Feeling American
Whenever I travel I like to try and be a local, and not a tourist. I generally avoid speaking English and spending time with other North Americans. As a traveller it is more likely that you will get to know other foreigners rather than locals. If you really want to get to know people from a certain culture, you have to try and figure out where they like to travel to. For example, I think if you went to study in Quebec you would probably get to know more French people (from France) than if you went to study in Paris. In any case for Argentina, I know I have met a couple of Argentines in Spain, I suspect with the Italian roots that many also travel to Italy, and probably in countries like Japan, Germany, Russia, and the U.S. where tango is quite popular. Needless to say I don't really feel like I got to know many local Argentinians. I think in some ways the country has a mixed up identity like Canada because of large amounts of immigration.

I did spend enough time in the country to be confronted by my 'Americanness' (or as Canadians might prefer my North Americanness). Actually I felt it on the first day. I had some small problems with my bank card in certain ATM machines and most places did not accept credit cards. As soon as I got to the B & B, I wanted to phone my bank and I expected them to fix the problem immediately. The B&B owner told me that things in Argentina take time. I find I don't like the seemingly impatient and demanding side of me that is in part fed to me by my culture. As much as I try, I am not very good at being more laid back latin American style.

On a side note, not once did any guys in BA tell me I was beautiful, I guess it is too much of a big city. The one Spanish word that sort of stood out for me was the expression 'barbero/a'. I gather it means silly/dumb and having never heard the word before I was amazed at how it seemed to come it conversation.