The Beautiful Unknown

Today my intention had been to take a couple of tango classes, shop for shoes and hit a milonga this evening. I knew there was a cemetary in the middle of town which houses the tomb of Eva Peron however I was indifferent about going. Well I ended up there and it was incredible.

I have posted a large assortment of pictures on Facebook of the beautiful statues found in, on and upon the enormous mausoleums. When surrounded by beauty and loss, you can imagine I had a number of people in my memories with me today to keep me company on my journey. I spent a lot of time thinking about the people I have lost, what they meant to me and what they would want their "house of rest" to look like if they had the same options and imagination. I also wondered what mine would look like. I think I would opt for upbeat rather than the images of mourning and pain. It's an interesting thought. I had an image of Matt on a wakeboard half 3D out of the wall which brought a smile.

I think what struck me most was a recent tomb (2009) where the roof was stained glass. It was a sunny day and the light shining through cast colors all over the monuments next to it and down the dark corridor. It was the epitome of how I want my life and afterlife to be... to shine love and colors on those around me - even after I'm gone.

Never Alone When You Have Memories

I have to tell you that although I travel alone more than most, I never feel alone because I always have the voices and memories of friends in my head. Today these people had their moment in my day.

Rayleen : I saw a woman begging on the street and remembered the lady at the Vatican with her brains exposed. Many pieces of our crazy Italy trip have crossed my mind.

Tiffani : As I walked through a part of town that was rather sketchy I heard Tiff's voice in my head saying "We could see this shit in LA - why did we fly 6,000 miles for a fu**in burrito?". It truly did look like pieces of LA.

Walt : In the middle of all the history and old town charm there popped out of the horizon a massive Hard Rock Cafe attached to a modern furniture store. Walt would have been overly excited at this mini-mall and would want a t-shirt from Hard Rock (you didn't get one, sorry)

PJ : I had lunch at a restaurant next to HOT BOD park called La Moderna. Their logo was the Vitruvian Man. At some point during training PJ used this reference in his instruction -- and I realized how random he really is today... in a good way of course

Mona : It's her birthday and I searched for a special rock for her stream of dreams to go along with to rock from New Zealand.

Jorge : Jorge's voice was in my head during the entire Milonga. I am so thankful he prepared me for the culture and traditions. I also heard him saying "are you going to sit there all night or go out there an dance?!!"

Tango Night One - El Nino Bien

So I'm pretty proud of myself. I took a taxi into the ghetto to a hole-in-wall place Jorge (my tango teacher) had recommended called El Nino Bien. The taxi ride was a little complicated as the guy had never heard of it (not generally a good sign). Think graffiti and dark alleys. Once you walk into the double doors and up the stairs though the place is rustic -- in an old school, gold walls, grandma's house, lots of history rustic.

It is known for its long history of tango and where the older crowd goes to dance on Thursday nights -- also the very seasoned dancers choose Nino Bien. Why I would decide this is a good idea my first night out I'm not quite sure.

I was very thankful there was a table in the furthest corner where I could take some time to scope the scene. It was just as Jorge had described. Guys don't really ask you to dance (unless you're trying to hide in the corner, then they have no choice but to physically approach you). They make eye contact with you across the room and if you hold contact you both get up and move toward one another. No words. All in the eyes.

Then, the other strange thing -- you don't dance the intro of the song. This is when you talk to one another (if you speak the same language). Once the dancing begins there is no more talking. AND you don't just dance one song. You are now committed for an entire set of muic (4-5 songs) When the set is over they play this very strange interlude music -- reminded me of Freddy Krueger meets Alice in Wonderland -- and the gentlemen escort you back to your seat. I am so thankful I was walked through the process by Jorge and that all of my partners spoke at least a little english. I danced with a cute boy from Buenos Aires first -- then a tall German guy. Intreresting mix of people.

My other mission tonight - find Jose Garafalo. I was not successful in this mission. Jose is a friend (sorta) of Jorge's that is a dance teacher at Nino Bien and speaks english. No one could locate the mysterious Jose Garafalo. Oh well. Next time.

