Posts
We have had a lot going on since last I blogged! We have a new apartment, I went riding at a new barn and met an interesting person, we experienced Chinese New Year in Barrio Chino, had a house guest, and are expecting friends from the States this weekend!
Our new apartment is located about 4 blocks from the old one so we were able to stay in Las Canitas. The new building is huge and very new. The complex has a nice pool, a workout room, laundry, and a bbq area. The only drawback is that the apartment is a bit smaller and desperately needs some balcony furniture. The pool area is pretty busy and I hope I will be able to meet people in the building.
Last Sunday our friend Deidra, Brent , and I went down to Chinatown for Chinese New Year. We got to see lots of dragon dancing, fireworks, crazy street venders selling all the crap like ceramic golden cat statues, chopsticks, fans, and anything else that you might expect to have Made In China stamped on the bottom. The food was amazing. I tried everything they were selling. My favorite was a deep fried glob of dough with some kind of vegetable. Seriously good. While we were there we ran into Dedra's spanish teacher. He seemed really nice and we will probably get some lessons from him while our teacher is on vacation.
Our friend and roomate from Bariloche came into town this week and is staying with us before her return to England. We have really enjoyed hearing about what she has been up to since we last saw each other. She has been spending time traveling the country and stayed in Mendoza, Cordoba, and visited the falls. And an added bonus- she's cooking dinner for us tonight!
Finally, Our friends Chad and Nicci are arriving on Sunday to spend a week or so with us. I am really looking forward to showing them around this city that I have grown to love!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Chill Dude!
Wow, it feels good to get back to writing again. Fran thinks she has taken over the blog. I guess she has for a little while. Well, as you may have read in Fran's previous blog, she is getting a little bored and paranoid. We have now reached the point where we are not freaking out about where we live, where to buy food, how to get money, how to speak the language, or where the hell to find things in the city. Just the point you are praying to get to when you move to another country. So, now what do we do? That is what Fran has been freaking out about for over a week now.
I have met a local attorney who is origionally from Peru, so he speaks spanish and a fair amount of english, and we get together for golf about twice a week now. He usually invites two more players, so far a few Argentines and a Frenchman, and we play 18 then hit the club bar for a round of drinks and conversation. So each week, I get two additional spanish lessons, golf, and drinks with the "boys", all for the incredible price of about $40 including rental clubs, greens fees, and drinks. So, I must say, I am feeling very positive about Buenos Aires.
Now I know this is not benefitting Fran much, so I have gotten to work. On the agenda:
1. Find her a new riding club- her old one sux!
2. Rent a car and find a place to picnic and see the finish of the Dakar ralley just outside Buenos Aires.
3. Make arrangements for our friend Louise to visit between Jan. 20-24 before she heads to England.
4. Encourage all you people back in the states to come visit!
5. Make a required trip to Colonia, Uraguay to renew our visas and do some day trippin'.
6. Hit the beaches of Villa Gesell again.
7. Book a trip to Iguazu falls.
8. Book a trip and all the acommodations and and fishing trip, wine tour, etc to Mendoza.
9. Head back to Tigre for some R&R at a private club on the river.
I think we are doing fine. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know!!
The parks here are really nice, and you have to let the ladies win sometime or bad things tend to happen ya know.
I have met a local attorney who is origionally from Peru, so he speaks spanish and a fair amount of english, and we get together for golf about twice a week now. He usually invites two more players, so far a few Argentines and a Frenchman, and we play 18 then hit the club bar for a round of drinks and conversation. So each week, I get two additional spanish lessons, golf, and drinks with the "boys", all for the incredible price of about $40 including rental clubs, greens fees, and drinks. So, I must say, I am feeling very positive about Buenos Aires.
Now I know this is not benefitting Fran much, so I have gotten to work. On the agenda:
1. Find her a new riding club- her old one sux!
2. Rent a car and find a place to picnic and see the finish of the Dakar ralley just outside Buenos Aires.
3. Make arrangements for our friend Louise to visit between Jan. 20-24 before she heads to England.
4. Encourage all you people back in the states to come visit!
5. Make a required trip to Colonia, Uraguay to renew our visas and do some day trippin'.
6. Hit the beaches of Villa Gesell again.
7. Book a trip to Iguazu falls.
8. Book a trip and all the acommodations and and fishing trip, wine tour, etc to Mendoza.
9. Head back to Tigre for some R&R at a private club on the river.
I think we are doing fine. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know!!
