Exploring: DC/VA/MD

I’m somewhere exotic right now: Arlington, Virginia. Ok, so that’s not exotic like Argentina, but when you’re from California this opposing coast is a whole new world ripe for exploration. Arlington is part of the greater Washington DC area, so I’ve been poking around seeing some of the iconic tourist attractions our country offers.

Arlington National Cemetery is beautiful, stoic and filled me with curiosity. If only those graves could tell their heroic stories. For some reason I find cemeteries to be slightly magical; they have a cool nostalgia– a reminder that these bodies are destructible shells simply containing human essence.

On the 4th of July I was able to catch up with Daniel and Jihee: two former co-workers from my days in the OC, still good friends of mine. They recently bought a condo in DC and had a great day exploring their neighborhood. After a scrumptious brunch at the Tabard Inn we visited the National Cathedral. Since I’ve explored cathedrals in Italy and Spain it shocked me by being so new. I’ve never seen gothic architecture in such perfect condition before. That night made an awesome charcuterie dinner and snuck wine up to their rooftop in plastic cups while watching a gorgeous fireworks show. Afterwards, we could see tiny explosions along the horizon in all directions for hours. I saw fireworks in three states: DC, Maryland and Virgina all in one rooftop experience. Super cool!

Jihee and Daniel also enticed me to visit Old Town Alexandria, VA which is absolutely charming. It’s gigantic as well! I’ve never seen an old, quaint brick downtown like that take up so much real estate and be so functional. We participated in happy hour at Vermillion, which had an upbeat swanky atmosphere and great prices on eclectic, fun munchies. Then we tried Brabo, an unpretentious little wine bar where we were happily surprised by the Yalumba Shiraz and Viognier blend. I’ve never tried those particular grapes together and it was delightful. Especially when enjoyed with such good company.

My host here in DC, Brian, has been taking me to an assortment of delicious eating establishments and fun happy hours as well. I had to be rolled out of Ray’s the Steaks after consuming a decadent NY strip the size of my head. And I couldn’t help but be impressed with Wacky Wednesdays at Mister Day’s sport's bar where they serve $2 beers and the best $2 nachos imaginable. The “love love love” review goes to Tallula: an enchanting restaurant/wine bar right around the corner from Brian’s house. If I lived here I’d be a regular. Amazing food paired with the perfect atmosphere + an extensive wine list makes it a great choice. I also have to comment on the service: we were debating a couple wine choices and our server brought us a flight for tastings to help us decide. It’s those extra details like nuttela-covered mini-donuts delivered with your bill that create favorites.

Brian has also been introducing me to baseball. We went to Baltimore, MD a few weeks ago and caught an Oriole’s game at the historic Camden Yards, an old factory that’s now a gorgeous stadium. I have to admit I may have liked Baltimore’s National Aquarium even better, though. It was by far one of the best aquariums I’ve ever visited, with a gigantic shark tank and rad jelly fish. In contrast to Camden Yards, we also attended a National’s game, held at the Nationals Park Stadium here in DC, which is brand new and sparkling. Personally, I preferred the brick charm of Camden Yards, but if there’s peanuts and beer you can talk me into either!

Finally, I managed to secure a tour of the US Capitol building to partake in a bit of traditional tourism. It was my only real official DC tour and I loved seeing the House of Representatives up close. I didn’t do enough of the museum/monument viewing, so I'm slightly guilty as my return approaches. However every trip has its focus and mine was definitely more about enjoying beautiful moments with wonderful people than on real sightseeing.

After running around South America, it's been an entirely new and wonderful experience venturing across my own country to play tourist on American soil. Our world is so fabulously vast with an array of rich experiences to offer tucked into every corner of the globe. Life just continues to surprise; no matter where we are!

Full heart, empty bank account.

They say you either have time or money. Right now, I’m enjoying the luxury of having time. After making pesos in Argentina for 2 years and returning to the states flat broke without a full-time job, I can’t really claim to be rolling in cash. The rainbow in that story is that I’ve continued doing a bit of contract work with my company in Argentina so I’ve got a tiny income and I’m completely mobile. While I may not be able to purchase a new shoe collection, right now I have time to visit the people I missed so much while in Argentina. Two years is a long time to be away, and I have some serious catching up to do.

I tearfully fell into my parent’s arms at the airport. Then, the first people I absolutely had to see were my 2 little sisters, Sarah and Marin. How is it possible I went that long without seeing their beautiful faces? Marin lives in San Diego so the whole family met up in May to celebrate her graduation. Since I’m a nomad, I was able to spend over a week there with her, soaking up quality family time. Extra bonus: I got to meet up with my childhood neighbor and dearest friend Davis for beach adventures.

I’ve also gotten to know my cousin Keri all over again, met up for a weekend escape with my college roommate and bestest friend Lisa, driven an hour to meet my mentor Molly for breakfast and enjoyed many bike rides and leisurely dinners with Mom and Dad. I’ve even been studying for the GMAT! Right now I’m in Arlington, Virginia chasing romance and drinking wine with ex-coworkers/current friends.

So there’s no shoe collection, and I can’t help but pout when contemplating my finances. But I’m so rich and lucky right now! Travelling in my own country and visiting my favorite people fills me with love and joy. It’s also brought me insight and direction for my future. I might choose to live in another country again; however I’d need “home” to be accessible. Ideally, I’d love to settle in around the Bay Area where 80% of my favorite humans are within driving distance and there’s a big international airport. We’ll have to see where the job hunt and life search land me. The future is still wide open.

I do recognize that these past few months are a beautiful, but temporary little period in my life, and I’m slowly working on sculpting a new direction for my future. However, at this moment I’m very grateful for my empty bank account, since it means I’ve got extra time to fill up my heart enjoying the people I adore.

