19 days and counting....

WOW. Its hard to believe that this experience is coming to an end. I am finding myself really comparing my life here and my life at home, the pros, the cons, and what kind of place I want to live in in my future. I have a list of things I want to do before I leave, and i don't have much time to do them. But every experience here has been amazing, and I will miss so many aspects of this incredibly rich culture. Ya know what I'm looking forward to? My family (including the dogs), mexican food (preferably mi cocina), my music equipment, my bed, spicy food in general, and the absence of dog poop everywhere. Ya know what i'll miss? I will miss the overwhelming amount of cultural activities and lifestyle, that i honestly feel we lack in the US. I will miss that instead of nodding their head at you when you make eye-contact with someone walking down the street, the people say hello! or whats up! I will miss the parks here, with the many fairs and artists offering their art at extremely cheap prices. oh yea i'll miss cheap cab rides and 3 dollar pizza. and i'm going to miss street venders selling vegetables, and alfahores. oh. I know what I will miss the most (other than the astonishing amount of beautiful women here)... EMPANADAS. Days without empanadas will be hard, and I will need some therapy to get through the withdrawal period. Other than the food, I will miss the positive, accepting, open, offering, and loving perspective that Argentine's have on life. I don't know if it because the city  has so many things to offer, or that Argentine's history has been a little rocky and dangerous, but every person seems to live life to the fullest, as if it were their last day on earth. The people here really live in the moment, and it's an incredible way of viewing life. They say that Americans live to work, and down here (and what I hear about Australia) the people work to live. Working is simply a means of supplying the necessities and luxuries of life, but not your life. I am hoping to make my work my luxury, by playing music every day, but even then I know I will want to balance it out with something else. We all need balance and something to bring us either up or down from the world that seems to consume us more than we'd like it to. This experience has been incredible, and I can only thank my family and friends who allowed this opportunity to come to me. I have learned so much, and love this country and language, and I will not want to go in 19 days... although I will be heading to PERU for 2 weeks so I won't be sad for too long!!! Mucho amor, 

What does it mean to elect Barack Obama to the Unites States Presidency?

What does it mean to elect Barack Obama to the United States Presidency for me? It means to me that the words we speak, the emotions and cries we show others, and the passion and hope we feel for a better world are eventually heard. It means to me that it is my duty as an American now, to write, speak and promote my perspective, because my perspective is one of peace, love and positive change. The United States of America started electing Barack Obama as the first back President on August 28^th, 1963, when our first great black leader, Martin Luther King Jr, expressed his heart and soul, and uttered the famous words common to us all, “I have a dream.” Dreams are quite amazing experiences. My dreams told me that I am to be a musician, and that my purpose is to connect to the world’s people through music. Today, I believe in that dream more than any time in my life. I am so lucky, excited and humbled to have been 20 years old, living in Buenos Aires, with the entire world ahead of me, the day we began to change America.

Today Barack Obama is President. And tomorrow we will take our reactions to the change we created, and use this knowledge: that we believe and support one another, regardless of race, religion, or any other seemingly outside barriers, to work hard and fulfill our dreams. Because with Barack in the White House we are one step closer to viewing the other people in our world not as others, but as fellow humans striving for the same goal. I support Barack Obama because he says everything that I, as a future leader of our world, think about how we must change in order to evolve, and progress living standards. I am almost without words to describe my reactions. It feels like everything is possible. This happened with words!!! This happened with honest listening and reacting!!! This happened because we as the generation of today, took a stand, and publicly said, we will not wait any longer as our brothers and sisters around the world suffer. Because we are finding out that in order for me to succeed, you must succeed. This change will forever shift the perspectives and actions of our nation’s people. Our brain’s realization of the first black President on November 4^th, 2008, will stick in our minds and hearts, and be transmitted to our children, and generations and generations in the future will live in a world where bigotry and ignorance are a thing of the past. I am so grateful for the American change, and for the faith I have been assured is pivotal in changing our world. First we must dream. And then we must speak our world into the existence we desire.

