El Comienzo (The Beginning)

Oakland Airport, California to Rosario, Argentina.

Buenos Dias Rosario

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Dad´s hug lingers longer than usual...a strong grasp that says more than just have a good trip.  The moment of lost breath from his tight embrace seems to stroke my cheek and pat my head with a million pieces of advice.  Are his eyes glossy? 
 
Moments earlier at the computer check in, he fills out the ID tags for my luggage and starts to instruct me on how to check in... "Let her figure it out" mom says with a nudge....
 
Inside i laugh a little...These two are too cute.  In less than twenty four hours i will be in a foreign country, using my second language to navigate bus systems, and chat with taxi drivers.  I can´t imagine their worry. 
 
"I´m very proud of you"... her eyes welling, her hands grasping my shoulders. 
 
...Me Too...
 
 
For me, a single 20 year old woman from the UNiversity of Oregon, being here and getting here alone is something to be proud of: Self Sufficiency, Independence.  But how, I wonder does this plays into Argentine Culture?  After all isn´t emphasis on the individual an American thought process in its entirety?  When studying in Queretaro, Mexico, I remember a young man asking me "Por que caminas sola" (why are you walking alone)  Because there it seems more respectable to be out with your man at your side.  Yet when i graciously turned down help while gathering my bags in Buenos Aires yesterday  (a solely economical decision, I didn't want the expectation of a tip) with a "No Gracias, puedo hacerlo" (no thanks i can do it)  the man looked at me with a smile that seemed almost impressed....  Maybe the modern notion of an independent woman as favorable has permeated...
 
There are a million questions I have about this country and its culture.  I feel as though my initial reaction to this city is one of less awe than those who are traveling to a foreign country for the first time.  It is not so much the surface layer that interests me (Textured streets and sidewalks, sky high apartment buildings with clothes lines and balcony gardens). Although I love the observations, this time around i feel like it is more the Argentine mind and way of life that will keep me guessing...