Photo album

My new email is watkins.kara@gmail.com and I'm starting a photo album on snap fish. So far it has pictures from D.C. and I'll keep adding throughout the semester. Check it out at http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=278790963/a=106663541_106663541/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink

The Journey Begins

waiting for the inauguration to start, all bundled up!




the crowded metro




looking towards the capital


The aerial view of the crowd


aerial view of the crowd for the concert






Turned around looking towards the Lincoln

my favorite performance!


On my way to studying abroad I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 56th Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C. I went with a group from school and we all met in D.C. on Saturday January, 17th. Even flying to D.C. I could tell in the airports how so many people were on their way to D.C. with the goal of seeing the inauguration. When I got to D.C. there were people everywhere! It was just full of energy and people that were excited for the weekends events. We stayed in a hotel that was right by a metro stop so we were able to explore the city over the weekend. I learned how to use the metro and it was actually really easy to get around.
On Sunday we went to the "We are one" concert. I have never been so blown away by a musical concert. It was way better than I expected. Beyonce, Will.I.Am, John Legend, U2, Usher, Shakira and a ton of other famous artists were there and performed or introduced performers. President elect Obama and V.P. Joe Biden gave speeches. It was like a preview of the inauguration and it was all really good. The concert was at the Lincoln Memorial and it was really packed but we had pretty good spots for it so that was awesome. The theme was we are one and I loved it, it was all about loving and caring for eachother as one humanity.

Throughout the weekend we got to explore D.C. and I realized that even though it was really cold I really like D.C. I was blown away by the fact that there are so many important things going on in one city! The buildings were beautiful and the city had a real energy to it. Seeing all the supporters of the inauguration was really exciting too because people were so friendly and excited it was like a contagious feeling.
On the big day we got up and left the hotel at 6. We took the metro as far as we could and then got out and walked to the national mall. I have never seen so many people in one place in my life and it was incredible. The metro went smoothly and then we managed to navigate our way into the mall. By 7 we were planted in our spots and waited it out until the inauguration started. It was soo cold, I had become accustomed to dressing in layers and wearing multiple heating pads to get me through. The place got packed. I couldn't see how far back the crowd went but the aerial views kind of blew me away. As the ceremony started I began to think less of how cold I was and became more excited about the event happening. I couldn't believe that it was really there. I was witnessing history and it was happening right before our eyes. Rick Warren started it off with a nice prayer and Aretha Franklin did an awesome rendition of my country tis of thee. I kept getting chills and goose bumps throughout the whole thing especially during the Presidents speech. He is such an amazing speaker and it was incredible how the entire mall was almost dead silent while he was talking with cheers going up when he said inspiring and powerful statements. I loved his speech. I honestly think it was one of the best speeches Ive ever heard in my life. I don't know if its because he is such a powerful and good speaker, because I liked what he said, or because it was so historical. I think its a mix of all three. Our spots were pretty good actually considering we didn't have the actual tickets, we were able to watch the first or second jumbo tron and I could see the capital too. It was awesome seeing all the people and just really feeling connected to so many people as we witnessed the historical event.
I loved the speech, especially the motivational parts and the parts that were blunt about the situation at hand. My favorite is that he spoke about our relationship with other countries and the need to have peaceful relations and just relations with others. Now it's time for us all to do our part as Americans to make our country a better place and as a country to respect others. We all have to realize that change isn't going to happen quickly or easily. It will be a process and will take time and effort.
D.C. this weekend was an amazing experience. Seeing the pentagon , and witnessing a session in the U.S. house were also highlights of the weekend. The energy was contagious and was just moving through the people it seemed. We randomly met so many nice and friendly people and I was really inspired by the whole thing.
The inauguration and the events around it really inspired me and was a really positive experience. I loved looking at how the world viewed the inauguration too. I think its so awesome that so much of the world is looking at this and appreciating it too. I am really excited to go abroad and see what peoples reactions to it are too.

Now that I left D.C. I'm looking forward to going back someday and exploring more. Its such an intriguing city!

