La Vida Errabunda

Well, hello parents! My family landed Thursday morning, and our activities started on Friday. As grand master planner and main Spanish speaker, I was in charge of navigating, translating, and relaying the funny moments (my mother laughs, looks at me, and then asks what was funny). La Reserva Ecologia is an oasis on the edge of the city, next to Puerto Madero. We rented some bikes and navigated the busy calles streets to the protected area. View of Reserva from parrillas de la calle street parrillas in Puerto Madero  The area was full of beautiful birds, annoying bugs, and had a cool breeze off of the Rio de La Plata . We got to ride along the ugly red river, and I told my parents the significance of the river en la historia de Buenos Aires the history of Buenos Aires. This includes the shipping port and the dumping of the bodies during the military regime. Mom and Dad at Milión, famous bar Mom and I at dinner along Puerto Madero  On Saturday, my mother a...

Ten cuidado - be careful. Not only have several people (okay, older men) stopped us on the street to tell us this, but it refers to crossing the streets. The drivers here are insane. I also wanted to yell it to our driver when we went on our city tour. I was scared for my life 3 times, when we were sharing a lane with another car. I was sitting by the window, totally tense and terrified. Sharing lanes? NBD in Buenos Aires But, the horrifying moments were okay after seeing some amazing city sites. We stopped at Plaza de Mayo, which is right near where I will be working. Off of the Plaza is the president's office Casa Rosada and the National Cathedral La Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos  Aires.  La Plaza de Mayo La Casa Rosada...used to be BRIGHT pink, but it's faded Edge of Plaza de Mayo...don't you wish all buildings in the US looked like this? The outside of the Catedral La Catedral would have been much more impressive if I was Catholic, bu...

Aren't cities supposed to stink? Be full of smog, smoke, and dirt? I walked down Libertad in Recoleta, and was surrounded by the sweetest smell. It was a combination of flowers, new, and summer. I was floating (or perhaps that was just the jet lag causing me to float). I had an espresso, walked through a street fair, and window shopped. All my favorite things in just one afternoon. Sightseeing in the Recoleta Cemetery Sunset view of the city from rooftop terrace The fashion? Impeccible. The women? All look the same- dark, long hair. The men? Friendlier than the women. Our apartment has an entrance like the Ritz. The apartment buildings in this area are too posh for words. Not surprisingly, there are many coiffed older women in the neighborhood. Also, professional dog walkers. View from balcony But alas, it's not completely perfect. That espresso cost three dollars. I'm still figuring out where to buy hangers. And we are pretty sure our apartment hasn...