We stepped out of Ezeiza Airport with our suitcases and a heavy belly\u2014my wife was eight months pregnant.
Lithuanian winter was behind us. We came searching for sun, peace, and a new life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A taxi to the city cost $30. At first, I thought, \u201cWow, that\u2019s cheap compared to Europe.\u201d Then I realized I had no idea what we were getting into. No friends, no language skills, just a quiet certainty that this would be a better place for our child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I found us an apartment in Palermo Chico. In the photos, it looked like something off Pinterest. In reality\u2014tired furniture, a leaking shower... but a balcony with a view of green trees.\nI told myself, \u201cIt\u2019s just for a couple of months.\u201d But deep down, I knew: if this works, we\u2019re staying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first day felt like a blur: the heat, Spanish all around, the air thick with humidity and flowers. We ate ice cream in the street, wandered through Recoleta, and held hands.\nThat rare moment in life when you\u2019ve left your old world\u2014but haven\u2019t yet landed in the new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A couple of days later, I found a coworking space nearby and signed up for Spanish classes. I bought a SUBE transit card and felt almost local. Almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n