Clinton "Clint" Jones

2009-10 Outbound to Argentina

Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida

School: Vero Beach HS

Sponsor: Orchid Island Rotary Club, District 6930, Florida

Host: Rojas Rotary Club, District 4825, Argentina

Bio

Clint's Bio

Not too long ago, in tenth grade English class, the students were asked to come up with three words that described what they liked in their life. So I thought, wow, this is a lot harder than it seems, but I kept thinking and finally the words came to me at once. Adrenaline, variety, and newness. Now that might sound weird but it is what I, Clint Jones, enjoy in my life.

As you already know my name is Clint Jones and I am a sixteen year old living in Vero Beach, Florida, with my mom, dad, and two dogs. My life is full of fun and action. I love board sports such as wakeboarding, snowboarding, skimboarding, and skateboarding. Almost every day I am doing one of these board sports. If I find myself not on a board, then I am playing lacrosse on my high school team. I also enjoy spearfishing, scuba diving, and anything in the ocean. School is fun but challenging. I am a sophomore at Vero Beach High School. If you can't tell, the one thing I love most is being outdoors.

As I live my life, there are three things that I desire. Variety, variety plays a big role in my life. If one thing stays the same for too long, then I get bored. With variety comes a certain quality of newness in life. That newness is full of crazy experiences and eye opening events. Within that newness, you have crazy experiences that once and a while bring what we call an adrenaline rush. That to me is an amazing feeling within one's body that is indescribable. I am very thankful that Rotary Youth Exchange has given me the opportunity to live my life the way I like to, and I am very exited to head to Argentina.

September 30 Journal

I knew I was in for a crazy ride when I got through Customs in the airport. There were these sliding doors that I could not see through. I got closer and closer to them until finally they came flying open and there before me was a crowd of thousands. I had never seen people so exited and frantic in my life. They were screaming and jumping as if the people coming through the doors were the most influential people on this planet.

All these people were waiting for their loved ones to walk through those doors so they could go run and jump into their arms. When the loved ones finally came it was like the flood gates broke loose. I witnessed hundreds of screaming girls run and tackle one of their friends to the ground. As if that was not enough, they then proceed to kiss and hug the girl like they hadn't seen her in ten years. I then though to myself, "welcome to Argentina".

I finally found the people that were there to meet me and the first thing the Rotary man did was grab me and kiss me on the cheek. I was a little surprised but I realized it was normal. We then go to the tiny car that we had to sit in for three hours. As if the cramped space was not enough, their driving is insane. Their version of a big interstate was a two way road, and to get by other cars you had to go into oncoming traffic and pass them. Oh and speed limits, yeah, those went out the window a long time ago in this country. As we reach about 100 mph, ten feet from the huge truck in front of us, I decided to close my eyes. I then hear my Rotary director say "Oh, don't worry, he is an excellent driver." I still kept my eyes closed for another 20 minutes.

We finally reach my house which is in a small city called Rojas. My sister and dad are in the car with me and speak little to no English. We pull up to my house and my host brother and a friend are there waiting for me. They told me that my brother spoke English very well. That was a lie but he has improved. They show me where my room is and I put my luggage down. Before they can even show me where the bathroom is my brother insists that I go walk around town with him and his friend. I say OK, sounds good, just let me change. We then walk around town and I just realized that I really needed some sleep but I didn't want to be rude.

The day rolled on and right into the night. By 9:00 I realized I was starving but they informed me that dinner wasn't until 11. After a wonderful dinner I went around town some more, got to skateboard, and just hung out with new people. As the night dragged on, I asked my brother when he goes to sleep, but I was informed that the club doesn't open until two in the morning and he told people that I would be there. Somehow I managed to stay awake and I went to the club with them. I had never been so tired in my life as it was now 6:30 am. I finally got to go to sleep. I don't know if I had ever slept that much.

Weeks have passed and it is now getting easier to understand people but speaking is still very difficult. I have been to Buenos Aires twice now and it is an exceptionally amazing city. I love it. I am with my first family still and I will be switching November 1st. Argentina is a great country full of nice people and I am having a wonderful time.

Chao, Clint

November 9 Journal

Hola,

Sorry for not writing recently but I haven't had the best luck with computers here. First my computer died so my girlfriend sent me another one, then the charger from the old computer decided to break, so then I went to Buenos Aires to get another one.

My trip to BA, as they call it, was amazing. I have visited BA many times since I have been here but every time there is something new that I discover. I love the city and the people. I also met some American people while riding on the "Subte" which is the subway. It was nice to hear what they thought of Argentina and to also hear their struggles with the language. I was lucky enough to get to join in on a "quince" which is like our Sweet Sixteen and it was so much fun.

Other than that I have been going to school and doing my best to learn the language which I can't begin to describe. It is so rewarding to do something on your own. When I was in BA I had to go to the Mac Store to buy a new charger and as we were walking up to the store my brother stopped me and told me that if I wanted a new charger that I was going to have to ask for it. So he told me what to say and we practiced. The reason for the practice was because charger in Spanish is difficult to say and if you say it wrong then its not a good word and people will be verrryyy offended. I asked the lady for a charger and she didn't even say "que" which means what. I was so happy that she understood me and I didn't have to repeat myself. It's a great feeling to learn a language and actually use it.

I have had my fair share of problems recently but I realize that if you calm down and do your best to work things out, things will most likely be OK. So I am working things out and hopefully they will turn out the way I want them to. Until then I have to stay calm. For now that is all that is new, until next time.

Chao, besos, nos vemos,

Clint