Although I haven’t strayed very far from Buenos Aires over the past several days, it has been all go. Let me see if I can remember some of it, not necessarily in order.
On Saturday afternoon I went for a tango lesson with a small group from InterNations. It was in a wonderful little place called Apassionata Tango Hotel — and yes, it really is a hotel built around a tango theme. There were ten of us, miraculously five men and five women. Here’s a photo of us having a break, and a shot of the hotel interior.
Our teacher was Fabian, I believe one of the owners of the hotel, and he was marvelous. Of course, anyone can dance with the teacher because he knows how to lead, but dancing with others who are just learning is more difficult, especially when you are just learning yourself. There was a Swiss woman called Claudia who immediately changed into proper tango shoes, and I thought to myself that she’d better know how to dance wearing those shoes. Well, she did. She had danced a lot in Switzerland and here as well, and it was a pleasure to watch her dance with the fellow who organized the event (also a lovely dancer). And she was also nice enough to help me get on the right bus after the lesson, which I very much appreciated.
This afternoon I go for my next private tango lesson, so let’s see if I’ve improved!
Yesterday I had breakfast with a lovely lady I met through InterNations. She is about my age and we share quite a few interests. She is from Albany, NY. She came to Buenos Aires first for a couple of holidays. Then she came for a couple of months and took a furnished apartment (sound familiar?). Then she took an unfurnished apartment and furnished it herself. Then, ten years ago, she bought an apartment and moved here permanently. I seem to have met quite a few people who came here for a visit and loved it so much they stayed on. Just saying…
Last night we went to a Chinese New Year celebration with a huge fireworks display in a park near Chinatown. Funny — watching a South American show in Buenos Aires, drinking caipirinha (Brazilian yummy cocktail) and wishing people Kung Hei Fatt Choy!
The place where I have breakfast every morning is called La Biela, which means monkey wrench, or spanner for the Brits. Why? Because in the forties, this place was a well known hangout for famous racing drivers! There is a life size statue of one of them outside the door, and people get their photos taken with him all day long. Donna and I thought we might as well do the same.
Donna also took these photos inside my apartment and I thought you might like to see them.
I don’t think I’ve posted any pictures of Cecilia, so here she is with Donna outside our cabana at Los Esteros.
OK, that’s it for now. I’m off to dance with Alejandro!