anadiomene

The success of a trip can defined by many measure, my weekend in Uruguay, La Barra – truly one of my favorite all time destinations – was not as I expected. The cold was fiercer than I was, and I was nothing but unprepared.  Hence, I spend a lot of time indoors, a lot of time sleeping and an equal amount curled up in bed enjoying all there is to enjoy of a man I truly love and admire “JL Borges”.  Very few writers of his era are able to tease, dance and inspire with the flow and play of words as he does – and actually even less writers are able to do so today.  So other than a top meal at La Posta Del Cangrejo, and a great stay at Le Club, the only other highlight was the discovery of the writer ‘Eduardo Galeano’, I finally bought the book open veins of Latin America, bit of an eye opener – I guess we know all about the history, but rarely do we see it in all its naked truth.  So a cold stormy weekend, turned into the perfect opportunity to enjoy, be inspired and savor time with some of the best writers and thinkers in Latin America has to offer…. am sure there are many more, but I’ll save them for other long rainy days….. 

From Open veins of Latin America:
“We have maintained a silence closely resembling stupidity”  - From the revolutionary proclamation of the junta tuitiva,
La Paz, July 16 1809

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Been incredibly slack with the old blog, but I have no internet at home and been way too busy with work and trying to sort all the bits and pieces out in the flat. I now realize why renting a furnished place is so much easier – but the place I found is pretty amazing. I never thought I could see myself living in a highrise, however the view is amazing (all the things I like, the bridge, the boat, the rose garde, the nature reserve, the docks, the aduana buildings and the pink house) – it’s a great building – it has 3 huge pools and hydrobath – and just too many cool features. Now have the balcony kitted out, internet arriving on Monday – so with the few last purchases every day it is closer to being a home – and I get closer to calling it such. The cat loves the plants, balcony and found new uses for the bidet…. Best thing is riding my bike in the morning and being at work in just 5 minutes.  Oh and the chance to swim in the pool before work   life is good so hence am enjoying it.

And it’s a very weird feeling too – it only hit me the other day, on the street in the city I saw a Buenos Aires billboard and I realized this is it – the moment – that I spent 6 months waiting and hoping for – its here and its now!  I’ve had little time to let that or any thoughts sink in for the last few months.  Had a great send off – which I thank most dearly to the friends that were able to attend at the last minute. It was such an amazing night and I really wish I could’ve taken everyone with me. And since then have been full pace ahead – and dealing with the common reaction to locales when I say I am living here, which is followed by a why and then the full interrogation as for them it seems so hard to believe.  Then they ask how long I’m staying for – my standard response it depends on the day, as not all days are created equal, and I suffer on some more than others.  But then trying to get the office organized, find a flat and sort everything out is neither fun, nor easy.  But I keep following up with most used phrase (just to manage my own expectations and stop myself from going mad) ‘little by little’, am getting there slowly but surely.  At the end of the day, my dream of going to a few polo games as well as the final was realized, and La Dolfina won (yippee) – it truly was a great day.  I also had fun new years, in my favorite bar, under the stars at Belushi, dancing the night away – which I hope will mean this is going to be a super year, and I can make all my other dreams, hopes and aspirations come true too.  And I wish the same success to everyone else who I am lucky enough to have in my life – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! ;-*

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Like there is such a thing as life after BA.  But the good thing is I did get to experience a bit of BA here, Fernando Fierro played last week at the Bimhuis – and despite the naff toilet paper decorations they took me all the way back to the crazy energy that is BA. Had a great time… Then headed off for a madcapped 4 days in London attending conferences, catching up with friends and trying to squeeze in a little unsuccessful shopping. But oh how the city has changed, much cleaner, and more spacious – more cyclists, and they are obviously already getting it all ready for the Olympics which is great to see. Just goes to show you can change anything if you really want to.  Next France, then Athens – aiming for full world domination…..

Am back after a good flight, and other than still suffering severe jetlag (never had it for 5 days before!!) as well as an acute culture shock.  You just can’t compare the countries, but here it is all so organized it hurts, no bending any rules– Argentina is of course the opposite. And the other thing I really notice is how everyone complains endlessly here – although in all honesty they have absolutely nothing to complain about – in Argentina they poke fun at all the problems, they live in the moment and don’t take it all too seriously. Also been incredibly busy though need to; visit family, unpack travel stuff, unpack apartment, get apartment ready for real estate, find relevant documents, find work and organize my life, which is not at all much fun. Catching up with friends though, spending time with the cat and sleeping (lots) in own bed I am enjoying!Will have to start a new blog; life after BA…. If there is such a thing, I’ll see….

