The Last Week

This is the final stretch of my regular good ol' days in Buenos Aires! It hasnt totally hit me yet. I kicked off the week right by revisiting some of my fave places-- La Bomba de Tiempo and Catedral for a little tango. This time I danced like a normal person and did pretty preeettty pretty good. Just sayin. I mean, it's the basic steps, but still, rock.

After La Bomba de Tiempo, we went to a bar down the street, and there was, once again, this random, so very cool, musico en vivo going on. I never got the name of the band, or the place we were at... but they were like... turkish? maybe? question mark? It was really cool.

So, I may have mastered the art of the tango, but at Catedral, there was another folkorico dance situation going on. I was like, hmm, I don't know this yet. But I LOVED it! I could totally work it. The more I'm here, the more I come across these little great music venues, and now it's almost time to go. Altogether now... WAHHH.

Rain Day

Today I woke up to the lovely sound of rain. Then I remembered I still need to travel almost 2 hours by van and bus to get to work. (The van is the photo on the left) Dang! So I'm waiting for my friends to arrive, and I think to myself, I'd give anything to just sit inside and have some coffee right now. Just a passing thought. Then a minute later, I call my friend who didnt show up yet, and she's like oh you didn't get my message? I sho' didn't. Turns out we didn't have to go to work today. Rain Day y'all! Woot! Most of the kids probably won't show up anyways. Suhweet! So I went ahead and sat my booty down for some nice warm coffee at Cafe Tortoni. I guess this place is kind of a big deal-- big tango history. There is usually a line of tourists outside to get in, but today it was pretty empty. Score!

My psychic powers have also brought the rain to Buenos Aires. A few days ago I was feeling slightly irritated at the heat. I thought, geez, does it ever rain here? Isn't it supposed to be fall? I don't want to be hot and gross here and go back to LA and be more hot and gross there. Boo! Oh ok, so now it's freezing cold and rainy. Thanks to me. I'm enjoying it though! Sure hope it leaves by tomorrow!

Yo Tango a Big Fat Gut

Last night was round 2 of my tango class. Sadly, I only have one more Tuesday left in Buenos Aires. WHAT?! The class went well, we had more people this time, and got to do more dancing with a pareja. For some really strange, odd, unknown, mysterious, je ne sais quoi reason, the tango teacher kept coming by and slapping my big fat gut of a stomach, telling me to suck it in and stand up straight. OMG!!! **Sigh** I love tango.

Takes 3 to Tango

Turns out I kick major ass at tangooooo! It was really fun, and yes, i'm practicing in my piso while listening to Carlos Gardel. You know it. For awhile it was just me and the teacher waiting for more people to show up. It was a little awkward. In my head, i'm like heh, two to tango, heh. Then Maria showed up. Fine, 3 to tango. We did basic stretches and then danced along a wall. "The wall is your partner". mkay. The moves got more and more complicated, and I got more and more awesome. I'm totally going back next week. Best news = it's one block away!

"ESO ME GUSTO!" Ya I heard that a lot.

Sculptadorrreees!

The title of this post will only be funny to a small amount of people, but it's worth it. School Day #2 at La Juanita was another success (for me). The kids are starting to smile at me, talk to me, hold my hand and play with me. So much better than just staring and getting sand thrown at me. Today the kids colored leaves and glued them onto a tree. Later, we had some playtime outside, and some wanted to play with clay. One girl asked me to do something with it... and triumphant memories of sculptadores from Cranium flooded my way. I mean, I can sculpt a house, a turtle, even action words. But, for them, I sculpted a corazon (heart). Then I made like 10 more. It was really fun! Then we pointed out all the colors blended into the clay. Good times at the kindergarten today. I never thought my (amazing) cranium skills would come in so handy.

You guys, I have a tango class today, for reals! I'm so excited.

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!!

¡Baila, Baila!

Last night we went to a "milonga" which is a tango bar. This is not a tango show... just a bar, where people baila the tango. They had a 1 hour lesson for the beginners (us). It was so much fun! I'm definitely going to get my tango lesson on some more, so I can go back and show those porteños how it's done. El Catedral is the name of the milonga... and it's way cool. It's a bit warehousey, crazy weird stuff on the walls... later they had a live band, and it was just very very cool. I will be back.

After downing some Stella, Cuz B, Cuz Elise and Dancing Partner Luca and I hit the flo'. We did well, caused some traffic jams, minor collisions, but it was really fun. When they asked who did NOT know the 8 basic steps, we all raised our hands. Bueno. Then later on, I think a 75 year old man asked me to dance... or asked why I wasn't dancing? Not sure. Either way, score.

Get yo'tango on

Feria de San Telmo

Today was one of those totally perfect days... beautiful, sunny, breezy... good day to stroll a few blocks down to the coolest antique fair ever, catch some tango. You know, the usual Sunday. The fair at Plaza Dorrego is about 4 blocks down from me. Perfecto! I browsed the stalls, and kept wondering, who BUYS this stuff?! I mean... like old rusty clocks that don't work, weird dolls, rusty spoons. It has it all. Primo Bryan and Prima Elise met up with me to go to the market. Naturally, I lost them after 10 minutes of being there. The best part is the tango shows in the middle of the plaza. So nice. Such a great day. Then a bird shit on my head. FML!!

¿Quieres bailar tango?

Carlos & Me

This one is for you mom! Carlos Gardel is/was the Tango king of Argentina (back in the day)... and this is hanging in my little cocina. Cute.