Worst parts of the weekend: moments where you realize you have to grow, re- and re-wearing the same socks because all the others are at the laundromat, nearing the end of my favorite boots' life.
Best parts of the weekend: the pastor has returned to La Mision!, making the Z kids laugh, joining the church worship team, hearing from Globant that I'll most likely start work a week from tomorrow, realizing I can roller blade, receiving a personal prayer of blessing, getting to know Chileans and Colombians and Paraguayans as well as Argentines.
Yo tengo tanto, tanto, tanto para agradecer. So goes the song. :)
__________________________________
Saturday I slept in, then joined a gym and got clothes to the laundromat. I had a pile roughly the size of my bedroom floor to take care of--long weekend or no. It had to get out. Now, the creation of outfits will soon become...interesting :)
A comforting realization for me has been that Buenos Aires fashion is really whatever you want to wear. Generally, it takes the form of leggings or skinny jeans, a top, a sweater or denim or leather jacket, and most likely combat boots. BUT, floor length summer dresses, occasional boot-cut jeans, mini skirts and tights, and always scarves are also acceptable. So I have many options.
Saturday afternoon I went to the church for the first worship team practice/meeting. It is going to be fun helping the church in this capacity, for I dooooo love to sing. And the team is full of even more cool, marvelous people. Stoked!
Then with I made the bus journey to the Zs' to spend the night. Said goodnight to the kids, ate some pizza, stole some Sprite, joined Mr. and Mrs. Z. for the unveiling of Netflix in Argentina with the movie Bounce. Good stuff!
Not much sleep that night, but I'm never good with priorities when loved ones are on facebook. Such is life. Asi soy yo.
This morning I awoke the the pitter-pattering of little fairy-like feet around, quasi-quietly talking back and forth about many things. Love waking up to the Z girls. Anytime!
Church was really lovely today--singing in Spanish is always a joy, plus so many babies (GORGEOUS, all), friends, laughs, and blessings. The aforementioned pastor returned this past week from his conference in NY, and gave a sermon about the actions of the Holy Spirit that rocked domes. :)
After church, the typical, beautiful conversation/blessing/greeting time mingling with all ages. Then A (moto man) organized an outing for the afternoon for anybody who wanted to, and he and I went to grab lunch while the others were getting their act in gear. What a joy it is to converse with people in Spanish. Moreover, what a joy it is to LISTEN to people talk in Spanish. :)
We then headed towards the park at Palermo to meet up with the rest of the group, and I got to see the Costa Negra (I think it's called--anyway, the coast of the Rio de Plata). Tan lindo. When we found the group at the park, there were a few of them roller blading, some sitting, some of them (the two little boys) running, biking, smacking each other with sticks. I talked with R--she's so dear!--about Chilean and US foods. I talked with E--SHE's so dear, too!--about her studies in family law and my aspirations for the internship and life in general. Then, I donned the roller blades myself, and took a turn around the lake...and then again! Ahora me encanta patinar. :) Hallelujah that my ankle has progressed to this point.
Eventually the kids were getting tired and it was getting dark, so they headed home. I got coffee with A and then headed home as well.
I am well ready to sleep, as usual. But I do so, after washing my feet (see "socks" comment above) and with great expectations for a full, fun week. :)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Pizza and Alfajores, Gordita?: Day 25
Best part of the day: finally finding THE gym that's really and truly going to work out. ;) (pun fully intended)
Worst part of the day: being on the sidelines as some rough stuff comes up in the youth group. I feel for them and care for them, and wish them growth and strong faith. They need those prayers.
____________________________________
Today I surprised myself and slept in yet again; it is surprising how tired one gets switching body clocks, even three weeks (plus) in. I made breakfast, in which the main feature was orange juice that I prepared myself with the juicer machine. Oh. If only you all could have been here to taste it. :) Then I did a lot of thinking, reading, journalling for the Bible study and for my own personal study. Pretty soon I had that nauseous-from-being-full-and-doing-nothing feeling, I get that often these days. It means it's time to take a walk. So, I did some research on gyms, and found one to check out. I walked the 5ish blocks, saw it, and was immediately sold. It's a smaller scale gym than the other ones I was looking at. It still has enough machines to keep me happy. AND it has yoga classes. AND it's a quarter of the price of the other places. What more do I need? Nothing. :) I will sign up tomorrow.
