Finalmente

I finally made it to Cordoba after a grueling trip. 2 hours to Dallas Fort Worth, 2 hour layover, 10 hours to Santiago, Chile, 4 hour layover, 2 hours to Cordoba and now I'm finally here after clearing immagration and customs. When I wheeled my cart full of luggage out of the airport, there was a huge crowd of people waiting to pick up passengers. I first found Laura, the coordinator from my university.. She then directed me to my host mother Graciela and brother Sebastion. In Argentina you greet anyone you are meeting, saying goodbye to, thanking, or are greeting with a kiss on the right cheek. We got into the family's car and Graciela told me that my spanish is very good, which made me feel better. I so far have been comfortable speaking to natives, but it's the listening and understanding that is hard. The natives of Argentina have a different accent than I have learned. The double l, ll is pronounced like sh or ja instead of ya. So words like llama and calle are tripping me up, but I'm already catching onto it. It's been hard realizing that I won't be seeing the people I left at home for 4 months. It seems like a world away right now. I'm hoping that once I get into a routine, that world away feeling won't be so prominant and I won't be ready to leave Cordoba when the time comes just as I didn't feel ready to let go of my loved ones at the airport. I took my first trip to  Super Urca tonight to get some shampoo and other things. I was excited to see Graciela buying a huge hunk of beef in the hopes of falling into a carne coma. Dinner was tastey. Graciela prepared hamburgers, potatoes, and bread. Most interesting, we had pancakes for desert. Not just one pancake, but a 4 tiered pancake cut into slices. I am very excited for tomorrow. I have orientation at 11:00 a.m. My host mother is taking me to the university for the first day. But, the day after that, I will have to buy a bus pass and take the 15 minute ride solo. I can't wait to meet the other international students and to create a new friend circle. I especially need it right now as I work past the tough emotions that come with change, culture shock, and insecurity about the language. I will soon report back about my first day of orientation. Adios until then. <3
---Alex