Job Discussion Forums

[snielz]

I have now been in BsAs for about 5 days. The city is almost beyond description. I can�t tell whether i am about to be reduced to a wimpering, blabbering gringo curled up on a park bench or if I am more alive than I have ever been. The spanish is giving me trouble. It is clear enough and spoken with great energy, like any good Italian would speak, but it is different. The only spanish where I am from in the states is Mexican spanish and I wasn�t fluent at that so I guess it will take about a month or more before I am in good shape.

I left the US through miami on LAN airlines and had no trouble on a one way ticket. I don�t know if i was just lucky or if it was my look of meek disinterest that served me well but there was no problem. My bags were searched by customs in the airport of BsAs but they still didn�t give me trouble, though they might have if I had a stash of books for teaching English in there. It was nasty cold the first few days. I was coming from the start of summer in north carolina and i think there was a cold spell here but now it is quite nice in the city. The weather also gave me an excuse to embarass myself at the clothing stores with beautiful, sultry portenas. I am staying in Palermo Barrio which is very beautiful and full of activity. I could probably never leave my block and have everything i need for the the rest of my life. Of course, i have been leaving and the city is incredible. I have heard that it is a very European city but Palermo reminds me more of Philadelphia or Richmond than Florence or Prague in that it is a working city and its economy isn�t surviving mostly on tourism. This is just my first impression... The women here are indeed beautiful, if a little cold. I�m guessing they are always on the defense from the piropos. I would say about every third girl here makes me want to ask her name. But I don�t of course, I am way too self- conscious of my castellano and was never very good at that sort of thing anyway.

As far as banks here, they are everywhere and I would recommend using USAA which someone, ElNota i think, mentioned earlier. Their card has a mastercard symbol which is accepted most places. The problem is one of your direct family members has to have been in the military or have an account with USAA in order to have an account with them. Citibank has a lot of branches here, too. They can be hard to work with in that they are not a traditional bank with branches everywhere but it is an option worth exploring. Otherwise, you could just bring all your money in Euros or dollars or whatever and walk around in Boca Barrio after dard (just kidding...DO NOT DO THAT...so Ive been told)

There is so much to write about- ive composed a sonnet to the perritos that walk down the street at dusk getting rid of the garbage they ate from the trash bags on the street earlier that day...not really. But it is really a beautiful place. In general, fewer laws and regulations, more protests (there has been one every day that I have gone downtown), more beautiful girls, and low prices. I think it is a great place to be if you are young and wanting for some adventure (maybe if you are older too- wouldn�t know). If you are thinking of coming, I recommend it. It is so big that no matter your tastes, personlality, or values, I�m guessing you could find it here.

Remember, I have only been here five days and am basically still a tourist. Also, I am not looking for english work- though I see the schools all over the place. If there is any one that would like to meet up with a fellow expatriot, pm me.

[Veritas_Aequitas]

Thanks for the update, Snielz.

The information that you posted is most useful. Exactly how cold is it down there?
As far as the Spanish is concerned I know what you are saying. I speak the Mexican type because that is what you find mostly here in the Midwest, however I've been practicing my voseo with some Argentine friends.

See you in July when I get there,

Andrew

[eo-nomine]

It's not too cold... it's around 3-4 degrees (C) in the night/morning, and it gets up to about, say, 12 degrees (I'm kinda guessing, I admit) during the day. Last sunday I stayed the whole afternoon in Plaza Francia and I was just wearing a shirt. Honestly, the cold here isn't as bad as some argentines make it out to be.

[matttheboy]

It's not winter yet...in june/july it gets down to around 0C and sometimes below at night and 5-12 during the day...and the wind can make it seem a lot colder...and then the rain that sometimes comes in sideways with the wind...Although it is true that Argentines are a bunch of whingers, it's either too hot or too cold (another reason why they resemble us English:D )

You'll notice that the TV and newspapers give 2 temperatures, the true one and the 'sensacion termica' which is how hot it, allegedly, feels. So in summer you get days when Portenos say it's 45c and in winter -5c...i have no idea how they measure this 'feeling' temperature, i reckon they just make it up.

Today's been 20 and sunny though...

