Hear me out, Argentina!: Sisters in the City

Emy came to visit! We had ten days together and this is how we spent them...

Wednesday: I took a personal day to surprise Emy at the airport with my friend. Bearing a bag of gifts (mostly peanut butter), she arrived to an energetic morning of cool air and drizzling rain. We took a scenic route through the city on the way back to Zona Norte, unpacked, and relaxed.

Thursday: Bused in the rain to the second-to-last-day of school. After the award ceremony, we faced the flooding streets on foot to Pilates class. Candy packed us dinner which saved us from walking to the store.

Friday: Last day of school turned into Emy babysitting three grades (1^st-3^rd) while the teachers changed classrooms. The 2^nd grade things to the 1^st grade room, the 1^st grade things to the 3^rd grade room, and the 3^rd grade things to the 2^nd grade room. A clockwise circle. Simple, we told the 3^rd Grade Helpers as we pulled out stacks of books from the shelves and piled them into their arms. Except the exuberant help worked against us when the rotation didn’t stop on time..and the 2^nd grade stuff moved around and around and back to my classroom again. Eventually we got it to an acceptable stopping point. I now have a bunch of resources for 3^rd Grade! After an emotional Despedida (Goodbye Lunch) for leaving teachers, Emy helped me get ready for a friend’s Bachelorette Party. She went into town with my friend for her first Fernet and Coke. That night I slept at a friend’s in Capital who left me with her keys in the morning.

Saturday: I walked to Abasto shopping mall to meet Emy in McDonalds. From there we headed to Parque Centenario and wandered the fair without any rush since I thought we missed the free outdoor yoga class. We entered the park and stumbled upon our group started late, some minutes before we got there. Impromtu join, with jackets as mats, and the sun strong enough for tanktops. After class we found the outdoor stadium full of Columbia fans for the world cup game shown on the big screen. We decided to head out for lunch at Quiero Cuadril, in Microcentro neighborhood where I used to study. We passed the time checking out all my old favorite stops, using the last few minutes of sunlight to change some dollars before heading back to the apartment for an evening nap. Then it was time to brave the cold and deserted streets for a friend’s Tango Show at a beautiful bar, typical of the Almagro neighborhood. We enjoyed some Malbec and appetizers before heading into the theater for the show exposing the Tango behind the scenes—the dark history of the dance, the violence, and competition, and the humor. The dancing and acting were amazing and all that much better with a friend in the cast.

Sunday: bused an hour to la Fería de Mataderos, the best folkloric fair in Buenos Aires for souvenir shopping. Then we bused the whole west border of the city back to Zona Norte in time for Argentina’s world cup game one. Then Sushi feast at a friend’s.

Monday: First real-feel vacation weekday! Tried to fix the bikes we found around the house. Ended up at a cafe, then trained to Tigre. In the evening we made curry!

Tuesday: Failed attempt to pick up a four-month-late birthday package from Retiro, walked to Puerto Madero and rode our first EcoBici system bikes! You just register and rent these yellow cruisers by the hour. As long as you return the bike at any station within the time limit, the system is completely free. It helped us so much! We rode around the Ecological Reserve then headed back to San Isidro for Pilates, which ended up being full.

Wednesday: Trained to Belgrano where we explored Barrio Chino. Bused to Palermo and picked up our EcoBicis. Explored the parks and ended up in Recoleta. We hit the Cloister museum and the cemetery before heading to happy hour steak at La Cabrera. If you order, eat, and pay before 8:00 when the place officially opens, they'll knock 40% off your entire meal. Delicious, huge steaks covered in gorgonzola with addicting sides for almost half price is obviously worth it. With bulging bellies we headed to la Catedral milonga for a tango lesson, a drink, and some dancing.

Thursday: After a lazy morning, we headed to La Boca. Stopped in to San Telmo, where we caught las Madres in la Plaza de Mayo. On EcoBicis we rode to Once, then headed back for Pilates. After class we made fajitas and stayed up late with friends.

Friday: We picnicked at Parque Paraná, then it was time for Julie's wedding! It was a beautiful ceremony and really fun reception! Emy stayed home and explored the area on her own.

Saturday: We saved Saturday for souvenirs, though we soon found out that many shops were closed for the Friday holiday. After the second Argentina World Cup game at the house we walked around San Isidro, headed to the fair, and ended up at La Farola Ice Cream. We went out for our last dinner in Bajo San Isidro, then out to play pool in Martinez.