Running with the Police

Classes have been going really well and some of you may have already heard this but I am in love my economics professor.  He is super funny with this low voice and always sweats.  We have four kids in our class, complete opposite then at the U of M but I really love it.  My Spanish is getting better little by little as I talk more with my family and neighbors.

On friday our program went to this town near Buenos Aires.  We went on a boat tour of this river town and it was so beautiful, plus they served dulce de leche cookies.  Actually I dont really like dulce, it almost has a meaty taste to it.  Yeah its actually kind of nasty!  Anywho the town was really beautiful and there is this market on the weekends that people bring there craft goods.  Of course I wanted to buy everything in sight!  The wood carving, glass blown items and clothes always catch my eye and it is becoming an issue.

Another fact about this area is that there is a island town that is so neat.  You can rent out these small little houses for a weekend, month, year.  A couple of us want to go for a weekend because for a month to live next to the Rio de Plata is $180!  Its so neat because its like little Venice only not as dirty and crowded.  There are hospital boats and grocery boats.  When you needed food you put a little red flag out and then the boat will stop!  We were lucky to be on the river when the grocery boat was doing its tour and this boat is crowded with fruit, water, veggies, and meat!  Its such a cool way of living.

That night we arrived back in Buenos Aires and had once again a fantastic dinner.  Our family is gone for the beach for 15 days so it is just Amanda, grandpa and I in the house.  He has been making some rocking meals!  Sorry mom and grandmas but sometimes I dream of his food at night.  Of course I ate twice as much as I should of so I went for a walk down to the Plaza and around San Telmo. As I start walking I see a man on a bike and he passes me.  I dont think anything of it when he stops to pick up something but when I met up with him he shows me a ring case with three gold rings in it.  Someone had either said no to the proposal or if fell out of an individuals pocket.  With my broken Spanish we decided to bring it down to the police, or at least I thought so.  On fact about Buenos Aires is that there are police on EVERY SINGLE BLOCK!  Dont ask how they afford this but its true.  As we are walking he is talking to me and showing me that there bill in the case.  These rings cost someone over $500 pesos.  As we get to the end of the block I start talking with the police and this other man about the situation and all of a sudden this man takes off on his bike and speeds away.  The police looks at me and then his friend and they both take off sprinting.  They turn back and yell "venga, venga"  I run after and start to tear up in laughter because I am running after cops, a citizen, and a man on a bike in the middle of this crowded plaza!  wHAT A LAUGH!  Obviously we could not catch him and the police stops to tell me he is sorry that I lost my rings! hahaha I couldnt tell him that they were not my rings so I played along.  I guess my Spanish needs some work but as I walked back up to my house, passing my favorite heladaria and getting the same smile and laughter from the owner that Amanda and I always recieve I realize how happy I am here.

****Another wonderful fact is that my dearly sister, Erin, got into the University of Minnesota!  GO GOPHERS!  I am so proud of her and wish her the best with deciding between four colleges!*****