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Started a New Book!

As I told you a few weeks ago, I am leading an online group of people who are determined to get their books written, some after quite some time. Because part of the process is that they are held accountable for doing what they said they would do, I decided I should too. So I’m writing another book.

I actually began it last year when I was down here. It’s about a series of very old, very typical bars or cafes (in Buenos Aires they are the same thing) called the Bares Notables. Some of my friends enthusiastically agreed to join me in the “research”, which consisted of eating and drinking in several of the establishments! But I didn’t really follow through and all I have is a series of notes.

But now I have the motivation to actually write it, so I’m picking up where I left off. Three of my friends who will definitely want to help again with the research — Venetia, Joanna and Sally — are on vacation right now, so I might wait a couple of weeks for that part.

But while I was out for another purpose this week, I had lunch in one of the bars. It’s called Los Galgos, which means greyhounds, and there are pictures of those dogs all over the place. Curious to know why? Stay tuned — I’ll let you know after I interview the owner.

They did, however, have absolutely delicious bread. As a rule I don’t like Argentine bread, so this was very welcome. They make everything in house, and these were crusty on the outside and soft and light inside — yummy. I asked if I could buy some to take home, and the waiter said unfortunately no. But when he came back with my change, he brought these two in a paper bag — free of charge. Nice, eh? And very Argentine!

 

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Are These Fabulous or What?

I don’t know if I mentioned this here or just on Facebook, but a couple of months ago I started a new tradition. When I get a new client, I get new tango shoes! (Tangueras can never have too many tango shoes!)

So I thought you’d like to see a photo of the latest pair, which I bought on the weekend. I haven’t worn them to a milonga yet, but I will this week. I did wear them for an hour at home while I did my practice, and believe it or not they are very comfortable.

Can’t wait to caress a man’s leg with these beauties!

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Yes, They Are Canadian

A couple of months ago, I was invited to go to an event at a new restaurant/snack bar with a few friends. When Venetia told me about it, I immediately asked if the owners were Canadian. She looked at me in amazement.

“Yes, they are,” she replied. “How did you know?”

Well, the name of the place is 416. For those of you outside Canada, 416 is the area code for Toronto! Isn’t that a fun name?

Well, in fact I couldn’t go to that event, but this week I finally did go — twice. On Thursday night I went to a Ladies Night Out with a group of fun women friends. It was quite informal, and we sat around eating delicious finger foods and drinking wine and champagne. The food included an amazing, spicy Korean chicken — which was welcome to lovers of spicy food. Argentines are not big on spicy food, and even when you ask for it hot, it rarely measures up. But this was hot hot hot!

I forgot to take photos (Venetia, are you surprised?).

When we were there, the owners told us they have a new monthly event called Sunday Roast, and some of us decided to go for that last night. As you can see from the photo, it is quite dark there, but it’s quite atmospheric and enjoyable. To be honest, I’ve had better roast beef, but everything around it was excellent. Here’s the official photo of the oven roasted cauliflower, which was as delicious as it looks.

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Outdoor Concert for Kids (of all ages!)

On Saturday I went to a fun event I just heard about by accident. The kids are on winter holidays right now, and this was a free concert designed to interest young kids in classical music. I’ve been at several classical concerts where very young kids were really into the music — one took place in a park and a little boy of about six or seven stood on the grass and conducted the orchestra for the whole concert!

This one took place in Plaza Vaticana, an open square on one side of the Teatro Colon. I couldn’t believe the size of the crowd, and I had to stand in line for quite a while to get a seat. There were even standing room only sections on either side of the square.

There were opera characters walking around in costume as the crowd moved into the space, having their photos taken with the kids. Then they all moved up to the stage as the live orchestra took its place and the show began.

The music was all easily consumable, many tunes everyone knows, such as the William Tell Overture. You can see from the video how into it the kids and adults were. There’s a great appreciation for culture in all its forms in Buenos Aires, and the fact that they interest children in it very early will ensure that it continues. Just another thing to love about this magical city!

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San Isidro with Cecilia

Today was a lovely, sunny day, with temperature around 16 degrees celsius. I went with Cecilia to a medical appointment in San Isidro, a lovely town about a half hour drive from Olivos, where she lives. It was such a lovely day that we made a day of it.

First, we went to the Quinta Los Ombues, a museum that was once a luxurious private home overlooking the town with the river in the background. Apparently it was a place where various figures in Argentine history gathered, including one of my heroes, General Jose de San Martin, commonly known as El Libertador. I love places like that, and I could just imagine them all sitting under the huge ombu trees in the garden, having discussions that would affect the history of the country.

We are in the midst of the winter holidays, so the kids are out of school, and quite a number of them were at Quinta Los Ombues!

From there we drove along the river side, stopping for dessert and wine at a lovely cafe overlooking the river itself. It was actually quite warm, as you can see from the people relaxing on the grass, and you can just see Buenos Aires in the distance past a bend in the river.

We’ve just arrived home and decided we couldn’t be bothered making dinner, so later tonight we’re going out for Peruvian food  — always a treat. If you’ve never had Peruvian food, you should try it!

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It’s Been Quiet Around Here!

I haven’t posted to the blog this week, and since I was sick for a while I thought I’d better post something in case you think I’m sick again!