Also, with the weather recently being rainy, I have had two fabulous hair days in a row. The curl I love and miss is returning! Huzzah!
I took a little nap between seven and eight tonight, and then F picked me up for dinner. We had pizza and grapefruit soda. Mmmmm. :) Then we walked around and enjoyed the city by night.
Now, I'm super tired again. I'll sleep well tonight. That is, if the lovely, vocal, drunk man on the street outside moves along soon. :)
Worst part of the day: being on the sidelines as some rough stuff comes up in the youth group. I feel for them and care for them, and wish them growth and strong faith. They need those prayers.
____________________________________
Today I surprised myself and slept in yet again; it is surprising how tired one gets switching body clocks, even three weeks (plus) in. I made breakfast, in which the main feature was orange juice that I prepared myself with the juicer machine. Oh. If only you all could have been here to taste it. :) Then I did a lot of thinking, reading, journalling for the Bible study and for my own personal study. Pretty soon I had that nauseous-from-being-full-and-doing-nothing feeling, I get that often these days. It means it's time to take a walk. So, I did some research on gyms, and found one to check out. I walked the 5ish blocks, saw it, and was immediately sold. It's a smaller scale gym than the other ones I was looking at. It still has enough machines to keep me happy. AND it has yoga classes. AND it's a quarter of the price of the other places. What more do I need? Nothing. :) I will sign up tomorrow.
Also, with the weather recently being rainy, I have had two fabulous hair days in a row. The curl I love and miss is returning! Huzzah!
I took a little nap between seven and eight tonight, and then F picked me up for dinner. We had pizza and grapefruit soda. Mmmmm. :) Then we walked around and enjoyed the city by night.
Now, I'm super tired again. I'll sleep well tonight. That is, if the lovely, vocal, drunk man on the street outside moves along soon. :)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
One Must Enjoy Life: Day 24
Best of the past few days: friends and adventures with them. :)
Worst part of the past few days: still in the doldrums on the work process. They are going to call me when they know what our options are.
_______________________________
The past couple days have been a wonderfully fast-passing time. I spent Monday running around and having F over. We wrote a song, chatted, compared families, and I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure.
Tuesday, I slept in, and then went to help Mr. Z. at the church. They are continuing construction on a nursery. I spackled with the best of them. Then I spent some time that evening at their house, pretending to be the girls' car, and then airplane, as they were headed to Hawaii for some hula and some cleaning up. Once there, I hula'd, and they cleaned up. No idea why they started to clean up, but, it works. What a sweet time.
Wednesday I practiced guitar, went grocery shopping, and then went out to Bajo Flores to help M with her music class again. I was encouraged to find that this week, even more of them have started recognizing me and desiring to hold my hand. They all love to ask how to say their names in English, and how I pronounce United States, and how did I make my bracelets. Easy, I say; I made friends. The friends took it from there. :) As we dropped off kids afterwards, I felt very happy to be a little part of their lives, for however long. It's a gift. A--a young boy with a charming smile--handed M and I a flower as we left. It's the craziest looking, most intricate flower I have ever seen, and M and I both marveled at it. Needless to say, he enjoyed the reception of his gift! M told me on the way home that she is grateful for my help, my accompanying her. But what do I do? She knows all their names, she knows what they want to do and balances it with what they ought to do, and she can keep the peace. I just come, hold hands, laugh at English pronunciations, share smiles, and attempt to keep up with conversations. For now, I suppose, that's good enough. I sure as heck enjoy it!
After that, hungry, I bought facturas (SWEEEEEET BREEEEEAAAD) and then went to Bible study. What a wonderful time; I love the people, and the discussion, and the growth that come. As I was walking with Mrs. Z, her friend, and A (with the motorcycle), he asked if I had plans. Being only me and having nothing to do, I said so. So, we headed for Rivadavia (a pretty big avenue) and went to dinner. Via moto, of course. :D
The place he took me was incredible to me--like a buffet, but of all the best best best food selections available. Spanish, Mexican, Italian pasta, fish, asado, salads, cold cuts, and...desserts. What a lovely time, for food and conversation. By the time we had talked our way through a few rounds (salad, pumpkin ravioli, asado, and fish), we were too late to get panqueques (crepes). SO sad. But, as he noted, it only means there must be a next time. I like those kinds of promises--those that involve desserts.
