Uncategorized

by

Again, a taste of Spain in Buenos Aires

Last night four of us went to a Spanish restaurant called Avila, which is a very old, small place in the downtown core that’s famous for flamenco. It has been closed since before the pandemia and just reopened.

We were excited, because we knew this was authentic flamenco, performed by gypsies. In fact, the area around the restaurant is a barrio where a lot of gypsies live. And it didn’t disappoint!

There were two female dancers, we think mother and daughter, a female singer and a male singer who also played guitar. It was fiery and intense and totally engrossing.

It’s a narrow space, and we had the best seats in the house, jammed up against the floor level platform, so close to the performers we felt we were part of the show! Unfortunately, they have a rule against photographing or filming the performance, which was frustrating as we had such great seats. But we were able to enjoy it fully—I just wish I could share it with you.

I did take some photos of the place before the show started. We were the first to arrive, and the waiter offered to take our photo before we even asked, as he said he would be too busy later! It’s an expensive little place, but I think all of us would go back another time.

by

November 24 — my Dia de Aventura!

Today, November 24, is a special date for me. Three years ago today, I landed in Argentina—and 55 years ago today, I landed in Canada! I didn’t plan it to be the same date, but it just turned out that way, so it’s a double celebration for me. I’ve decided to name November 24 my Dia de Aventura!

Of course, I have to dance tango as part of my celebration, so I’ll be going to my favourite milonga with Lina tonight as usual, and then we’ll go to a favourite restaurant for dinner—and a bottle of champagne!

by

Something new in my apartment

As I’ve said before, I do love my apartment. I like the high ceilings and the big walls—which present a challenge in terms of artwork. I’ve never been happy with what I have in my living room, mainly because the pieces were too small, but that’s being changed.

I’ve added three huge (poster size) mounted photos on the wall opposite my couch, where I can see and enjoy them. Here they are, with explanations.

This is the whole grouping. Obviously they are black and white (I love the drama of black and white photography), but what you probably can’t see in this one is that on each I have added a small pop of red, as my couch and some accents are red. Here’s the explanation of each one.

 

These lovely birch trees represent Canada. The photo was taken by my friend Susan Birkenshaw, who has so many beautiful images I left it to her to choose one. I’ve always loved the elegance of birch trees. Good choice, Susan!

This may look like a giant horse’s head, but it’s actually a Kelpie, and it represents Scotland. In Scottish folklore, Kelpies live in and around water. They are shapeshifters, but most often seen as horses. This 30-metre high sculpture is near Falkirk, and the dramatic photo was taken by my brother Bruce. Love this, Brucie!

This eye-popping staircase represents Argentina. It is the beautiful marble staircase in the Palacio Barolo, one of the countless beautiful old buildings in Buenos Aires. This photo was taken by my friend Venetia. Great shot, Venetia!

If you zoom in, I think you can see the red on each one — it was a bit more difficult on the Kelpie because it’s so dark, but I kind of like the subtlety of it.

I love having my three countries represented in these lovely images.

There’s one more picture to come, and I’m picking that up from the framer today. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

by

Lovely Art Exhibition

Today Venetia and I went to a lovely art exhibition at La Rural, a huge facility that always reminds of of the CNE in Toronto, where the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is held. I don’t know how many artists were represented today, but it was huge! A great variety of art, some I loved, some not so much. I was tempted by a couple of pieces but in the end my wallet stayed closed!

When we came out of the exhibition it was about 4.30 pm — merienda time! We went into a parilla we had both passed many times and never went in. It was old school Buenos Aires, and we enjoyed some lovely veggies grilled on the parilla. Enough that I didn’t need to bother making dinner when I got home—bonus!

A few photos from the parilla.

by

Maskless — again!

Well this time it’s true! The Buenos Aires city government confirmed that we would now join most of the rest of the country and be able to go without masks outside — yayy!

Today was quite chilly, but bright and sunny. I went up to the feria, the artesanal fair, not because I wanted to go there but just for the pleasure of walking without a mask! It was interesting. It looks as if some people hadn’t heard the news as there were a lot of people still wearing them. Others were apparently still a little apprehensive, or maybe just so used to masks that they kept them on — I saw several couples, one with and one without!

Anyway, I enjoyed the feeling of freedom very much — I hope it was a taste of things to come!

by

Goodbye masks — well, kind of!

Good news this morning about loosening of several restrictions in Argentina, the most exciting of which is that masks are no longer mandatory outside – yayy! Well, we still have to wear them where there are large crowds of people and on the buses, but just walking along the street breathing the air without a mask will be wonderful! I wasn’t going to go out today, but I will now just to see how it feels!

Milongas are all free to open now (those that haven’t gone out of business of course), but with protocols. Lesser capacity and still with masks — and proof of vaccination, which cuts me out until I can get the elusive second dose!

But it’s all very promising — maybe there is an end to this plague after all.