UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH BLOGS

The Office of Undergraduate Research sponsors a number of grant programs, including the Circumnavigator Club Foundation’s Around-the-World Study Grant and the Undergraduate Research Grant. Some of the students on these grants end up traveling and having a variety of amazing experiences. We wanted to give some of them the opportunity to share these experiences with the broader public. It is our hope that this opportunity to blog will deepen the experiences for these students by giving them a forum for reflection; we also hope these blogs can help open the eyes of others to those reflections/experiences as well. Through these blogs, perhaps we all can enjoy the ride as much as they will.

Sarajevo: A New City

Sarajevo: A New City

Hi everyone!

I landed in Sarajevo late on Saturday night; the director of the foundation I am doing research with was kind enough to pick me up at the airport. Unfortunately, my flight was delayed, but I was met with the warmest welcome to the new city! The director, Maja, let me sleep at her home my first night here, and I stayed up late conversing with her and her partner and enjoying a cold, local beer. The next day, I slept in and moved my luggage to the apartment where I will be staying for the remainder of the 2 weeks I am here. Later that night, I attended a barbeque at Maja’s home, and there, I got the chance to meet a bunch of people from the organization as well as my research advisor and the study abroad program manager from Northwestern!

Here are 2 changes that I first noticed here in Bosnia:

  1. It is HOT here. Both Argentina and Northern Ireland were relatively cold, but it finally feels like summer in Bosnia! My apartment does not have AC, and everytime I walk outside, I end up sweating like crazy. In the evening, there is a cool breeze, and the weather feels great. The climate here reminds me of my time in Greece last summer, and I am enjoying the change in weather ☀️
  2. I am rarely alone here. In my last 2 countries, I made some friends along the way, but most of the time I explored the areas by myself and learned to enjoy my own company. In Bosnia, the second I arrived, I already had really intelligent and kind people to talk to who treated me as if I was a part of their community. I am really thankful for how friendly everyone is here, especially Maja and her partner, but by the end of the barbeque my social battery had definitely died, and I was absolutely exhausted 😂

Sarajevo is also a beautiful and lively place – there are hills everywhere that are full of plants and houses/apartments. So many people walk along the streets throughout the day and night, and the food has been fairly affordable and delicious!

I am super excited to begin my research and sightseeing in this new city!

Thanks for reading 💛

Goodbye Belfast: My Last Week

Goodbye Belfast: My Last Week

Monday (Day 10)I started my last week in Belfast by spending the day in nature. In the morning, I had a wonderful interview with a trauma therapist who works for the Regional Trauma Network. Afterwards, I went to Belfast Castle, had lunch, and took a walk around the castle gardens! I think my most favorite thing about this place is how beautiful it is – wandering around the castle grounds today, I felt like I was living in a storybook scene come to life!

Next, I went to the Holywood Seaside Park near the city. It was pouring rain, but I walked 20 minutes from a local coffee shop to the beach. Have you ever been to the beach in the rain? It was unlike any experience I’ve ever had – the seaside was empty with the exception of a few people and their dogs playing in the ocean. The water was a stormy gray-blue, and there were so many mountains just beyond the sea. The only beaches and oceans I’ve ever experienced have been on warm and sunny days, so I was very grateful to be able to spend time at this park in the rain. I think I spent a couple hours simply walking up and down the coast, listening to music, and taking everything in!

Tuesday (Day 11)Today, I took the train early in the morning to head to Armagh, a city around an hour and a half away from Belfast! The team leader of the Southern Trust for the RTN was kind enough to invite me down, and I had such an amazing and meaningful time in her city. We drove around and saw the ginormous bonfires that would be lit tonight in celebration of the holiday on July 12th. She then took me to visit the St Patrick’s Cathedrals. Both cathedrals tower over the city on opposite sides, and 1 is a Catholic church while the other is a Protestant church. Next, we visited the WAVE Trauma center in Armagh, and I got the opportunity to speak with a staff member there about the work that the organization accomplishes in the community. He even gave me a book full of photos and narratives from the conflict that I believe will be valuable for my research.

I also had the opportunity to visit the RTN center in Armagh. There, I had two interviews: one with one of their therapists and another with the team leader herself. She introduced me to her 2 daughters, who are around my age, and we went to the county museum together! I learned new perspectives regarding trauma care here, and it was really nice to hear what growing up in Northern Ireland is like from people my age. Overall, I am so thankful for my day trip today!