a new day

and today, as always, a new day. i guess i scared a few of yall with my last post. but please dont think im dying here or am depressed- it is impossible to feel bad for long in this city. Well, regarding my situation with homestay: I will be moving to a new home, with younger, ARGENTINE hosts (and another kid from my program also lives there). the new location is even better- close to the city center, school, program offices and all the subway/ bus routes. i am excited about the new experience and am happy to get out of my previous home situation. i volunteered today with a jewish organization called Javura, and helped serve food to people who qualify for the service. it was great! the people were extremely nice and had very interesting pasts. i can´t wait to go back and continue to build relationships with these wonderful people, and learn why they are coming to this ¨soup kitchen¨ program. i also went to a villa yesterday and went to a community center that provides classes for children in order to get them off the streets (and provide them with the schooling they dont have). I am trying to plan a day where kids from my program will come and teach the kids guitar, art, help them read, cook, and play games. more to come about that in the future.

I am looking forward to my last month in BA. last month of school, and thus school work. One more month before i do some more traveling (in PERU!!!). and one more month before I get to see all of you. I do miss yall terribly, and the knowledge that I coming home so quickly makes me want to see yall even more. I see parents and their kids every day and miss my niece, the one i haven´t even met yet. i miss mexican food, my parents (i just realized i put mexican food before my parents.. haha sorry mom and dad- but yall know i miss ya), my dogs and my music toys, my bed and my family, and im even missing driving.... but not too much. ive been writing some good music and look forward to having a concert in december, along with the guys im trying to create a super band with. my hair is growing fast and i have NO CLUE how i will get home all the stuff i aquired here. any suggestions? im thinking I could try and get a friend to bring a bag home to DFW and have someone pick it up there. Any takers? haha ok my loving listeners. your son, grandson, nephew, brother, friend Max is doing fine and is happy. thank you so much for your love and support thus far, and keep it coming! i´ll need it for the rest of my life. i love yall MUCHO MUCHO MUCHO
-max-

this is a hard one

Well. As with everything in life, there is good and bad to everything. Think about it. I love cookies and I know you do too. Cookies= good. BUT if all we eat are cookies, we will become overweight, and probably have terrible stomach aches. i.e. BAD. In my situation here, in this lovely country and incredibly full city, there are some bads that have been affecting me, even in my good world. And I am struggling deeply with how I am reacting to them... I feel like I am not myself, or well at least not the person I want to be. But my feelings are honest.  The situation is that I am studying psychology, and want so badly to help every single person I can, and, possibly will be in a position of listening and giving advice in the future...yet I am despising the reality of that now. I am having a hard time in my living situation right now because I am continually hearing complaints, and cries, and, with the lack of suitable amenities, its making me react with anger. I am now aware of what it is to live with someone who is old. I am trying to be respectful and I know that there are people who will read this (possibly my host mom) who are older individuals and I don't want to offend anyone. But I am tired and proactively avoiding my home here because, although I want to listen to peoples problems and assist them as a job in the future, i DO NOT want it to be at my home...and it is. It seems that everyday I return home I listen to complaints, and requests from an old women, and I am realizing now the unsuitable living conditions that I have been numb to-until now. But my reaction comes at a weird time. I mean how am I going to potentially listen to clients and assist them in their problems, when i despise doing it now? AND on a whole other level, do you just forget proper etiquette and health standards when you are older? I do not want to go into specifics...that would be bad for you and only a reminder for me- NOT NECESSARY. Phew... ok.. a breath... I am trying to stay positive, and, after realizing my reactions, will be working on my anger and acceptance this coming year. I have always thought of myself as open and accepting, but as the theme of life has told me, there is always more work to be done.

http://picasaweb.google.com/maxeinsohn

go to the above website to view my photos from my trip to patagonia

Patagonia Photos

go to picasaweb.google.com/maxeinsohn to see all my pictures from my patagonia trip

the best trip of my life

Well it has been a while since my last update, but let me assure you that I have been doing so many crazy-amazing things. Let start with 2 weeks ago. For Rosh Hashana I went to Hacoaj center and celebrated the new year with over 1000 others from a conservative shuel that i go to on Shabbat. It was great (except that I sat behind a basketball hoop) and full of singing and holding each other. The rabbi did this great call and response song that got everyone singing and smiling and really celebrating the new year. I couldnt believe that when i was younger i was unable to sit down for these services, and i realize i missed so much. I enjoy so much services and the time to think, reflect, pray and be with others from my community. Its really cool how I am growing up. I went to dinner at a couple´s home (strict orthodox- like ¨won´t shake my hand when I introduce myself to the wife¨-orthodox) which was interesting and fun. YOUNG couples, like 26 with 1 kid and another on the way... the best birth control of my life. we ate like kings, and i returned home to study for my midterm exams... which went well= thanks to time managment. now. the best trip of my life.