The parks here are really nice, and you have to let the ladies win sometime or bad things tend to happen ya know.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Like the sands of the hour glass...
I am one of those glass half empty people. I'm happy and cheerful most of the time but in the back of my mind I am usually waiting for something to go wrong or worrying about something. I have a hard time "living in the moment". Brent, on the other hand, lives in the nanosecond. I guess that is what makes us a good team. I only bring this up because, as is my nature, I have begun worrying that we are not going to have enough time to see and do everything I want to. Are we going to fly to see the falls? Are we taking a bus to Mendoza? How long are we going to stay there? Should we see Salta, or go to Cordoba? How about Uruguay? It gets a bit overwhelming, especially when Brent's opinion usually is "whatever you think." But then again, it is free rein to do whatever I want. Hmmmn...
This week has had its ups and downs. I went from my first experience of homesickness, to never wanting to leave here. (That is until Brent reminded me that they do have Winter here.) We upped our spanish lessons to three times a week, which I am sure will help a lot. We found a new grocery store nearby that has amazingly cheap meat. I bought 2 huge tbone steaks at least an inch thick for $11 pesos! (that's less than $4 US) I have been cooking at home lately and have mastered the steak in a frying pan. I am pretty good with scallops as well. Cooking is kind of a challenge when the oven has only one temperature-f**ing hot, but yet doesn't have the broiler feature. There are 2 frying pans, one tiny, the other huge, and no sauce pans. Just call me the magic chef.
We went to our corner bar on Thursday to watch the college football finals. The game started here at 11pm. I made it thru the first 3 minutes of the 4th quarter and had to call it a night. It was, afterall, 3am! I hate Florida and didn't want to see them win anyway. Also, I am still in my January's Two Weeks Of No Alcohol so it got a little tedious being so close and yet so far. Brent made it through to the end and is not participating in January's Two Weeks Of No Alcohol, so he was a bit out of it in our spanish lesson at 9am Friday!
Yesterday we spent in the park. I packed a picnic, Brent carried the blanket, and we hung out under the shade trees watching the paddleboats on the lake and people trying to learn how to rollerblade- always good for a laugh. Oh, and I woud be remiss if I didn't let you know that I beat Brent so bad in Scrabble that he just quit rather than playing it out to the end. Big baby!
This week has had its ups and downs. I went from my first experience of homesickness, to never wanting to leave here. (That is until Brent reminded me that they do have Winter here.) We upped our spanish lessons to three times a week, which I am sure will help a lot. We found a new grocery store nearby that has amazingly cheap meat. I bought 2 huge tbone steaks at least an inch thick for $11 pesos! (that's less than $4 US) I have been cooking at home lately and have mastered the steak in a frying pan. I am pretty good with scallops as well. Cooking is kind of a challenge when the oven has only one temperature-f**ing hot, but yet doesn't have the broiler feature. There are 2 frying pans, one tiny, the other huge, and no sauce pans. Just call me the magic chef.
We went to our corner bar on Thursday to watch the college football finals. The game started here at 11pm. I made it thru the first 3 minutes of the 4th quarter and had to call it a night. It was, afterall, 3am! I hate Florida and didn't want to see them win anyway. Also, I am still in my January's Two Weeks Of No Alcohol so it got a little tedious being so close and yet so far. Brent made it through to the end and is not participating in January's Two Weeks Of No Alcohol, so he was a bit out of it in our spanish lesson at 9am Friday!
Yesterday we spent in the park. I packed a picnic, Brent carried the blanket, and we hung out under the shade trees watching the paddleboats on the lake and people trying to learn how to rollerblade- always good for a laugh. Oh, and I woud be remiss if I didn't let you know that I beat Brent so bad in Scrabble that he just quit rather than playing it out to the end. Big baby!
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009's brief bitch and moan
I figure everyone is allowed to complain about their circumstances at least once a year, regardless of what those circumstances may be. So realize that I know that I am in a fantastic country, with wonderful weather, friendly people, cute husband, and essentially, aside from a few dishes and some laundry, a life of lesiure. But...
I miss my dog, my parents, and my friends. I miss Michalob Ultra. I miss tampons with applicators. I miss being able to speak to strangers, and I miss being able to explain what I need to people who could help me. I think it sucks that all the riding instructors at the barn are on vacation for a month. But the MAIN THING I miss is sleep!!!
Those of you who know me know that I had cancer and while I am fine now, I am required to take Tamoxiphin (sp?). Unfortunatly one of the side effects seems to be either freezing to death or sweating my ass off. Needless to say, it makes for some restless nights. If anyone has heard of anything that lessens these side effects let me know!
