguazu falls. I have spent 4 night and days here and it’s been great. Stayed at a really nice hostel and have met so many nice people! Saturday and Sunday I spent seeing the waterfalls, one day from the Brazilian side and one day from the Argentinean side. Both views are breathtaking! Monday I went to San Ignacio….the Jesuit Mission Ruins. I hadn’t really heard a lot about this place and went here by chance. Walked by a tourist information desk Sunday night on my way to the atm and they had a trip the following day so I jumped on it. So glad I did. I had a really interesting day there. And we also visited Che Cuevara childhood house and some crystal mines.

Yesterday I visited an animal rescue center located far inside the jungle. What a great place. They take care of animals that are confiscated in illegal export and animals that are injured in the jungle or by traffic accidents. They let the animals that they can back in to the wild and the ones that are to domesticated they keep for reproduction. It was great to see a place like this. Wish I could work here! And they had so many beautiful species of birds and some very tame monkeys that held my hand and wanted a back scratch

I ended my day with 2,5 hours at the Spa….heaven!

In BA I am treating myself to a night at a nice hotel! Its located in San Telmo and they give tango lessons at the hotel so I should be an expert by the time this night gets to an end ;)

And tomorrow I am heading back to the ranch for some last days before heading to Peru in a week’s time.

Hope everything is well back home in Stavanger. That’s that for now.

Hasta Luego

X

Argentina

Es buena la vida!!


Argentina......what a place!! I arrived on the 8 th of march after a really nice weekend with my mom and sister in Madrid. Unfortunately the weather in Madrid was really cold and rainy but we still had a good time, I am definitely going back on day to see more.

When I landed in BA the temp was approx 28 degrees and the sun shining from a blue sky...Finally summer:)

Hugo , the guy I am visiting (a former college of my dad and the owner of 3 ranches and approx 100 horses) picked me up at the airport and we drove out to the main ranch San Juan which is 2 hours from BA. What a place.....i had arrived in paradise. A beautiful house, swimming pool, lush gardens surrounding the house and HORSES on all the fields nearby eating grass in the afternoon sun!

In the evening the place got even nicer....sitting outside by the fireplace, looking up on the most amazing sky with stars I have never seen and the best part....hundredes of fire flies in the grass! WOW....its like the stars came down to earth to play. And lets not forget the angus beef on the grill and an excellent glass of red wine in my hand! Need I say more?

The following day it was finally time for some riding, and the horses did not disappoint me...small, but so fast and strong, good temperament and lots of energy! I am in love with the Criollo horse. My Favorite is Lobona....a beautiful mare with lots of power and a really good canter. (she reminds me a bit of Midnight for those of you who knew her:))

So my day at the ranch have been riding 3 hours in the morning, 4 hours break midday relaxing by the pool working my tan and reading a good book. Then 2-3 more hours of riding and then a nice evening relaxing in front of a bonfire, drinking wine and eating the best food. Hugo is spoiling me with his fantastic cooking.

On the weekend his family came to the ranch and some mates of his oldest son. So we had a great night drinking , singing and playing the guitar to early morning:)

When we got to Sunday we packed our bags and left for a ranch up north in Federal. While San Juan is very modern and civilized the ranch in Federal is more wild and untouched. Forests and lakes with an amazing wildlife. And the house is more like a cottage..Skikkelig hyttefølelse:)

Here I got to ride the most beautiful stallion called Tango. He looks like an andalusian and his coat shines like gold in the sun!

Here we rode through forest, alongside small streams and lagoons filled with birds and lilies. We swam with the horses in the water and I got to help collecting in the cows and taking them to the pastures for their vaccination. Good fun! We stayed in this lovely place 4 days before returning to San Juan. What a lucky guy Hugo is to have these two so different and gorgeous places.

Friday we left the ranch life for a little while and headed in for the city, Buenos Aires! I m going to spend a week here, exploring the city, taking tango lessons, going to the spa and yes get some shopping done:) Tonight I am going out with Hugo's son diego and his mates, should be a good night!

Then I might travel up to iguasa falls or somewhere else before returning to the ranch were Lobuna and new adventures awaits. Life in Argentina is good!
 