Thursday (Day 13): Today is my LAST day in Belfast before I leave to Sarajevo ☹️ So, I decided to go on a bus tour of Giant’s Causeway. The tour began in Belfast at 8:30AM and ended around 7PM! Needless to say, I saw so many different places and landmarks; I cannot remember all of our stops. If you are ever in Northern Ireland, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Northern coast and seeing Giant’s Causeway. It was one of the most stunning places I have ever seen in my entire life!

I also made friends with two girls (who are also tourists) on my bus tour. At every stop, we would explore the area together! We sat in front of the ocean on the rocks and talked for hours; we even had dinner together after the tour ended! I think tonight’s dinner was the best meal I’ve had in Belfast – maybe because I had such good company 😁

I am really sad to leave this country – the long walks in truly unpredictable weather, the beautiful and vast sky, the ocean and the mountains, the neverending greenery… Belfast was so different from Argentina, yet, staying in both places have given me the most incredible moments. I can’t even find the words to explain how surreal and extraordinary my travels have been so far.

I am so excited for the next country! Until next time Belfast!

Thank you for reading ❣️

Belfast: Exploring the History & Culture

Belfast: Exploring the History & Culture

Saturday (Day 8)I started off the day by going on a walking tour of West Belfast. The tour is led by former political prisoners and was roughly 4 hours long. My uber driver dropped me off at the wrong location, so I spent the first half hour or so wandering around, but I finally was able to meet up with my tour guide! This tour was really interesting because the first half was led by a Republican, advocating for reunification with Ireland, while the second half was led by a Loyalist, supporting Northern Ireland’s status within the United Kingdom. Not only did I hear 2 conflicting perspectives regarding the country’s political history, but I also learned of the opposing terminologies and expressions regarding the conflict. For example, one side calls the conflict the War while the other calls it the Troubles. I also got to see the famous Peace Wall! I thought that this monument was ironic as West Belfast uses physical gates that close shut at 7PM and open at 6AM to segregate the Catholic and Protestant populations. I genuinely learned so much important context for my research through this tour!

Following the tour, I walked to Crumlin Road Gaol, where I had lunch at the on-site restaurant. Exploring the jail was a really unique and powerful experience as the jail housed prisoners up until a few decades ago; many of these prisoners were imprisoned during the conflict. Afterward, I made my way to the city center and enjoyed the pleasant weather and the street performances, ranging from drums to traditional Irish music and even American pop songs!

For dinner, I had traditional Irish stew and toffee pudding at the Crown Bar, a Victorian-era establishment in Belfast. The preserved 19th century decorations made me feel like I was dining in a living museum!

Sunday (Day 9)Today, I spent my morning at St George’s Market in the city center! There, I ate a delicious traditional Ulster Fry and even sampled fresh oysters from one of the food vendors! A group of talented local teens played traditional Irish music, and the market’s bustling aisles were a treasure trove of local vendors offering an array of ceramics, paintings, clothes, and handmade keychains.

Next, I walked over to the charming Cathedral Quarter before heading to the harbor to visit the Titanic Museum. As Belfast was the city where the Titanic was built, the interactive museum provided a comprehensive story of the ship’s construction, its passengers, and its tragic sinking. I found this in-depth experience to be especially meaningful because it gave me a better understanding of this tragedy beyond what I knew from the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Overall, my weekend in Belfast gave me a deeper appreciation for this remarkable city!

Thanks for reading ❣️

Belfast: Exploring the History & Culture

Belfast: Eye-Opening Experiences

Wednesday (Day 5): In the morning, I attended a meeting with the management team of the Regional Trauma Network to learn more about their work! Afterwards, I had free time for the rest of the day, so I decided to begin exploring the city of Belfast!

