December 10th
Heading back to Resistencia—the place where I first got my taste of Argentinian life. It’s wild to think I’m visiting my host family from my foreign exchange days, a full eight years later. At the same time, it doesn’t feel all that crazy. Sure, a lot has changed, but so many things are just the same, and being with them feels like no time has passed at all.
Getting there though, was a little bit of a hassle. Nai and I flew out from Buenos Aires, with her cat Ruko in tow. We gave her a sleeping pill, but the effects were… nonexistent… Her carrier was juuust a little too big to fit under the seat, but we lucked out with an aisle seat swap and Ruko stayed surprisingly chill for the flight.
Once we landed and picked up our bags, there were whispers about locks being cut. Sure enough, mine was one of them. Immediately unzipping my bag to find my things rifled through, and an empty bag which had held a silver bracelet I had personalized for Fabiana, my host mom, that was planning to give her for Christmas. Not sure why they didn’t take my speaker or other jewelry, but I was excited to give that specific gift. While Fabiana smiled and cheered to greet us, I met her with tears. Not quite the reunion I’d envisioned, but oh well, shit happens and otherwise we arrived safe and sound.
