Buenos Aires

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Double the Fun!

Yesterday was one of those days when I had an outing that was a pleasure on two fronts. I’ve talked before about EcoParque, a beautiful taste of nature in the middle of the city, and yesterday I went again. One of the lovely things about this place is that, of course, it changes with the seasons. Now the late spring flowers and trees are evolving into their summer clothes, and there’s an extra lushness about the whole park.

They also continue to work on new installations, which makes every new visit a surprise.

Usually I go here with Venetia, but yesterday Cecilia also came, and brought her friend Inez—and that was the second pleasure. When I first came to Argentina, Cecilia introduced me to a group of friends called Ruta Cuarenta, so-called because they all take road trips along Route 40, which runs from one end of the country to the other. Inez was one of that group, but she moved away a couple of years ago and now lives in the southern province of Chubut. I always liked Inez, so I really enjoyed seeing her again. She is here for a couple of weeks, and I hope to see her again before she leaves.

After we left the park, we went to La Estancia, a nice, traditional parilla, for lunch.

Here are a few photos of our day.

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La Boca

On this second day of the Open House weekend, we planned to get an inside look at an old railway bridge with an interesting history. Unfortunately, when we got there it had started raining and it turned out they cancelled—which was a pity, because as you’ll see from the other photos, the rain stopped and it turned out to be a lovely afternoon.

Next we went to the museum of the works of Benito Quinquela Martin, a famous artist who was born and raised here in La Boca, and painted the people working in the docks. His work is compelling and powerful, and I never cease to be enthralled by it.

Finally, we walked along to an area called Caminito, which is super touristy but still great to visit once in a while.

Pity about the bridge, but otherwise it was a lovely afternoon. I’ve taken some photos to make a sketch, but I’d actually prefer to go back another day and sketch it on location.

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BAIN Holiday Party

It’s been a fairly quiet week socially, but last night we had our first BAIN in-person Holiday Party since the plague came upon us. It was lovely to see everyone again, especially since several people have returned after being in other places over the lockdown time.

The party was at a great restaurant called Cabernet, and we had the garden room to ourselves.

Here are a few shots of the festivities, as well as a cool little video. We have quite a bit of musical talent in BAIN, and last night we had a special treat. Cliff is a country and western singer, while Jenn sings jazz. Last night they stepped out of their comfort zone and gave us a little Christmas treat. I hope you enjoy it.

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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.

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La Glorieta

This is La Glorieta, where I went dancing last night. Glorieta is the Spanish word for a gazebo which, as you can see, is what it is. It’s a big one, in the middle of a hilly park in the suburb of Belgrano, which fortunately it’s just a ten minute train ride away.

My friend Lina was supposed to go, but she twisted her ankle yesterday, so she couldn’t go. (She was icing it yesterday so that she would be able to dance tonight—you can’t keep a good tanguera down!) Anyway, I was geared up, so I went by myself and I had a great time. I stayed just under an hour-and-a-half and I danced my little heart out. The only tanda I sat out was by choice. It was a vals, which is the tango waltz, and although I love the music and I like watching, I don’t like dancing it myself. Don’t really know why, but there it is.

Anyway, that’s about enough time there, because it’s a terrazza floor and very hard on the feet and knees. Not only that, but last night was unbearably hot and I just about managed to make it to the train so that I could sit down for a rest!

But today’s another day—and another milonga!

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Glorious Purple!

It’s jacaranda season in Buenos Aires, and as glorious as always.

My friends Marcia and Cliff spent three months in the USA recently. Before they left I asked Marcia when they were coming home, and she said, “November of course—can’t miss the jacarandas!”

I don’t take many photos of them any more, but tend to just look up, smile and enjoy. But just to share them with you, I took this quick shot of the street opposite my apartment. The buildings in this section of the street aren’t very interesting, but gosh the jacarandas are beautiful!

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I’m Glad I Changed My Mind

Last Thursday, after having that great Spanish lunch, I decided a quiet night at home was in order. And I did enjoy just lazing around, reading and doing my knitting! I had no plans for Friday night, and I planned a repeat. However…

Our talented friend Joanna Maddox had a gig at Bar Seddon, a Bar Notable in San Telmo, and after a couple of people asked if I was going, I just went with it! After my writers group Zoom call, I had a quick bite to eat and then took off.

Bar Seddon is typical of the Bares Notables, very old, quite dim and with old style Buenos Aires ambiance—just what I love. And it was great to see Joanna perform from down in the audience, interacting with them. At one point in the video you can see what the place looks like as well as people obviously having a great time.

Joanna never disappoints, and I’m glad I changed my mind! Here’s my mashup from the show.

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We went to Spain without leaving Buenos Aires!

A favourite haunt of ours is a Spanish restaurant called El Burladero, and a few chicas went there for lunch yesterday. There are lots of restaurants that identify with ethnic foods, not only here but in other countries, but you still know where you are. But El Burladero really pulls it off. It’s not just the food, but the ambiance, and when I go there I always feel I’m in Spain. Here are a few shots from their website, as well as our smiling faces.

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Polka Dot Night at the Milonga

At the milonga Lina and I go to, they have theme nights. Last week it was polka dots, as you can see from our outfits. There were so many polka dots in the room it made your eyes swim!

This is our friend Martin, who is a fantastic tango dancer and we both love dancing with him. I don’t know why this is, but Julia, the organizer of the milonga, manages to take very unflattering photos (of everybody, not just us!) and I have to note that none of us are as fat as we look here!

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Fiesta!!

Last night was the second-since-pandemia monthly BAIN wine and tapas night, and it was at my place. Everybody had a great time, and I managed to enjoy it myself! I know you don’t know these people, so I’m just putting in a montage so you can see that a good time was had by all!