I began my exploration with a trip to the Ulster Museum, which is located in the Botanic Garden near Queen’s University. The museum had free entry (which was surprising because there are so many amazing exhibits), so I spent a few hours leisurely looking at the art galleries and the science exhibitions. On the bottom 2 floors, they showcased objects and relics from European and Global history; they even had a real Egyptian mummy on display! Afterwards, I headed over to the Palm House, which is also located in the Botanic Garden. The Palm House is a lovely little greenhouse full of all sorts of different plants – the place reminded me of my mom who loves to garden 👩🏻‍🌾

I then left the Botanic Garden and headed North to see Belfast City Hall and the Grand Opera House. It was a LOT of walking, but the journey was nice because I was able to peer into little bookstores on the street, grab local coffee, and enjoy some food! I also got to see the campus of Queen’s University for the first time today, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Even though Belfast is a much smaller city than Buenos Aires, I am super excited to continue exploring all of the great sights left here to see!

Friday (Day 7): I have spent some more time speaking with and learning from the wonderful people at the Regional Trauma Network (RTN) and their partner organizations. I wanted to record a few of my thoughts because I am so impressed and surprised at the quality of the trauma care system in Northern Ireland.

One aspect that I think is really amazing about the RTN is how comprehensive the network is in multiple dimensions.

First, the network is established across the entire country; they have multiple trusts with teams set up to cover different regions of Northern Ireland. At the same time, the regional teams seem to be very well connected. For example, the meeting that I attended Thursday morning involved all of the team leads across the different trusts discussing their plans and concerns together.

Second, the network actively implements the practice of co-production in the development and delivery of their services. In other words, they exchange information, activity, and service users with other organizations/programs, such as those at the community level. Co-production is a really interesting and powerful phenomenon in the Northern Ireland healthcare sphere that I hope to learn more about. I couldn’t help but compare this model of healthcare to that which I have experienced in the United States…

Finally, the RTN is comprehensive in that the network is consistently developing/refining itself. They are constantly asking questions such as: Is this treatment method effective? Are we doing our patients any good? I think that this process of continuous reflection within the organization is critical to ensure that a service remains centered around the patients/clients rather than only the providers.

Overall, I am learning so much from my experiences here. I am beginning to better understand how trauma is treated and understood in Northern Ireland, and I am reexamining the contexts in which my previous understandings of trauma and mental health have developed.

Thanks for reading ❣️

Belfast: Exploring the History & Culture

Belfast: First Impressions and Immersive Research

Saturday (Day 1): Getting to Northern Ireland was pretty tough because I wasn’t able to get much sleep… The London airport was huge, but extremely crowded, and my flight to Belfast was a bit delayed. So, when I arrived in Northern Ireland, I was a sweaty, hungry, and very tired mess 😅

I got to my accommodation near Queen’s University only to find out that any place to eat or grab coffee was at least a 10-15 minute walk away; in Buenos Aires, there were so many restaurants and cafes right next to my airbnb, so this was a big change. My room reminded me of summer camp housing, and I am proud to say that I managed to kill a spider while unpacking and settling in!

As I ventured outside again to pick up my dinner, I finally had enough energy to begin taking in my environment.

Here are some of my first impressions of Belfast: The sun rises around 5 AM and sets at 10 PM at night. The weather is quite chilly and changes frequently throughout the day; it will rain one minute and be sunny the next, and sometimes, it’s both rainy and sunny at the same time. The driver’s seat is on the right side of the car, and the roads are in the opposite direction to those in the United States. The population here is MUCH more diverse than in Argentina, and everyone speaks English, albeit with a thick Irish accent.

The sky is absolutely beautiful here and appears physically closer to me than in America. The houses remind me of places I’ve only seen in the movies. There is so much nature! The air smells like fresh plants and trees. Needless to say, I am very excited to finally get some rest and to spend the next 2 weeks in this city and experience a different pace of life!

Monday (Day 3): I spent today fully immersed in my research! Unlike in Buenos Aires, I am working with a specific organization, the Regional Trauma Network, in Belfast. They have been so accommodating of me, and today, the senior research lead drove us an hour and a half away from the city to visit the town of Omagh. Omagh is a small, beautiful town composed of a tight-knit community. It is also a town that has suffered tremendously because of the Troubles.

I was given the opportunity to speak with the team leader in Omagh; he provides clinical therapy for many who have been traumatized as a result of this political conflict. He taught me so much about the history of the town, specifically, the Omagh bomb, Ronan Kerr, and the recent attempted shooting of John Caldwell. Following our insightful conversation, he took me on a tour of the town. I got to see for myself the places that we had discussed: I saw the street where the bomb went off, the alleyway where the bodies were placed, the house where Ronan Kerr was tragically killed, and the sports complex where the shooting of Officer Caldwell occurred.

