Enero Tilcareño..

Two weeks ago I wrote an entry expressing my feelings about the necessity of having a break and wanting so bad to have my contact with nature. Well, I ‘ve just arrived of having that contact I needed so bad. Last week I went to Tilcara with two of my best friends and my sister and I have to say that I spent a wonderful time with them.
The place where I had the pleasure to visit was Tilcara, in Jujuy,and I have to say that I have no words to express the beauty of this place and all the sensations that the rest of La Quebrada de Humahuaca and some other places transmitted to me. My friends were a great company and it was possible for us to visit places like Humahuaca,Purmamarca,La Quiaca and we even crossed the Frontier and we went to Bolivia.

The first day we arrived to Tilcara we stayed in the town itself. We went to the main square and then to Rio Huasamayo where we drank some mate and took some pictures.

The second day we went to Purmamarca, which in aimara language means ‘Virgin Land Town’ and it is nailed to the foot of the marvelous Seven Colour Hill to delight the senses of the visitors who pass by this area.
We had the pleasure to walk through El Paseo de los Colorados,which has wonderful sights of naturally carved stony formations. It was a truly delight for our eyes.

After having lunch we went to Las Salinas, which is to 66 kilometres from Purmamarca. Before arriving there, we stopped in a place where the scenic overlook was breathtaking and we also stopped in a famous place called ‘4170’. This place is called like that because that is the height over the level of the sea. We took some pictures and we quickly entered to the car as a strong storm was coming closer and closer. This was the highet point I’ve ever reached so imagine how proud I felt as I am an enemy of high places and I couldn’t have been so happy of being there and being alive!=)

Finally,we arrived to Salinas Grandes,which is one of the most beautiful and amazing places I’ve ever been to. There we had the opportunity to wade across the salty pool and it was a nice experience for all of us.

The following day we got up early and we had a delicious breakfast in the house we were staying in and then we went to Humahuaca.The city of Humahuaca has a colonial aspect. It has narrow and stoned streets, with lights and mud-brick houses and it is a pleasure to walk through them. In the evening we went out to meet the night life in Tilcara. It was full of young people who,in their majority,have just arrived and a huge amount of foreigners. All of them walking around the main square or through the main street looking for something interesting to do. We met three nice porteños in front of a peña and we all went in there. It was funny because we tried to dance chacarera and the famous carnavalito but we soon desisted.I really had a great time.

On Sunday,we also got up early in order to take a bus to La Quiaca and once we got there,we went to a small village called Yavi.
Yavi is only 16 kilometres from the east of La Quiaca and only 339 inhabitants live in adobe wall houses with roofs made of reed, clay and straw.
One of the biggest attractions in the city is The San Francisco Chapel. This building was finished in the year 1690 and the pulpits and the altar are covered with gold plate. It was a wonderful place to visit.

Once we came back to La Quiaca,we crossed the Frontier and we went to Bolivia. It was a great experience to do that as it was the first time I was going to be in another country so despite I was quite tired of having walked so much I was very excited.

That night we came back to the house very late and we were exhausted. As it was our last night there we were suppossed to go out again but we stayed at home,prepare our supper and we ate it on bed.

The following day we decided to do something that some of us were not that convinced to do.We went to La Garganta del Diablo which is a huge slice or indention into the side of a cliff formed by rain water over a long period of time.Two of my friends were not convinced at all to be able to go there,but I really wanted to do it. I think that day I discovered I have an adventurous side! We were able to climb all the way in and I went up as far as I could. One of my girl friends got into a panic attack and she didn’t want to even look at the precipice,but thanks God everything went great and we enjoyed of this beautiful place. The risk and the two hours walking and climbing were really worthy=)

Coming back from La Garganta del Diablo,we went to El Pucara de Tilcara,which is located on a hill just outside Tilcara. This place was declared a National Monument in 2000 and it is the only publicly accessible archaeological site in La Quebrada de Humahuaca. We took as many pictures as we could and we quickly came home to look for our bags. Our bus was arriving in 1 hour and we still had to buy some souvenirs. As a conclusion what can I say? I can say I fell in love of every place I visited. The beautiful places I saw will be impossible to raise from my mind. They’ll always be there and I hope next holidays to come back there and repeat that great experience. And finally I really have to thank my guys for making our trip so wonderful. I really enjoyed being there with you.I love you all and bye-bye!

Like a torture

I was reading some blog topics that Charlie, our English Language teacher,published on his blog and one of those topics says ‘What do you avoid doing more than anything and why?’ and that question made me wonder for a while but then I remembered...for the time being I have to confess up that I avoid starting to study Text’s Linguistic. Yes,I know all linguistics’subjects are a sort of burden for me. I don’t know why I find them so difficult to study. It’s like the only fact of knowing that I have to start to study this subject is enough to change my mood. It’s incredible how the human’s mind works,huh?
Anyway,I know I have to make up my mind and start working hard in order to pass this subject. I hope to succeed in it soon if I want to get my degree.

