Backtrack.
How it feels that so much has happened over the last 2 weeks. Pictures seemed to work well last time, lets try it again.
Feb 23rd
Feb 24th
How it feels that so much has happened over the last 2 weeks. Pictures seemed to work well last time, lets try it again.
Feb 23rd
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| Tomar un Te with sweet Li at our Felicidades |
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| I passed this tradition on the way to school. Once someone finishes their final exam at the university their family and friends greet them in the courtyard with a shower of eggs, flour, vinegar and anything else they find in their kitchen. It is also normal to cut pieces of their clothes and even their hair! Meanwhile the Janitor sprays you and the sidewalk, with expertise as this happens all too often, in an effort to wash the almost cake-like batter off of campus property. How is that for a congratulations? |
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| We got locked in the classroom. Literally. Right after the teacher left the wind slammed the door shut and we spent a good 10 minutes shouting for students or teachers to come and save the day. Finally the hero (Jeff seen above in picture) kicked the door in and it swung open. Success. Interesting social experiment, lock 16 hungry college students in a room and see what happens. |
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| Making my first big buy all in spanish I was proud of my achievement! Then the salesman followed me outside and asked me to go out, semi creepy- semi flattering All in all, a good decision for so many reasons: 1. Can talk to my loved ones anytime anyplace. 2. Free to release my inner mind via blogging. 3. I am now one of the 21st Century. Bienvenidos. |
Feb 25th
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| If someone says money can´t buy happiness, than they´ve been spending their cash in all the wrong places. This 2 peso (.50 cent) pastry made for the perfect start to my day. Mmmm.... as satisfied as I´ve been with breakfast since the divine awakening of Mama Carol´s cookie dough. |
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| After School we went exploring and were attracted to a man selling these on the street. He told us his story as he began selling those little circle things (arts and crafts in 2nd grade toys) that you put a pencil in and then twirl around to get a wild spiral maze like design. Do you know what I´m talking about? Well he starting selling those many moons ago, and naturally got bored after a while, so he started playing with them himself and then got the idea to make these.  I began to ask him about the history and translations of these symbols and he was filled with excitment. For over an hour we sat there crissed cross applesauce, as comfortable as we could be on the sidewalk and talked all in spanish about shiva, yoga, and various spiritual teachings. Enjoying his company but also ready to move on to different adventures, Li and I tried our best to signal we were ready to leave, but I think he missed all our clues.  I left after an hour and a half with 6 little glass art thingys, 2 full sheets of paper filled with recommendations of contacts, you tube videos and books to read, as well as a new appreciation for all the people that cross my life´s path. |
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| Then the most incredible (and a bit expensive...) white mocha! Yes count them, five layers. |
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| When I got home my most favorite spanish practicing buddies greeted me. Segundo y Juana. Tonight was a sleepover! It is amazing how comforting children are for me. The freedom to be a kid, scream, play, run around (non-stop) and just have fun! Unburdened by the weight of the world and living purely for the satisfaction of each moment. Sweet youth. |
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| We had played with colors, which I used as art therapy and they used to make a mess :) Segundo drew a portrait of me that is now hanging on my wall and is a perfect resemblance, if only I had an orange head, four fingers and was cross-eyed.  We then had a funny face competition: Juana   Hmm... maybe Segundo´s picture of me really wasn´t that far off...   "Awww so cute!" |
Saturday Li and Ki Explore the City!
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| We went to see the largest bookstore in all of South America! Over a million people walk through its doors annually. Now known as El Ateneo, it was first a theatre named Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919. When threatened to be demolished, others had a better idea. Books anyone? |
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| There is something for every one! The only challenge is to find it... |
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| Lights, Camera, Action! By far the most beautiful librería I´ve ever been in. They even have a cafe on stage and still-intact theatre boxes available for use! A transport to another world, found within the pages you hold. |
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| We cooled off with some icecream (me-Li) Honestly the ice cream is SO GOOD here! Big and smooth and creamy, they make it an art piece as they mold the two flavors together, toppling over twice the height of that back in the states. Mmm...  "El discurso del Rey" aka "The King´s Speech." The movie itself was wonderful and the whole experience too. We were underdressed in regular skirts and Ts, and had failed to wear our jewelry and make-up as well. People looked as though they were going to a live theater performance, not one that had previously been filmed. It was in English (as most movies are here) with Spanish subtitles (great for practicing!). I began to think about how much power America has over the world, yes military, economic and so on and so forth, but even just pure entertainment. I love foreign films back home, but those are a treat, not something that is enjoyed every time I go out to see a movie. But here the vast majority of films are from the USA. Unless it is like this one pictured above, a preview of Ricardo Darin´s next film "Un Cuento Chino" ;) |
(See "I´m in Heaven" Blog Post. Day at the cafe.)
