A week of sunshine...a week of rain. That's been the pattern since we arrived. The week of the 15th we had showers and thunderstorms (tormentas) that sometimes lasted all day (it's been the rainiest February on record in 150 years). David keeps reminding me that it's better than snow!
It rained so hard and for so long that some neighborhoods experienced major flooding. We were glued to the TV, watching people wade through knee-deep water while holding on to ropes strong between sidewalks. Street lights were out and stalled cars littered the road. Water seeped into ground floor apartments, restaurants and stores, and zodiacs were used to "rescue" stranded people. What a mess!
Given the foul weather, we spent less time outside then we'd have liked. But, in spite of the rain, we certainly had some good times. Early in the week, we had dinner with Jim, Linda and Carlos...check out the desserts – dulce de leche panqueques (crepes) and lava cake brownies with ice cream.
We really don't eat desserts like this too often (though a new bakery just opened around the corner from our apartment – wonderful chocolate and almond croissants – very French).
Linda is an American photographer/artist here on a grant, and Jim and I took the bus to the studio she is working in to watch her and 2 master print makers design and executive one of her new prints.
At this point, I have to mention my aversion to the buses here...and there are many on the streets, particularly during the day.
When they turn a corner, they can be very close to the curb. And they sometimes turn corners so quickly that I expect to see wheels off the pavement (think “Speed”). After a close encounter with one our first week here, I'm particularly cautious when I cross the street. But I didn't realize how “dangerous” they can be when you're inside one, especially if you're distracted while reading a map and happen to have your leg where it shouldn't be...in back of the rear door as it snaps open to let passengers off...ouch.
On a happier note...we're having some really fun times with Julie and Bob, who we know from last year...
And they've introduced us to some of their friends, like Bettye (and Michael), Bonnie, and Patricia...
There is never a shortage of dining buddies... for lunches (here we are with our friend Angela at "Dada")...
for dinners or, as it turns out, breakfast. On the mornings we go to the gym, I eat breakfast at home. David, on the other hand, goes to the Melody Cafe, where he met Ron, and they've caught up with each other on several occasions.
He and I also met Vicki for the first time, more than 20 years after he first became acquainted with Vicki and her husband Paul.
They wrote a book in the early 80's, which greatly influenced David (and as a result me) and our lives. I will let David tell the story, as it is, first and foremost, his...
Barbara has told you most of the story....I read Paul and Vicki's book when it first came out and had an epiphany, which took me (us) another 25 years to actually employ. Sorry guys...I must be a slow learner!
Shortly before we decided to come to Buenos Aires for the first time, I ran across an article following up on Paul and Vicki's whereabouts. I hadn't been aware of them since I had put the book down in 1982. Believe it or not, they had settled in Argentina and not more than a couple of hours from BA. Given their constant travel schedule, it's been almost 3 years since I e-mailed them and arranged to meet Vicki in BA.
Either persistence was paying off or Vicki read enough of our blog to know I was not a crazy stalker! Never the less, we met Vicki at the wonderfully restored Retiro Cafe (at the Retiro train station)
and had a great time chatting over coffee and medialunas. Due to all of our travel schedules, we get to meet Paul next year, as we now have been properly "screened"!
Now back to Barbara....
To end off the week, I decided it was time to buy a new pair of glasses. Our friend Kevin, who speaks Spanish extremely well, came with us...to help translate, but also to give a third opinion. As all of you who wear glasses know, once they come off, you can't really see. But after an eye exam...
here I am, with Kevin and Sabrina (my optical person) with the new frames, which will be ready on March 15th.
More to come soon.....
Posts
