Traveling Abroad =/= Living Abroad

While living abroad may seem as idyllic and perfect as it does in Emily in Paris, in actuality, it is pretty difficult to transition from a travel/vacation mindset to a living mindset. That is especially the case when you happen to be a doing a bit of both. While during some weekends like last, I may find myself traveling and exploring the gorgeous country of Argentina, during others like this weekend, I'm just living. Although it has only been a month, I wanted to take some time to share what living in Argentina is like. While writing my posts, I tend to romanticize living because, well, why not?? However, with living comes more than just beach trips, windsurfing, and penguins. The act of living abroad, in my opinion, is far more stressful than the act of traveling (yes, no matter how chaotic my trips might seem).

Living abroad is feeling guilty when watching TV during siesta because you feel like you should be taking advantage of every second of every day in your new home.

Living abroad is doing the laundry...but finding out that you really have to pay attention to the weather before doing so. Having been in my new apartment for a couple of weeks, last week I made the executive decision to wash my sheets. I have a small washing machine in my apartment that leaves items a bit more damp than one would like, but I figured if I washed them and hung them out to dry as soon as I woke up, I'd be good. My "sheets" are currently two top sheets, one of which acting as the scrunchy one, and two pillow cases. I decided to wash one sheet and one pillow case juuuuuuuust in case. So there I was. Washing my sheets. SO proud that I remembered to wash them.

Then...

Rain. Clouds. Humidity.

All day.

All. Day.

So here are my towels and sheets just hanging in my apartment dripping everywhere with no dryness in sight.

Peep the water...

Living abroad is trying to stay calm when even minor inconveniences feel large.

I tried telling myself that there was nothing I could do about it. I was trying to act and be chill because, no matter how silly this sounds, something like this can actually ruin your day.

At this point, I did what I do best: panic text.

Living abroad is asking for help no matter how silly you think you sound.

I panic texted my friend Yani - did she think I could bring wet things to a laundromat? For context, these are a little different here in that you just drop your stuff off, and they wash everything for you. She told me to call and ask. Oh so helpful. To be fair, she gave me permission to respond to her in sarcasm.

For those of you who have read my previous posts, you probably have a general idea of how awful the idea of calling a laundromat sounded to me. And for those of you who have read my previous posts, you'll probably get an idea of just how desperate I was when you I tell you that I did try to call a laundromat not once but twice. Thankfully, the universe was good to me, and no one answered either time, so I resorted to sending a WhatsApp message. Why didn't I message initially one might ask? I was desperate, okay? That's why.

They told me I could bring my things.

Within minutes my things were packed in a bag, and I was out the door.

My sheets and towels were dry and ready for me the next day.

I sent Sol a video message of me squealing I was so happy my things were dry.

Living abroad is feeling like you are on top of the world after the smallest successes.

Living abroad is cleaning your apartment, organizing your toiletries because there isn't any shelf space in the bathroom, and building up the courage to text your landlord because your shower leaks every single time you take a shower.

Living abroad is getting comfortable with doing things on your own like going on long walks and eating dinner alone.

Living abroad is realizing that it makes more sense to shower after the gym during the day before you teach because it's less cold. It's also discovering that (duh) keeping the bathroom door closed when you shower helps keep the warm air in and makes showering a little less terrible.

Living abroad is asking your landlord to light your gas heater but then immediately turning off the pilot light without realizing it because you've never used a gas heater before ever.

So you have to ask for help...again.

Living abroad is finding a balance between saying "yes" for the experience and saying "no" because you really just don't want to.

Apparently, being in a new country doesn't automatically make me more social and less introverted. This past weekend, I agreed to go out with two girls from one of the classes I assist. The girl who invited me told me that she and her friend were eating dinner at her place and then going to their friend's apartment. It seemed chill. They seemed nice. I want friends. So, I went.

We arrived at the friend's apartment around midnight, which is pretty early Argentina time for going "out," so needless to say, I was a bit relieved. I thought this meant that, perhaps, we wouldn't be out too too late (in Argentina standards). I was also relieved to see just a normal looking apartment in the sense that they didn't seem to be expecting tons of people. About 10 people ended up coming over to drink and dance and hangout. It was chill. I thought to myself, "Okay. I could do this more often. I much prefer this than to actually going out, which they said they don't like doing because of the crowds. This is perfect."

At 1, everyone seemed a little bored, sitting on the couches drinking.

At 2, we played never have I ever, and my social battery died.

At 3, people started dancing.

At 4, I was stone cold sober. Shockingly, the gin and tonic I had at 1:30 did not last me all night. At this point, the table and chairs had been moved for more space to dance.

At 5, I was taught a few Argentine dances, including cumbia.

At 6, I made it back to my apartment.

Living abroad is acknowledging that if you don't get to bed at what feels like a reasonable hour, nothing is going to happen. You may be tired the next day, but that's literally the worst that can happen. Stressing about things makes things worse no matter how much you desperately, desperately want to sleep.

Living abroad is finding a friend with whom you can laugh about your all-nighter. But, seriously, it is so stinking important to be able to find a real friend wherever you live but especially abroad. When traveling, it can be super easy to make friends who are really just acquaintances. I'm new and exciting and from the US and speak English. Who wouldn't want to be my friend?...Honestly, probably quite a few people, but that's besides the point heehee. As a newb here, I'm vulnerable in that I'm new, want friends, and want to practice my Spanish, so it's easy to find people to hangout with but harder to find real friends.

After a short sleep after my very long night, I went to a soccer game with Yani, her sister, and her sister's boyfriend. This is Puerto Madryn's team, so kind of professional but not the big leagues. People here take soccer very very seriously, so it was fun to experience a small pocket of soccer here.

The band:

They had flares and music going the whole time.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but apparently, it is custom to stand while watching soccer...the entire game.

As we were leaving, the universe gave me yet another double rainbow.

Look at this color...

Living is abroad is coming to terms with the fact that you are living abroad. It is normal that you need to ask for help. It is okay to take a day and do nothing but drink coffee and read.

Living abroad is feeling embarrassed often and silly frequently.

However, if you were to ask Sol, living abroad is brave and takes courage because you are constantly stepping out of your comfort zone. In the words of Sol, living abroad is feeling proud of yourself.