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| I cooked! This was the first time I chopped, sauteed, mixed and baked since I´ve been in Argentina and it was healing. But two challenges came forth: One, Rosario my host mama hates garlic, her grandmother told her at age 7 that "Women never eat garlic." Since then she has obeyed the law and now it has forever been banned in the house. And two, the onion I bought at the Chinese store, along with the rest of my groceries in an effort to support local business, was sad & mushy when I cut into it. So already at a disadvantage with my 2 number one ingredients mama mario has taught me to begin every dish with... I hoped an extra dose of good vibes would make up for it. And it did! Home-made spicy tomato sauce with baked acorn squash and peas. In the pursuit to fill each lunch with my quota of color and veggies for the day. |
Choosing to follow my heart today after school it led me to a bookstore. There I found "Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold (author of The Lovely Bones), among a limited selection of novels in English. Nearly one week later now, I am almost done with it! Anyone who knows me, knows that this is quite the news :) I love to read, but often lack the time or find another book and begin to start that one before I finish the last one. And here I am almost done with a 300+ page book in 7 days! I feel like a nerdy 3rd grader who finished a picture book all by themself, but honestly I´m excited. Both the fact that I have nothing but time here and that this is my only novel is most surely responsible for this change in reading patterns.
Later that afternoon I met with a man who offered me a job in the middle of the street (not as creepy or bizarre as it sounds, I promise) I decided I didn´t really need nor want to work. Grateful for the opportunity (to get paid to help translate emails into english), but choosing instead to bask in this special time in my life. I have never been so unrestricted before and for these next few months, I want to keep it that way.
"Following my heart" home I walked and walked and walked until I came upon a familar coffee shop that is right next to my school (which is a one and a half hour walk AWAY from my home).
In the noise of my mind and the excitment flowing off the street, captivating all my senses, I had walked in the OPPOSITE direction. Just when I thought I was figuring my way around the city. But all was well, just a prolonged adventure home :) So I hopped on the next bus and read the first chapter of my new book.
March 1
HAPPY NEW MONTH! Wow, one and a half months have officially gone by. This is now the longest I have ever been away from America. Previously living in Thailand for a month last summer, I have set a new record for myself and will continue to be here (it looks as of now, but who knows what the future has in store...) until the start of August. Five more to go :)
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| Miss Katie (backpacking girlfriend) and Emily (new favorite person!) and I shared this sweet and uplifting fresh homemade Ginger-Mint-Lemonade from Felicidades. We studied for our final and made the final countdown... only 3 more days until the end of class! |
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| This super cute little girl became a splendid distraction from verb drills. We played a ceaseless game of "come get the sugar packet" until she became more interested in the "throw sugar packets out the wondow" game. Barely one and a half she was full of life and had yet to learn many social customs. She stared at me, played with strangers, gave her barbie doll away and threw things out the window. All things "you are not supposed to do" but I love that she did. If only we could keep some of that pure human curiosity and openess with us until we turned 2, or 20 or even 100. |
March 2nd
(See "Beyond the Bus" post)
and lots and lots of studying for my written spanish final the following day!
March 3rd
After 2 solid hours of taking the spanish exam, I was done. I stood up with that light dazed and confused feeling that a world exists beyond the paper I held in my hands. So intently focused on each question, all else had been erased from my present consciousness as I escaped into the passages, verbs and vocab within that 8 and a half by 11 inch universe.
The maddness of it all and the energy of go-go-go is unpleasant for me. Instead I move a few streets in towards the heart of the barrio and that is where it´s at. Real people, living real lives. Homes and cafes and panderias decorating the sidewalk. Low buildings and lots of trees. People walking at half the speed and double the tranquilty than their counterparts just a few blocks up. I feel relaxed and someone here. Not just another person lost in the crowd. Here in the backstreets people say hello.
