My life in Ramos Mejía!

My life in Argentina

Marianne Kraai, 21 years old. Student Language and Culture Studies at University of Utrecht. Intern from March 1st until July 1st.

Every night when I come home from my work, Perla’s dog Iara greats me with lots of enthusiasm. After just a few days she started recognising me, and Perla informed me that lately, her little dog has been waiting by the door until the moment I come home.

My “mother” Perla has welcomed me in her house with a lot of enthusiasm too. She is very interested in the work I do at Fundacíon Ciclo, and she wants to know everything about me, my family and the Netherlands. In the beginning it was difficult to communicate with her, because I don’t speak Spanish so well, and she only knows a few words in English. But with a little help of my hands and feet to express myself, it goes better every day. The fact that I am obligated to speak Spanish with her makes me learn the language very fast. You can consider it ‘Spanish class 24 hours a day’.

Not only Perla makes me feel at home here in Buenos Aires, but her whole family. Some weeks ago, her daughter invited me to come to her house for a typical Argentinean ‘asado’. I tasted kinds of sausages and saw pieces of meat that I had never seen before in my life. When I thought lunch was over, because I was more than satisfied with at least four pieces of meat, my hosts informed me that this was just the first plate. The second plate consisted of… more meat!

After living just a few weeks here in Ramos Mejía, I adapted already quite well to the Argentine way of life. I eat pasta or meat for lunch, I have a siesta just before my work, and last week I bought my first own mate! While drinking mate with Perla, we speak about history, politics, Argentina, men and the weather. Every day I get the chance to know more about Argentina and its culture, but for Perla there are a lot of things to learn as well. She is intrigued by Europe, and I tell her everything I know.

The day I arrived to Argentina, I gave Perla a little present from my country, a souvenir and some sweets, to thank her for her hospitality. I know it isn’t an easy job to let a strange foreigner into your house and live with her for some months, when you are used to live alone. Despite all cultural differences, Perla is like a friend to me and not even for a moment I have felt unwelcome here in Argentina. Perla knows that whenever she will make a trip to Europe, I will invite her to my house, and make her feel at home just like she did to me. Therefore, I would like to thank Perla to welcome me in her house, and the Fundación for arranging this great housing!