Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.
As I sit in the airport, waiting for the first of three flights I will take as I make my way to Cordoba, I can’t help but be a little sad. After spending this past weekend sharing a house with about 30 family members for my cousin’s graduation, it was hard to leave. Once I sat down I noticed a juice stain on my shirt – a remnant from feeding my baby cousin lunch before I left – and found myself wishing I was still with them in that house filled with screaming children, laughter, singing, good-natured pranks, the smells of my grandmother’s cooking, love and unconditional support. This is the first international trip I’ve ever made by myself and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I could convince a few people from the states to make the trek with me.
But I can’t exactly complain either. I have an incredible opportunity to experience a new country this summer. Having never been to Cordoba, my expectations have largely been shaped by an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and a few Google image searches. I am excited to get there and experience the country for myself. I was able to get in contact with another intern working on my project and we will be living together while in Argentina. Since CEDHA has no physical office, it will be nice to have someone to work and explore with. She has been incredibly helpful for the rest of us – finding an apartment, making friends at local coffee shops, and most importantly, reminding us that it is definitely winter in Cordoba. Fleeces will be required.
As if living in Argentina for two months wasn’t enough, CEDHA has recently invited its interns to accompany the organization’s directors to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainability. I am so excited to be able to take part in such a momentous conference. For more information on Rio+20, visit www.uncsd2012.org.
So as my sadness turns to excitement, the plane is literally calling my name – or my seating group at least. I’m off to Miami, Santiago, and should finally arrive in Cordoba in about 20 hours. Until next time. Ciao!