Events

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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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Concert of Argentine Music

Venetia and I attended yet another great concert at the CCK (Centro Cultural Kirchner). It was by the Orchesta Nacional de Musica Argentina. Argentine music is much more than tango, but I have to confess that’s still my favourite.

It’s unusual to see a tango singer so dressed up and backed by a full orchestra, but we still loved it.

Venetia just told me she has tickets for the CCK tomorrow night, and it is a full tango orchestra this time, so looking forward to that. Stay tuned!

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My Anniversary Weekend Celebrations

Hard though it is to believe, this Sunday, November 24, was the first anniversary of my arrival in Argentina. Since November 23 was the day I actually left, I figured I might as well celebrate both days! Three events unfolded.

Tango and Champagne

On Saturday night, my friend Alejandro (who is also my tango teacher) took me to the milonga, where we danced every tanda but one over the course of two hours. It was marvelous! Before leaving, Alejandro took these photos. I don’t think they do much for us, but then selfies never do, do they?

Selfies aren’t flattering anyway, so you might as well get silly with them!

After the milonga, we went back to my place to quaff some bubbly — it was, after all, a celebration.

It was a beautiful, warm night, so we sat out on the balcony and had a lovely conversation as we drank the champagne and Alejandro blissed out on his pipe!

Paddy and John’s Picnic

On Sunday afternoon there was a big picnic for a couple in my group of expat friends. They are moving from Argentina to Italy, so we gave them a big sendoff. I had never been in this particular park before, and it is definitely a hidden gem. And it couldn’t have been a lovelier day for a picnic. Of course, this wasn’t technically part of my celebration, but I was there anyway so I thought I might as well tell you about it.

Night Out at the Parilla

Finally, last night I went with a big group of friends to La Gran Parilla del Plata, usually just referred to as La Gran Parilla. It’s in the lovely old barrio of San Telmo, and most people who have been there agree they have the best steaks in Buenos Aires — and that’s saying a lot! I also love the atmosphere, the friendly waiters (some of them very cute!) and the complimentary glass of lemoncello at the end of the meal!

I put up a note on our little friends thread of FB Messenger, thinking maybe three or four would be interested. 18 signed up and they all came! Here’s a selection of photos taken by Venetia and Anneleise.

All in all, it was a memorable celebration of my new life in this amazing country. I couldn’t be happier that I made this move and I look forward to many more years and many more anniversary celebrations!

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Great party last night at an amazing apartment

Last night was the monthly wine and tapas night at the home of one of the BAIN members. It was lots of fun as usual, and had the added bonus of being held in an absolutely amazing apartment. It was so big you could get lost in it — in fact Venetia almost did!

The host is a woman who is highly placed at the American Embassy, and the place certainly reflected that. The phrase “how the other half lives” came to mind!

Setting out my Portuguese pastries (pasteis de nata). If I showed up without these now, everyone would be diappointed!

With my friend Lynne.

Small group of “regulars”!

Believe it or not, this was on the balcony, and you can only see half of it here! Beautiful.

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Fellow Author Launches Her Book

During our holiday last week, we spent some time with Cecilia’s cousin, Elvira. As a long-time teacher, as well as administrator of a school, she has strong views on the state of education in Argentina, and she has written a book to draw attention to the problems. It’s called La Tiza de Oro, or The Golden Chalk.

While we were in Cordoba, she held her official launch and book signing, so of course we went along to support her. Venetia was the official photographer for the event, and these are just a few of the shots she took.

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Vive la France!

There’s a big French cultural event going on in Buenos Aires over the next couple of weeks, and Venetia, Cecilia and I decided to take in the market at the French Embassy on Sunday. It turned out to be a beautiful early spring day, and the crowd was huge.

Even at an event like this, French food is always a treat. For a quick lunch on the move, I had an open-faced brie sandwich on yummy bread with walnuts and raisins; Venetia had a terrine of three different game meats; and Cecilia had a salmon mousse. All delicious.

Delicious chocolates and other goodies

It wasn’t all food. This lady was doing lovely pottery dishes

There was no shortage of sweets either. We all purchased little squares of rich, dark chocolate, alhough I was very strong and avoided the waffles!

The embassy itself is open on this one day every year for public tours, but the line-ups are so long it’s ridiculous. I did plan, nonetheless, to show up at 9.30 am and wait in line, but I have a rotten cold and just didn’t feel up to it. Next year!

I think I’ve said this somewhere before, but in a city renowned for its wonderful architecture, the French Embassy is one of the most beautiful. I can wander round it looking up so long I end up with a crick in my neck!

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Another Night Out with Cecilia

A few weeks ago a few of us went to a lovely concert at the Colegio de Escribanos in San Isidro, described in a post called Our San Isidro Adventure. Last night Cecilia and I went to another event there, this time a folkloric group called Otro Cantar.

I usually love South American folkloric music, with all its bright costumes and guitars. This was a bit of a different take on it, and I must say we weren’t too keen. You’ll see the video clip is much shorter than usual — that’s why!

Otro Cantar

The concert ended about 10.30 pm and we hadn’t had dinner, so we headed back to Olivos, where Cecilia lives, for pizza. I’m showing you this photo of Cecilia because, even though it’s just a pizza joint, not even a bar or cafe, it does serve wine—Cecilia thought it strange that I would even question it! Anyway, we drank a bottle and ate a pizza and then went home to bed — I slept until the 9 am alarm woke me!

Not every concert is great, but you can always have fun!

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Cowboy Music in Buenos Aires!

Last night I joined a group of folks at La Dama de Bollini to hear our friend Cliff do a program of Cowboy Songs and Poems. This is a funky little place that often has interesting shows you wouldn’t necessarily find anywhere else.

This video is longer than the ones I usually post here, but I wanted to give you a feel for the variety of the music. There was Johnny Cash and Elvis, as well as some songs by people who, not being really a country music fan, I didn’t know — but I did enjoy them. And then Cliff read a couple of his own cowboy poems, and I’ve included one here. There was also some singalong, which is always fun.

Altogether a fun night — thanks Cliff!

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Concert at Centro Naval

Last night my friend Lina and I went to a beautiful concert at the Centro Naval in downtown Buenos Aires. The program consisted of just some popular and well known arias from various Italian operas — in other words, just the good bits and none of the boring bits! Lina is an opera fan so she might disagree!

It is, as it sounds, a building belonging to the navy and it is absolutely beautiful. Here are a couple of shots of the room where the concert was held.

In a city full of beautiful doors, this one is my personal favourite. Besides the photograph, here is a sketch of the door that I did on one of my early visits here. I sat at the cafe opposite, on a sweltering hot summer day, drinking white wine and sketching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It turned out that the pianist and the tenor were the same people we heard sing a few weeks ago at a concert in San Isidro, and they were maybe even better here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I shot a video of Nessun Dorma, one of my own favourites. Even though we were very close to the performers, I couldn’t get a clear shot, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.