Back in the US

After a really long trip I arrived sound and well in Seattle. But the trip was not so sound and well. First we were delayed one hour coming from Argetina to Atlanta (while everybody was already sitting in the plane). This just made the 10 hour trip even longer. In Atlanta was unlucky enough to be checked at customs, and they pretty much unloaded my whole bags....so I missed my connecting flight by about 20 minutes. Then I got re-routed to Salt Lake City, where I had to wait another 1.5 hours at the airport to then finally get into Portland about 4 hours late. After a short ride on the MAX I arrived at the Greyhound station, just in time to catch the my bus to Seattle. Let me just say that it was an interesting experience, but I was just simply too tired to drive a rental car to Seattle. Oh yeah I think I forgot to mention that they also lost part of my luggage. I was really exhausted. The next day I went downtown to get a haircut and do some shopping which always has a negative effect on my wallet :o). Then I went to the lake to enjoy the warm temperatures and the wonderful whether that we are having right now in Seattle. Last night the missing bag finally made it. Today I just went down to the lake and had my Starbucks breakfast. So the job that I wanted in Switzerland, Marketing Assistant for Starbucks....well I did not get it. It kind of sucks, but it is more of a loss for them than for me.

La Viruta - Milonga

Last night I went to "La Viruta" in Palermo again. It was magnificent because this time I went with a friend...It started with another crash course (number 2 for me) with a whole bunch of other beginners. I made some interesting experiences to say the least dancing with a variety of women of all shapes and forms. After the initial crash course we were released to "la pista" to try our learned skills. Yesterday was much better, because there wer not that many people on the dance floor. So there was enough room even for me to dance a few Tangos and with every drink from the bar I became a little bit more curageous in the moves that I attempted to do. I think that I will go to this place a couple of more times in the remainder of the time here in Buenos Aires. Next week I also have to go buy Tango shoes for my sister and also for myself. Today I might go shopping a little bit again in Palermo...which is my favorite part of town as I said.

The Last 2 Weeks...

Well first of all I would like to say that the sweets here in Argentina are to die for. In the picture I am enjoying am enjoying a crumptious "Alfajore" from the little bakery on the corner....mmmm so delicious.

The time just seems to be flying by here in Argentina, and despite the rather cold weather I am still having a blast and planning to do so until May 29th when I am flying back to the U.S. I really must say that after a while of getting aclimatized here in Buenos Aires I have started to feel really like home. But then again...I think at least for me that happens very quickly, a little bit due to the fact that right now I don't have a home. I will return to Buenos Aires for sure at one point in the future. I hope that the inflation will come to a halt again. The inflation is pretty crazy. In the newspapers they write 0.4% inflation for April. Well how come a loaf of bread increased in price by 10%. I think that someone here is trying to keep the population of Buenos Aires in the dark over the real number of inflation. Still Buenos Aires is very reasonable to live with the added bonus of being very European (Underground transport, buses...).

Last night I went to my first Milonga which is a large scale Tango event. I choose "The Viruta" as my venue of choice which is located in Palermo. From having seen a few different places in Buenos Aires I must say that I like that one the best to go out and of course for shopping in the countless little boutiques with the ocasional stop in a near little coffeehouse on the side.

The Milonga was a very special experience for me. First I had a Tango class, and for once I was in the minority of being a tourist. Finally there were more women than men, which made the whole class experience more fun. Then later at night there was a class during the main Tango event...beginners (me) were pulled aside for a little crash course in Tango, which was incredibly amusing to say the least. Then we were released into the mayhem of the grand Milonga dance floor, where I danced a little. But soon I found myself in the position of the bystander as it is incredibly hard for a beginner to dance in a crowd of other couples. Nevertheless it was really nice to watch other couples dance. Tango is so sensual and I really I want to continue to venture into Tango once I get back to Switzerland. Tonight I will go to the Milonga again and who knows maybe I can even swing my Tango leg a little. Suerte and hasta luego....Nicolás

DAVID LACHAPELLE - Heaven to Hell

It is time once again for a little update from the city of tango. Yesterday I went to an exhibition that I wanted to go to for such a long time. It was the David Lachapelle "Heaven to Hell" exhibition here at the Malba museum. David Lachapelle is the guy who makes a lot of sexually charged art with a lot of celebrities. He also started doing some music videos including "It´s my life" for No Doubt and "Dirrrty" for Christina Aguilera.