The truth is, there hasn’t been much happening to report on. Also, I’ve been very busy with client work, some of which was catch-up from when I was in hospital. This has meant I haven’t been doing anything else during the day.

I went to a party last night. It was for the writing group I belong to, and one of our members, Ricardo, hosted it in his beautiful apartment in Belgrano, a barrio that’s a little further out from the centre. I really enjoyed the company and the conversation.

I think another reason there hasn’t been much activity is that Venetia is away in Europe for the winter (summer there) months, and she is usually on top of what’s going on. We call her our unofficial social director! But that’s no excuse, really, and I’m going to start looking out for things to do and inviting our little group.

One of said group, Lola, is having a birthday party at her home on Friday. As she knows lots of tango dancers, she is planning to have a little social tango, so that will be lovely. I’m looking forward to it. I must remember to take some photos to post here.

Even though it’s winter, we’ve been having lovely weather. Temperatures in the mid-teens, blue sky and sunshine. Hope to have some fun things to tell you soon.

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Argentine Independence Day

Today is 9 de julio, the day Argentina celebrates its independence from Spain in 1816. There were numerous events and celebrations across the city, and I did want to see at least one of them on this, my first Dia de Independencia. Several of us chose the military parade, and we agreed to meet up afterwards at the home of our friend Lola, who lives just a few yards away from the parade route.

In my wisdom, I decided a taxi would be my best way to get there, but as it turned out the streets were closed off for miles around and I had quite a hike. There’s a huge park in the area, and I ended up on the wrong side of it. I could see the street I wanted to get to, and as the crow flies it wasn’t far away. Unfortunately, I’m not a crow. I could hear the bands, so I knew I was close, but to get there I had to walk the full length of the park, cross over and walk back down. Ah well, I got good exercise for my first foray after the pneumonia!

Arriving at the meeting place, I found Cecilia had moved on because you couldn’t really see much there. But there’s a cafe on the corner, and a seat opened up just as I arrived, so I claimed it and didn’t move!

It’s true I couldn’t see much. OK, I couldn’t see anything. But it was a beautiful sunny day, not too cold, and for me it was fun just sitting in the sun people watching. I could hear the commentary and the music, and I saw the jets and the helicopters fly overhead.

As I sat there, drinking it all in, I found myself filled with emotion. I had received a little flag from a soldier, and as I waved it joined the happy shouts of Viva La Patria with the crowd, a little tear of happiness rolled down my cheek.

Somewhere else in the crowd, Cecilia had found a better spot, where she took some photos. South American military parades are very colourful, the uniforms quite distinctive.

Eventually, several of us found our way to Lola’s place and we had some wine and potluck nibblies. It was a lovely way to round off the celebration.

Viva La Patria!

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Here’s Why I’ve Been Missing

A week past on Sunday, June 23, I was taken by ambulance to hospital with pneumonia, and there I stayed for nine days. When I’ve had pneumonia in Canada, it’s been maybe 24 hours in Emerg and then home with antibiotics to get well on my own. Not so here.

I can’t say enough about the care I received in hospital here. Teams of great doctors and nurses looking after me every minute of the day. And they were absolutely not going to send me home until they were totally sure I was well enough.

I also received amazing amounts of love and caring from my wonderful friends. As soon as it was known I was in hospital, they organized a schedule of who could come when and bring whatever I needed. I was never without help or company, and I felt truly loved. What a gift!

Pneumonia is my old friend, and I know exactly how it feels and what to expect. What surprises me every time — and if you’ve had it you’ll know what I mean – is that when you have it you can’t imagine ever being well again. And then, when it works its way through and out of your system, suddenly you are well again! That’s where I am now.

I came home on Tuesday, and it’s now Saturday, so I’ve had a few days in my own bed and having lovely hot showers. When you don’t use your legs for nine days, they don’t work, so it takes time to rehabilitate them. But yesterday I went out for a couple of short walks and felt fine. It’s winter here, of course, but wrapped up well I didn’t feel the cold — not nearly as much as Argentines seem to feel it!

Anyway, bottom line is I am on the mend and back at work. My new Book Writing Club offering will begin a few weeks later than planned, on July 16. So if you’d love to write a book and don’t know where to start, drop me a line and we’ll have a Zoom call when we can explore whether this could be for you.

Talk soon!

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I Have a New Service Offering

As you know, this is not a commercial blog, but rather a way to keep my friends up to date on my goings on down here in Argentina. But I’m excited about my new service, and I’m posting about it here just in case you, or someone you know, might benefit from it.

In terms of my business today, I’m all about books: my books and other people’s books. I help people get their books written through editing, book coaching and ghostwriting. But there was a gap. There always seemed to be people who wanted to engage me for my book coaching, but their budget wouldn’t stretch for it. Finally, I’ve come up with something for those people.

Next Tuesday, June 25, is launch day for my new book writing club, Get Your Book Written NOW — No More Excuses!

It’s a combination of group coaching, mastermind and insider club membership. The goal is for every member to get their book written and out into the world without all the stress of having to go it alone.

If you have been wanting to write a book but just can’t get it together, this could be right for you. Please drop me a line at helen@mhwilkiebooks.com and we’ll hop on a Zoom call so that I can give you all the details and you can decide if it’s for you.

I’m excited about this, and I can’t wait to see the books that will come out of it. Perhaps yours will be one of them!