For now, its Charlotte, NC and hanging out with my sister for a week of fun!

I attached a bunch of pictures that my friends took or aerial views from the news that are awesome and my videos from the inauguration.

un poco sobre mi viajo

La familia en Argentina:

Neighborhood: Barrancas de Belgrano
My mailing address: just ask

School/Universidad: University of Belgrano
Classes/Curso: Intensive Spanish
Comparitive Politics of Latin America
Art and Culture of Perú

Perú
La Familia:Family name:
Neighborhood: Pueblo Libre
Phone number(cell) 011+511+
Phone number(home)ask me for it
Mailing address: just ask
School/Universidad: University of the Pacific
Classes/Cursos: Advanced Conversationand Composition and International Trade Negotiation and Policy

Itinerary:
January 29, 2009 fly from Houston to Buenos Aires
March 28, 2009 fly from Buenos Aires to Lima
May 23, 2009 fly from Lima to Houston

Introducción a Argentina y Peru

1. Where are you studying abroad and what made you want to study abroad?

I'm studying abroad with International Studies Abroad on a multi country program to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima, Peru. I've wanted to study abroad for a long time and thankfully its required for my political science major so I have to. I am really excited about the opportunity to travel and live abroad and really get to know the cities. I'm looking forward to experience the cultures and I really want to improve my spanish while I'm there. I'll be living in a homestay in both countries and really immersed in the cultures.

2. What about this semester makes you most excited, what are your goals?

My main goal is to learn about the people, cultures, history, and make new relationships with everyone that I meet. I'm also really excited about the travel aspect and getting to see amazing sights such as Machu Pichu and Iguazu falls. I'm also really looking forward to all the new and interesting foods that I will be presented with. I really want to try new things as often as I can and have new experiences.
3. What are you looking forward to least about this semester?

Packing and living out of a suitcase definitly will be a challenge. Also, I'm a little nervous about the language barrier in the beginnning and getting to know my host family. Plus I'm sure Ill miss friends and family back here. However, I'm sure that ll the new experiences I'll have and the good things will outweigh my fears.

A little about Argentina and Peru:

Argentina:
Capital Buenos Aires
Government :Federal presidential republic
Currency :Argentine peso (ARS)
Area :2,766,890 km2
Population :39,921,833 (July 2006 est.)
Language Spanish
Religion :Roman Catholic 92%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Calling Code :+54
Time Zone :UTC -3

President: Christina Fernandez de Kirchner

Independance from Spain: May Revolution 25 May 1810, Declared: 9 July 1816.
Largest city and capital: Buenos Aires or "Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires", usually called Capital Federal to distinguish it from the province of Buenos Aires.
History: The earliest evidence of human presence in Argentina found thus far is in Patagonia (Piedra Museo, Santa Cruz) and dates from 11,000 BC. The Inca Empire under the rule of King Pachacutec launched an offensive in 1480 and conquered present-day northwestern Argentina, integrating it into a region called Collasuyu; the Guaraní developed a culture based on yuca, sweet potato and yerba mate. The central and southern areas (Pampas and Patagonia) were dominated by nomadic cultures, unified in the 17th century by the Mapuches.
European explorers arrived in 1516. Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580 and the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata was created in 1776.
Independence
On 25 May 1810, after confirmation of the rumors on the overthrow of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon, citizens of Buenos Aires created the First Government Junta (May Revolution). Two nations emerged in what is now Argentina: the United Provinces of South America (1810) and the Liga Federal (1815). Other provinces, as a result of differences between autonomist and centralist quarters, delayed taking part in a unified State; Paraguay seceded, declaring its independence in 1811.

