I have learned much since I moved down here last October. If I hadn't I wouldn't still be here. The process of adapting to my new environment posed many initial challenges, and I believe I spent the first 6 months or so recovering from ever less frequent bouts of culture shock. I now appear to be in the adjustment stage, and all that was overwhelming and daunting before has become mainstreamed, streamlined, "the norm" if you will. Yet surprises still happen on a daily basis, and usually they are rather bizarre and quite enjoyable.
Take, for example, last Wednesday. I was giving a class to one of my elementary level students at home when my buzzer rang. As I wasn't expecting anyone it came as a surprise, although I just figured it was the Salvation Army, which comes by every so often to ask for clothing donations. When I answered the man at the other end told me he was from Telecentro and was here to repair my internet. I was puzzled.
Why? my internet had stopped working in early July and after calling technical support a few times I gave up on the internet. I reasoned it was better to not have internet at home, as I could focus on other things like reading and "disconnect" for a while from worldly stresses. The months rolled by and now, in mid-September, the Telecentro team decided to pay me a surprise visit! I was flattered in a perplexed and inquisitive way. First of all, they hadn't notified me that they would be coming. Secondly, they arrived during the only working hour on Wednesday in which I was home, as before and after that class I had other classes elsewhere in the city. Instances like these leave me smiling and thinking to myself, "this is Argentina."
Now my internet works, for better or for worse, which means I can add to my blog with greater frequency and more flexibility. I've also started researching reverse culture shock, as I'll be returning home in November and want to be prepared for the changes that I'll inevitably experience.
More on that to come.
Besos for now!
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