Llamas

Yesterday we went to another Estancia (more or less a small ranch) to have one of our culture classes. We took a large van that had tiled floors, which is a pointless detail but I thought it was hilarious. Anyways once we got to the estancia we split up into groups of 5 and one group went to go ride horses (or as Tim says to "montared the cabalos¨" in a strong southern accent) and the second group stayed to make bread. As we were making the bread the woman helping us was explaining why they added each ingredient and other fun facts about the history of the bread that I did not understand, but it was fun to kneed the dough! We each made a loaf and then got to put it in this huge open clay oven.

We finished first and had mate while we waited and watched the other group ride horses. I was trying to make conversation with the lady so I pointed to the llama they had in the field asked her what they call llamas here. So in spanish I said "como se llama este animal?" and she answered "llama!" and we all thought that was pretty funny. [If no know else I know Kristen will think thats funny :) ]

After making bread we got to ride horses! No one told us we were going to be riding so we all had on shorts and filp flops but it was still fun. I miss it for sure but I´m really glad I get to have a little taste while I´m here. Watching 6´5 boys ride horses is hilarious by the way. As well as Japanees boys who have absolutely no idea what to do. We finished at about noon and everyone took taxis home but Rachel and I decided to walk. We didnt really know where to go but we figured we would get back eventually. And we did. The best part is that we got aked for directions three seperate times. Two pale/sunburned american girls with book bags and a large loaf of bread in our hands: do we look like we are from here?! My favorite and most used phrase here is "no sé" (i don´t know)
We had class in the afternoon and then went for coffee to study for the test we had today. After coffee I went home and had dinner with my mom and sister. They love ham and cheese here! But I like it too so its ok. I found some m&m´s in my bag and offered them to my sister and she got so excited! She likes me a little better now. Score :)

Today I slept in a little and then came to school for two oral interviews. One was just to talk about how things are going here and the other was a progress test. The first was great, the advisor here Alejandro is really great and is very understanding when I look confused. He said that I have changed a lot since the first day. He said that the first day I woul just smile and nod at any and everything people said to me (which was true because I didnt understand 90% of what they said!) but now that I actually know whats going on I will ask when they use words I dont know and contribute to conversation. Progress, progress.
The second interview was with Monica and went well too. She is wonderful and knows my spanish needs a lot of work, but it´s getting there!

We had our first test today. It wasn´t too bad, but we only had to get a 63 to pass so I think I´m good. The test used very small words and comon phrases which was nice, I doubt the next test will be so forgiving.

Tonight I went to dinner with 5 other girls and it was great. Even though we are in Argentina, we choose the mexican restuartnt to go to. One thing I can't get over is how small the napkins are in this country! I have no idea why put they are always tiny and made of like parchment paper! Taylor made a great observation that here in Argentina paper is expensive because they dont have as many trees, because they have a lot more open plains. I said that in america we had trees but we cut them all down- and she said yeah- apparently to make normal sized napkins!!
It's going to be a great 5 months :)