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My friend who sells fresh fruits and vegetables on the corner every day all day. This is about as close as it gets to "farmers markets." Scattered around the city are little crates and tables with your "five for the day" ready to be purchased. This man´s son is quite the charmer, whistling at ladies double or triple his age. He just started 2nd grade on Monday. Summer is over for the children of BA. I stopped at the stoplight and asked her what her dogs name was. "Tigre" she replied as her face lit up. Tiger and her walked slow and in unison, she in front and him following steadfastly behind. Walking as they have together for the past 16 years.   Drawn to an old building across the street, I drew closer to check it out. I had arrived at el rosedal de palermo.  Security personnel to ensure no dogs entered and no people stepped on the grass, helped to keep everything in pristine condition. Spotted with head sculptues of war heros, poets, politicians and others who did something worthy to have their head forever looking upon people looking upon them. |
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| Something particularly sweet about this man´s glasses and mustache combined. |
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| Love was in the Air. These gardens are so romantic. Everyone walking around or sitting on a bench in pairs. Mothers with daughters, best friends, lovers... and me and my book :) |
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| I found the perfect spot to stop and rest for a while. I laid on the bench by the creek and began to giggle out loud. I was so happy! Here I am in Argentina, in the most beautiful park I´d seen in the country, just finished my final, had a good book in my hands and the warmth of the sun sinking in through the protection of the trees leaves above me. Pure delight. Not to mention I was in the prime environment to ponder the subject of love once more. I was totally satisfied.  Another magical place, but this one simply trees upon trees upon trees.   In 9th grade we did an art project similar to this where we made masks using our own faces in Mrs Rockwells class. I can only imagine all the time and energy put into this one. |
Back to here and now: Time to study for my oral exam tomorrow!
March 4th
Mi final dia de este clase! Today was my oral test and it went great! Telling a story with a partner all using different verb forms in the past tense + a little bit of Q and A.
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| Everyone waited in the hall until it was there time to perform. Meanwhile, I led a little mini post final yoga session with a few classmates against the bright lights and shiny floors. |
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| I got an A! Yeah! I guess the trick is to spend most of my time wandering the streets living spanish ´rather than reading about it in the book :) |
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| Sweet teacher Mercedes. ¡Muchas gracias por todo! |
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| No eggs and flour for Emily and I! We´ll stick with the American pat on the back tradition :) PS: check out all the flags, this really is an international school |
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| My celebratory party took place in this nearby health foods store. Gifts for myself from myself include: Chia Seed Flax Seed Bee Pollen and a whole grain + quinoa alfajor! |
One of the Best Days thus far.
I woke up and wasn´t quite sure what to do.
Class is over.
It is Spring Break. Many of my friends are outside of Buenos Aires, having opted to go on a trip before our Mendoza trip. ( I decided to save my money now and use it for my 2 months of travel post school :)
And it is Saturday.
I was greeted with a huge wave of possibility and indecisiveness as I thought about my line-up for the day. Having slept in running shorts and a sports bra, I allowed my costume to guide the way. Tennis shoes tied, shirt on, hair up, half a banana eaten, teeth brushed and feet out the door.
Rewind: I Run. Back at home I run regularly. And I enjoy it. Since I have arrived in Argentina I had yet to run up to this point. As wild as that sounds to me, not going on one single run for a month and a half, I know why. Everything has changed in Argentina. Of course the core of who I am is still the same, but many of the decorations surrounding that have adapted to this new environment.
Walking has become my Running. I walk much more here than I do back home. Hours everyday exploring the city, getting from point A to point B, and getting lost, with a smile. Also with walking comes both the security of having my backpack with map, keys, H20, book, ect and also the liberty to stop, sit, read, buy something. Since I walk slower than I run (which I think is the case for all mammels...) I see more. Walking gives me the priviledge to see the little things, to turn around if I choose, say hello to someone, or pick up trash.
But today was a day to run! I wrote a little note to Mama Rosario describing my path of destination and approximate time of return, just in case I vanished in the mist someone would know which mist to look at first. Sounds a little dramatic, but true and I think a small note informing someone/anyone of your location (especially when you are outside of your normal home) can literally be a life saver. But that is just mama ki talking.
After saying Buenos Dias to the neighbor, I pulled open the apartment building door with the golden handle and entered my fast track sidewalk. Right Left Right Left Right Left, my feet were moving at a faster pace than they had for some time now and they loved it! The memory of running pulled closer now as shoes hit the pavement. My breath, focus, and pace in alignment.
Dashing across the white striped crosswalks, weaving in and out of people, and hopping over holes in the road I headed for grass. Feeling a bit out of place in the middle of cars, people and tall buildings, I was comforted when my feet hit soft green ground only 5 minutes later. I ran back in direction of the Palermo Rosedal Gardens where I had previously been on Thursday. Running through the Palermo woods and arriving at the gardens I hopped on the path made especiallly for runners, roller skaters, bike riders, ect.