Tomorrow I'm trying to hit some dance classes in the afternoon, buy tango shoes and then La Viruta for milonga in the evening. I believe La Viruta is known for a younger crowd. I would be super happy if they played a little salsa; something I can actually keep up with.

MARCH FORTH

It would be fitting that today is March 4th (MARCH FORTH!) since I had to give in to the fact that my work computer is not going to work and this trip will instead be a one week vacation. At first I was disappointed but now I have taken on a new attitude. I am going to make the most of every work-free minute I have, venture out and see what this city has to offer. As it turns out it is quite lovely here (thank you to the sunshine for coming out today. Rain is on the way).

RECON : So now this is a trip to do some recon -- to see what neighborhoods I like, which ones I don't, how safe the subway systems run, how the taxi drivers are and of course tango tango tango. I hope to come back with some friends next time and have everything mapped out with some familiarity.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY : A HUGE Happy Birthday to Mona, my tango teacher and the most beautiful and inspirational dancer I know. Without her I would not be on this trip today. I hope to bring you here Mona -- you will fall in love.

WHAT I SAW : Like most trips I take, for work or pleasure, I like to take the first day and walk the neighborhood(s) on foot. We are in between rain, so today was warm, sunny and lovely. Here are some great things about today. (p.s. what a difference sleep and food makes in ones attitude)

1. I actually saw a woman assist an old woman (stranger) across the street and into a taxi.
2. Parents walk their kids home from school. What? Very sweet.
3. I found beautiful parks and monuments - I will stay in this area next trip
4. Located a gym, pedicure salon and grocery store, all conveniently located within 2 blocks of my apartment.
5. found the park where all the hot guys run, sweaty and shirtless -- and all of these guys SHOULD be shirtless. Delicious!!!!! (everyone here is into soccer and I imagine these are soccer players. I had one stop and ask me the time. I was speechless -- and had Cali time on my watch which was very confusing to him)

So tonight I am going to brave taxi and tango, hitting Nino Bien, one of the places Jorge, tango teacher, recommended. Hopefully the teacher he knows is teaching tonight -- will be nice to have some connection and someone who speaks english. This trip tonight is highly intimidating.

Locked Out

When I arrived in Buenos Aires this morning, highly sleep deprived, I made it to my apartment where the owner and property manager met me. There wasn't a neighborhood that we drove through on the way that I was all that thrilled to stop in.

They gave me the keys to the door which looked like old Sherlock Holmes keys. I didn't know these things still existed nor how to work them. They showed me the place then had me follow them downstairs to see where the outgoing mail should be placed -- then they left out of the front (security door).

I got back upstairs to realize the door to the apartment automatically locks. No worries, I had keys. But I couldn't figure out how to use them!!

I ran back downstairs trying to catch the guys but splatted face first into the security door. You apparently have to unlock it to get both OUT, and in. I had trouble opening that door too. By the time I did, the guys were long gone.

Now understand that every piece of my possession and well being was in the apartment -- on the other side of the door I could not open. I had no money, passport, phone -- nothing. I was freaking out. I tried to remain calm figuring I was smart enough to figure out a door. I was in a severe state of panic. It took me FOREVER but I finally made it in... only to find out my work computer wouldn't work here. Good start...

You've Got to be Kidding Me

I don't really even know where to start.

(1) The 4,428 mile flight from Miami to Buenos Aires - I had the luxury of sitting next to a very nice man who had the most awful breath known to man. It was like a grey cloud of funkk hovering around us -- then, it turns out, he farts in his sleep. He slept a lot. It was not dlicious.

(2) I made it to Buenos Aires highly sleep deprived to find out that my work DSL connection is not working properly. Taking too long to connect so the log-in fails. Spent time with the Help Desk on a fix -- that actually didn't fix the problem. I had to call in sick to work and am going to take a nap. If problem not resolved this will be a very short trip

(3) Since connecting into the internet on my personal computer all my pages have defaulted to Spanish and I don't know how to get english back. I can't navigate a damn thing. AWESOME (not)