We've been talking a lot recently in our house in Argentina about how living abroad changes a person. As if a person's 20's aren't enough of personal discovery and change - add living as an expat thousands of miles away from family and friends. A person changes, it is inevitable. A common fear or apprehension of those of us living overseas is that when we do return one day to our home countries, that we will no longer be understood. People may expect us to be the same people we were several years ago when we packed up and left home, which we are in essence the same people, just a bit different. Living abroad you adapt to a new normal and see new ways of doing things. The struggles and complications encountered add to you as a person and the experiences are beautiful as are the relationships built. For me, I wouldn't trade these years I've had in Argentina for anything in the world.
At the end of June my family was able to come and visit me in Argentina. They were able to see and experience just a little bit of what my life is like here. They took every mode of transportation with me: taxi, bus (city commuter bus, city tour bus, and long distance tour bus), train, subway, boat, ferry, rented car, and airplane. They walked everywhere with me (and even ran with heavy suitcases at one point). They visited my church, met many of my friends, visited my school, helped in our library and visited the children's home. 
It was a wonderful experience and I feel so blessed to have had them visit me and see what my Argentine life is like. It was a special bonding time for our family that we will forever be able to say "hey remember that time in Argentina...". When I decided to take the job here at BAICA, my family said they wanted to come visit sometime - I wasn't sure if it would ever actually happen. Sometimes I still can't believe that they were here.
Mom and Dad - the vegetable man, and the man that runs the corner store have asked about you, wondering if you were still here and how you liked Argentina. Thanks for such a special time.
-kait
2 comments:
Tears are coming to my eyes as I finish reading this beautiful post. We loved our time in Argentina with you, Kaitlin. It was wonderful to walk where you walk. To meet the people you live with, work with, buy from, play with and are friends of!!! So glad we came. We were richly blessed. Thanks for letting us experience life in BA with you. Love, Mom ( I will let your dad write his own post on this one!!! )
Tears are coming to my eyes as I finish reading this beautiful post. We loved our time in Argentina with you, Kaitlin. It was wonderful to walk where you walk. To meet the people you live with, work with, buy from, play with and are friends of!!! So glad we came. We were richly blessed. Thanks for letting us experience life in BA with you. Love, Mom ( I will let your dad write his own post on this one!!! )
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