“What is that?”
Those were the only words my sister said seconds after I told her that I was moving to Córdoba, Argentina – the country’s second largest city.
She did have a valid question. Sure I knew the city fairly well having spent over 2 months there spread across 4 different trips – 2 personal and 2 business.
But what did I know about living outside the US. Very little.
In 2010 after getting laid off from my IT consulting job in the Bay Area I grabbed a backpack and spent the next 6 months exploring South America. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil in total.
My debut voyage to Córdoba, Argentina was only meant to be a stopover before heading to Buenos Aires. But a few days turned into a few weeks as I absorbed a city with a great buzz and a unique feel different than many other I visited on the entire trip. Oh well that and I met a girl too.
The whole backpacking trip was life changing and set the stage for the move I’m about to make. But in so many ways, backpacking is different than living in a city. But I’m ready for this new set of challenges and in late August of this year I will relocate my life to Cordoba for a minimum of 6 months.
So back to the question – Córdoba, what is that?
Here are your Wikipedia key Córdoba facts:
- Argentina’s 2nd largest city and home to 1.3 million people
- Geographically located right smack in the center of Argentina at the base of a mountain range (Chicas Sierras) and on a river (Suquia).
- Córdoba is a college town with 7 universities and even more when counting graduate schools. The 250,000 undergrad students give the city of Córdoba a great fell. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) is the oldest, and thus most prestigious, in Argentina.
- Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevarra spent his childhood in the Córdoba province
When I think about moving to Cordoba for an extended period, I get excited. It’s a nervous energy as there is so much unknown but it’s a great feeling nonetheless.
Even with the turmoil I read about in the goings-on in Argentina, I still cannot wait to live life amongst the people of Argentina.
So sis, let me answer your question another way. What is Córdoba?
It’s a growth opportunity in my life. It’s a new challenge. It’s a new adventure. It’s a new learning opportunity in a life that may have plateaued. And finally it will be my home for at least the next 6 months.
The decision is made. Now the planning phase begins.
Is it bad that I just Googled an amateur term like “How to move abroad?” Oh well, here goes nothing.
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Photo is one I took of the Lotería de Córdoba building lit up at night.