Me and four other guys from my trip went on an incredible journey and saw everything... literally everything!!! we flew to el calafate, saw flamingos and walked around the glacier lakes, then spent a whole day hiking on the Perito Moreno Glacier. it was amazing. the water was so blue and the ice so massive and old, my eyes could not interpret I saw. after a long day on the glacier, topped off with free whiskey (chilled with glacier ice) we took a 2 day bus to bariloche.
Bariloche is a really cool ski town with wooden everything, great food, and sits at the foot of one of the 7 freshwater lakes that flow from the andes mountains. so after arriving, we walked around, then jumped in a car toward san martin de los andes. we took gravel roads with rocks and cliffs, and saw wild horses, cows and these rabbits that run on four legs like dogs. we made it to san martin de los andes, a gorgeous town a the foot of one of the lakes, spent a night in a hostel and woke up 4 hours later to see the sunrise on the first of seven amazing lakes. it was amazing, i think i took 100 photos of just the sunrise on that lake, and little did i know what was ahead of me. the siete lagos are literally the most beautiful things my eyes have seen, ever. perfect reflections of snowcapped mountains over tranquil lakes, of all different colors!!! some of the lakes were green, some dark blue, light blue, purple looking... everything! it was incredible. every 5 minutes we would jump out of the car, hike up a fresh water river or waterfall, hop fences at ranches to catch the view from the shore, and or take pictures of how the sun graced the view. we saw tons of israelis =actually a freakishly large amaount, and hopped from lake to lake all day. we returned to bariloche, ate the best steak ever, and prepared for the next day. the next day we skiied on the peak of mount catedral, overlooking barilohce and the lake. the snow was not too good as it was the last week of the season, but it was exhilarating and a treat to have skiied the andes mountains. that night we jumped on another long bus towards puerto madryn, arriving at the eastern coast in the morning. we then scouted out a company to go scubadiving with , and, out of luck, went 2 hours after arriving to the city. scuba diving was crazy!!!! we saw whales in the distance and i fed fish 15 meters underwater. my friend josh had his flipper bit by a sea lion!! then, after the four of us dove individually, TWO WHALES CAME 5 METERS FROM THE BOAT AND GAVE US A BUMP!!!! it was incredible. the whales were huge and friendly and literally were in front of my eyes. i mean how could this get better right? we definitely did not need to go on a whale watchying tour now!! the next day we drove around peninsula valdes and saw penguins, sea lions, and all other crazy animals that walk weird, and ended our trip with a huge bon fire on the beach. we went from glacier to beach, underwater to ontop the andes mountains. and it was incredible. I hiked, a skiied, i scuba dived, a sat on a bus and car, i ran through the woods, ate lunch on a glacier, hung out with penguins and whales, and experienced yom kippur on the seven lakes. and now, i will sleep.

Let me tell you about my weekend... i went to mendoza, which is a city at the foot of the andes mountains, which separates chile and argentina. my first day I went white water rafting, hiking, repeling down a mountain, and rode horses in the andes. it was incredible. my eyes couldn´t believe the sites they saw. grogeous wildlife and natural beauty- it was incredible. then yesturday, my friend and i packed our day packs, got on a bus to the mountains, got off at our stop, and found out there was no hiking near the stop. so we found out that theres a town 15 km away with hiking paths, and started walking. we hitchhiked to the town and got picked up by a really nice german lady who brought us to the area, and offered us mate after our hike. we spènt 3 pesos each to enter the trail, hiked to the top of a huge mountain, ate lunch and took a million pictures. when we came down we saw 7 huge eagles and 2 wild horses (on the top of a mountain!!) when we returned to the base, we went to the house of the women who picked us up, and she gave us mate (tea), and fed us!!! we sat with her and spoke to her for hours and then she brought us back to the little bus stop in the middle of nowhere. we had to run after our bus cuz it passed us, but we got on, with an incredible day behind us. 
it literally was the most random, perfect day ive ever had. Check out the pics...

