I hope that your expectations weren’t too high about the so-called “guest bloggers,” aka returning blogger, aka me: Savannah ‘Silvana’ Eaves!

Here’s my own update on being back in Los Estados Unidos (the United States) -

It’s cold! South America is going into mid-summer right now, thus the weekend before my flight back to Tampa I found myself completely sunburned from a day in Punta del Este (a beach town in Uruguay) under the southern-hemisphere’s rays. Needless to say, I’m not quite ready to head back up to Chicago to re-start my studies in below zero temperatures. (Which also means I’m very tempted to ‘accidentally’ board the Boeing 767 bound for Buenos Aires EZE instead of Chicago ORD…)

Bigger is not always better. Living in Buenos Aires was incredible – being surrounded by 14 million strangers, getting tricked by a cab driver my last night in town, & still not knowing the entire layout of the city – not so much. I enjoy the familiarity of Lakeland, the way American strangers smile, wave & say Merry Christmas just because, & the Southern-style comfort food. Lakeland really is home sweet home.

Life is what you make it… While down in Argentina I could have lived basically the same as I do in Lakeland or Chicago: get up every morning, go to class, do homework, spend time with roommates, eat dinner, repeat. Avoiding the boring cycle of “normal life” is present no matter WHERE you are located. Part-way through my time in BA a good friend of mine challenged me to make sure when I returned to the States I couldn’t look back & say “I wish I had __(gone to La Feria de Recoleta)__, or I can’t believe I didn’t _(see a tango show)__.” Around the same time I received an update from a friend working in Africa which included the encouragement, “don’t let life be a continual countdown.” At that point I realized the importance of self-initiative and taking advantage of the circumstances we find ourselves in (whether that means locationally or situationally). From that day on I starting checking restaurants/locations/touristy must-sees off my Buenos Aires TO DO list & thankfully I can say I have no regrets about the way I spent my time in South America. This said, I want to return to the US and NOT return to “normal life” – I want to take advantage of my time in Lakeland & Chicago – to really get to know my surroundings & enjoy what life is offering!

To sum it up:
1. Dress warmly, it’s still cold even though we’re in Florida.
2. Enjoy the South, there’s no other place in the world like it (& it’s the only place you can find a decent sweet tea!).
3. You don’t have to leave the country to get out of “normal life,” look around & start checking touristy must-sees off your Lakeland TO DO list – (& if you don’t know where to start, we can help! Lakeland Top 30)

Bueno mis amigos – chau por ahora! (Ok friends, goodbye for now!) Glad to be back – Savannah

p.s. I do miss speaking in castellano (Spanish) though…