And no, Argentine women are not the warmest lot; beautiful girls are often right up their own ar ses and Portenas are no exception, constantly preening themselves, studiously ignoring you and refusing to eat. The blokes, it has to be said, are not much better when it comes to their appearance... Girls are much friendlier in the provinces...Of course, this could just be my bitterness talking, but i'd like to think i'm being objective

[vivaBarca]

Sneilz,

What a great post...sounds like it's all starting to work out for you. Your observations of Palermo are interesting...I'm actually planning on living there so it's funny that you think it looks like Richmond or Philly, of all places.

Also, just for clarification purposes--you don't need to be a member of the military or have any relative closer than a 10th cousin to open an account with USAA - I just opened one with them a few weeks back. No minimum balance, no monthly fees, no ATM fees, ATM reimbursement...it all sounds great in theory, but I guess we'll see how it works out in practice when I come down.

Good luck with everything and keep us all posted!

-Adam

[carlos-england]

Sneilz

I enjoyed reading your post very much and I was
looking forward to your first impressions. Thank you for
sharing it with us! I'm glad you are enjoying yourself.

I think Portenos think they live on an island on a
sea of pampa, that they live on this beautiful (but
chaotic) city and out there in Patagonia and Chubut
are mudhuts and Peons... but BA will keep you occupied
for a few years.

As for the girls... well you know I never found that!
I think you and Matttheboy need a bit of the old Carlos
England charm to melt these icy hearts and minds!
I thought they were pretty friendly (well towards me they
were)

[snielz]

ohh, carlos you are too much. you make me laugh even though i believe you. "that old carlos charm"- I can hardly wait to see it. perhaps i could learn a few things. the weather here is nice as matt was saying. except for the first few days, it has been sunny and i would guess 50 degrees F. Veritas, if you are from the midwest, you will laugh at the winter here. I was only complaining because I am from north carolina and it was a nice mild spring there and the first few days were cold here. I went to chicago and iowa this winter over new years eve. man!!! let�s just say i am lucky to still be here today, writing to you guys. And it was a warm front for chicagoans!! Que frio!

I met some university students who are in to playing basketball and they invited me to play tues. and thurs. nights. Im not sure if Ill play though. See, on first impression Im a thin, muscular 6 foot 4 from the same state as Michael Jordan- I can only go down from here. Ill probably just dress tough, take a couple of warm up dunks and then lie and say Ive got to go for a hot date with someone...

Not. No hot dates yet, though i did buy a tough courderoy jacket and some hot, latin sex-jeans so im just waiting for the attention to come my way now...Hah, what matt says about the guys is true- very concerned with fashion. I think it is cool, even though many seem to take themselves too seriously. It is definitely different from what I am used to where it is a big deal to wear a collar. Well, carlos, Im off to the galerias pacificos to meet your girl, or at least buy some new underwear. And not that kind that tries to showcase the package but just regular underwear. There is an entire store in my block dedicated to sexy men�s underwear. Amazing...

[carlos-england]

[vivaBarca]

[snielz]

Second impressions

So, Ive been here about two weeks now and I thought I would send out a few quick thoughts.

The city is so dirty. I went down to Puerto Madero the other day and noticed the fog hanging over the city on an otherwise clear day. There are people sleeping in doorways everywhere and you can�t notice the beautiful buildings as you walk down the sidewalk for fear of stepping in the dog manure. And at the same time, I think it is the most beautiful city ever. Ohh, the humanity!

The taxis will kill you, I am always wary of crossing the roads. Those admonitions that Matt sends out about buying health insurance- well I would definitely do it on account of the taxis alone. But they are really cheap and fun to ride in because the drivers are absolutely mad. Mad, I say, mad. The sidewalks can also be treacherous, I don�t see how old people make it from one place to another. But they do. I have been struck by how many old people still live in the city and are carrying on with life. It is really charming. In the states we incarcerate them in rest homes for "their own good". It was for that reason that I had decided to die before 60 but now I have hope for the future. Speaking of old people, I have been to a couple of nice, low key dance places and the old people are there dancing tango and salsa-yes, even salsa- until 4 or 5. They put me to shame, both with their dancing and how late they are up. I find that I like these places much more than those more notorious discos where all the young people go to act impossibly cool.

As far as the young women, many of them are willing and even interesting in talking if you are on the subway together or in some other way that you have a minute to strike up a conversation. That is, they will talk if you are an interesting person. So again, I am out of luck. Such is life. Maybe I need some more piropos. Actually, I think I do better without them. Something about the combination of being larger than most people and yet relatively timid seems to spark interest.

