One Week

Truth be told, I am freaking out…! That’s all I have left here in this beautiful country.

¡Que Mundo Pequeño!

What a small worldis the phrase of the day! I came here by myself, not knowing anyone living in Buenos Aires. There are 3 million residing in the capital federal, and I am only one small fish in this big sea. My network of friends here isn’t that enormous, but  I have only been here for around 7 months, and it is sometimes difficult to make a large set of  friends (who are porteños)  when there is a language barrier or when you enter a culture where the majority of your friends are from childhood. But not a week goes by without me bumping or running into someone I know in the street. A friend, a friend’s friend,  a student, people that help you in the stores that you know, or someone that knows one of your friends…no need to continue, you get the point. It’s always a strange occurrence to hear my name being shouted across the street or someone tapping me on my shoulder.  Of course this happens to me at home (Baltimore) but I have lived there for over 18 years, it’s somewhat expected to run into people…funny thing is this never really happened to me while I was studying in Philly, oh well!

My friends down here have agreed with me on this subject and have told me multiple “small world” stories.

Small story number one:I met one of my good friends down here from a girl that I went that I went to high school with and that she went to college with…turns out we were both in BsAs!

Small story number two: I was at a café and my friend Elise came by with her friend Laura, whom I never met.  Laura’s mannerisms were familiar, and she looked like someone I met. I started to spout out facts about Laura because when I first arrived, I met her twin sister. Elise started to call me a freak after that.

Small Story Three: Met a guy down here from Maryland who knew a friend back at home…and possibly many others (it gets weird after you ask about the 10th person).

Small Story Four:My friend was in Patagonia in the middle of nowhere at a bus station…while she was getting off the bus she encountered several of people that she went to college with…SMALLLLL WORLDDD!!!!!

There are many more small stories to tell and some of my friends have even smaller world stories that never cease to amaze me. Maybe there is truth when you say everyone he world is separated by 6 degrees…!

36 Mechanical Movements

With over three quarters of Argentina’s population declaring itself Roman Catholics, it’s only warranted to have a Holy Land here, right?  Well, sit down and brace yourself while I tell you about my pilgrimage to “Tierra Santa”… 

It was a hot and muggy Friday night, and my friend Chrissy from back home was in town. We needed to repent our sins from the all-night partying the previous night. It was called upon us to go to “Tierra Santa” – The Holy Land (actually, we were just curious).  We gathered our monedas, cameras and spirits for our religious adventure that was ahead of us. As we were halfway there, the bus stopped and the driver told everyone to get off the bus because this was the last stop — of course that would happen. Our journey to the sacred place was now by foot.  A true pilgrimage if I say so myself. Our feet dirtied, faces glistened, and hair wind-blown as we arrived to our destination. Upon entering, we were greeted by several Virgin Mother Mary’s and some apostles in biblical garb then paid them our entrance fees to see where the magic really happens.  

After having a moment to take in what was surrounding us (lots of plastic), we climbed up  Mount Calvary to see Jesus’ crucifiction. On the mountain, we could see a public swimming park in the next lot over, along with a multitude of restaurants, nightclubs, a golf course and the local airport.  We hurried our way down to make it to our next sight, which I have to add is the best attraction at the theme park — Jesus’ resurrection.   As Jesus rises, the majority of spectactors take pictures & videos, pray and some  snicker and cheer. Halfway to ascent — this  caught me by surprise – Handel’s Hallelujah began to play.  Oh no worries, I have a video — contact me if you want to see it. During the resurrection, Jesus robotically moved from side to side while opening and closing his eyes. He has 36 mechanical movements – more mobility than some people I know.  We were fortunate to see him resurrect twice. After the clapping was finished, we were on our way to our next attraction — The Creation Story. Ok, we didn’t really follow the order of the park, but we managed to see what we wanted in the limited amount of time. I’m going to omit the details on the creation story, but it was “3D” and you can see pictures below. Among other attractions within the park, we were able to see the Wailing Wall, Pope John Paul II, the Last Supper…all the works of a Jesus Theme Park at it’s kitschiest.

My suggestion is since Tierra Santa is only opened on the weekends during the summer. Take advantage of (APROVECHAR) what is around the surrounding area. Take a dip in the public swimming park and after drying off, go for a round of golf. You have to be quite famished by now so hit up on of the many restaurants and bring your dancing shoes to go clubbing next door when you’re done. As it is usualy dawn here when your “night” is over, head to Tierra Santa to complete your weekend…

"3-D" creation story, Adam and Eve

Shucks, we forgot our bathing suits...