After about 30 strides had passed I heard music, loud music. Then I saw it.
At least a hundred porteños dancing, following a dance instuctor onstage and following his moves so as the whole crowd looked like a synchronized pop band. The inner dancer in me, hopped over the runners barrier and inched closely to the crowd. Hesitant at first, and then feeling that is was open to anyone, I jumped right in!
I felt like I was back in my cheerleading days, counting out moves to the count of 8, and dancing in sync with everyone around me. Not only was it so much fun!!! It was quite a sight to see. Nearly everyone in their exersize clothes, almost all older than me (much much older than me) and even men in their 60s+ in normal clothes stopped and joined the performance.
Our instuctor did not hold back. Vibrantly gay and pushing us to the limit so that we could be mistaken for a wildly excentric group of Beyonce´s backup dancers. Oh yeah we were getting down. Really.
So simple and so wonderful, this program is put on by the city of BA and is called Buenos Aires Hacer Deportes (BAHD). Get an enthusiastic dancer, put him on stage, get a large sound system and the rest will work itself out. People would run/skate/walk or bike by, stop, and join!
This was much better than a typical dance party. Having the man on stage directing you made it all the more enjoyable, no one had to think about theit next dance move or feel self-conscious. We were all doing it, together!
In the perfect outdoor, breezy setting, rockin music and fun dance moves, one could feel the energy grow light with joy and freedom. Everyone needs to have a little exercise, fresh air and get down their bad self. This was the place to do it.
After an hour of that, it ended. I walked along to find a group of people stretching and I asked them what they were a part of "Buenos Aires Correr." A group where you meet weekly with locals and run together + it´s free to join! How wonderful.
I took my time and walked home, not sure if I felt light headed and a bit dizzy from the humid, ecstatic dancing or the half of banana that had long ago been digested. 2 and a half hours later I arrived home with one incredible run and dance performance in my pocket. I was reminded yet once again how the universe provides if only we trust in it. Our job is to take that first step.
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| The day only got better as I hydrated with this beauty. (and yes we drink out of gold rimmed glasses here :) A whirled up a concoction of banana, milk loads of ice, chia and flax seed and then topped off with some bee pollen. ¡Energía deliciosa! |
Then my spirit was recharged after a good skype session with Pops and then another with a sweet soul sister of mine.
And best for last...
MoonLight Yoga!!!
Wow. It was soooo good.
I had been googling yoga in BA when I came across and invitation titled "Moonlight Yoga." Need say no more, I was already hooked. I sent an email right away to reserve a space and looked forward eagerly for this night to come.
After missing the stop I hopped off the bus, ran across the street hopped on the same bus going back in that direction and then hopped off at the right stop (barely) 2 minutes later. Nervous to be walking alone in this foreign part of the city after 9 o´clock at night, I took a breath said a prayer and followed the light sound of music. These tunes got louder and louder as I opened the door and knew I had arrived.
Buena Onda Yoga! Tonight was an intimate gathering of less than 20 people and together we did an hour and half of yoga accompanied with live soothing music, followed by a vegetarian feast fit for the kings! There was a lot of love and good vibes circulating with extra leftover for a second serving. There was also a camera crew there and they were shooting and episode for the tourist channel! The host sat next to me and asked me some questions and I answered with as much suave and grace as I could muster. A little interview all in spanish! If you happen to be in Argentina in April, turn to the tourist channel and you may catch a glimpse of me doing yoga!
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| Mango Lassi with homemade (the night before!) natural yogurt! Miss Meghan was the star chef and is going to be having weekly thursday dinners at her home. Count me in! |
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| I was very excited about the Whole Wheat Chapatis and apparently the woman next to me was too :) ps: can you spot the heart? |
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| Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice Potato, Chard (Mmm Chard!) and tomato stir-fry by far the best meal I have had here since that sandwich in Be Frika, actually- this was better. For dessert we had Tres Leches Cake and fresh homemade Chai. Mmmm divinity. |
An all around beautiful gathering with many new friends made. One of which was the brother of the yoga instructor and is also a student studying here. We talked and it turns out he lives one block down the street! Crazy wild world :)
Four of us said our goodbyes and hopped in a cab to go home. John is a kind man from Chicago and is spending 10 days in BA. Upon leaving the cab he left us with 50 pesos to to go towards the ride. As I was the last one to get out, the total was less than expected, coming in at 45 pesos. So I gave the driver the extra five as a tip and the flower the studio had given me. He looked surprised and I said "Para tu mujer."
Un día perfecto.
me encanto la vida
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