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People often ask what I like about Buenos Aires, not something that can be answered easily – you either do or don’t get.  You see it is a an unseen essence that hangs in the air, a electricity that can’t be captured in words, photos, films – it is too illusive, you either feel and see it or you do not.  Some locals have the energy coursing through their veins and do manage to capture and express it through the passion of what they do.  Last night I had the opportunity to see ‘Fernandez Fierro’, an alternative tango band. Using traditional instruments they create the sounds that vibrate with the atmosphere of this city; crazy, busy, beautiful, magic, contradictory, full of life and passion. I wrote this when I came in after the show;

“There is an energy here
that is indescribable
And comes to live in many forms
one of which is Fernadez Fierro
A passionated
          Repressed
                   Extroverted expression
of everything
and anything
that is the all
and the nothing
of Buenos Aires.”

I see they are doing a international tour, would recommend that should they come to your city – not to miss them.  Will also be back in time to see them in Amsterdam. This kind of creativity goes to the top of my list of things I’ll miss here…. And I look forward to coming back to.  Their website:
http://www.caff.com.ar/
http://www.fernandezfierro.com/

Have to say while I am super sad to be leaving - so sad that when the old Indian started playing his special stone pipe the other day at the arts and crafts market I thought I would be washed away in a fit of tears and emotions.  However, on the other hand there are a few reasons I am looking forward to going home for, such as;

• Visiting my family (especially as I just heard my grandfather is in hospital)
• Seeing and curling up on the sofa with the cat
• Catching up with friends (and eating in my old haunts)
• Sleeping in again in a decent bed!
• It’s spring – flowers – greenery – sunshine appears (I hope)
• Stocking up on my vitamins/ health food stuff
• Understanding once more what everyone is staying

• Visiting London in a few weeks

• And getting back to work

Of course the list of what I will miss is no doubt longer, will cover that another day – but for now… I’ll try to see the positive… and yet enjoy the last moments here too.

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I needed to get out of town for a bit, the stress of having to make live decisions on things you don’t want to make, made me a little ill. So a few days in Uruguay dealing with the reality that I need to go back to NL for now – well in a few weeks. Anyway all ok with it now. A few days of spoiling myself, visiting the beach, nature and chilling with the very low key vibe that is Uruguay.  Found a secret little café called Lentas Maravillas, which called itself the best kept secret and it really was – best eggs to date and the garden, design and view was just amazing. Stayed in Plaza del Mayor, a really nice place, a bit overpriced – but still super comfortable and luckily didn’t realize how much it cost till I check out, always get prices in writing! However still slept like a baby with the scent of jasmine wafting in through the windows. It was as ever all to perfect. Did also go to Carmelo, but wasn’t as impressed, all though the bus ride and countryside was great. Also still have a few photo’s Sima forwarded me from her trip – seems like so long ago already…..

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I got visit from Sima last week who arrived here the day after I returned from Uruguay.  An incredibly fun week, great to catch up and show her around Buenos Aires, while trying to convince her to come back for the polo finals in November.  We of course had dinner at Nantsu, then a night on the town in Palermo, not quite rocking it – after a great meal at Azema  followed by few delicious red fruit and malbec daiquiri’s at Belushi and we were off home at 2PM, so the time everyone here goes out!  We did a dinner at Casa Felix, Diego is a chef who opens his home 3 nights a week to the public to share his passion for food and unique dishes; it’s a friendly, homely atmosphere, totally scrumptious Latin food, a true dining experience. Had an interesting night at Tango Queer; normal tango I found too serious, so wanted to see something different, here people were more creative, there’s room for mistakes and there was laughter and fun - life needn’t be too serious.  Had a girl’s cinema night with ‘he’s just not that into you’ with a few other friends, very interesting discussions followed. Sima also went up to Iguazu and over to Colonia, while I was busy as ever job hunting / networking and improving my Spanish.  It was a weeks that speed past and am sad it’s over, back to the real world… 

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Had such a great time, long beaches, clear blue sea and sunshine just 100% gorgeous and relaxing. I spent the first night in a nice hotel in Montevideo, but the location was a bit run down, seedy and everyone kept staring at me.  Saw a few things I’d rather not see, so next day headed down the coast ASAP. Got on the wrong bus, it was the slow route which was great as got to see all the beaches along the way.  The first hotel was affordable, an ok place – but wanted to be closer to the beach and have a squishy pillow so moved on the last night down to ‘Le Club’ in Le Barra.  It was so perfect loved it completely – they upgraded my room to a suite – and right on the beach.  Wanted to stay there forever.  It was all peaceful too as it was the end of the season. Hung out at the beach, swam in the ocean, ate amazing food, bought myself a more portable Mate and flask so I could join the masses at carrying my tea with me everywhere – who would have guessed there is a country where they drink even more mate than in Argentina. Also went house hunting… saw my future house and fell in love with it, now all I have to do is sell my house in Amsterdam, am a hoping that it as easy as it sounds. Anyone know anyone let me know,  Photos….