During this past year abroad, I've had to navigate a solid lifetime's worth of awkward conversations with host families as well as other people who I've met regarding my perceptions of their countries. When this question rolls into conversation, I usually respond with some iteration of the following:
"Oh I just love the people here in [insert country name here]. And the [insert popular national dish here] is so great too!"
It's not for lack of wonderful things in each country that propels me to give this bland response; it's just that developing an understanding for a place takes a lot of time and reflection. I was talking to my homestay brother the other day, however, and he called me out on my typical PC response, saying, "No, really. Why do you even like it here in Buenos Aires?"
I stuttered for a moment, collecting my thoughts. I had never really been forced to articulate what I find so magical about this city, but I'm glad that my host brother prodded me. The following was my response:
"I love the way that every woman here whether 16 or 76 commits to wearing platform shoes because she is not afraid of expressing herself.
I love the pink light that shines on the city in the late afternoon and how it makes the buildings pop in contrast with one another.
I love that while the city is always bustling, people always take enough time to sit down in a cafe to drink their cup of coffee, rather than carrying it out into the street.
I love how everyone grows gardens on their balconies.
I love how people will take their 3 year olds out to dinner at midnight.
I love how people protest in the streets every single day, if for no other reason than just because they have the political freedom to do so.
I love how graffiti is legal and how every spare wall is painted with a beautiful mural.
I love that, if you look hard enough, you can find an immigrant from almost any country in the world.
I love that the city is devoted to its artists and even subsidizes many cultural events, making them easily accessible with my student budget.
I love that of all the traditions that they've stolen from their Italian immigrant population, they've really managed to get gelato right.
I love that everyone from the Pope to the President addresses people with the word 'che'."
If it had been any other person, I think my response would have been too much information, but as an Argentine, my host brother had a poetic appreciation for it. He smiled and said, "that's the answer I was looking for."
After this yearlong adventure, I am booked to return home in exactly one week from today. In addition to a suitcase full of souvenirs, an SD card of photos, and a year's worth of memories, I hope to carry with me the small beauties of Buenos Aires. I only hope that I can integrate their obsession for art, their staunch insistence for expression, and their appreciation for taking time for small moments of the day.