Gov. Juan Manuel de Rosas during his 1829-52 regime.
Dalmacio Vélez Sársfield, whose 1869 Civil Code lay the foundation for Argentina's statutory laws.
Pres. Hipólito Yrigoyen, 1928. Patient activist for universal (male) suffrage and the country's first president so elected.
Military campaigns led by General José de San Martín between 1814 and 1817 made independence increasingly a reality. Argentines revere San Martín as the hero of national independence. General José de San Martín and his regiment crossed the Andes in 1817 to defeat royalist forces in Chile and Perú, thus securing independence. The Congress of Tucumán gathered on 9 July 1816 and finally issued a formal Declaration of Independence from Spain.For more information on Argentina's history, the Peron era, dirty war, and economic collapse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina

Food
Lunch is tipically the big meal and taken in early afternoon. Dinner is usually later around 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. or later. For appetizers, there are empanadas (meat turnovers or dumplings), chorizo or morcilla (pork or blood sausage), and assortments of achuras (entrails). For an entree there is usually bife de chorizo (T-bone steak) and various types of salads. Then for dessert, there is flan (custard) topped with dulce de leche and whipped cream.
Beef is the central component of the Argentine diet, and Argentine beef is world-famous for good reason. Definitely check out Argentine barbecue: asado, sometimes also called parrillada, because it is made on a parrilla, or grill. Alfajor is a must try snack of two cookies with a dulce de leche filling and can be purchased at virtually any local kiosco.

Drinks: Yerba mate is a tradktional Argentina herbal drink, prepared in a hollowed-out gourd which si passed around in a social setting and drunk through a metal straw.

Culture: The tango is an extremely popular dance

Peru:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Republic of Peru
República del Perú (Spanish)
Capital(and largest city) Lima
Government Presidential republic
President Alan García
Independence from Spain - Declared July 28, 1821;Recognized December 9, 1824
AreaTotal 1,285,220 km2 (20th)496,222 sq mi
Water (%) 8.80
Population July 2008 estimate 29,180,900[1]
Quechua, Aymara and other indigenous languages are co-official in the areas where they are predominant.
Peru (Spanish: Perú, Quechua: Piruw, Aymara: Piruw), officially the Republic of Peru (Spanish: República del Perú?·i, IPA: [reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu]), is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Peruvian territory was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.
Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its geography varies from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. It is a developing country with a medium Human Development Index score and a poverty level around 40%. Its main economic activities include agriculture, fishing, mining, and manufacturing of products such as textiles.
The Peruvian population, estimated at 28 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.

History:The earliest evidence of human presence in Peruvian territory has been dated to approximately 11,000 years BCE.[7] The oldest known complex society in Peru, the Norte Chico civilization, flourished along the coast of the Pacific Ocean between 3000 and 1800 BCE.[8] These early developments were followed by archaeological cultures such as Chavin, Paracas, Mochica, Nazca, Wari, and Chimu. In the 15th century, the Incas emerged as a powerful state which, in the span of a century, formed the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.[9] Andean societies were based on agriculture, using techniques such as irrigation and terracing; camelid husbandry and fishing were also important. Organization relied on reciprocity and redistribution because these societies had no notion of market or money.[10]

Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"
In 1532, a group of conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro defeated Inca Emperor Atahualpa and imposed Spanish rule. Ten years later, the Spanish Crown established the Viceroyalty of Peru, which included most of its South American colonies.[11] Viceroy Francisco de Toledo reorganized the country in the 1570s with silver mining as its main economic activity and Indian forced labor as its primary workforce.[12

For more information on Peru's history :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru

Food Ceviche is a citrus marinated seafood dish.
Peruvian cuisine is a blend of Amerindian and Spanish food with strong influences from African, Arab, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese cooking.[89] Common dishes include anticuchos, ceviche, humitas, and pachamanca. Because of the variety of climates within Peru, a wide range of plants and animals are available for cooking.[90] Peruvian cuisine has recently received acclaim due to its diversity of ingredients and techniques.[91]
Peruvian music has Andean, Spanish and African roots.[92] In pre-Hispanic times, musical expressions varied widely from region to region; the quena and the tinya were two common instruments.[93] Spanish conquest brought the introduction of new instruments such as the guitar and the harp, as well as the development of crossbred instruments like the charango.[94] African contributions to Peruvian music include its rhythms and the cajón, a percussion instrument.[95] Peruvian folk dances include marinera, tondero, danza de tijeras and huayno.[96]