Yet another fabulous (and safe--both behelmeted) moto ride home. That will never get old.
This morning, I woke up to meet F and head out to see the rose garden in Palermo. When we got there, we found a bench by the gorgeous little lake, and kind of dozed. We talked, listened to music, fended off ducks and geese. He brought us some fresh fruit--strawberries and bananas. They're so good here! Apparently, we spent about three hours there. Time flies...when you're basically napping and you're with a really good friend. :) Then we saw the roses--exquisite, enchanting--and they even had my favorite variety! The smell of that sweet, Spring-fresh air was delightful.
I returned to the apartment to eat, clean up, and get ready to head out the door again. I was heading back to Rivadavia to meet with another friend from church, J. We (and by that I mean "I") had a bit of confusion meeting up, but eventually we found each other and he could stop worrying.
Interruptive thought. I really do receive a rather princess-like treatment here. I feel incredibly spoiled. But that doesn't mean I'd like for it to change. Lovely friends. :)
Aha, yes. Well, we went to McDonald's, which here are quite classy. They have a dessert ordering counter, and one for coffees, and one for the food. We got frappes, and talked for hours. Again, I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure, again in Spanish. Me encanta decirlo, y poder hacerlo en castellano. :) Eventually, I had to head back so I didn't get stranded by the closing of the subte. It was kind of raining, and that explains the little more-than-usual ankle pain I'd been having. Made it home safely, cooked beans and rice, and here I sit.
Contemplating: dulce de leche, or no dulce de leche? and I smell someone's asado...yum. :)
Worst part of the past few days: still in the doldrums on the work process. They are going to call me when they know what our options are.
_______________________________
The past couple days have been a wonderfully fast-passing time. I spent Monday running around and having F over. We wrote a song, chatted, compared families, and I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure.
Tuesday, I slept in, and then went to help Mr. Z. at the church. They are continuing construction on a nursery. I spackled with the best of them. Then I spent some time that evening at their house, pretending to be the girls' car, and then airplane, as they were headed to Hawaii for some hula and some cleaning up. Once there, I hula'd, and they cleaned up. No idea why they started to clean up, but, it works. What a sweet time.
Wednesday I practiced guitar, went grocery shopping, and then went out to Bajo Flores to help M with her music class again. I was encouraged to find that this week, even more of them have started recognizing me and desiring to hold my hand. They all love to ask how to say their names in English, and how I pronounce United States, and how did I make my bracelets. Easy, I say; I made friends. The friends took it from there. :) As we dropped off kids afterwards, I felt very happy to be a little part of their lives, for however long. It's a gift. A--a young boy with a charming smile--handed M and I a flower as we left. It's the craziest looking, most intricate flower I have ever seen, and M and I both marveled at it. Needless to say, he enjoyed the reception of his gift! M told me on the way home that she is grateful for my help, my accompanying her. But what do I do? She knows all their names, she knows what they want to do and balances it with what they ought to do, and she can keep the peace. I just come, hold hands, laugh at English pronunciations, share smiles, and attempt to keep up with conversations. For now, I suppose, that's good enough. I sure as heck enjoy it!
After that, hungry, I bought facturas (SWEEEEEET BREEEEEAAAD) and then went to Bible study. What a wonderful time; I love the people, and the discussion, and the growth that come. As I was walking with Mrs. Z, her friend, and A (with the motorcycle), he asked if I had plans. Being only me and having nothing to do, I said so. So, we headed for Rivadavia (a pretty big avenue) and went to dinner. Via moto, of course. :D
The place he took me was incredible to me--like a buffet, but of all the best best best food selections available. Spanish, Mexican, Italian pasta, fish, asado, salads, cold cuts, and...desserts. What a lovely time, for food and conversation. By the time we had talked our way through a few rounds (salad, pumpkin ravioli, asado, and fish), we were too late to get panqueques (crepes). SO sad. But, as he noted, it only means there must be a next time. I like those kinds of promises--those that involve desserts.
