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Another Party!

Last night my friends Marcia and Cliff had a holiday party, and I’m so glad I was invited because it was great fun. I met some new people, as well as the “usual suspects”, and they also had two musicians to entertain us. They were amazing. A wonderful pianist, and a violin player who is just discovering that he can play so much more than classical music.

Here are a few shots of us in Christmas mode — thanks to Venetia for taking the ones she’s not in.

Now I’m off to get ready for Lolly’s brunch!

Lolly, Paula and me. I’m going to a brunch at Lolly’s place as soon as I finish posting this!

Venetia, Viviana and me

Vivi with Axel, the pianist

Axel and me

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Another Goodbye

One thing about having a lot of expat friends here in Buenos Aires is that they are constantly coming and going. So we are often having some sort of despedida event for someone. Last night we said goodbye to Gayle, who has been a fun member of our little clan here for a while now.

Some go back for several months and then return, as I did for four years before moving permanently last November. Others, like Gayle, move back for job related reasons, and we don’t know when we’ll see them again. Hopefully she’ll come back to visit one day.

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This Bar Wasn’t Notable Enough

Yesterday I went with some friends back to Caffe Tabac, one of the Bares Notables I visited for my book. It’s quite a nice place, although not as old and full of character as some others.

After we had eaten, I approached the senior staff person to see if I could set up an interview, and was told that there was nobody there who knew anything about the history of the cafe! Apparently it had been closed for some time (which I knew) and reopened five years ago under new ownership, and nobody there knew anything about the time before that.

So Caffe Tabac won’t be featured in my book. But there are lots of others to choose from, so no worries.

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Update on the Hot Water Situation

I reported a couple of posts ago that the gas would be off in my building for a month, and it now seems it’s more likely to be two months!

I’ve become quite creative with my electric skillet, which I have to use instead of the stove. Last night I made a pizza in there, and the night before a lovely chicken dish.

But the really good news is that my landlady came through! I told her what was happening, and said that although I was braving the cold showers and shampoos, given my propensity to catch pneumonia it was probably not the best thing for me to be doing. She showed up that afternoon with her electrician, who said he would be back sometime this week to install an electric shower. True to his word, he came this afternoon, and this is the result!

A thing of beauty it’s not, and I will certainly miss my beautiful rain shower head (which will be reinstalled when the gas comes back on), but it gives hot water and that’s all that matters.

By the way, in case you’re worried, electric showers are quite common in this part of the world, and perfectly safe.

Tomorrow morning I’ll be a happy girl!

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Joanna Sings Nina

Last night I went with some friends to see the wonderful Joanna Maddox sing Nina Simone at Notorious, a great little club just a ten-minute walk from my place. It was a great show, enjoyed with great company — what’s better than that?

I admitted to Joanna that she had introduced me to Nina Simone last night, as I honestly didn’t know her before. Having listened to some of her videos now, I know that Joanna did her justice!

When we brought her back for an encore, she surprised us by dancing instead of singing! Here’s the video.

By the way, if you’d like to see her sing Tina, check out my post here.

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Welcome to South America!

Last night when I went to cook dinner, I found there was no gas coming through my stove. So I switched off the gas at the handle on the wall and had cold meat and salad.

This morning when I stepped into the shower, the water was tepid. What gives? I checked the stove again and the gas was still off. Well, that explains it. The water is heated by gas!

A little later I spoke to my neighbour, Maria, and asked her if she had gas. She explained that there had been a gas leak in one of the apartments, so the portero immediately reported it to the gas company and the gas was turned off. I’m OK with that, as you can’t mess around with gas.

BUT, imagine my chagrin when she told me it would probably be off for more than a month! When I told my friends, they were surprisingly unsurprised about the whole thing. Apparently it’s not that unusual. Venetia lives quite close to me and she has invited me to drop by for a hot shower when I want to, so that’s helpful too.

Fortunately, I have an electric frying pan which can stand in for an oven in many ways, as well as a microwave, a kettle and a toaster. There’s also the option to eat out or order in, so there are plenty of food options.

Not having hot water is more of a problem, but even that’s not really bad because it’s summer and the water isn’t stone cold anyway. I’m a Scot and we’re hardy, so I’ll be fine!

Welcome to life in South America!!

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Who Lies Here?

