Observations of the Argentine Variety

In exactly two months I will be on a plane headed back to the United States. It has been exhausting, to say the least, going through just about every emotion imaginable. And just like my adviser predicted, right when you adjust and feel truly comfortable is when you will have to pack up and change scenery once more. Obviously, I am ecstatic to see each and every member of my family and all of my friends, but nothing beats the feeling of overcoming an obstacle that you once thought was impossible to overcome. Some of these difficulties were due to the immense differences in cultures that (for the most part) I have grown accustomed to, and now love.
In an effort to capture the differences of the worlds I'm stuck between, here's a list of some things I've observed here, the good and the bad.

1. Each block has restaurants, hair salons, shopping, and something to do or see.
2. I either walk or use public transportation to reach every destination.
3. In the city, things are generally more expensive because there is more to do than in a small town. But in broader sense, things are cheaper in Argentina when you're a tourist. 
4. Argentinos don't eat much for breakfast or lunch, but they will eat a large dinner much later at night.
5. It doesn't rain often, but when it does, the whole city shuts down.
6. University office hours don't exist.
7. Classes are MUCH longer, but take place fewer times per week.
8. Everyone has a dog despite the fact that there aren't many living spaces with lawns, which explains why there is always dog poop to watch out for on sidewalks.
9. There is an incredible amount of personal contact.
10. Each neighborhood and street can be a completely different world.
11. Nightclubs are more of a young persons way of going out as opposed to bars; they party until 7AM...something I have not gotten used to.
12. People can openly consume alcohol in the streets.
13. Many of the movies at the theater are in English with Spanish subtitles.
14. The people can drink a little bit of beer or wine during la siesta-before they return to their workday.
15. Everyone takes their time with everything...besides driving their vehicles. Ain't nobody got time for slow drivers or pedestrians crossing the street.
16. Being carded to consume alcohol isn't really a thing here, probably because the drinking age is 18 as opposed to 21.
17. To arrive late to anything here is common (expected) without consequences. 
18. Online shopping and receiving packages is nonexistent because it can be extremely expensive. 
19. Everyone drinks mate, all of the time. 
20. It's expensive to buy clothes here, and the quality is lower.
21. All of the younger women wear shoes with a VERY large sole.
22. The Latin American way of pronunciation and dialect in general is different.
23. The seemingly whole other language of Porteño Lunfardo.
24. Having $100 Argentine pesos as opposed to $100 American dollars.
25. There are very few "people of color" or ethnic products in the stores here. I had to learn that the hard way.
26. Many babies are simply carried in the mother's arms on transportation. I've seen very few strollers or carriers.
1. Also, women openly breast feeding while using public transportation is very common.
27. The seasons are opposite and here it seems as if there is not as harsh of a fluctuation of the seasons like at home. Right now the "winter" is more of a "delicate fall."
28. There is so much amazing street art because graffiti is legal.
29. People drink their soda with straws in the bottles here.
30. On duty police vehicles always have their lights on, and use their sirens to indicate pulling someone over.
31. The napkins often resemble a love child between tissue paper and tracing paper.
32. If you are out to eat with someone, you separate your bill on your own, no exceptions. 
33. Instead of a wide array of salad dressings, oil and vinegar is used everywhere. Which is great because I used to hate oil and vinegar and now I love it!
34. Malbec, all the time.
35. Everyone is amazingly helpful and kind, especially strangers. 
36. The main goal is to enjoy life! Or as they say, "Work to live not live to work."
37. Naps are an essential part of one's day. How else would these people stay out until the wee hours of the morning?!
38. All of the very best food (choripan, fried empanadas, etc.) come from food trucks.

I'm sure there are more and I will add them as they come to mind. <3