Yet another fabulous (and safe--both behelmeted) moto ride home. That will never get old.
This morning, I woke up to meet F and head out to see the rose garden in Palermo. When we got there, we found a bench by the gorgeous little lake, and kind of dozed. We talked, listened to music, fended off ducks and geese. He brought us some fresh fruit--strawberries and bananas. They're so good here! Apparently, we spent about three hours there. Time flies...when you're basically napping and you're with a really good friend. :) Then we saw the roses--exquisite, enchanting--and they even had my favorite variety! The smell of that sweet, Spring-fresh air was delightful.
I returned to the apartment to eat, clean up, and get ready to head out the door again. I was heading back to Rivadavia to meet with another friend from church, J. We (and by that I mean "I") had a bit of confusion meeting up, but eventually we found each other and he could stop worrying.
Interruptive thought. I really do receive a rather princess-like treatment here. I feel incredibly spoiled. But that doesn't mean I'd like for it to change. Lovely friends. :)
Aha, yes. Well, we went to McDonald's, which here are quite classy. They have a dessert ordering counter, and one for coffees, and one for the food. We got frappes, and talked for hours. Again, I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure, again in Spanish. Me encanta decirlo, y poder hacerlo en castellano. :) Eventually, I had to head back so I didn't get stranded by the closing of the subte. It was kind of raining, and that explains the little more-than-usual ankle pain I'd been having. Made it home safely, cooked beans and rice, and here I sit.
Contemplating: dulce de leche, or no dulce de leche? and I smell someone's asado...yum. :)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Me Encanta: Day 20
Best part of the day: the trip home from Bajo Flores to my apartment with A on his motorcycle. I feel as though I got a better view of the city from a quasi-local's point of view in that half hour than in all other days so far. Beats the subte (which is closing now anyway) and bus (a likely potentially traumatizing experience tonight, due to exhaustion). Plus, it is a gorgeous, cool, spring night in Buenos Aires.
Worst part of the day: the hour and a half I ceased to understand the group with whom I was hanging and touring the mall. I straight up could no longer comprehend. They were using lots of Colombian colloquialisms and word plays my innocent school-learned Spanish doesn't permit me to enjoy. I'll get there, I'll get there.
Worst part of the day: the hour and a half I ceased to understand the group with whom I was hanging and touring the mall. I straight up could no longer comprehend. They were using lots of Colombian colloquialisms and word plays my innocent school-learned Spanish doesn't permit me to enjoy. I'll get there, I'll get there.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Safe and Sound, All Around: Day 19
This morning I slept. It was lovely. Then I awoke and had to get clothes from the laundromat. It smells like heaven in there...
You may find me crazy, but I made a friend in the Immigrations line, remember? We toured part of the city together this afternoon, and had a blast. Plus, I got free ice cream. Gentlemanliness lives! Outside of the family of my boyfriend. Wow. :)
My next adventure was heading to the church for a night with the middle school youth. And cake and dinner with the my-age-and-up youth. And then farewells as they headed out clubbing. I was too tired tonight. But I love the group very, very much. I get to start coming to their small group meetings now, too. (:
So theoretically I'm going to sleep soon. Church in the morning. Sorry for a deluge of blogs today. Guess I had much to say. Read or skim or skip, as you see fit.
Buenas noches y dulces sueños. Nos vemos!
You may find me crazy, but I made a friend in the Immigrations line, remember? We toured part of the city together this afternoon, and had a blast. Plus, I got free ice cream. Gentlemanliness lives! Outside of the family of my boyfriend. Wow. :)
My next adventure was heading to the church for a night with the middle school youth. And cake and dinner with the my-age-and-up youth. And then farewells as they headed out clubbing. I was too tired tonight. But I love the group very, very much. I get to start coming to their small group meetings now, too. (:
So theoretically I'm going to sleep soon. Church in the morning. Sorry for a deluge of blogs today. Guess I had much to say. Read or skim or skip, as you see fit.