Holidays

Now that summer holidays have arrived,people look for new options to spend their free time. Registering in different courses or taking up dancing classes are good options. You will find out that besides spending your time doing new activities,you may adopt them as part of your lives.
As for me,I haven’t started any new activity for the time being and maybe that’s one of the reasons why I’m getting so bored. In the morning I get up early so I have enough time to write my entries and work with the reading log because I have to prepare my portfolio for the final of Language IV. After having lunch I take a nap and then I get up to watch some TV. I have a fitness cycle which is unused during almost the whole year but now I’m taking advantage of it. Then in the evening I watch some movies and before going to sleep I read some of the books I have to read for the final. My summer holidays are not interested at all and just God knows how much I hate everyday routine. And yeah...I know it’s my fault and I should do something different to change the routine, but I don’t know what.
For the time being,I’m planning to go to Tilcara for a few days...I can’t wait to go there and have my contact with nature and take thousands of pictures of the place. I really need some rest. Every human being should have some rest and recharge batteries.

On the road

In the following dialogue, you will find out three characters who are facets of my personality. They are:
IG: innocent girl
RG: realistic girl
PG: positive girl

PG: All right girls...Who’s going to drive the car?

IG: I don’t know. Everytime I get in a car I fall asleep.

RG: mmm...all right, all right...I’ll do it then, but one of you will have to stay awake to chat with me 'cause I easily get bored while I’m driving, especially at night.

IG and PG: (looking at each other) Ok, that’s fair...

After a while the girls start their travel to the Coast in Argentina. Once they are in the road, they start talking about themselves...

PG: All right RG, why don’t you tell us something about you?

RG: Well, there’s not much to say. I’m studying hard to get my degree as soon as possible because I want to get a job. I know it’s going to be difficult because of the current situation in our country but I’d really like to get my dream job and I’ll work hard for it. Besides, I want to move on to live by my own.

IG: Really? And you won’t miss your family?

RG: Yeah...I suppose that will happen at the beginning, but I’m already a grown up girl adn I need my own space, you know?

PG: Yeah, I get it, and I’m pretty sure you’ll succeed at it.

RG: I hope so. And what about you, IG? What can you tell us about you?

IG: All right, for the time being I’m studying to get my degree soon and I want to start a new career.

RG and PG: you what??

RG: C’mon girl. You haven’t even finished one and you want to start another? And which career are you going to start to study?

IG: Fotography, and yeah...I know it’s going to be difficult. Especially because this career is a little bit expensive and I’ll need to get a job to afford it, but I’m sure everything will be fine.

RG: And are you in love?

IG: Well, I really don’t know. Now I’m dating with a guy but it’s not serious yet.

RG: Oh...then you can’t be in love. You’re barely getting to know each other...

IG: Yes, but I really like this guy...

RG: Ok,that’s fine. But you can’t say you don’t know if you’re in love if you have just met and you don’t have anything serious. Do you know what I mean?

IG: I guess so. But I think he’s the right guy.

RG: Why do you say so?

IG: Because we get on well each other.

RG: Well,I have boy-friends to whom I get on well and I don’t think they are the right guys for me...

PG: Well RG, try not to be so negative!Why don’t you let her think he is the right guy?

RG: Because she is extremely innocent and men will treat her as a fool! (talking to the IG)You have to see the real world girl! Here we don’t have princes who will rescue us. We have men who, in the majority of the cases, do what they want with innocent girls as you so be careful!

IG: Thanks for your advice, but I’m an adult and I know what I do, and there’s nothing wrong in trusting in someone you love.

RG: A ll right...as you like it. I’m just warning you.

IG: Ok, and PG...you haven’t told us anything about you...

PG: Well, what can I tell you about me?...This year I’ll be getting my degree and I’m going to get a job. I hope to get my dream job and work with children. Two years ago I had the pleasure to work with children and I have to say they transmitted their energy and happiness to me. I really was fascinated with them and I’d them and I’d like to repeat that experience, but of course,this time being a teacher and not just a pasante.

IG: And what can you tell us about your personal life? Do you have a boyfriend?

PG: emmm...it’s not a boyfriend in fact. We have just met and we’re dating for the time being. We started being friends first so we really get on well each other. He’s a great person and he knows me pretty well. Surely we will have a great future as a couple.

RG: Well,that’s good...to start little by little, but what will happen if you both realize you are not made for each other?

PG: I think in that case we will continue our friendship. As I said before, we started being friends and it would be stupid to put an end to our friendship first because we,as a couple,didn’t work. Friendship would be more valuable in that case. But let’s try to think everything will be all right.

IG and RG: Yes,you’re right.

IG: emmm...girls...aren’t you hungry? I’m starving and I haven’t eaten anything since this morning...

RG: We should stop to buy some snacks and cigarettes.

PG: Yeah,I’ve just finished the last cigarettes and I’d like to buy some coffee. Don’t forget we have 7 hours left.

RG: Uf...you’re right. Let’s stop here and see what we can get.

