Flight check-in, security checks, connecting to the other flight, arriving, baggage claim, customs, & getting a chauffer to take me to the apartment went way smoother than I expected! Thank God! And it's not raining!!! Apparently it rained pretty hard the last couple of days. The flight arrived a bit before 8am (Argentina time). I was at the apartment less than 2 hours later. We actually exited the plane into the inside of the airport rather than going down the stairs of the plane to a bus which would then take us to the main area. Both flights were boarded by first taking a bus to the plane then boarding the plane like at small airports. Kinda fun!

When I began crossing the street to the apartment with my luggage, I had already forgotten that I wasn't in the United States anymore & assumed I had the right of way. The chauffer kindly reminded me "cuidado" and I stepped back to avoid the cars, which were NOT moving slowly.

I'm enjoying speaking Spanish. What I've seen so far (driving from the airport to the apartment) are lots of tall apartment buildings, lots of parks, and like a gazillion trees!!! Trees are everywhere & I love it! It makes everything look so pretty. I also saw several places that say "Pizza & Empanadas," a combination you will only see in Latin America (maybe only in Argentina). Oh! And besides Greece, I think Argentina is the most patriotic country I've seen. Light blue/White striped flags everywhere!!! I don't know if they're always up or maybe there's more display of patriotism because of the World Cup…

I already unpacked. This place is SO cute! My aunt Rita left me cute little notes in hidden places. The elevator is the BEST!!! I'll have to send a video of me using the elevator & all my luggage fit inside too!!! I was skeptical when I first observed it. I'm watching World Cup news on TV. I can't even count how many times they've announced the Argentina v. Germany game on Friday. It will be a good one!!!

I got to meet Senor Montenegro & he's the owner of the apartments??? I think??? He introduced himself to me shortly after I arrived & told me not to open the door to anyone I didn't know. Anyway, he's super sweet & he told me to feel free to let him know if I needed anything.

So far, my mom has called me (here in the apartment) and my "Abuelita" called me (she's in Colombia right now & we wish we could visit each other).

I need to take a nap and then get some food & water, you know, the bare necessities.

I went to the store to get some groceries & I was quite hungry & thirsty after my nap. There's a "Carrefour" a few blocks away. It's like a WAL*MART Superstore. I got some food & water, packed as much in my backpack as I could, & carried the rest by hand back to the apartment. For dinner I ate cheese & crackers & chicken (it looked like sliced sandwich meat) & a yogurt & a tangerine & some WATER!!!

I feel like it's really late & only 9:00pm & but the sun set at like 6pm & it doesn't rise until 8am. People don't usually have dinner until 11pm. So the night is young… unfortunately I'm exhausted & will probably go to bed before midnight & something different for me.

I have a feeling I will be much more detailed & long-winded in my journal during this first week. I'll actually have quite a bit of time on my hands & I think. We'll see…

p.s. LeeAnn called me tonight too, on my cell & I got to talk to Josette too. I'm so popular now that I'm in Argentina!!! The family cell phone bill for next month will be a few dollars higher.