So it has been a few days since my last post, and so much has happened!!

 After spending more and more time with Matilde, I feel the need to add a new section to my blog: “Things Matilde Says.” This will be a section of comments that my host mother has made, and I bet you’ll enjoy hearing about her life (It justifies how perfect my living situation is). Anyway, as I said, a ton has been going on. I’ve been walking around the city, going to museums and enjoying my classes. I’m a regular at “La Bomba del Tiempo”- a percussion rave-like dance party on Monday nights. And my favorite resturante is Cumana- a CHEAP, amazing place that serves northern Argentine cuisine, and the best empanadas in Buenos Aires.

 

Ok. I just remembered. Let me tell you how my dinner went last Wednesday. I returned home from school to a full dinner setting for 10 people, and a food layout that rivals both my moms and those found in Gourmet magazine. Turns out we were having over Matilde’s granddaughter, friends and a guy her granddaughter was crushing on. Wine flowed, the food was incredible, we laughed, we spoke in Spanish, I went into food coma…and Matilde got drunk. So after tea and coffee, Matilde escaped into her room for a few minutes and returned, with Arabic music bumping, wearing full Arabic get-up and dancinging into the living room. “That’s my mom!” I said as the embarrassed grandchild sunk into her seat and replied, “y mi abuela!” (and my Grandmother). The astonished crowd then got up, hands in the air, and a dance party was born. I immediately got my camera.

Matilde with Costume

 

Entire Group

 

The only problem was that I had homework to do, school at 8 in the morning, and a dance party was 5 feet from my door. JUST ANOTHER DAY LICING WITH MATILDE!

 

I am anticipating trips to Mendoza and Patagonia over the next few weeks, and after going to an International Music Fair this week, decided I need to make a demo. Expect songs on myspace and facebook in the coming weeks. 

 

Check out what I’ve been seeing!!!

 

MUCHO AMOR!

~MAX~

Un otra dia en BA

 Today was amazing. I woke up and spent the morning helping Matilde create a blog (after finding out I had one and asking to make one-she also created a facebook after i explained what it was to her). She was so happy that she had the opportunity to publish her writings (she has hundreds over many years) that she cried after she posted something she wrote when her husband died. Matilde kept saying "Quiero aprender!" which translates to "I want to learn!"

I cannot express how lucky I am to have such an amazing host women. We are having a great time together and I am learning a ton about how to approach life. The rest of the day was spent walking the city with my guitar singing and playing as I walked all over the city. Literally all over. We got Churripan at Puerto Madero (check!) and walked to San Telmo for the famous antique market (check!). I will be returning every sunday to practice my tango in the streets with live bands, and experience this amazing city. I was talking and walking with my friend Josh about how amazing this place is, and we decided that: minus the poop on the sidewalks, lack of easy transportation, pollution, and a little bit more variety in ethnic food, this place would be perfect. I really love it here and am deeply enjoying my experiences. I'm learning a ton from Matilde and my spanish is getting better. mucho amor y mas en el proximo,

~MAX~

the little things

Hola! Lets talk about the little things in Buenos Aires. First- there is dog poop everywhere. walking down the street is quite difficult, as there as land mines everywhere- and if you're walking home after a night of drinking, you're probably doomed to get the dreaded "stink-foot." Did you know that they haven't invented napkins in Argentina? turns out they're still using wax paper in the restaurants, so bring you're own napkin or paper-towel if you spill (sorry Nonnie!). Ok, earmuffs for those who can't talk about sex. I just started my Tango class, and have recently learned that Buenos Aires is a city of sex. Let me explain. You know the men's magazine Maxim back in the states? well its more like a porno here, and they have it at every newstand, on every corner, along with sex videos and promotions for strip shows. At first it was a little weird to see every 5 minutes, but i've gotten used to it- Did you know that the women here are gorgeous?! Well they know it too, and thats why Argentine men and women make out everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I asked my Global Icons teacher why (i thought it was because they couldn't do it at home, since they stay at home with Mommy till they're 30), and it turns out they just want you to see them in love. Its a celebration of sex, all the time, everywhere. Which aint too bad after you accept it. OK. you can take the earmuffs off. Life is great here and theres TOO MUCH TO DO. and everything is just as cool as the other thing, so its hard to choose. but thats what life is right? making choices and seeing where you come out? well so far i've come out on top every time, its hard not too in this amazing country, with these amazing people, and in this huge city. Well until next time, and remember, watch where you step!