This afternoon I went to the Recoleta Cemetery, which I haven’t visited since I came down in November. It’s a popular tourist spot and only five minutes from me, but the thing that always brings me back is the sketching opportunities. That’s why I went today.

It’s a huge place, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in this spot before, but I was attracted by the angel. Most of them are up high — which I guess is where angels are supposed to be — but it’s hard to draw them up there, so I was happy to find this lovely lady almost at eye level.

I spent an hour or so drawing. Then I went over to see who the tomb belonged to, and I couldn’t find a name! I searched every available surface, and all I could find were the initials JV and the year 1908 almost lost in the wrought iron of the door. Isn’t that strange? This large, very ornate and expensive monument, and nothing to say who’s inside! There must be a story there. Maybe I’ll try to find out.

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German Saturday!

Last week was the Christmas Fair at the British Embassy, and yesterday it was the one at the German Embassy. Actually, many of the artesans were the same, but it was fun looking at them again.

I was in the market for a handbag, and I actually found one. Here it is. You don’t often see real leather bags in metallic pink! OK, it doesn’t look pink in my photo, but it is.

We ran into some friends at the fair — predictably! — and enjoyed some bratwurst and wine together. I know it should be beer at German events, but I’m just not a beer drinker. I’m a Malbec girl!

Afterwards Venetia and I went with Scottish friends Marco and Jeannette to visit a church around the corner. It’s called San Bendito, and it was quite interesting. I don’t know when it was built, but I think quite recently. Although it’s definitely in the style of traditional South American Catholic churches, there is absolutely none of the stained glass, gold altars or fresco ceilings you usually see. It might be that they will add it as they get the money, although that’s just my speculation, but I actually rather like it the way it is. What do you think?

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Strange Art Exhibit and Great Lunch

Today I went with a group of friends to see an art exhibit by Anish Kapoor, who is described as specializing in installation and conceptual art. To be honest, I’m a bit bamboozled by it all. Here are some photos of the exhibits.

Called “Dragon”, these are river rocks from Japan, each weighing several tons, painted blue.

At the appointed time, a guy came and fired a large cannonball made of blood red resin into the corner. Apparently this happens several times a day.

When I was a kid, they had these at the fairground. They were called the hall of mirrors. Apparently now it’s art. Go figure.

Fortunately the lunch was delicious.

And the company was fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know art is subjective, and I try to keep an open mind, but sometimes …

Anyway, it was a fun afternoon.

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British Saturday

Today was lovely, and quite different from the usual.

First there was the annual Christmas Fair at the British Embassy, so I went along just after 11 am. As usual, I met up with several of my friends, all on the hunt for British goodies for the Christmas table. I bought a plum pudding to take to Cecilia’s Christmas dinner, and even better, I found tablet at the Scottish table. It was quite good but a wee bit sugary and, I have to say, not as good as mine!

Next, the afternoon portion of the day.

My friend Gillian, who is English by birth but more Spanish having lived in Spain for many years and now here in Buenos Aires, teaches English as a second language to a group of Argentines. On Saturday, she had arranged to take a few of them to see the Downton Abbey movie, and then for afternoon tea. As she wants them to be exposed to a variety of accents in English, she also invited Venetia (London accent despite many years in California) and me (Scottish accent despite many years in Canada) to go along.

If you haven’t seen the movie, I highly recommend it. It had all the intrigue, beauty and humour of the television series, and of course all the actors are superb — most of all, in my opinion, Maggie Smith. I’m not sure how well the students would have picked up on all the nuances, so they said the Spanish subtitles were welcome!

Gillian is on the left pouring tea.

It wasn’t Devonshire cream, but tasted good anyway.

Afterwards, we all gathered in a little teashop, whose name I never did catch, for cucumber sandwiches (specially requested by Gillian to the bewilderment of the Polish owners) and scones with cream. I’m so used to speaking Spanish every day now that it felt strange to be not only speaking English, but speaking it very carefully so that they would understand me!

By the time we left the cafe it was after 7 pm, and Venetia and I were ready for a glass of Malbec. So we hopped on the bus and headed for one of our favourite hangouts, the terrace at La Biela. We were enjoying our wine when, predictably, two of our other friends turned up! Jeanette is from Edinburgh, and her husband Marco, although actually Argentine, has lived in Edinburgh for so long he sounds like a native! They spend several months here every year, and we love their company.

All in all, a lovely, varied summery day and I enjoyed every minute!