There you have it, my 2009 bitch and moan. Now for the good stuff! We took another spanish lesson from Carlos and concentrated on conversation. Brent and I both felt like we got a ton out of it and have upped our lessons to twice a week. Last night we had a farewell dinner at a delish restaurant with the 2 couples we did New Years with. Sara and Nate left today to head to the Southern portion of the country. We are going to try to hook up in Mendoza for the wine festival in March. It was a beautiful day today and we went to one of the parks and layed out in the sun. It was very relaxing, except for a small bird which tried to take Brent down. Fortunatly I was there to help him fend off the beast. Brent has golf tomarrow and I think I'm going to hit the art museum.
Ok, looking back I'm sure you are thinking she sooo has no reason to complain, and well, you would be right!
Later!
I miss my dog, my parents, and my friends. I miss Michalob Ultra. I miss tampons with applicators. I miss being able to speak to strangers, and I miss being able to explain what I need to people who could help me. I think it sucks that all the riding instructors at the barn are on vacation for a month. But the MAIN THING I miss is sleep!!!
Those of you who know me know that I had cancer and while I am fine now, I am required to take Tamoxiphin (sp?). Unfortunatly one of the side effects seems to be either freezing to death or sweating my ass off. Needless to say, it makes for some restless nights. If anyone has heard of anything that lessens these side effects let me know!
There you have it, my 2009 bitch and moan. Now for the good stuff! We took another spanish lesson from Carlos and concentrated on conversation. Brent and I both felt like we got a ton out of it and have upped our lessons to twice a week. Last night we had a farewell dinner at a delish restaurant with the 2 couples we did New Years with. Sara and Nate left today to head to the Southern portion of the country. We are going to try to hook up in Mendoza for the wine festival in March. It was a beautiful day today and we went to one of the parks and layed out in the sun. It was very relaxing, except for a small bird which tried to take Brent down. Fortunatly I was there to help him fend off the beast. Brent has golf tomarrow and I think I'm going to hit the art museum.
Ok, looking back I'm sure you are thinking she sooo has no reason to complain, and well, you would be right!
Later!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Years Eve like the locals
Brent and I spent New Year's Eve with our new friends from Texas at thier apartment with another couple from New York. Here in Argentina, New Years is more of a family holiday where friends and family go over to each other's homes and have buffet dinner, play games, drink a bit, and shoot off or watch others shoot off fireworks. We followed that format to a tee and ended up having one of the most laid back and fun NYE ever. I didn't have as much to drink as Brent, who couldn't remember the cab ride home and was a bit sluggish the next day.
On Jan. 1 we went back to good ole USA traditions and met at a expat bar for a full day of burgers, nachos, and bowl games. I ate and drank as much as humanly possible to prepare for diet, exercise, and no drinking January. Hopefully by Feburary I will be able to fit into my clothes again.
Yesterday Brent and I walked down to the staging area for the Dakkar Rally. This race usually takes place in Africa in the desert, but due to terrorist saftey issues it was moved to Argentina and Chile. There are all different classes of racers, from motorcycles and 4 wheelers, to jeeps and suvs, all the way to huge trucks. The trucks facinate me. They aren't little pickup trucks, they are closer to big rvs or schoolbuses. They have crazy big tires and are just so random. It wouldn't have suprised me if they had a garbage truck division.
This morning I took another lesson from Leo, which went well. I am going back tomarrow to ride some of the barn's horses that need exercise, which may turn into a permanent gig!
On Jan. 1 we went back to good ole USA traditions and met at a expat bar for a full day of burgers, nachos, and bowl games. I ate and drank as much as humanly possible to prepare for diet, exercise, and no drinking January. Hopefully by Feburary I will be able to fit into my clothes again.
Yesterday Brent and I walked down to the staging area for the Dakkar Rally. This race usually takes place in Africa in the desert, but due to terrorist saftey issues it was moved to Argentina and Chile. There are all different classes of racers, from motorcycles and 4 wheelers, to jeeps and suvs, all the way to huge trucks. The trucks facinate me. They aren't little pickup trucks, they are closer to big rvs or schoolbuses. They have crazy big tires and are just so random. It wouldn't have suprised me if they had a garbage truck division.
This morning I took another lesson from Leo, which went well. I am going back tomarrow to ride some of the barn's horses that need exercise, which may turn into a permanent gig!
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