One second they're open...

...the next they're closed!

kisses for madre teresa

A Letter from the Litter

meow

Hi! My name is Antonio, and I have been living with Jen for the past 4 months. If I were to say I was  a minor annoyance in her life, that would be an understatement.  But I am only a year young.  The first time that we met was when she stopped over to check out my place, or I would say my territory. I attacked her hands and gave her a few good scratches while she was talking with Seba (my dad). Oh, I could tell this was a start to a good relationship…

 

During the night if I’m lucky, Jen leaves her bedroom door open, I sneak in and tickle gnaw at her feet.  Sometimes if I’m tired, I’ll cuddle with her, too. When she walks around my place, I like to hide behind a wall of some sort and plan a sneak attack on her ankles. She gets really excited and shouts some stuff to me. I can’t understand English, so I still continue my attack. When she’s typing at the computer, I like to distract her by jumping up and holding biting her hand. A cat needs attention, too! And just recently, my dad was gone for two weeks, and Jen fed me.  Now, every morning I like to follow her into the kitchen and ask her what she’s cooking once or twice multiple times. Every now and then, she likes to play some games with me. It happens a lot when her friends come over. I call this game the “A-Choo” game. Before her friends come over, she locks me out on the balcony and I have to see how many “A-choo’s” there are before I  escape back in. Her friend has tears of happiness when she sees me!  One more game I have to mention before I go. It’s called find the meat. I don’t think there needs to an explanation for that game. It seems pretty self-explanatory.

Well, there you have it folks…a small intro to my other roommate. I tried to translate to the best of my ability, but some of it may be lost in translation. RANDOM FACT: I  strongly dislike human names for pets but Antonio (in an Argentine accent) has a certain ring to it. My cat back in the staes was named Isabella before we got her… I mean seriously? Save that name for a human!

Life’s Motto (momentarily)

Buenos Aires has been my home for the past six months and there are two simple words in which I have been living by. These two words have become my mantra day by day, because that is the way I can survive down here. My newfound motto is something that is unusual for me, especially for those who know me well.  I am not forward but a reticent individual.  There are limits and exceptions  regarding my motto but exhibiting this, sure feels damn good in the end. 

No, I have not endangered any self-dignity or respect by breathing in and out the motto. And respect for others has not been lost, as well. It has been a whirlwind of experiences for which I am so grateful and as I said before, this motto is how I pull through down here.  Curiosity killing the cat already?

 No shame -  my life revolves around these 7 letters (and one space). I hope my my motto doesn’t let anyone down, because it hasn’t for me yet, rather it has surpassed my expectations. No shame when speaking Spanish. No shame telling someone you don’t know the answer. No shame when I get angry for someone ripping me off and confronting him/her.  No shame in telling someone I don’t have any monedas (coins) when in reality I do and no shame in getting really excited when someone hands me monedas (ask if you want to know…).  No shame in asking a person to repeat something several times. No shame in asking for what you want. The list is infinite, but the most important is as follows - have no shame that your motto is no shame.  Living by this has enriched my experience and ultimately makes me happier at the end of the day.  I have been learning more Spanish. I haven’t been getting ripped off. I have been living a less stressful life in a more stressful environment. I’ve been living life with no shame, and I am proud of it!

Essential Side Note:  “APROVECHAR” is the motto of 2009 among my friends down here in Buenos Aires, but it suits anyone and should be applied in every situation. 

 V. To make good use of; to take advantage of  (i.e Let’s aprovechar tonight, We definitely aprovechar-ed in the city of Buenos Aires, I am ready for some aprovechar-ing at the club.)

Time of the Season

And my non-sense rambling begins…

Oh so weird it is to be below the equator during this season as an N.American girl.  Sweating profusely while walking pass a decorated tree is not exactly a white Christmas. Nor is wearing my linen dress with my Rainbow flip flops.  Before leaving the states, I remember bragging that I would be without winter for awhile. Well,  can I take that back and have a cold, powdery winter…only for two weeks though and if I didn’t have to drive in it? Ha, only if my requests were feasible.

Even if I was in a sauna like atmosphere, I did get to see some snow on top of the Andes mountains during Christmas and felt a brisk breeze while crossing the border. Not quite like home, but it gave me a little bit of the season’s spirit. 

