• Thursday

Classes again… This time a gauncho came into class and showed us his  musical instruments and some of the native dances from around the area  and to top things off I got a nice pan flute out of it.

After the class I went to my grandparents house in the suburbs near Phil for  my little sister (Juliana´s) birthday party.  It was great and there was a lot of good food.  The best part is that there was another celebration on Friday  with more of the family… so more food!

Around six, Phil and I went to the city to meet up with some of our group so that we could go out and watch the Argentina game in Copa America.  We  went to a resturant downtown and hung out there and watched Argentina tie the scoreless game.  It was a great night that only would have been better if we would have won… 

• Friday

On Friday we went to San Lorenzo and hiked the trails there.  This mountain is very beautiful with a creek in the middle of two large hills.  The valley was beautiful and the sight from the top of the mountain was even more so.   After we hiked to the top we went to the zip line which went across the  valley.  This was one of the most frightening and exciting experiences of my  life and I´m going to do zip lines when ever I get the chance from now on…

When we returned I went to Juliana´s second birthday party and there were  even more people here with even more food.  I was in heaven.  However  after a long day of hiking I was ready to pass out so as soon as someone was heading home I joined and fell into a deep sleep.

• Saturday

This deep sleep was interupted early when I had to get up for Rafting.  We  had to be at ELITE at 8AM so it was an early morning after a long day, however rafting turned out to be the funnest thing that I have done all trip. 

It was a little nerve wrecking at first because of the large rocks and the  huge rapids but then we got used to it and the water was warm so the trip  to the Juramento River turned out to be one of the best trips of the  homestay.

The lunch that we had afterwards was amazing well.  BBQed beef and  sausage with warm bread… Mmmmmmmm…

Then after we arrived home and slept for a little my group went bowling and  exploring the city late into the night… It was a blast… My group rocks.

• Sunday

Slept in.  Woke up.  Did summer homework.  Went to sleep.  Terrible day.

• Monday

After a long and terrible day of doing Pride and Prejudice homework I got to  relax by doing some community service.  We helped out at this place called  ALPI which is a place where kids with cerebral palsy can go for assistance in learning and being kids.  We repaired walls and painted them and we  continued this all week.

After ALPI we all went home so that we could rest up for another Argentianean soccer game.  This time we went to Zoe`s house and had pizza with chips and pop.  It felt like I was home again.  And to top it all of we  won the game which is sending us to the next round of Copa America.  

I arrived home around 1230 and went to bed and ten minutes later my family came home.  They were nice and quiet and soon I was asleep again.  Then  4AM came around and I was pleasently awoken by my little brother throwing up on the floor next to my bed.  Needless to say it was a long night… But  now it is just something to laugh about… BLAH

• Tuesday

Went to ALPI again and continued to repair walls and do other odd jobs.

Talked to my parents and brother (Sam) on the phone… Gosh I miss them  a lot…

Went home and continued my summer homework…  and then went to sleep.

• Wendsday

We finished our work at ALPI early so we were able to take Thursday off.  

After ALPI I went home and finished my AP World book and paper and then went with some of my friends to the Gondola in Salta.  This Gondola took us to the top of the mountain in Salta and from there we were able to see the entire city.  At sunset.  So we got to watch the lights of the city turn on  and we got to watch the beginning of the soccer match between   Venezuela and Paraguay (one of the stadiums is in Salta).  It was a great night. 

But by far the best part about the night was seeing Harry Potter 7 Part II.  It feels like my childhood is officially over now… I´m so sad… but it has been  a long good run and I feel that there is no better way to have gone out.

• Thursday

Since we didn´t have ALPI today I relaxed in my house and decided that I  needed to finish my summer homework and catch up on some blogging… So I did just that.  And after a long hour and a half I think that I finally have  finally finished.

Tonight we are going to our family farewell dinner with all the families in our  group and then tomorrow we are leaving for the next part of our adventure…

Hasta luego!