PS! Internet connection is so slow i cant upload any photos, but will try another place during the week
 
Hasta Luego

The hard student life in Cadiz:)

Hola,
Monday again and only a week left in Spain. Today must be one of the best Monday's ever...Its a public holiday here in Andalusia and we woke up to the most perfect warm sunny day since i arrived here.
So me and my flatmates have spent the whole day sunbathing at the beach and i even got my first swim for the year:)
The sea has the same temperature as in Norway mid July so i cant complain:) (even though i think the Spanish thought we were a bit crazy......)
The weekend trip to Sevilla was cancelled because the girls i were going with were not feeling well. So I had some nice relaxing days in Cadiz instead. Friday was on of the teachers birthday party, so that turned in to a big night out...good fun:) And Saturday 2 friend and me went for a fantastic meal at this really good restaurant and then to some nice bars for a couple of drinks. In cadiz there are so many nice, small bars with a unique atmosfere, i really recommend this city to everyone...perfect place for a great holiday!

My Spanish is slowly getting better, but I was a bit optimistic think i could speak well in 4 weeks. But some good practice in Argentina should help.
I have found the best wine bar just 50 m from my place were i go in the afternoons to have a glass of wine and study in the sun...I am going to miss that place:)

That's it for now, next blog will be from Buenos Aires!!! jajajaja:)
Ciao amigos
x

Homework in the sun:)

Playa de la Caleta (One of the scenes from the James Bond movie with Halle Berry was filmed at this beach!)

Living the good life in Cadiz:)

Buenas tardes:)

Life in Spain is really good, into my third week already, time flies when having a good time!!!

Last week was carnival week, and it ended yesterday....10 days of concerts, dressing up, bands singing on every street corner, brilliant costumes and lots of parties! (The best resemblance would be the 17 of may, just 10 days straight and bunads changed out with fancy custumes)

Saturday night we all dresses up again in new costumes and went dancing at this big tent, Carpa, they set up for the carnival, great party!!!! I must say that i am really impressed by how smoothly its all gone through the whole Carnival.....so many people crowded together, drinking and parting and not one fight or quarrel..... Everyone just happy and are having a good time! I am definitely coming back again for Carnival in Cadiz:)

Me and my flatmate Marie on Saturday

The girls and chirigotas

My Spanish is improvin nice and slowly. I am starting to understand some of it and that is a good feeling:) And a guy i talked to from Madrid told me he could hardly understand what the people from Cadiz say so that made me feel much better! Apparently the andalusian accent is the hardest one. Well at least this way i should find it easier to understand people in South America when i get there in 2 weeks time.

This week will be a quite one with lots of studying and some sightseeing. And this weekend i am off to Sevilla, everyone says it beautiful so i am really looking forward to it.

Thats that for now, hope you all are well in Norway:)

Adios:)

Hola mi Amigos:)
One week into my student life in Cadiz. I have had a really great time so far- feel like i have been here for many weeks with all the stuff i have done. Cadiz is a really beautiful town in the south of Spain in Andalusia. I live in the middle of the old part of town. Absolutely in love with the place.....feels like walking around on a movie set! Norrow streets and lovely plazas....but i get lost all the time, not an easy place to find ones way around.


School is really good, I am the only student on beginners level so i get private lessons.....Now thats what i call value for money!! right now it feels like i know some words but i dont have the knowledge to put it together to proper sentences. hopefully that will change in the next coupple of weeks:)

On Friday the Carnival started in Cadiz and its going on till next Sunday. Absolutly mad....these guys know how to party:) Saturday was the big night were everyone dressed up in costumes and partied in the streets to early morning. on every street corner there is a band playing ( called chirrigotas... not sure if thats how you spell it..) For those how understand Spanish they are apparently very funny, but it good fun to watch them and feel the atmosphere even though i dont understand a word!
Well that's a little update from me, now i have to get some homework done for tomorrow.

Hasta Luego:)

Plaza de Catedral (2 min from were i am staying)

Me and my 2 flat mates:)

Chirrigotas

4 days left in winter wonder land:)

4 days left till i leave Stavanger and the cold white winter we have had here. Yesterday the old weather record was taken....46 days of continues snow on the ground, that hasn't happen since they started recording the weather back in the days (cant remember the year).

It's been beautiful, but i must admit that the warmer climate is going to be amazing!!

Next blog text will be from Spain where my student life begins:) Very exited:)