El Tigre, El Tango, Los Tambores

9/3/12
On friday we took a program field trip to El Tigre, located in the north of Greater Buenos Aires. We met at station Retiro at 8:30 and then took the train, which cost about a peso. As soon as we stepped off, we immediately noticed the difference in the air (cleaner, cooler, not as humid) and in the pace of life-- much more tranquil. Next, we took a boat across the canal to our area.

The first thing we noticed after stepping onto shore was the incredible smell. Meat and meat and more meat over fire.

Once we all loaded into our private area at about 11, we were told lunch would be at 1:30. I spotted the pool and headed directly there.

And that's what we did for the day! Relaxed, spent time, played, ate, sunned.. This was our spring break day-vaca.
Lunch was a bit of a struggle for me... For those who didn't know, I was a pescatarian for 3.5 years, until Christmas when I had my first bite of bacon. I did it because I was told there are no vegetarians in Argentina, come to find out that my host mom is a vegetarian herself! But it's been perfect, I've been able to try the meat, bites here and there, or order a quesadilla con pollo, when I'm out. And then in the house, I know I'll always like what I'm eating! But anyways, the first course was a sausage and a blood sausage. I told myself to get over it, and I tried a bite of the regular sausage, but couldn't do it. Then the next course was a beef rib. Tasted good, but so much fat to cut off... not worth the mental or physical exercise. Next came the pollo (chicken) which was delicious! But even after just a few bites of the others, our stomachs were already feeling heavy and full. So then it was more sun, more water, more play.

And that's what the whole day was! I think a lot of people were expecting more, since our email told us to pack a million things, when all we needed was a bathing suit and sunscreen. But I enjoyed the free schedule that allowed us to fill it how we wanted. I got to know a lot of people much better.

Afterwards was my host-mom's tango show! I got home just in time to quick shower, change, and head back out to meet up with Alyssa and Debbie. I ended up waiting outside the wrong apartment however, ran a few blocks after the right bus going the wrong direction, and eventually we waited 20 minutes at the correct stop. Once we got off the bus, I ditched them to run the 7 blocks, and made it in time to catch the end of Vale and Marcelo's first dance. The show was really interesting-- narrated by a Radio Station, it was the history of tango. The boring-voiced man would give the next piece of history, the singers would sing the next song, and every few my "parents" would dance to one. It was great! And also, a lot of friends came to watch it too, which I really appreciated, especially since it was an awkward amount of time in between.

Afterwards, we all went out to dinner, and then to a club. Rey Castro... we were given free-admission tickets at dinner. Mostly, it played American Wedding Music.. so hilarious to see Argentines dancing serious salsa to those songs. Some in our group were begged to dance (Missy, Simone, Clay), which was fun to watch and paparazzi.

I took a bus home, which I've gotten into the habit of doing, even though they say it's much safer to take a taxi. I say it's safe enough for my body and much safer for my money to take the bondi. But you do have to wait around an hour for it to come when it's that late..


The next day, my mom had another dance show! During the day, I didn't do much (just skyped mostly), but the night was really fun. Marcelo drove me to the cultural center and my friends were already there in their seats. The show was put on completely by women and it was one of the best I've ever seen! Great music, great dancing, great energy (buenas ondas!). Vale was in the last section of the show, and her group danced the audience out of the arena into the open-air center where we joined in with the dancing. Although I wasn't in a dancing mood, I couldn't resist the enthusiasm of Vale, Marcelo, and Missy.

After that, my group took V and M's advice and went to San Telmo which was nearby. We ate outside in the plaza, filled with people for dinner at 11pm!

We stayed there a long time, and eventually decided to meet up with other people from our program in Palermo. But after wandering around for hours asking directions for the right bus, and eventually taking 2 taxis, we only had enough energy to play a couple board games before leaving again to find the bus stop home.

I took a separate one, walking the last 15 minutes or so home, past the drag-queen prostitutes and sporadic groups of night owls just as the sun was starting to yellowfy the sky.


Also: I added videos from the Tango Milonga to my youtube account..
take a look!