All of this was a bit emotionally overwhelming, but all the more a very powerful experience. I am so grateful for everything that I learned today and the generosity, kindness, and incredible expertise that the people here have shown me so far.

Tuesday (Day 4): I spent today visiting another part of the Regional Trauma Network located in Whiteabbey, a village North of Belfast. Today’s trip was a shorter visit. I started the morning by sitting in on a team meeting, and everyone in the team was so kind and deeply passionate about their work. The team lead even provided us with fresh fruit, coffee, and delicious snacks! I was able to learn a lot more about how the Regional Trauma Network recruits patients and the different sectors/organizations they work in close partnership with.

Following the meeting, I was able to conduct an interview with a therapist who is a part of the network. She had so much valuable information to share with me, and I am excited to continue on with my research in Belfast!

Thanks for reading ❣️

Ciao Buenos Aires!

Ciao Buenos Aires!

As I sadly get ready to leave this wonderful city, I wanted to write a blog post to record some of my thoughts from this trip.

Before coming to Argentina, I felt overwhelmed and nervous. I had my last final exam just 5 days before leaving for my travels, and I spent the few days I had at home squeezing in as much time with my family and hometown friends as I could. When I finally boarded my flight, I remember my legs shaking from the nerves. Even though I loved to travel and was undoubtedly excited to see new parts of the world, I had never traveled by myself for so long.

I can’t say that I have fully processed this opportunity that I’ve been given, but now, I am sure of how special this summer really is and is going to continue to be. My time at Northwestern has been very fast-paced. Rarely do I ever get a chance to sit still and reflect on my surroundings, my feelings, and my connections to the world around me. I have by no means mastered being alone or the practice of reflection. But during my stay here, I believe that I am slowly but surely becoming reacquainted with myself. That might be a weird thing to say, but spending time alone in a new city with a schedule that is entirely up to me has revealed my strengths and my weaknesses, parts of myself that I had forgotten over time back home.

In this country, I have met so many kind people, tasted amazing cuisine, and seen beautiful museums, theaters, stores, and landmarks! Here are some of the things that I love about Buenos Aires:

  • Almost everybody here is friendly and helpful! Even though there was a language barrier between us, so many people made the effort to have conversations with me. Locals gave me directions, went out of their way to help me, and told me about their favorite restaurants and places to visit. I have made friends with my waiter, the security guards at my Airbnb, and people that happened to sit next to me at cafes.
  • The physical divide between restaurants, living areas, cafes, and stores is pretty much nonexistent here. In the United States, especially in my home state of Texas, places to eat and shop are generally located separately from places where people live. Here, there are apartments above or right next to restaurants and cafes; people live a minute’s walk away from famous landmarks and government buildings.
  • SO MANY DOGS AND CATS! I can’t count the number of people I have seen with dogs in Buenos Aires. Most of the time, they are unleashed and so well-behaved, and I have even seen dog walkers walking 10-15 dogs at a time! Many cafes and restaurants also have cats in their establishment. One time, a cafe cat came toward me and took a nap on my lap!
  • The history and culture of the city is on display everywhere. I have seen so much street art depicting local heroes, historical figures, celebrities, and more, and the architecture is a mix of both colonial influences and Latin American styles.
  • The food and coffee are spectacular and affordable!

From my research here, I have also learned a lot about the psychological system in Buenos Aires as well as how people here perceive and treat trauma. Here are a few of my findings:

  • In Argentina, most psychologists obtain their license by attending a career-specialized university straight out of high school for 5 years. After they are licensed, they are not required to receive any further education or training by law.
  • Therapy is extremely widespread in the city. There are 2 main reasons for this. First, there is very little stigma surrounding mental health issues in the country. When I asked my interviewees to explain this phenomenon, they said that taking care of mental health is a part of the culture and that throughout national history, there has been very little societal resistance to mental health care. Second, therapy is affordable. Most insurance companies cover around 10-20 therapy sessions a year for free, and despite the country’s current economic crisis, seeing a therapist or psychologist is not expensive.
  • Many different schools of therapy are actively practiced in Buenos Aires. Each trauma care professional I spoke with had different specializations or practiced different methods of treatment.

