Relajarme

The past two days have been pretty standard. Class, work, homework, work, etc. I've never been so exhausted that I've had such little determination to go explore, but my bod is still getting over the week of traveling and full day adventures. I got one 11-hour night of sleep in, and tonight was my first true night of relaxation. All big projects at work are completed and there's nothing hanging on me that I know I should be doing.

This relaxed attitude provoked me to walk home from work, especially knowing that none of my roommates would be there yet. Why rush to sit at home, when you can enjoy the beauty of Buenos Aires? Here are some numbers:

• The walk home is 6.5 kilometers, approximately 4 miles. That's like being at home and just deciding to walk home from church one day.
• I got asked for directions 3 TIMES! To the Hilton Hotel in Puerto Madero, the casino (which is very popular here), and to a specific street.
• I always keep an eye out for people speaking English, secretly hoping that I'll find random American friends or students studying abroad on the street. (If you know me, you know I'm not kidding). Walking for over an hour, I only heard two people speaking English the entire time, hence clearly not a situation occurring often.
• 4: the number of Subte stops I walked by without walking on. Resisting the temptation and getting some beauty and exercise!
• Too bad I didn't have my pedometer with me!
  
  
  I decided to turn my walk into a mental game. Here were the rules:

1. Don't get lost.

2. Don't get robbed.

3. Avoid clouds of cigarette smoke.

And I succeeded with goals 1 and 2! I've been pretty congested and it's probably allergies, but the massive amount of smokers in Argentina is not helping the cause. I don't even think my sister Eleni (shoutout!) could even live here without having frequent asthma attacks.

One exciting part of my walk was crossing 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world.

It's 14 lanes! It's also the same street I transfer on while taking the Subte, so it's cool to see it from above-ground rather than underground.

En route to Recoleta, I walked past this square by Rodriguez Peña.

Things like this remind me how lucky I am to be in Argentina, where I can see

the most beautiful European architecture and palm trees in the same park.

This day was perfect on so many levels, from the sun, to the exercise, to the fact that I didn't need headphones & an iPod, a cellphone or an acquaintance to occupy me. Sounds like too much relaxing, right?

Now that our oven works, Jordin and I have been cooking pasta!

Not even paying for store bought dinners and having the time to cook

without worrying about finishing an assignment.

We have an agenda of tentative plans for the weekend and are looking forward to more local exploration! As much as we've seen, we haven't conquered it all. Have a great Friday!