Sure it's a bit hackneyed, but everyone so loves to proclaim, 'What a small world!' we live in nowadays. Bemoan or embrace the social media technology as you will-- it truly is crazy easy to get in touch with people if you want to. And personally, I choose to use this fact to my full advantage. For example, a quick email from your older cousin in Los Angeles about a friend of her former housemate turns into:
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My cousin's friend Vicky was visiting for a week and through a series of internet exchanges we managed to meet up on an overcast Sunday afternoon to check out the tourist circuit together.
After a huge lunch we walked the famous San Telmo Sunday street market, packed with antiques, clothing, and virtually anything else you can think of.
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Saw some of the most iconic buildings in Buenos Aires-
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And attempted to Tango.
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Didn't realize I'd need my dancing shoes...
Vicky mentioned she'd read about a bookstore that is on the list of "Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World." I almost took off running when we figured out where it was. Turns out, El Ateneo is located:
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In an old, classic theater!
As those who know me may guess, my brain nearly exploded with the nerdy beauty of it all. Once I discovered that there was a cafe too, I started scheming up ways to live here. Books. Theater. Architecture and art. Not having to cook for myself. Surely, this is what Heaven must look like...
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Cafe up on the old stage, complete with curtains and lights.
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And by 'coffee,' I obviously mean ice cream. There was a little coffee blended in...
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Tell me this doesn't inspire you to dive into Dante or Milton!
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Finally, I pulled myself away and we headed back to Vicky's hotel. Now, one wonderful, universal thing I've discovered is when you become friends with someone while travelling, it happens almost instantaneously. You don't have the time or inclination to worry about formalities or social boundaries, you create instant trust and bonds with people that normally take time to develop (the exception, perhaps, being summer camp). So-- cue meeting Vicky that morning and by dinnertime borrowing her clothes and eventually crashing in her hotel room.
We went out in Palermo, the pulsating heart of the tourist zone, for dinner and drinks. I would show you a picture of our perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned meat (and salad and sides and Malbec) but we were far too busy stuffing our faces. During which, we had refined dinner conversation such as:
"This is so good."
"Seriously! This is so good."
"You want to order fries?"
"Definitely!"
"Oh my God, these fries are so good!"
"Holy crap, this is so good!"
"Ugh, I'm full but I'm just going to keep eating."
You know, classy stuff like that. And somehow we made room for decadent after-dinner drinks.
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Sadly, Vicky had tickets to head off to Iguazu the next afternoon (she graciously invited me along, but I was still buried under massive amounts of coursework). Literally friends for 24 hours, but we packed in what felt like a week's worth of sightseeing, chitchat, and most importantly- eating. We manged to get together for a quick dinner a couple nights later before Vicky had to catch her flight back to L.A. (fine- we also had ice cream. Gelato, if you must know. Two scoops... Shut up.)
And now I've just got to talk her into coming back for another visit someday soon!
Love from,
Kerk
New friends in Buenos Aires!
My cousin's friend Vicky was visiting for a week and through a series of internet exchanges we managed to meet up on an overcast Sunday afternoon to check out the tourist circuit together.
After a huge lunch we walked the famous San Telmo Sunday street market, packed with antiques, clothing, and virtually anything else you can think of.
Saw some of the most iconic buildings in Buenos Aires-
San Francisco, one of the oldest churches in BA (museum inside)
May Pilar, Plaza de Mayo
Catedral Metropolitana, main Catholic church in BA
Casa Rosada, the President's Residence
And attempted to Tango.
Vicky mentioned she'd read about a bookstore that is on the list of "Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World." I almost took off running when we figured out where it was. Turns out, El Ateneo is located:
As those who know me may guess, my brain nearly exploded with the nerdy beauty of it all. Once I discovered that there was a cafe too, I started scheming up ways to live here. Books. Theater. Architecture and art. Not having to cook for myself. Surely, this is what Heaven must look like...
Much needed coffee break
Floors and floors of books.
I am the giddiest! This must be how some women feel walking into shoe stores...
Finally, I pulled myself away and we headed back to Vicky's hotel. Now, one wonderful, universal thing I've discovered is when you become friends with someone while travelling, it happens almost instantaneously. You don't have the time or inclination to worry about formalities or social boundaries, you create instant trust and bonds with people that normally take time to develop (the exception, perhaps, being summer camp). So-- cue meeting Vicky that morning and by dinnertime borrowing her clothes and eventually crashing in her hotel room.
We went out in Palermo, the pulsating heart of the tourist zone, for dinner and drinks. I would show you a picture of our perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned meat (and salad and sides and Malbec) but we were far too busy stuffing our faces. During which, we had refined dinner conversation such as:
"This is so good."
"Seriously! This is so good."
"You want to order fries?"
"Definitely!"
"Oh my God, these fries are so good!"
"Holy crap, this is so good!"
"Ugh, I'm full but I'm just going to keep eating."
You know, classy stuff like that. And somehow we made room for decadent after-dinner drinks.
For those who are counting-- yes, this was the second ice cream drink of the day. I regret nothing.
Sadly, Vicky had tickets to head off to Iguazu the next afternoon (she graciously invited me along, but I was still buried under massive amounts of coursework). Literally friends for 24 hours, but we packed in what felt like a week's worth of sightseeing, chitchat, and most importantly- eating. We manged to get together for a quick dinner a couple nights later before Vicky had to catch her flight back to L.A. (fine- we also had ice cream. Gelato, if you must know. Two scoops... Shut up.)
And now I've just got to talk her into coming back for another visit someday soon!
Love from,
Kerk