~MAX~

Iguazu= WOW

Words cannot express how amazing this weekend was. After our 18 hour bus ride north to Puerto Iguazu, and an afternoon lounging in the sun and pool, we spent the entire next day walking across the jungle and viewing the Iguazu falls. They were massive. Unbelievable. No artist, architect, or builder could even get close to designing something so beautiful. Only God could grace us with such an amazing part of nature. I wish yall could have been there. YOU NEED TO GO BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS LIFE. it truly was amazing. we took a boat into the falls and got completely drenched, and i spent about 30 minutes in silence and my mind raced when viewing the devil's throat (google la garganta del diablo and you'll know why). our bus broke down on the way back and we barely made it back in time for class (don't worry mom, I made it), and i look forward to my schedule of spanish, culture courses and my favorite, TANGO CLASSES! we'll see if the Einsohn DNA carries a dancing gene. sorry to be short, but theres so much to do in this place! pictures coming soon.

~MAX~

el fin de semana

Hola! this weekend was great- went to temple, enjoyed shabbat dinner with Matilde (my host mother's-see below- family), enjoyed BA nightlife, toured the city, played guitar at a fair in a park, and tried to sleep. Theres so much to do in this city its crazy. But I am loving it all and feeling more comfortable each day with the language, vibe and culture. I added pictures of Matilde and my homestay, so ya'll (see i haven't forgotten where Im from) can see what kinda place im living at. Que mas? Im enjoying the people on my program and am working to connect with Argentines. Tomorrow is El Bombo del tiempo- a percussion concert/rave/dance party- ive told everyone about it... so im stoked! Ok, sorry for the short post, but gotta get some sleep so I can continue to enjoy this amazing place? did I mention i love it here?

Dulces Suenos!

~MAX~

IES y my familia

Becuase I have too much to write, this post will be in English. Well I have started my program, met wonderful, excited, students like me, and am enjoying exploring BA. I have moved into my homestay- a wonderful, enthusiastic Jewish widow who is taking her 34 years without her husband out on me...through food. She said shes going to make me fat, and I might let it happen. She has thousands of stories about her amazing life (literally- ask Nancy and David who came over for dinner...for three hours), and she is a smart, talented artist, painter, writer, and of course... talker. I´d say that I couldn´t have found a more perfect situation for me in BA. I am enjoying speaking spanish with her, even though she wants to practice her English, and my program orientation is very informal, and sometimes a little redundant. I will be choosing classes tomorrow and beginning my independant study volunteer opportunity soon.
OH... sorry if I have not communicated as frequently as I did when I started this journey. the internet is a tricky thing, and I am TRYING (not so well) to balance out meeting people and going out, with getting things like skype and the internet connnected. I have a list of a million things to do (as we all do) and I plan to work on it this weekend. Im going to temple tomorrow for my first shabbat in Bs.As! I am excited to experience something new, yet mine, and connecting with the Jewish community will be nice too. I have been enjoying myself with some people from California I met in my hostel last week, and really enjoy MOST of the people in the program (theres 150 of us, im bound to not connect with everyone). I will try to post more photos of the amazing sites I have been seeing- street art and performers, political demonstrations (the mothers of the plaza de mayo), che grafitti, amazing architechture, and thousands of Argentines bustling through plazas and large avenues. Once again I must say this place is amazing, and I know I´ll say it again. Untill then,
-MAX-

food update

So I realized after speaking with my family that I haven't yet spoken about the amazing food in this amazing place. I have been living off empanadas, sandwiches and of course, amazing, succulent, perfect steak. All I have to say is the steak I had the other day was so tender I could cut it with my fork. The meat is cheap and delicious- and they have great bread too. I haven't tried any soft drinks- though I hear they taste different (better!), only aqua con gas (like perierr), vino tinto y muchas cervesas. Word on the street is that they have amazing italian food and pizza- I'll have to do some research to confirm. Untill then,  

Que lo disfruta!

