I'm home!
What a feeling it is to settle in and unpack your suitcase! (Except when they unpack it for you in the airport; My bag got the random search at customs in Mexico City and you can imagine what that does to an anal retentive packer!) After a long day of travel and lots of hello kisses, I found my way to my newest home.
My roommate, Silvina, is renting me a spare bedroom in her apt. for the month, she's just a few years older than me and is a geography teacher and PhD student. Thus far, she's treated me as a guest rather than a renter-- showing me how to use the bus, worrying about me feeling homesick, cooking us lunch.
My sunny little bedroom in BA
Wish Bear is settling in nicely.
Tiny bathroom off my room
I've been camping out on the porch where Silvina grows vegetables
A visitor who has made a home behind the herbs
Seven floors up
The tree lined street below
After the first day, I ventured out on my own to get a feel for the neighborhood.
The apt. is less than a five minute walk from Chinatown. As I wandered past, the streets were blocked off and filled with the sounds of drums.
25 people to carry the dragon, plus extras to switch in and out for water breaks
Turns out I picked the right time to go wandering-- as BA's Taiwanese population was celebrating Lantern Festival (and the end of the New Year celebrations)!
Banderas de Taiwan y Argentina
Stumbling upon this celebration made me feel oddly at home. I suppose it served as a timely reminder of my life in Asia and why I'm here in Buenos Aires in the first place.
Hearing a pair of teenagers belting along to Ace of Base with the car windows down didn't hurt either...
Love from,
Kerk