Dogs are everywhere in my neighborhood. It is cute to see them walking with their old humans but not cute to see them dumping in the middle of the sidewalk.

The food here is awesome and oh so cheap. There is a small bakery on the corner where I bought a loaf of bread the other day for 2 pesos. Warm, hearty delicious bread that has lasted me 3 days already for about 75 cents. And everything else is cheap too. I bought groceries for a week for about 15 dollars-ish.

The people are really nice about listening to my spanish and don�t mind my running roughshod over the pronunciations. I can always talk about Ginobili with someone. One quirk is that the bank machines always give out large bills, and wherever you buy something, they want the smallest bill possible. This causes exhasperated looks whenever I am breaking that first big bill, almost no matter where I am. Que me queres hacer.

Carlos, I have not run across your lady yet my friend. Don�t know what to say. I went up to a dark haired waitress at the place you spoke of and asked if there were any beautiful dark haired waitresses that worked there and when they worked but this only resulted in a smart slap across the face...Umm, just kidding, I d�dn�t really do that.

I have met a lot of young argentines who have taken english for a number of years growing up and most of them can�t put a sentence together. I don�t know if they didn�t apply themselves or the teachers were bad or if english is just that hard. I have noticed that the ones who have tried to learn english are much more understanding with me and my attempts at spanish. Around the corner on my block is a little community center and coming home from the store i notices throngs of people standing outside. They were young and old. I went up to a couple of teenagers and asked what it was for, thinking maybe I was missing a chance for some good folk music or who knows what. They were all there for the english classes! It must have been half the neighborhood. Judging on these observations alone (and not actually trying to find a job) I am guessing that there is work here to be had still.

Good luck all who are making plans... Carlos, I get the vibe that a big part of your secret is confidence with maybe a touch of sincerity thrown in for good measure (like actually listening when the girl talks). However, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the maestro.

[carlos-england]

Just wait till Carlos gets there mate, I'll sort you
out with a nice young lady... don't forget my invite
to the wedding though

[Gareth2000]

been very interesting reading about ur impressions in Argentina snielz,

have u found a job yet? any more "impressions" about work?

[snielz]

I have to admit to all of you out there that I have not worked a single day since I arrived. I am now trapped by this inertia, enjoying spending my days studying spanish, drinking coffee, and wandering around the city. I can�t really give good information on work, except to say that the city seems to be full of English teachers, matched only by the number of English institutes. My impression is that most of the middle class kids here have had some english, although they are usually pretty bad at it. A lot that I have met have studied for years and can�t have a conversation.

Something that might be of interest is the topic of meeting Argentines. The better your spanish is, of course, the better shape you will be in. My spanish is now to the level that I can have a conversation as long as the other person has some patience and I am not too tired (one thing I have noticed is that since I still have to think in English and then translate in to spanish before I can respond to a question, my mind is working twice as hard in order to think of a response and then translate. I notice a big difference when I am out at night and get tired...it is almost impossible). The two best ways I have found for making friends with Argentines are by playing basketball (for the lads) and going to dance classes (for the lasses). As I am finding places I like to go and I go there a few weeks in a row, I begin to see the same people and I am starting to make friends with them (especially if they are about 5�8" and sweet). Uhh, I digress. As I am not in school or working right now, it is difficult to meet Argentines without some pretext or common interest. Also, in bars and discos, it is difficult to really meet the other person. But, if you are playing pickup basketball or practicing turns for a couple of hours, there are tons of chances to talk and get to know one another a little. I am pursuing dancing and basketball because they are two interests of mine, but I think the idea applies whatever your interests may be- just get out there and find a place to do them.

What I am writing may be common sense, but it has been important to me since I came without friends or family and it may be of some use to you guys.

[JonnytheMann]

Did you get a cell phone? If so, what's the contract like?

Have you had any people ask you for English lessons?

How much money do you find yourself spending per month?

Are you starting to get annoyed by certain things, or are you still in the "honeymoon phase"? I personally am dreading the month or two when I've finished the honeymoon phase and enter into the "I hate this place & everything about it" phase. Maybe I won't go thru a phase like that? Hope so. I did in Germany, but came out of it after a month or two and learned to love the place.

[sqwerl]

I think the best way to do cell phones is get a phonecard.
That is what I will be doing...
I think you can buy a phone for about 100 pesos and then buy a phonecard anytime you want to call anyone..

no hassle and no worries about contracts.