I am really excited to continue my research in Northern Ireland! Overall, I hope to visit Buenos Aires again and am so grateful to have spent the last 2 weeks in this vibrant city!

Thanks for reading 💙

 

Buenos Aires: My Last Week

Buenos Aires: My Last Week

Saturday & Sunday (Day 9 & 10): On Saturday, I spent the majority of the day exploring San Telmo! I had a delicious lunch at a restaurant inside Mercado San Telmo, a local indoor market. I really enjoyed walking around this town! I saw the Mafalda Statues (a famous landmark of the star of an iconic Argentinian comic strip), and inside a quaint bookstore, I saw two adorable cats taking a nap together. Unfortunately, the book store didn’t have any books in English, but they had a really interesting section full of vinyls and old posters.

On Sunday, I spent the day at La Boca! I started the trip by getting coffee at a really old cafe: La Perla; the cafe was founded in 1882. Afterwards, I spent a few hours strolling along the streets of El Caminito. There was a ton of locals and tourists there, taking pictures of the bright and colorful houses, shopping at the outdoor souvenir stands, and posing with the statues of Messi located on almost every street corner. I got lunch at La Vieja Rotiseria, where I got to enjoy a live tango show and traditional singer with my meal. I tried the kidney and intestines of a cow – it was NOT good, but I am happy I got to have a new tasting experience! Then, I walked over to La Bombonera, the soccer stadium for the team Boca Juniors. Coincidently, there was a celebrity soccer game happening this day at the stadium, so the streets were packed with people dressed from head to toe in the team’s colors and jerseys. Apparently, Messi was also playing there that day, but unfortunately, the tickets were all sold out.

I then traveled to Puerto Madero and walked across El Puente de la Mujer (a famous bridge). I took lots of pictures and enjoyed breathtaking views of the city from the harbor. I also visited the Kirchner Cultural Center, which is the largest cultural center in Latin America and used to be the old post office of Buenos Aires! Overall, I had such a good time exploring the different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires this weekend and experiencing more of the porteño culture 😁

Tuesday (Day 12): I spent the day immersed in the heart of the city, specifically the area of Microcentro! My morning began with a guided tour of Teatro Colon; this awe-inspiring theater has a rich history and remarkable architecture. Next, I strolled along the iconic 9 de Julio Avenue and couldn’t resist taking pictures with the famous Obelisco, a classic symbol of Buenos Aires. For lunch, I had Argentine-style pizza at El Cuartito, a popular restaurant founded in 1934. Afterward, I visited el Ateneo Bookstore, a large bookstore that was once a theater; it was the most beautiful bookstore I had ever seen! Finally, I explored Plaza de Mayo and saw the Pink House, which houses the president’s office. Ultimately, my day was a perfect blend of learning more about the country’s culture and history!

Thanks for reading 💙

Buenos Aires: My Last Week

Buenos Aires: More Exploring and Research

Wednesday (Day 6): Today was spent exploring the area of Congreso! My first stop was the National Congress Building/Palace; they offer free guided tours in English every day at 1 PM. During the tour, I met 3 other Americans, including one from my home state of Texas! Visiting the Congress building was an awesome opportunity to learn more about the Argentinian government. I saw the rooms where the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies (like the House of Representatives in the United States) convene; these rooms were masterfully designed and resembled opera houses. The interior of the building was adorned with painted glass windows, marbles sourced from all across Europe, huge chandeliers, and multiple domes. I also learned from our tour guide that Argentina has a law mandating that 50% of the ballots in a legislative vote must be comprised of women. There was even a pink room named after Eva Peron to celebrate female politicians!

Next, I walked a few minutes from the Congress Building to the Madres de La Plaza de Mayo. This organization was established during the military dictatorship by the mothers who had their children forcibly taken and disappeared by the government. I had the chance to freely explore the association’s space, where various art pieces commemorated the work of the mothers, alongside reports submitted by members in hopes of finding their missing loved ones. The ceiling was covered by the symbolic white headscarves that represented the association’s demand for answers regarding the fate of their forcibly taken children. This experience not only helped me contextualize the political landscape relevant to my research but also left me feeling empowered as a woman. Witnessing the incredible work of this community in response to unimaginable tragedies and loss and knowing that laws exist to ensure women have a voice in political bodies made me feel immensely proud and hopeful. I am constantly amazed by the remarkable women in the world around me that are enacting meaningful and lasting changes!