Buenas noches y dulces sueños. Nos vemos!
Bonus Blog: the thoughts with which you were previously threatened
My recent thoughts on mortality, and humans in general. Do not be discouraged by the overall downer tone of this post! Be informed, be moved, be aware, be grateful for what we have.
In the Recoleta cemetery: As I walk through the rows and rows of grandiose sepulchers, I wonder. Why bother so much after you're dead? Money is for those living life, in my mind, not to be used for self-glorification (ever), especially not when you're gone. I pull out a granola bar, another sure reminder of mortality. :) Look, that grave's door has all the glass broken. Despite our best efforts, nothing lasts.
On the streets: People without any shelter. People who lie there, faces covered, in silence from people, in roaring volume of the city. No wonder they're often mumbling--who else do they have to talk to?
In the villas: Oh boy. The girls and one of their mothers are telling a story, I'll tune in. They say that this morning (Friday), a tiny baby was found in the garbage heaps. They say that it was covered all over in blood, with a misshapen face. M says, oh, an abortion. All these girls--ages 4-12--were there, and are now telling the details of the story. Also, as we walked around picking up the children for class, one young man spent a good amount of time just looking at me. One point, as he walked past, I'm pretty sure he mumbled "F me." In English. Life is short, for him in that villa even more so. He'll take enjoyment any way he can.
In the subte station: I swipe my card, and head down the steps after some man. He's really running, and I cannot figure out why; no one's chasing him, there's no train to make down there yet. I'm drawing a blank. He seats himself on one of the benches, I seat myself a bit later on the other bench, farther away. As I watch, he turns away and fiddles in his backpack. Soon he bends forward over the seat next to him and I can see him inhale deeply. Then he arranges something again with a credit card, and inhales again. Then he is back to sitting up, and sniffling.
How sad, hopeless, awful, scarring, and bitter does life have to get before you're sitting in wait for the subte, getting high as you wait for the train to come?
In the Recoleta cemetery: As I walk through the rows and rows of grandiose sepulchers, I wonder. Why bother so much after you're dead? Money is for those living life, in my mind, not to be used for self-glorification (ever), especially not when you're gone. I pull out a granola bar, another sure reminder of mortality. :) Look, that grave's door has all the glass broken. Despite our best efforts, nothing lasts.
On the streets: People without any shelter. People who lie there, faces covered, in silence from people, in roaring volume of the city. No wonder they're often mumbling--who else do they have to talk to?
In the villas: Oh boy. The girls and one of their mothers are telling a story, I'll tune in. They say that this morning (Friday), a tiny baby was found in the garbage heaps. They say that it was covered all over in blood, with a misshapen face. M says, oh, an abortion. All these girls--ages 4-12--were there, and are now telling the details of the story. Also, as we walked around picking up the children for class, one young man spent a good amount of time just looking at me. One point, as he walked past, I'm pretty sure he mumbled "F me." In English. Life is short, for him in that villa even more so. He'll take enjoyment any way he can.
In the subte station: I swipe my card, and head down the steps after some man. He's really running, and I cannot figure out why; no one's chasing him, there's no train to make down there yet. I'm drawing a blank. He seats himself on one of the benches, I seat myself a bit later on the other bench, farther away. As I watch, he turns away and fiddles in his backpack. Soon he bends forward over the seat next to him and I can see him inhale deeply. Then he arranges something again with a credit card, and inhales again. Then he is back to sitting up, and sniffling.
How sad, hopeless, awful, scarring, and bitter does life have to get before you're sitting in wait for the subte, getting high as you wait for the train to come?
Señora: Day 18.5
Best part of yesterday: sitting F and his (now my) friend J on a park bench at midnight or so, laughing myself silly at them and their shenanigans. Or maybe it was the whole fact that I had friends with whom to spend Friday night, period. Saturday morning, too, if you're being technical... :)
Worst part of yesterday: there were a couple sights and stories yesterday that made my heart cry out, and they certainly composed the worst part of the day. Read on!
________________________
Yesterday, my first item of the day was Immigrations. I get up extra early--not gonna miss it. I walk, took the subte, walk, and eventually found it. I hop in line.