After a very long walk through the streets of Recoleta (artsy district) I finally made it there. The exhibition was great, even though much smaller than I thought. The images were so vibrant in color and very captivating. I could very clearly see the influences that he must have gotten from Andy Warhol back in the days. I really wanted to buy a some prints of his art work, but they did not have anything.

Then my daily dose of Tango was on the menu. I am slowly getting better and after a nearly private lesson last Saturday I now understand things a little better. So yesterday I learned some really complicated move, which I put to the test with a eldery woman from Venezuala...who clearly appreciated the young meat in her fingers. For me it was a little scary but also funny.

Tonight I am thinking of going to a Milonga (Tango dance event). It is in Palermo, which is another really cool part of town that I went to last Saturday. A lot of cool little shops, bars and cafes.

Learning how to walk!!

The weather has gotten bad again, and then so it rained yesterday and today is not much better. My venture into dancing Tango is now in full swing and I take a lot of classes at three different school. Slowly I am getting the hang of it, but it feels that I need to re-learn how to walk.....which is not the easiest, but it is fun. As soon as I get good enough I will take some pictures and post them. On Monday we had a huge demonstration here in Buenos Aires on the "9 de Julio" and pretty much the subway stoped running, and the whole inner part of the city was pretty much a mess. Today I have a class solely for Tango technic, which seems to be the hardest `part for me. Tonight the brother of my roomate from Switzerland is arriving and staying with us for a couple of weeks. So pretty much full house, which always makes it interesting.

"El Primero Asado"

So last night my roommates had some friends over for a real Argentine BBQ. It was wonderful, and as usual....I ate way too much. We had 5Kg of meat and salads and a whole bunch of other stuff and the evening didn´t end until 4 in the morning.

Today I feel a little bit hungover from all the wine that I had, and also feel that I don't really need to eat for a while either :) I am getting a little better after being sick for the past two days and sleeping too much.

Tonight I will have 2.5 hours of Tango classes in the city. I tried to go to a beginner/intermediate class the other night, but it was a little bit too hard for me. But I like it so far and with a little bit of time and patience on the side of the instructor even I will get the hang of it.

I also posted a little movie tour through my apartment here in Buenos Aires. You can have a look at it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSAeuHxYVNI

I should have some pictures up soon, but I always felt too much like a tourist if I was walking around and taking pictures, plus it is safer to not send out the full tourist vibe in Buenos Aires.

Tango Fever

After whole week of rain it seemed to have come to a stop now, and the weather is very nice with about 24º Celcius as well as sunshine. Since 2 days I am now living in the apartment of my sister, which is really nice I must say. It is fairly close to the center of Buenos Aires, and I soon will upload a little movie tour of it. It has a large terrace in the back and a rooftop terrace as well. I love it here, even though I am still getting a little situated in the apartment and everything. My Spanish is quickly improving as I am living with a real Argentine as well as his girlfriend, who is from Switzerland.....but we rarely talk Swiss German. Yesterday I met with a friend of my sister to discuss my pursuit of Tango while I am here in Buenos Aires. There so much, that I could literally dance all day and night, 7 days a week. But I think that I have found a couple of schools that I want to check out and some other places. For Friday we have a true Argentine BBQ planned with some friends of my roommates. Should fun, because I just love the meat here, and especially the prices of it!!! Tomorrow I will go to my first Tango class and I am very much looking forward to that. If I like I want to fully emerge myself in this subculture of Buenos Aires. Let me know what you are up to.