anadiomene

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….

If you think about it in context, life is pretty amazing – we have sunsets, oceans, jungles, animals, cities, countries, clouds, stars, galaxies and other people. 
We need to stop and appreciate everything we have in our life, it’s all in a state of constant flux – you don’t know how long it’s going to last – what’s going to change – or when or who or what is going to move in or out of your life. As Eckhart Tolle says “there is only the now”, but its up to each one of us to stop, see and appreciate it.   
Right now am feeling super appreciative of my Argentine experience, the amazing people I’ve had the honor to meet, the places I’ve had the opportunity to see, the fact I could take some time off to appreciate; sunshine, the city, yoga, books, meditation, my hood Puerto madero, good food and of course the yerba mate! What’s not to appreciate….

Click on logo to open gallery
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.