 Despite all the happy times and awesome experiences I have been going through down here, I am not a robot. I do miss my friends and family! So to everyone back home (and to my new friends down here), Happy New Year’s and Carpe Diem!  In the words of The Zombies, What’s your name, who’s your daddy?  BESOS!!

Fotos from my trip to Mendoza and Santiago de Chile this past week. Feliz nuevo año, señores y señor(it)as.

 

We went on a wine tour in Mendoza and stopped at an olive oil factory!

Bus trip crosing the Andes over into Chile.

Pacific coast, southern hemi in Viña del Mar, Chile

In Santiago in front of the president’s office. Hola Michelle Bachelet!!

The Grass is Greener…in a shot!

As many of you can tell, I love food. Eat to live? No, I live to eat! The gastronomy of a city I find to be a very important aspect of any culture, and it is a way to define a different culture from the next!  In this city, it’s a cycle of meats, sweets & carbs.  To follow a balanced diet is quite the feat here! The taste buds aren’t complaining but the waistline is! So in my search for a more balanced and health-conscious diet, I came across a quaint, comfy cafe/juice bar that nailed it – Pura Vida (Pure Life in English).

So what makes PURA VIDA different from other cafes here? They actually offer quality sandwiches, soups, muffins with the finest ingredients that are good for your health, and you leave feeling satisfied. I met with one of the owners, Marty,  and a Swedish girl, Andrea, and I had the opportunity to speak with them about the concept of the store. Now, Argentina is a country of PASSION, and Marty was passionate to tell me about Pura Vida. Argentina’s idea (and maybe many countries) of health is what we can say is set in the stone age ,which I truly believe.  This is truely nutricious food — not just some lettuce piled on top of a white bread sandwich with light mayo that’s thought of as healthy. Simply put, their menu is natural and pure (hence the name). They prepare the majority of the food on its premises (even the almond milk!) and are now offering sushi quinoa rolls.  

While at Pura Vida, the best part I may add, Andrea introduced to me a shot  I have never tasted before.  No, it’s not your Lemon Drop Shot or Soco & Lime, instead it was wheatgrass , which was just as potent. Incredibly healthy and quite nutritious. To give some background information on wheatgrass:

• cleanses your blood
• reduces blood pressure
• contains almost every nutrient for your body
• helps fight the battle with cancer
• the list of benefits can go on and on…!

I downed the shot then sucked on an orange afterwards! A juice BAR at it’s finest. Suprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined and I think I may make this green shot a part of my lifestyle now. I wish all shots were just as good for the body…

My typical order at Pura Vida: Mediterranean wrap thats filled with avacado, quinoa, hummus, carrots and other delicious nutritious ingredients and a Mango Mistico smoothie. And now, with a wheatgrass shot! My mouth is just salvating typing this…!

As always, my words can never do full justice. You’ll have to visit and let your taste buds make the judgement. I’m sure they’ll agree with me on this one. 

My Current Read

So I thought since I finished my book  thatI was reading down here (Eat. Pray. Love. Which I recommend, for women that is…), it would be a good idea to maybe read some Argentine literature. In college, I’m pretty sure I read some works by Jorge Luis Borges but my memory has been failing me pretty often lately. Is there a quarter-life memory loss? HA, I sure hope not.

Borges in Argentina is the most recognized writer. I actually live near and visited his childhood residence… but I have decided to read a short novel by another famed author in Arg. – Ernesto Sabato.

CURRENT READ: El Túnel. I’ll let you know how it goes. It may take awhile since I am the world’s slowest reader.

Tomorrow is a national holiday — Dia de la Concepcion Inmaculada. Felices Fiestas! I know that I always enjoy holidays when I don’t have to go to work.

Art. Yes, ART!

Museums, museums, museums! If one is traveling, especially in a different country where art is a big influence, museums are a must. Sorry folks, not writing about museums today. I am writing about a different form of art which I find to be one of the most interesting – graffiti. Beside, I’ve had my fix of museums in Europe. Here in Buenos Aires (actually, much of South America) graffiti is a major form of art and their culture. Yes, obviously some are atrocious and property defamation, but others are impressive and those are the ones worthy of showing and being in awe!  So here is what I see most every day, walking the streets of Palermo, Buenos Aires. Disfruta!

