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Buenos Aires  - Day 1

12/8/2014

7 Comments

 
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I landed early in the morning - about 8:30.  It took a while to get through the passport line and customs.  I easily found the recommended car service to take me to the hotel.  I was immediately smacked in the face with a new culture - money, language and way of life!  The person told me that it would cost an amount in "pesos" - the Argentinian currency.  I didn't think to find out what the conversion rate was before I paid the amount!  Bad Mr. S.!  I stepped outside and felt/saw the sun beaming down and toasting my soul.

NO snow.  NO cold.  It was amazing!  Warmth.  Sunshine.  Ahhh. 
I got to the hotel and was hungry.  My Spanish was off to a rough start with the car driver.  I walked into a mall across the street from my hotel and had some coffee and "mini burgers."  Think like a meatball on mini-buns.  The Spanish was again - horrible.  Feeling defeated with communication skills, I came back to the hotel and realized I needed a nap.  I woke up and felt much better.  I asked the concierge where I could go for other meals and a map.  I needed a map!  So, let the adventure begin.  I stopped for a nice "Spanish" style meal - though it wasn't as good.  I had tortilla and cafe con leche.  And, my Spanish seemed to improve - or at least be understood better by the waiter.  Here are some photos of the food and cafe.  
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I walked around the city for several hours taking in the sounds, smells and life of Buenos Aires.  I had my handy map with me and strolled along.  Snapping pictures of magnificent buildings and parks along the way.  
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7 Comments
Angela Crawford
12/9/2014 01:28:24 am

What an amazing start to your trip! City walks are wonderful. Do you and your students ever get to go and just explore Chicago? I bet the architecture in Buenos Aires is an interesting change from the beautiful Chicago Neo-classical and Gilded Age structures.

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Mr. Szymanski
12/9/2014 01:38:08 am

We don't do walking tours in Chicago. The architecture is very much like Europe. So, it is lovely. Mr. S. said that something reminded him of home. Nothing reminds me of home. :)

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Ms. Bartgen & the Love Bugs
12/9/2014 06:01:07 am

Buenos Aries looks very fancy. The Love Bugs think some of your pictures remind them of Washington D.C. courthouses. We'd love to hear more about how Buenos Aries is different from Chicago. Please continue to work hard on your Spanish! We can't wait to hear another update and learn more about your travels. We are really excited to hear about all the animals you will see in Antarctica. Love, Us

Reply
Charles Coulter
12/9/2014 10:14:03 am

YOU MET A GUY THATS GOING TO SEE SANTA AWESOME!!!!
Hope you're having a great time in Antarctica! Merry Christmas!
Your Love Bug
Charles

Reply
Mr. S.
12/9/2014 01:06:09 pm

Hi love bugs! I miss you so much! Buenos Aires is so different. There are sounds of music different. The language just has a music to your years when you are surrounded to it. Each note, I try to gleam something that I might understand. I am working on my Spanish for sure. And, it has been better. I am always learning - as you should too! I had lovely steak dinner tonight. Argentina is known for that. I had dinner with Mr. Sanders and another ACTUAL naturalist who is from Alaska! He studies whales. I mean HE SWIMS IN THE OCEAN AND STUDIES THEM. Such a fascinating dinner conversation! There is less "noise" of anger here. People seem to be more peaceful - which I like. The coffee is WAY better too! I almost want to move because of it! Charles - I thought it was amazing that I met someone who was meeting Santa. I told him to tell Santa that all of my kids are WONDERFUL. I wrote everybody's name on a list and wrote examples of how you are so kind and loving to each other! He PROMISED me that it would get to Santa directly!

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ronan
12/11/2014 12:28:00 am

hi mr.szymanski I had surgery on my left eye yesterday because of a small accident at school (a pencil in the eye). there is a tiny tear on my eye, and i have small stitches in my eye and a cool patch. i hope to back to school soon, and don't worry because it doesn't hurt that bad. from Ronan

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 10:12:32 am

Ronan,
I can't believe that you got hurt!!!!! I am so sorry! I am sending prayers from Antarctica! Please take care of your eyes! For now, you are my favorite pirate!!!! Arrrrrrrrggggg! :) OXOX Mr. S.

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    Mr. Szymanski is a 7th Grade Math, Reading and Writing Teacher at Gary Elementary school in Chicago, IL He is bringing the world to his classroom with the help of National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Here, he chronicles his adventures to Antarctica and South America in December 2014. 

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  • Home
  • 7th Grade Reading
  • 7TH GRADE GO MATH
  • Parents
  • Online Resources
  • Antarctica Travel Blog
  • Iceland Blog - In search of trolls, fairies and geysers!
  • Antarctica - National Geographic
  • Blood on the River
  • Chapter 1 The Number System
  • 8th Chapter 1: The Number System
  • Antarctica Travel Blog