The man in front of me is from Bolivia, I gather. He's really kind and helpful; I thank God for putting kind people everywhere. When the door guard asks if I have my photos, I say yes. Pull them out--oooh, they meant 4x4 cm, not inches. Why wouldn't they clarify? Why didn't I--it's my fault--I'll go to the subte and get little ones.
"Anna!" I hear. "I'll wait for you!" L calls to me in Spanish. Sweet. :)
Got the photos, made photocopies, fastwalk it back to Migraciones. There is L's mom at the door to the building. She rushes me inside, and shows me that L is at the head of the line, next to go up to the windows. I have friends in high places, it seems; or at least, in all the right ones.
First window, okay, you're set. Wait for the next. L and I wait in different buildings. I strike up another conversation--it's a lawyer this time. He's interested in the company I'll be working for, the fact that I'm from Chicago. Eventually his client's done, and I wait for "24" to appear on the screen.
I arise, check back to make sure I've grabbed it all, and head to the little cabina. Pull out all my documents and hope for the best.
Right off the bat, she tells me, "This background check doesn't cut it."
Okay,then. Few more weeks you've added to the time I can't work. Thank you, Government.
All my other documents, except one quick-fix issue, are in order. I finally get to leave.
At this point, I want to approach the company I will work for, and try the simplest option: working as an unpaid intern. I remember the Zs told me you get three months of living in Argentina without any formal process. And my flights line up to have arrived 13 September, and be leaving 12 December. Three months minus one day. Seems perfect to me!
But I'm not despairing. I'm not even worried. I just want to talk it out logically with my friends at the copmany on Monday--I know the Argentines (at least in the company) pretty well, now, and know that nothing except the worst of tragedies gets remedied on a Friday. Fine by me; it's just as well. I'd much rather get home, shower, and eat.
After doing the above, it was about one in the afternoon. I deem it naptime, but I have to call everyone to let them know what has happened (parents, Z parents, L from Immigrations, big bro F). Then I should take my laundry to the laundromat. Alright, NOW I sleep.
You know me, I cannot nap.
Pretty soon I was headed out to the villas again to help M with "Sonidos de Esperanza" (Sounds of Hope), the music class. Always a time of extremes: poverty, pain, glee, love, brokenness. See Bonus Blog.
I grab some facturas (sweet breads!) for the subte ride home. I think my favorites are the ones filled with dulce de leche. One of those, and one sort of like a croissant. Then I head to the station. See Bonus Blog.
I got home to have enough time to check in with family a tiny bit, get some veggies, and discover the laundromat to be closed. Hmmm. What on earth shall I wear tonight? We'll have to see.
Finding an outfit took a while, scrounging around in what was left to me. But I eventually find it. Then F comes to my apartment with his buddy J--they're both crazy--and we head for the concert. I'm shocked at how easily and fluidly the Spanish is slipping off my tongue now, even with the few tongue-twisted moments that make us all laugh.
We end up being early for the concert--a friend told the boys it started at eleven, but that's SO early for anything to be starting here. But she had insisted. So there we are, waiting around on a park bench outside the bar. Hungry. Watching the lights on the planetarium. Laughing. Hungry.
Thank goodness for the equivalent of hot dog stands. I had a "bondiola" (some kind of meat--the boys kept barking and telling me it came from my sandwich to tease me), same as F. J was insanely hungry, so he had both a choripan and a hamburger.
Eventually we met up with some more of their friends at a bar/restaurant at a really hoppin' plaza. We hang out, laugh, and watch as F and J throw peanuts.
We start walking home, and that is really fun. One by one, though, we drop each other off at bus stops.
In the end, F and I walk back to my apartment, talking. I assure him I had fun tonight with all his friends, and yawn. I decide he's the substitute for the older brother I never got to have. Hopefully he continues to be okay with that. :) (He'll read this, too, because his English is fabulous.)
Home. Late, or rather, early. Make some tea, have a spoonful of dulce de leche, make sure everybody's safely in for the night, go to sleep.
Worst part of yesterday: there were a couple sights and stories yesterday that made my heart cry out, and they certainly composed the worst part of the day. Read on!