*More to come…(when the Internet decides to be faster)

Top Ten, thus far

Forgive me for not writing for such a long time. Guess it’s my laziness kicking in or the heat has been dragging me down! I thought it would be a nice little peak into MYlife here in Buenos Aires to compile a top ten list of fascinating moments. Now, these moments may seem pretty dull for being in one of the liveliest cities in the world, but at the time they were interesting/did that just happen?/funny/is this my life? experiences.

1. An interview in Spanish.So I was crazy enough to contact this artisan paper shop and ask for an internship. Doing what? I have no idea -  my mind works on a whim down here! The lady had me come in for an interview, and it was in Spanish. She was talking, I was trying to talk. I think she told me that she would contact me, or was it the other way around? Oh well, my class schedule with teaching got busier and needless to say, I didn’t follow up aka, I am internship-less.

2. Jumping onto the wrong Colectivo. It was late, and I just finished teaching my last class of the day. I saw my bus approaching, and I was not at the stop yet. So I run to the stop and jump on the bus. As I am inside and sit down, I think to myself that the interior of the bus looks a little different from what I am used to.  Yes, while I was running, another bus jumped in front of the one I wanted, and I hopped onto the wrong one…it was going in the exact opposite direction into a shady part of town. Whoops! Moral of the story – always look at the number of the bus as you enter.

3.Do we have a canopener? One day I bought some canned corn to fill with emapanadas. I looked throughout our kitchen for a can-opener only to come up empty. Maybe they just have different ones here in Argentina?…I wouldn’t be surprised. I finally ask my roommate. He proceeds to tell me it’s broken and some back story that I forget. While he is telling the story, he grabs a knife and jabs it into the can nonchalantly…there ya go, it’s open. I think you had to be there for that one. :)  Words can only describe so much. By the way, I bought a canopener the other day.

4. Can I Get Yo Number? Some things never change with boys in different countries. After not showing my interest in this persistent young gentleman, he asked me for my number. To fend him off, I gave him my “number”. Well, big mistake on my part because he decided to call in that moment. Can you say awkward? Live and learn!

5. Sardine Subway I don’t know if you have seen those video clips of Japan’s subway when workers are pushing the people inside with wooden sticks to fit/squish them into the train. Well, my first subway ride here by myself was that experience (without wooden sticks). There was literally no more room for a small baby in there. Best part was, the man behind me sneezed on my neck two times!

6. Argentine Movie SetOne of my good friends here Elise lives only 7 blocks away from me. I walked to her place one night to find a movie set right outside of her door (Ok, she told me that there was a film crew outside her house, but I thought it was maybe across the street or something.) After passing security and crew members, I walk into the set as they were filming. Looked intense but have no idea what it was about. I saw some girl with blood on her face so I am going to assume it’s a drama.  Supposedly the most famous actors/actresses are in the movie-too bad I don’t know who any of them are, but I probably saw some of them.

7. Lost In Translation This is pretty discreet, but after being told in Spanish by one person, and asking another person in English on another occasion, I thought I finally got the story straight. Wrong! A couple weeks pass, and the third person to bring this incident up starts telling me in Spanish. Obviously,a little lost, I ask for her to say it in English. Well, mystery solved after 2747293848 times and a few weeks later.

8 & 9.  A knife, 2 umbrellas, & 600 pesos  This has got to be the best (and longest – that’s why it deserves two bullet points). Many of you know that I stayed with a host lady my first two months here and many people from all over were in and out like a hostel in this place. Well, the night before I was leaving to go to my new apt., my señora, knocks on my door at 2:30 in the morning all frantic (waking me up, mind you!). She proceeds to tell me that a butter knife, 2 umbrellas and 600 pesos are missing and continues to tell me who she thinks who stole the items. She wants me to give the number of the girl who she thinks who stole the money. Of course I have her number, but I don’t give it to her.  She then asks ME to call in the morning to the program agency she used to obtain her number. (Back story: host mom and this girl didn’t have a good relationship from the get go. Host girl left while host mom was traveling because host girl was having a horrible host stay. Host mom outwardly expressed his disinterest in host girl.  Host mom returned from trip to find that host girl had left without notice. Host mom questioned me, I lied and told her host girl didn’t tell me anything. Didn’t want to tell her that host girl was having a horrible host stay because of host mom. ) Bottom line, host mom didn’t receive all the money from host girl’s planned stay and I’m  sure she fabricated the story. Don’t know why she mentioned a butter knife and two umbrellas though?

10. Mystery MeatI ate cow heart (quite tasty) and some intestines…I guess my ambitions of becoming a vegetarian are put on hold while in Argentina.