~MAX~

A new day

And another day to look forward to! Now, Buenos Aires will be a different experience. I have reconnected with friends of past as we all find ourselves drawn to this lovely country (for various reasons), and I'm excited for the opportunities at hand. Two students on my program arrived last night- I actually woke them up from a nap (I was too excited to wait to see them)"Welcome to Buenos Aires!" and I enjoyed the night with a friend for camp (back in the day-its been about 5 years). So now I have friends (other than the ones i've met here) to experience BA and other places with. This means that BA will be a different experience, one of experiences with friends that will forever remain in my mind. I know that this opportunity will connect me with these people in immeasurable ways-FOREVER. and thats pretty damn cool. So had a good time last night- plus- i played some music for some people in the hostel (international fanbase!) and they were digging my style and songs, so I think i'm going to try and play a little gig at the hostel one night, and hopefully play somewhere in BA over the next few weeks. I have not yet connected with my host family- i guess i'm too busy exploring BA and talking with random travelers and workers from ALL OVER THE WORLD. I love hearing all the differend accents, and look forward to NOT hearing English soon. Solamente neccesito hablar en espanol! 

Shabat Shalom y mas en el futuro.

Suerte!

~MAX~

Tango, La Boca, y mas

The past two days have been wonderful. I am enjoying exploring more of BA and getting comfortable with Argentine Spanish (me SHamo Max!). Today I went to La Boca, a wonderful old area of BA covered in colors, art and the home of ONE of BA's praised soccer teams (futbol en Argentina). I have been trying to put pictures up of the amazing sights I have been seeing, but so far i haven't been successful. I am enjoying meeting locals who I can now call friends, and am anticipating the arrival of good friends I still can't believe will be in Buenos Aires with me as I go on this journey. I shaved today (see mom- I'm trying to look clean when I meet my host family!) and am going to need to do some laundry soon. As I said before I am loving it all-especially Tango! I have had two lessons, and will continue to learn this sexy, controlled, HARD dance. I hung out with some Jews today- always fun playing Jewish Geography, and I will be checking out a temple tomorrow for Shabbat (they spell it Shabat here). Oh- soon I will be writing my posts in spanish and english so I can work on my spanish. Look forward to that and much more!

~MAX~

Day two

WOW. day two was a different experience. I woke up needing water asap and hoping to scratch some stuff off my to-do list (i.e send out emails about the blog/ how to communicate), and i guess if you're reading this, i did it! *scratch* I felt kinda depressed this afternoon, as I walked around Buenos Aires, thinking it is huge, trying to get a Argentine SIM card unsuccessfully. Turns out my spanish is not as good as I thought. Ordering food was hard also, and I began to fear the next few months. But as I got in a cab with an old Argentine man with shaky hands (who also didn't know the area I was trying to go to) I began to feel a little more optimistic about the upcoming experiences. We figured out my host family's location together with me saying si to everything he said-regardless if i understood him or not- and my frown turned to a smile as I looked around the city. I will be living in Recoleta, an amazing part of BA-and it really is amazing. There are shops and laundry-mats and stores all over the place and huge park 3 blocks north of my apartment. I immediately forgot my previous feeling of doubt and excitement ruled my mind. As I fell back in love with BA I realized how quickly things change and how I must stay optimistic about whats ahead of me. This experience is going to be amazing and I can't wait for every part-even the discouraging feelings, because I know I will see an old Argentine man walking through the park, or a child playing with 30 dogs being walked by one person, and get that excited smirk on my face again. mucho amor y entonces!

Chao,

~MAX~

Welcome to Buenos Aires!

Hola! I have arrived in Buenos Aires safe and sound, with no problems or "interesting experiences"...yet! My first day was great (I had steak twice) and am REALLY enjoying myself in my hostel. Last night I went out with an Aussie, a Brit, and a few guys from Ireland and have been recovering from trying to keep up. Today I will get in a cab and explore the city, and am awaiting Nancy R, and David P's arrival! This really is an exciting time and I'm loving every moment! More to come later,

~MAX~

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this is a test to see where and what I am writing