Friday night in Argentina

Time is relative here. I do not wear a watch (though, to be honest, I haven't worn one in most of two years, but I used my cell phone as a timekeeping device in Seattle). If lunch is to be at 2pm, meeting at 2.10 and heading off at 2.35 is just fine. My walking pace is starting to slow. The first couple days, I was rushing around very quickly. Walking slowly is always a good sign, as it means I am relaxing.

I don't have firm plans for tonight. I am thinking of taking a beginning tango class, at the studio I went to yesterday, to relearn some basics. I felt I did fine in the class yesterday, but this class would undoubtedly help me in breaking some of my bad habits. Or, I might go see a movie. I've heard there is a massive cineplex that plays movies in their original language. There are plenty of films I didn't get to see before I left Seattle, and I don't really want to spend the evening alone. Who knows? Perhaps I will just lie in bed and read one of the many books I've brought, but have barely touched. By the time I get in to bed at night, I just don't have it in me to read a book. So I pick up my travel book and look at places to visit.

Last night, there was a going away bbq for a couple German women that stayed in the casa a couple weeks ago. They were only there for a week, but became part of the family during that time. The food was incredible and it was a good time for the evening -- even if there were many conversations that were entirely in German, and I don't speak German at all, except for bitte and danke. I must admit though, that I love the sound of German being spoken -- especially by men. When I was in Berlin in 1998, I was constantly seduced by the sound of men speaking. While on the U- or S-bahn, I would be leaning backwards, trying to hear more clearly the sound of men speaking German. It's just something I find rather sexy.

I'm very pleased with the casa. Staying there feels like having joined a family. It's a very comfortable environment, and the little 2nd floor garden is a lovely oasis in the middle of a busy neighborhood.

I need to find a class and start learning Spanish. I'm picking up words and phrases, but I want and need to stop relying on the people around me being able to speak English.