Mi Nueva Familia

Our flight landed late so Kyle and I missed the big group meeting where all of the students were pawned off on their new host families. Instead we took a private car that dropped me off at the doorstep of my new apartment.

I walked up to the building, luggage in hand, and anxious about meeting my new family. I hesitantly pushed the call button for the apartment. No answer. Pushed it again. Still no answer. I was beginning to get nervous when I realized I was pushing the button for 8A, not 8B. I tried again, now to the correct house, and immediately heard my madre’s voice. She said she would be right down (or I assume that’s what she said because it was in Spanish and I was too tired to think after the long flight).

I was pleasantly surprised that there was an elevator to our 8th floor apartment. We headed up stairs where I immediately met my new roommate, Natalie, who is also from Colorado. After all of the traveling all I wanted to do was go to bed, but the three of us sat in the living room, put our feet up, and began talking. I think Ana caught on quickly because shortly after she showed me to my room where I immediately fell asleep.

My Argentine Family

Ana: My Argentine madre. She works at a school and has lived in Buenos Aires all her life. She’s always shuffling around the house in her platform shoes, or worrying about the next trip we’re about to take and how we’re doing in school.

Luciana: Ana’s 21 year old daughter. She was in New York when we first arrived, but came back mid-March. She’s rarely home because she takes care of her niece during the day, has school at night, and spends her free time with her boyfriend.

Natalie: My new roommate and partner in crime in Buenos Aires.