________________________
Yesterday, my first item of the day was Immigrations. I get up extra early--not gonna miss it. I walk, took the subte, walk, and eventually found it. I hop in line.
The man in front of me is from Bolivia, I gather. He's really kind and helpful; I thank God for putting kind people everywhere. When the door guard asks if I have my photos, I say yes. Pull them out--oooh, they meant 4x4 cm, not inches. Why wouldn't they clarify? Why didn't I--it's my fault--I'll go to the subte and get little ones.
"Anna!" I hear. "I'll wait for you!" L calls to me in Spanish. Sweet. :)
Got the photos, made photocopies, fastwalk it back to Migraciones. There is L's mom at the door to the building. She rushes me inside, and shows me that L is at the head of the line, next to go up to the windows. I have friends in high places, it seems; or at least, in all the right ones.
First window, okay, you're set. Wait for the next. L and I wait in different buildings. I strike up another conversation--it's a lawyer this time. He's interested in the company I'll be working for, the fact that I'm from Chicago. Eventually his client's done, and I wait for "24" to appear on the screen.
I arise, check back to make sure I've grabbed it all, and head to the little cabina. Pull out all my documents and hope for the best.
Right off the bat, she tells me, "This background check doesn't cut it."
Okay,then. Few more weeks you've added to the time I can't work. Thank you, Government.
All my other documents, except one quick-fix issue, are in order. I finally get to leave.
At this point, I want to approach the company I will work for, and try the simplest option: working as an unpaid intern. I remember the Zs told me you get three months of living in Argentina without any formal process. And my flights line up to have arrived 13 September, and be leaving 12 December. Three months minus one day. Seems perfect to me!
But I'm not despairing. I'm not even worried. I just want to talk it out logically with my friends at the copmany on Monday--I know the Argentines (at least in the company) pretty well, now, and know that nothing except the worst of tragedies gets remedied on a Friday. Fine by me; it's just as well. I'd much rather get home, shower, and eat.
After doing the above, it was about one in the afternoon. I deem it naptime, but I have to call everyone to let them know what has happened (parents, Z parents, L from Immigrations, big bro F). Then I should take my laundry to the laundromat. Alright, NOW I sleep.
You know me, I cannot nap.
Pretty soon I was headed out to the villas again to help M with "Sonidos de Esperanza" (Sounds of Hope), the music class. Always a time of extremes: poverty, pain, glee, love, brokenness. See Bonus Blog.
I grab some facturas (sweet breads!) for the subte ride home. I think my favorites are the ones filled with dulce de leche. One of those, and one sort of like a croissant. Then I head to the station. See Bonus Blog.
I got home to have enough time to check in with family a tiny bit, get some veggies, and discover the laundromat to be closed. Hmmm. What on earth shall I wear tonight? We'll have to see.
Finding an outfit took a while, scrounging around in what was left to me. But I eventually find it. Then F comes to my apartment with his buddy J--they're both crazy--and we head for the concert. I'm shocked at how easily and fluidly the Spanish is slipping off my tongue now, even with the few tongue-twisted moments that make us all laugh.
We end up being early for the concert--a friend told the boys it started at eleven, but that's SO early for anything to be starting here. But she had insisted. So there we are, waiting around on a park bench outside the bar. Hungry. Watching the lights on the planetarium. Laughing. Hungry.
Thank goodness for the equivalent of hot dog stands. I had a "bondiola" (some kind of meat--the boys kept barking and telling me it came from my sandwich to tease me), same as F. J was insanely hungry, so he had both a choripan and a hamburger.
Eventually we met up with some more of their friends at a bar/restaurant at a really hoppin' plaza. We hang out, laugh, and watch as F and J throw peanuts.
We start walking home, and that is really fun. One by one, though, we drop each other off at bus stops.
In the end, F and I walk back to my apartment, talking. I assure him I had fun tonight with all his friends, and yawn. I decide he's the substitute for the older brother I never got to have. Hopefully he continues to be okay with that. :) (He'll read this, too, because his English is fabulous.)
Home. Late, or rather, early. Make some tea, have a spoonful of dulce de leche, make sure everybody's safely in for the night, go to sleep.
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