Blogs must transition, too.

Minor epiphany: Since returning to the US after living in Argentina for 2 years, I haven’t been maintaining my blog so well. After a bit of contemplation I realized:

1. I like this blog! I’m not giving it up. Somehow it’s easier to process the thoughts whirlwinding through my head when I can write them down and share them with you.
2. My story didn’t end when I got back home to the states. In fact, it’s just beginning.
   

Now I have to build an entire life from scratch. It’s going to be yet another amazing journey and I’d like to share it with you. I’ve started by updating my blog design a bit. What do you think!?

What you eat

Relocating around the globe has made me realize something that seems rather obvious: food is a big deal. You eat 3+ times a day and don't really think much about it. However, when everything you're accustomed to eating changes it's a huge lifestyle adjustment.

When I went to Argentina I desperately missed some of my US habitual foods, which I'm enjoying re-discovering now that I'm home (like string cheese and salad dressing!) Yeah, my butt is growing as we speak! We Americans do have some delicious options.

However, at some point in time I must have adjusted to my Argentine diet and returning has meant I'm re-learning to eat as an American all over again. Can I just say that's freaking confusing!?!

I feel like I should know what I like and want but somewhere over the last two years my personal preferences actually changed. I still can't figure out what I want to eat for breakfast. I make my coffee different. I'm appalled by the amount of packaged/artificial food we eat and I suddenly noticed the ridiculous selection of fast-food and chain restaurants this country features.

So if anyone is coming from Argentina I'm down on my knees begging for some Frutigran cookies (the orange package, please).

Vacaciones en Costa Rica.

Well, I could write a blog about my trip to Costa Rica but my friend Natalie already did a great job so I am just going to add some extra photos and defer to her: Read Natalie's blog.

Below: The traditional "tico" breakfast: Pico de gallo (black beans mixed with rice) paired with eggs, corn tortillas, funky tico cheese and delicious coffee!
Took a tour of a coffee plantation. These are "peaberry" beans which are actually mutants and create some of the best coffee. Mmmmm...Called the "poor man's umbrella" because these leaves are so giant!
The smokin' Poas Volcano (that sulfur lake was stinky!)At the La Paz Waterfall park (the foliage was even better than the falls!)
I think the sky is bluer and the clouds are fluffier in Costa Rica. Really.Drinking fresh coconut milk on the beach in Puerto Viejo with Natalie! A pirate with a giant machete cut those open for us :) The perfect beach/jungle combo at the national park in Cahuita:
I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica for three reasons:

1. It was a phenomenal "buffer" between Buenos Aires and the US. It gave me a moment to relax and separate my head from Argentina and start thinking forward to a new chapter.
2. While I've lived in Argentina and explored that country pretty well I really haven't done much traveling in Latin America. Costa Rica was my first visit to Central America and it is SO different from the big city I was living in. Learning a tiny bit about another culture, a different accent, delicious new foods and completely unique scenery was really nice to give me a new perspective on another part of the world.
3. I got to see Natalie and Daniel! It's amazing to have close friends scattered across the world and I hope our travel lists will grow together as we meet up at other exotic locations in years to come. Besos y amor.

The Curious Discovery Journey

Patagonia is the Southern region of Argentina and it is absolutely nada que ver (nothing like) the giant bustling city I’ve been living in for the past two years. Instead, they’re showcasing soaring mountains and gigantic floating blocks of blue ice. I was given the gift of a week spent immersed in nature with my friend Brian, who I hadn’t seen in eight years. It was a spectacular trip. I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves!

First: Bariloche
Precious little mountain town with a distinct German flair near the border of Chile. They feature artesian chocolates (thankfully someone dragged me out of the chocolate boutique) and microbreweries cast to a scenery of beautiful mountains and crystal clear lakes. Extra bonus: my friend, Meg, lives there so we got our own personal tour guide. Oh, and did I mention the fondue with red wine? Divine!



Second: El Calafate
Growing up in Redding, California means I’ve seen mountains and lakes before. However, never in my life have I seen a glacier. Better yet, I got to climb the glacier wearing crazy spiky cleats and was rewarded with alfahores (delicious cookies) and whiskey (chilled with glacier water) at the end. It was the highlight of the trip for me and I was blown away by the size, color and sheer glory of
the glaciers.


I’m so grateful to have seen a little bit more of Argentina before leaving for good. After the trip was over I had four days to pack up my bags, say goodbye to my home and hop on a plane. What an amazing country! I'm glad to add this trip to a rich collection of memories that have left a lifelong impression on me. Quite the curious discovery journey.

Saying Good-bye

Friday was my “despedida” or good-bye party. It was a bitter-sweet night: I enjoyed myself immensely but kept being reminded that there are so many precious people here I’ll miss. Oh, and we had absolutely amazing food. I love celebrating like a little piggy!

Over the course of the night I was also reminded of the fact that the words “good-bye” are simply not sufficient. How do you really say good-bye to someone and communicate all the love you’ve felt for them? All the great memories? Especially if I’m not going to see them for a long time, or maybe never again! How can you put that type of good-bye into words? I found that my vocabulary just wasn’t sufficient. I hope that my friends felt my heart through my hugs.

I also feel like the party confirmed that it’s my moment to exit Argentina. There were so many people who were a special part of my Argentine adventure who should have been at my despedida, but they’re all gone now! I’m the only one left of the 12 Americans who took the TEFL course with me during my first month here two years ago. And you know what? I went to all of their despedidas. I’ve probably been to 20 despedidas over the last two years. That’s too many. I’m glad that this last one was mine.

I don’t want more good-byes, although the next few weeks will be full of them. The silver lining, though is that I’m returning in a month and then I’ll be able to change my tune and say “hello!” to everyone I’ve been missing so much.