sorta kinda back

Alert the media...I'm back. Well, a little bit. It took me all of 3 days to become (mentally and physically) sick again. My immune system (read: valve) is the weakest. Ever. And though it sucks to not be able to swallow and have to take fifty million Tylenol, I do believe its a bit of a blessing in disguise. I'm not ready to be back here. Not really. I knew that before I even boarded the plane in BA. It was nice to be quiet, unassuming, never required to make idle conversation (I couldn't). Here even the lady passing you on the sidewalk wants to tell you a story about her waiter. Can't everyone just shut the fuck up? And white noise (overheard chatter, especially from touristas) is the worst. Never have I worn my ipod so much as in the last week. Usually I hate the disconnection of place that it gives me but lately its been my only refuge in the this country (city? no...it's the whole country) of loud ass people (with mindless things to say). I know that the people in BA probably said a lot of ridiculous things too. I'm not denying that. Only there I didn't have to listen. Never underestimate the beauty of a month of silence.

I'm sure I could rant more about how dangerous it feels here, how I'm freaked out every second and there's no public transportation but what's the point? I just need to start saving and get out of here again. I have to quit whining and actually do something for once...Maybe the answer is to quit dipping my toe into the shallow end and just make my way to the diving board, close my eyes and JUMP.

Parque de la Ciudad

Though I was uber excited and went on quite the mission to get to the parque, the opening was a little premature to say the least. There were about 5 rides open and all of them were for those that are well under 3 feet. At least I can say that I visited what the taxi driver called the "ghetto" (loosely translated). He even refused to drop me off before asking the security guards a million questions. Good thing I rode the bus back...

Mendoza

Taking a break from the city for a few days so I probably won't be posting. Rafting? Horses? Wines? We'll see. And I promise to take more pictures this time!

Turista

Although I have quite the independent streak and usually detest any sort of help, I decided that maybe I'd get a little more out of the city if I hired a professional. So after reading her blog (Bitch Tours link on the right) I decided to hire my guide and, even though she claims to be no professional, I thought she did a pretty good job at satisfying my craving to see something a little less touristy in BA.

We spent the first part of our afternoon in Barracas which anyone here will tell you is not the usual tourist destination. After my first subte ride and my first train ride (from the beautiful central station), we arrived at the small southern barrio known primarily for it's warehouses. Apparently artists, etc are starting to buy up the cheap space for studios...Sound familiar Miami?

First stop was Centro Metropolitano de Diseno. A program orchestrated by the government, CMD helps entrepreneurs build businesses by providing training, equipment and office space. I was very jealous since it seems so often that I have wonderful ideas but never the skill or money to pursue them. The guy there said there were similar programs in the US but I have yet to see any. As we were only the second visitors since the place opened in 2003, we got tons of books. I love, love, love free shit!

Next we stopped in a social club, which is where the older men gather to play cards, drink and just talk shit I guess. The one we stopped at was pretty empty on that Monday afternoon but the walls were covered with yellowed River Plate paraphernalia and pictures of Peron seated around it's tables when they used to host huge parties in the 1940s.

After that we wandered around the barrio a bit and she pointed out an ice cream factory that, at first glance, seemed a little nondescript. My guide then told me the story of how the workers took over the factory following the 2001 crash. Since the economic crash took place a few days before Christmas and many companies, including this factory, owed workers back pay and refused to hand it over, the workers of the factory gathered their little money to buy ingredients and got a permit to resume work without the company owners. They did so well that now the workers actually own the factory in equal parts and its still in operation. It made me think how amazing people can be when faced with adversity and that hopefully one day if I am faced with the same I'll have the guts and ingenuity to keep things going rather than just give up as so many did at the time.

The rest of our walk took us by a neighborhood who's houses were re-designed by a local artists with beautiful colored mosaics of tile and glass then we caught a colectivo (a bus...again, a first) back to the center of the city.

Sorry there are no pictures of the tour so far...I am a horrible tourista!

I went to the top of a beautiful old building and snapped a few pictures (above) then we stopped by the bookstore of the Madres (that march every Thursday afternoon at Plaza de Mayo) and saw the capital building (where the congress meets?).






We also stopped in a beautiful (and famous) cafe before heading over to Abasto to meet some of the guide's friends at Konex for a show.


La Bomba de Tiempo

All in all a wonderful afternoon...

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

I'm canceling two dates tonight because I really feel like going to the movies...solo. Though I spend most of my time here alone, tonight's plans have started to make me feel as if a social panic attack is coming on. It makes me wonder how I will ever be able to survive in Miamiland once I return. Already the idea is inciting hyperventilation and hives...

PS: Does anyone know which language Pan's Labyrinth is filmed in originally? Wouldn't mind seeing it here but have the sneaking suspicion that it's either in Spanish or French thus no subtitles and no intiendo on my part...tonight I will watch Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette since it's definitely in English and I've wanted to see despite the bad reviews.

More posts and photos on the way...I have been lazy as usual...

oh...it's over now!

Re-opening this weekend!

http://www.buenosaires.gov.ar/areas/produccion/pciudad/?menu_id=19287

I lied.

Too tired to continue. I'm going to sleep!