Persepolis

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. It is situated 70 Km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran.
Recently, I’ve read ‘Persepolis’ which is a black and white autobiographical novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood in Iran after the revolution.
The author was raised by forward-thinking parents who taught their daughter to balance independent thought with respect to her Islamic faith. Satrapi begins her story with the imposition of veil-wearing for women and the separation of the sexes in school. Later on the story, you will notice how much her brutal honesty get her into trouble at school on more than one occasion because of the mandatory veil-wearing.
What I liked the most about this story is that the book reinforces both the ways in which coming of age around the world can be the same, and yet so different for kids. Marjane Satrapi writes with the innocense of a child and the knowledge of a grown woman and I think this combination is what makes this book something very interesting for the reader.

Things I'd like to accomplish this year

- To obtain my degree: I have six subjects left in order to complete my career and I’m working hard for it. I want to start working hard for it. I want to start working as soon as possible!
- To be a teacher: I have to say that the teaching practices were a great experience for me because they helped me to start having an idea of what follows after graduating. I had the pleasure to work with different groups from EGB 3 and Polimodal and they gave me the confidence I needed to be in front of them. I could manage successfully with situations that were present in class and that also made me realize that no matter how good enough you plan your classes, sometimes instead of trying to focus on them you have to try to focus on the student. That doesn’t make you a bad teacher.
- To start working: I really hope to start working this year. I feel that I need to have my own incomes. I always considered myself an independent person but the fact of not having a job doesn’t let me be as independent as I would like to be.
- To be more tolerant: I am a very patient person (especially with children and adolescents) but I can’t be very patient with adults. That’s why I promised myself to be more tolerant with them. I know some adults’ actions drive me crazy but this year, I’ll work on that because I am supposed to be an adult too. I also make mistakes and I’d like people to be patient with me.
- To modernize my wardrobe: yeah…I know it may sound stupid but I’m the kind of girl who has a terrible mess in her wardrobe. I also keep clothes for years, in good conditions of course, but old clothes anyway. I mean, I don’t want to be fashionable but I’d like to change my clothes. To use more colourful clothes. I tend to use dark colours and I will never forget once when a little girl, who was one of my students asked me if I was sad because of the colour of the clothes I was wearing at that moment. I didn’t know what to answer to her. Besides, last year I spend a lot of money in photocopies for different subjects or for my students while I was doing my teaching practices and I didn’t buy new clothes for me! And no no no, I have to start thinking about myself.
- To be more organized: I’m 25 years old and I have to admit it, I’m not as organized as I would like to be. Shame on you, Carolina!, but it’s true! I don’t know why but I dislike the idea of planning carefully what or how I’m going to do something. It’s so stressful for me!
- To save money: I hate this time of the year when everybody are on holiday and I just stay at home doing nothing but watching TV or reading something
I can’t help it. I can save enough money to afford my own holidays. Hopefully this year I’ll start working and I will be able to save enough money so next year I can have the holidays that I’ve been waiting for a long time.

Relationships

When it comes to relationships I have to say that I am the opposite of what an expert is. I’ve always been insecure in my relationships and I never fall in love with anyone. Is it sad, isn’t it?
I don’t know what it may be wrong here. Is there something wrong with me or with the rest? It would be so easy to blame men in general and say that they are the problem, but I’m not that kind of girl who can’t see her own flaws. If I’d have to describe myself I’d say I’m quite independent, tolerant, trustworthy and brave. Sometimes I am a sentimental fool and I accept it! And I also contradict myself (no, I don’t!)
And as I said before, I don’t have enough experience in relationships and sometimes I don’t know what can be good or not for me. For instance, when I realize my relationship with some guy doesn’t work I don’t suffer. It’s like I become disenchanted with it in a couple and immediately I get over it and move on with my life as nothing would have happened. This really surprises me. It’s not common for a human being to get over things just like that. Perhaps I don’t let myself to suffer or it’s because I’ve never met a person who have really caught my attention.
I’ve just recently broken up with someone. This guy is a great person. It’s incredible how well we connected from the very first time. However, I think as friends we get on well greatly though as a couple we were too different. I spent beautiful moments with him but well…it was better to let things just as they were and to continue being friends.
If you ask me whether I miss him I have to be honest and say yes, I miss him a lot. Now we’re friends though he insists on coming back again but you know what? I love him very much but I’m not interested in changing my convictions for anyone. I won’t deny that I miss spending time with him. He is a very interesting person, but I prefer being alone…what can I do?...I’m accustomed to it.

Surprises

At the beginning of the last year I was diagnosed with a benign tumour brain and since that day I started to do a medical treatment in order to dissipate the tumour.
Despite of the fact that it is a benign tumour, I pray every day to get better and if not, I would accept whatever God decides for me. I’ll respect his will.
Since the very first moment the doctor told me what I had, I promised myself to live every day as if it were the last, and I have to say I’m enjoying every minute. Of course there are times in which I think about what could happen if the treatment doesn’t work and I get upset and hopeless because I know I may lose the opportunity to enjoy my life. I am a negative person, you know?...I can’t help it.
But why to think about probabilities?. It’s much better to live your day without knowing what will happen and make sure that if something goes wrong, you will have done whatever is possible to enjoy your life.