Finally, I participated in a guided tour of Palacio Barolo, a majestic palace built around a century ago and inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. Similar to Dante’s work, the palace is divided into 3 sections representing hell, purgatory, and heaven. As we ascended through “purgatory,” the decorative elements on the walls gradually diminished, symbolizing the rejection of material possessions during one’s ascension. From the balcony and lighthouse in “heaven,” I enjoyed a mesmerizing view of the entire city. As a student of Classics, it was fascinating to witness the enduring significance of classical literature in South America and today’s international culture.

Thursday (Day 7): Today I had 3 interviews for my research project. In the morning, I interviewed with two psychologists from Fundacion Aiglé. This foundation is a local NGO that is dedicated to providing mental health care and advancing mental health education in Buenos Aires. The first psychologist I interviewed with specializes in neonatal trauma – this was a field that I previously knew nothing about. So, I learned so much from our conversation about this topic, her professional experiences, and her views on trauma. Next, I interviewed with another psychologist who sees a lot of patients who have suffered from traumatic incidents. Listening to her insights on psychotraumatology and hearing her professional journey was an incredible learning opportunity!

In the afternoon, I interviewed with another local psychologist who runs his own private practice. Even though he is not specialized in trauma, he had so much knowledge to share with me about the mental health landscape in Argentina! As I spend the time to review these interviews in-depth and hopefully conduct more, I will write a blog post where I can share more about the themes that I gathered here in Buenos Aires. But for now, these are my first impressions!

Thanks for reading 💙

Buenos Aires: My Last Week

Buenos Aires: First Adventures

Sunday (Day 3): I spent the day exploring Recoleta! I took the public bus to get there, and I was fortunate enough to have a friendly lady help me figure out which stop to get off at. The transportation system in Buenos Aires is fantastic and fairly safe, although a man did stare at me for a prolonged period of time during the bus ride, probably because I clearly looked like a tourist 😅

I began my exploration with a visit to the famous cemetery! While it may not be a typical tourist attraction, this cemetery is unlike any place I have ever seen before and truly worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Argentina. As an architecture enthusiast, I was captivated by this HUGE landmark – the mausoleums are as big as buildings and exhibit a diverse array of architectural styles! It felt like I was strolling through the streets of a peculiar and beautiful little town, except there were dead people all around me 😂! For the most part, the cemetery is very well-kept and clean. Many other visitors were present, and fresh bouquets of flowers adorned Eva Peron’s grave site. Eva Peron, a former first lady of Argentina, played a major role in advancing the political rights of the lower economic class and women. Needless to say, she is still adored by the Argentinian people to this day!

After spending time in the cemetery, I stumbled upon a local flea market. The market was bustling with numerous vendors offering handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, leather goods, and more. Local residents were negotiating prices, and it was entertaining to watch their lively interactions. The vendors themselves were very friendly and accommodating! Next, I crossed the colorful Puente Peatonal bridge in Recoleta and proceeded to the Facultad de Derecho, a faculty of the University of Buenos Aires. Next on my itinerary was a visit to the famous Floralis Generica, a massive metal flower that opens during the day and closes at night.

For dinner, I dined at El Sanjuanino – the steak, empanadas, and flan were absolutely delicious, and I would highly recommend this restaurant! I think that it is impossible to see everything there is to see in Recoleta in one day – so I will definitely come back here to check out all of the things that I missed before the end of my stay!

Monday (Day 4): Today was dedicated to exploring the MALBA: the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires! I opted for the bus again, and this time, I navigated the route entirely on my own – no help needed! The museum featured 3 remarkable exhibitions.

The first exhibition, titled “El Tercer Ojo” (The Third Eye), showcased an extensive collection of Latin American art. I had an incredible time perusing through the paintings made in numerous different styles, collages, and interactive installations. I feel like I learned so much about the rich and diverse artistic heritage of Latin America!

