I feel like I have already changed from "Where am I, and what the heck is going on here??!!" to a resident in my city.
Riding the subway last week, I was crammed by the door, with less personal space than a sardine in a can. I put on my iPod, counted the stops, and squeezed out through the crowd, up the escalator, and into the zooming city the awaited in the sunshine. Coming up through the subway, I had a huge smile on my face...
I caught it. The energy, the crazy, the rush.
This city is contagious.
Every day has been jam-packed with sites, food, Spanish, drinks, unique music, new people, dancing, laughing, getting lost.
Here are the highlights of my second week in the city:
AMAZING MUSIC - There is an unbelievable music scene of all different kinds in BsAs.
Friday night I went to a percussion show, La Bomba de Tiempo, at the Konex, which is a happening location for Argentine youth. You know it's good when it's all locals. The Konex was like a warehouse meets the KC Power & Light District. There were thousands of people packed in, jamming with the beats. Beer was served not by the bottle, but the liter, and fresh air was nowhere to be found. INSANELY AWESOME is the only way I could describe it. WOW.
Last night was another night of a local, insanely awesome music scene, totally different than the Konex. Tucked away in Almagro (the more working-class neighborhood), is a secret bar La Casa de Roberto. Cobweb-laced wine bottles lined the tiny bar's walls, and we were shoulder-to-shoulder with all Argentines. In the corner, a small stage gave way to tango music. The most authentic you could ever find. A woman sang songs of lost love, bad men, and love to be found, while a guitarist strummed and the crowded filled in any missing words and swayed along. So magical. So real. So Argentina.
Here is a video for some audio.
Dancing: After our magical experience with tango music at Casa de Roberto, we certainly weren't ready to turn in for the night. It was 3am and the night was young, right? While attempting to find a dance club, we instead came upon a Milanga, which is a parlor for traditional dance. Open-mouthed, we watched the couples stop, turn, wave handkerchiefs, and weave in and out on the floor. They danced some sort of rendition of the Somba. I certainly could not figure out the method to the madness, so I sat back and took it all in.
Palace in Provencia - Saturday afternoon, my school took us on a cultural field trip to Provincia, the suburbs north of the city, outside of Capital Federal. We toured the estate of Victoria Ocampo, a feminist leader, founder of Sur Magazine, and huge figure for Latin America. It was so gorgeous, and not something I would have otherwise had the chance to see.
Awesome Artisan Markets - vendors wind around parks and plazas on weekends, each selling unique hand-crafted trinkets
Caminito - When you think Buenos Aires, the first thing you probably imagine is its colorful street. Although it is pretty touristy now, it is the birthplace of Tango and the immigrant community.
The Theater - Bought tickets to see Bella y La Bestia (Beauty and the Beast) at the theater this week! Today I am seeing a ballet at Teatro Colon, BsAs's most famous theater that just opened after years of rennovation
The Park - My favorite spot! It goes on for miles, and is the perfect place to see some green and soak up the sun when the concrete and traffic get to be too much. Lakes with petal boats, trees, dogs, picnicers, mate-drinkers, runners, couples, benches, rose gardens, magic.
El Micro - The downtown hub. Casa Rosada (Pink House, compared to our White House) is where the President conducts her affairs. Cathedral Metropolin, where Argentine's hero San Martin is buried. Plaza de Mayo, where someone is always protesting about something. Calle Florida, where shopping is hot. Men in suits. People with places to be.
Puerto Madero - Newly renovated waterfront. Here is Puente de la Mujer (Bridge of the Woman), which is supposed to symbolize a tango dance
World Cup Madness - See previous post
China Town - The main motivation to go there...PEANUT BUTTER. The only place in the city you can buy it.
So much more to come!
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