The Final Days

My final days in Buenos Aires were fabulous. I did a little shopping, walking around, eating, drinking lots o’ mate, just soaking in everything. Saturday night we got our boliche on at this Brazilian club. Loved it!! I guess my next stop will have to be Brazil one day. Turns out, not only am I the tango master, I can get my samba on too. Sunday night was my final dinner so Cousin B & E, Austin and Sol and I had to go big with the parilla. Steak and wine steak and wine steak and wine and wine and wine. From there we head to a little music club I had wanted to go to forever, called Makena—- Sunday night is the funk jazz night. So, we went! Good music with good friends is a fine way to go. You guys, I literally did everything I wanted. No joke.

Wait, actually, I could live here

I'm back in querido Buenos Aires! It's a very weird feeling to be living in a new neighborhood (Palermo now), and to be living in a hostel. Turns out, Im in the best hostel in the best location. So, Im thinking I can stay here forever. After bunking it up for 2 weeks, I got my own hostel room, and put of stick of dynamite in my suitcase and here i am, home sweet home. There is lots to tell about my Iguazu adventures. Right now, Im uploading some pics, getting organized. But, my bus experience.... no whiskey, no blankets, no cama. We had to "change buses" in Posadas, then I finally got my blanket and cama, but no whiskey. Oh the humanity. Arriving in the Retiro bus station, I got so giddy with excitement. I felt like I was home. While I was sweating and getting stuffed like a sardine in the subway, I wanted to scream with joy. Man, i love this place. Last night, we went to my fave Bar Roberto. It was great as usual.

Sniff Sniff

Yeeeeekkksss!! I can't believe my life in Buenos Aires as I've known it for 6 weeks is coming to an end. I'm getting pretty nostalgic and lame about it. Few hours ago, I was like... ohhhh, last sunset from my balcony. Weep. But it's good, it's good. I'm really looking forward to my next adventure, on the road, seeing Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy, and Iguazu Falls. This trip sho' ain't OVER. Not until my fat ass is singing in the park on Monday with a liter of Quilmes. Dios help me now. Here are some snapshots of my favorite parts of the city... Congresso building, Plaza San Martin and my querido San Telmo. To this day, I can't get enough of the cobblestone and the beautiful old colorful buildings. I'm so glad I lived in this part of town. Don't cry for me San Telmo.

PS. This is my fruit man, Raul! Mi amigo.


Plaza San Martin, San Telmo pics

A Very Buenos Airesy Day

I think I'm in the midst of a very BsAsy day today. I woke up late, and was late to my spanish class. Oh ya, people here are late all the time. Not to worry. Finished that, went back home to (shower and) rest for a little. Made a sammich. Then the bombing/fireworks started going off. Oh sure, another protest in BsAs, why not! Tomorrow is the big Labor Day holiday (Dia De Los Trabajores), it's also called May Day. I thought May Day is a day to wear pastel colors and celebrate spring and flowers... it's actually kind of a big deal. Everyone has got tomorrow off. Me too! Then I left for the Carlos Gardel Museum. For you dullards, Carlos Gardel is the tango king. He tragically died in, what else, a plane crash right in his prime. (Bye bye Miss Argentina Pie...?) I'm obsessed with the squiggly bright colored painting they do here... (self, please learn the name of this art).

Then I succeeded at failing to meet Cousin Bryan and Cousin Elise for the 2nd time (This is the FOURTH time I've lost people). I'm praying to the Dioses that they get a cell phone pronto.

Time for shopping... some people got some souveniiiiirrrsss!! Are you one of the lucky ones? We shall see.

Tonight, more beef and wine. I'm telling you all, total BsAs Day.

Tomorrow I'm going to an "estancia" to ride some horses and get my gaucho on. Back on Saturday.

A day in the life

PS. ¡¡HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN!!

Mi Querida Buenos Aires

Let's talk about surprises. Every day, there's a new one. A new route to take, a new huge building I haven't seen (Congresso, yesterday), BEAR EXHIBITIONS i've randomly stumbled across, Subway Sandwich, protests in the street. Then today, I found an ice cream place even closer to the one I already found. Every day... it gets better and better. So today I bought a flag.

Bears! Rawrrr!!

Yesterday was my first day of school. I started at 9am. This was the first time I've actually had to be somewhere at a certain time, in the MORNING. So, I have to admit, I was a little excited to have something of a...how do you say... a "schedule". I gave myself an extra hour to get lost and have coffee with medialunas. Turns out, I needed a whole hour to get lost. My favorite thing to do is to make every wrong turn possible... then when I get to where I need to be, I'm only like 10 feet away from where I started. Bonus.

School = me + one teacher. It's great! I get a whole 2 hours of español all to myself. I'll do this for the next 2 weeks... at 9am... everyday. Can I handle it?

On my way to change some dinero, I stumble across this amazing plaza holding an art exhibition. Most of you know I love bears the mostest. Can you imagine how happy I was to find a plaza full of bears hugging, from around the world! So cuddly!! I loved it. Also, Tena, this reminded me of Build-A-Bear's project... so i thought of you :) This is in Plaza San Martín.

More beary love here

La Boca ~ El Caminito

Took a little jaunt through La Boca today. New volunteer friend Luca & I cruised through El Caminito first. My first impression was "Wow, Disneyland". It's so colorful, and SO touristy. But once that wore off and we got out of the main area, it was pretty cool. La Boca is one of the more poor areas in Buenos Aires. My book says it's the city's first port, and an African slave colony before Italian immigrants settled in the 1880s. La Boca is also home to La Boca Juniors and the soccer stadium La Bombonera (it means chocolate box? yummy?). This area has all the bright colorful buildings, people doing tango, and awesome cardboard cutouts to stick your face in.

It was fun being a true tourist today! Cameras and guidebooks and all.

More La Boca Pics Here

El Microcentro

Visited Microcentro today with new amigo, Victor. This is where the Casa Rosada is (Pink House)-- This is their version of the White House, and my mom's version of paradise. This is also where where Madonna used to make her famous speeches to the people of Argentina from the balcony. Also vistited the Cathedral and walked around the area-- eventually ending up by the Puente De La Mujer. There is a quaint little walkway by the water, with nice restaurants, outdoor dining, and then a Hooters and TGIF's :) After our beer, we heard the Casa Rosada is open to the public, which I guess it's rare. Lucky us! We got to go inside and take a look around. It's very grand and I couldnt believe they just let us walk around.

I'm heading down to El Calafate tomorrow (Patagonia!). I'll be back Tuesday, and until then, I won't be able to update el blog.

I promise I'll start updating my flickr account with more pics!

And yes, by Madonna, I meant Evita. I'm hoping you all caught that. Some, maybe not so sure :)