Next, I had the opportunity to explore an exhibition dedicated solely to the iconic artist, Frida Kahlo. Having learned about her work in my high school Spanish classes, it was a surreal experience to witness her art in-person and outside of the classroom. The line to enter her showcase was long but definitely worth the wait! Inside, I saw photographs taken from key moments in her life and had the privilege of viewing 2 of her pieces: “Diego Y Yo” and her “Self Portrait with Monkey and Parrot.” Moreover, her life story left a lasting impression on me. Frida suffered severe injuries after a terrible traffic accident, and she was bedridden for a long time. Nonetheless, she continued to paint from her bed using a mirror that was specially arranged for her; she used her reflection as a source of inspiration and self-discovery throughout her period of solitude. As I continue to travel alone for the next few months, I hope to emulate Frida’s introspective approach and use self-reflection as a means to learn more about myself and the world around me!

Finally, the third exhibition, “Del Cielo a Casa” (From the Sky to Home), showcased an assortment of materials and objects that were integral to Argentina’s 20th-century history. The physical re-telling of the nation’s past also provided me with valuable context for my research! Notably, the exhibition featured a replica of the “Memory Paving Stones,” a collaborative project between artists and human rights organizations as a response to the military dictatorship. These stones commemorated the victims of kidnapping and assassinations, as well as their families, and traced a tangible map of collective trauma and tragedy on the surface of the city. In addition, I saw books, magazines, and radios that were important for disseminating information to the Argentinian public during a time of stringent censorship.

After thoroughly enjoying the museum for several hours, I decided to have dinner at an Asian restaurant located across the street. The ceviche was so yummy, and I went back to my apartment feeling very content and grateful!!

Tuesday (Day 5): Today was a rest/work day! I spent most of my day in a nearby cafe, drinking delicious Colombian coffee, journaling, and doing some work. To be completely honest, it is hard for me to not feel guilty when I spend a day without sight-seeing or leaving my neighborhood. But, I was feeling a physical toll from the drastic weather change and traveling, so I decided to give my body a well-deserved break! I am (slowly but surely) learning that it is really important to take care of myself and give myself time to rejuvenate and really take everything in during my travels!

I also tried cow heart for dinner – it was surprisingly very tasty!

I know this blog post was long, so thanks for reading 💙

 

Buenos Aires: My Last Week

Buenos Aires: Settling In

Today is my 2nd day in Argentina, and my first full day here! Yesterday, I arrived at EZE airport and took a 1 hour taxi to my Airbnb in Palermo. I spent the day unpacking, getting some groceries, and taking a much needed nap (I was pretty exhausted from my flight here). During my brief excursions outside, I realized that there aren’t that many tourists in my neighborhood. Most of the people I’ve encountered here don’t really speak English, so I have been practicing my Spanish! But they speak really fast, so I’ve been using hand gestures and pointing to help get my point across 🙂

The sun also sets earlier here than in America; it gets dark just before 6 PM. To be honest, I was a little scared walking to get my dinner in the dark, but I think that will get easier and less scary as I get to know my neighborhood better! Yesterday, I had 3 empanadas and 1 pizza for lunch and dinner. The “mozzarella” pizza tasted like olives (one of the only foods that I don’t like), but the empanadas were absolutely delicious!

This morning I slept in and then I went to a cafe nearby to catch up on all of the emails that I missed during my traveling. I had a great coffee and a HUGE pork sandwich with kale and pickled onions. The sandwich was actually bigger than my face, but I managed to eat it all haha. Most of the people here are very nice. They are all walking around in parkas, scarves, and thick sweaters because it’s winter in Buenos Aires, but it’s actually only about 50° Fahrenheit. I even saw an adorable dog wearing a knit sweater!

The last few hours have been pretty hectic for me because the apartment building that I am staying in completely lost power. So, I didn’t have access to running water or wifi for a little over an hour. It all turned out okay because I left the building and went to another nearby cafe and drank some chai tea while watching the sun set. When I came back to my apartment, the water was back on, but it was dark yellow…

Tomorrow, I am planning on visiting the famous cemetery in Recoleta and doing some sightseeing! For the rest of today, I am going to eat dinner (I made a reservation at a restaurant because the places here tend to be very busy), do some work, and plan out a rough itinerary for my stay here.

I remember feeling quite nervous about traveling alone for so long before I left Texas, but now I feel really excited!

Thanks for reading