(Video warning: I’m still figuring out this Flip camera, so the first clip is too loud, the others are too quiet, and the transitions are choppy. Next video will be better.)

After an overnight flight and a cab ride that was as scary as it was exciting, I’m thrilled to be writing this from the Buenos Aires apartment I’ll be living in for the next five months.

The man sitting next to me on the plane was coming home from a business trip to Hong Kong. It was the last leg of his grueling travel day, and when I found my seat he was already dozing off. We started talking once I sat down, though, and he fought the exhaustion to warmly answer all the questions I could think of: Do you watch soccer? (“It’s a religion in Argentina!”) What team should I root for? How many newspapers are there in Buenos Aires? How long does it take to get to Chile or Brazil?

He was patient with my Spanish, and several times during the flight he poked me and leaned in really close for an insider’s tip. (“You eat steak? You’re going to eat well.”) When we landed, he shook my hand, and with a big smile, told me “Bienvenido a Buenos Aires.”

My cab driver was less friendly, but possibly just as exhausted. On the highway, he texted and tailgated, and in the city I watched him fall asleep at two red lights.

But thanks to him, I’m here in a beautiful sixth floor apartment with an extremely welcoming family. More to come about them soon.

It’s winter and it’s rainy, and I’m so happy to be here.