These are a few of my favorite things..

When the dog bites.. ok just kidding..
so.. ive been in argentina now.. long enought to recognize some patterns..getting to know the ways and means...of them all.. here are some of my favorites..
*the hands.. i love how the Argentinans..when they are fed up.. or if something is far away.. or something is just loco.. they do this flicking of their hands.. and i wish i had a video of it.. but its as if you are brushing the side of your face like you have a mosquito buzzing near your ear!
*Asados.. yes.. so cliche to say i love them.. but you know.. its dazzling to look at all the MEAT they grill up.. identifiable pigs.. split in half.. skewered and roasting next to the campfire... legs.. literally .. of lamb..though iu have to say.. the kidneys.. and brains.. and thyroid dont appeal.. however..
*did i ever think i would grow accustmed to BLOOD Sausage?? um no.. but it is sweet and creamy.. and well.. im starting to dig it.
*the plazas in every city center.. no matter how small the city.. pueblo is a small city.. i just realized that.. all my life i thought it was a house! in this pueblito we visited today.. there was a lovely plaza.. and i learned that everything important.. the church, the municipal buliding.. school.. were all built.. in the spanish tradition, within 2 blocks of the plaza. Where have our values gone.. that everything is now built for the sake of cars.. and not beautiful central places where people meet?
*ceramic arbors.. with flowered vines growing on all of them.. all over town.. though usually in or around the plazas.. places for talk and love and music.. and relaxation.
*men on bicycles with large cloth covered baskets selling large ham, cheese and veggie stuffed bready goodness.. oh my yumminess..
*ok.. this ones not good for the argentinians.. but my goodness.. food is so inexpensive here. in fact.. most things are really inexpensive.. its ridculous.. and speaking of which.. ive been drinking coffee here.. they are small and sweet and just damn good.. though i had to stop..cause i was getting headaches from something.. i think this is my first day without both coffee or wine and i feel much better. no mas for me. at least not every day.
*had my first tango lesson. and it was FABULOUS!!!!!! yipee.... i mean truly. i learned so much in 1 hour.. i just loved it..i hope i get to do it again!!
* i love these internet places.. its the equiv of about $1 an hour.. and there are about 25 computers in this place.. its perfect.. it allows people to get a break by not needing a computer at home. and gives us tourists and great way to stay connected!


Ok.i know there is more.. but i forgot my little notebook on my walk here .. so more on the goodness later.. now here are afew things i think could use some serious improvement

*air pollution.. ugh.. its awful. i was standing in the botanical garden the other day... in the center of Buenos Aires.. (which, BTW ALbertoo....was not that spectacular.. but i only got to a small portion of it.. .. recoletta.. the cemetary where eva perron is buried was much more beautiful.. in a very differnt way...).. and looked at the street.. and could see this fog of grey smut in the air.. its hard to breathe.. that on top of all the damn smoke.. everyone in this country smokes!! its gross. and its been irritating my nose and lungs since day 1.. but fortunatly less people lately have been addicted to that little white stick...

*the driving!! agh!! i swear.. i am grateful every time i get out safely from a car. i tried to calculate how fast our driver was going today.. 140 km per hour! what that.. about 90 mph.. and noone follows the lines.. or rules..i mean noone.. old and young alike.. so.. not to scare you mom and dad.. i know you are the ones who will balk at this most.. fortunately .. everyone has the same mentality. and it seems to be a great dance that everyone does together..

*this country has a serious lack of garbage cans.. everywhere! In houses, the only ones int he houses are in the kitchens! its bizarre! ive grown accustomed to carrying a little bag for garbage with me wherever i go.. and deposit when i finally get the chance. i dont get it.. dont they have dirty snotty tissues to be tossed in the bathroom.. or is that just an american thing?.. which btw.. i learned that it is politically incoorect to say that i am an american.. cause they, too, are americans.. so im from the United states.. and try to be sensitive not to say im american. which.. i totally respect. never really thought about it before. but really we have the word america in our country´s name.. so its natural to say im american. but hey.. always good to be reminded that there are a lot of other types of americans!!

*have i said the smoking is awful?

*where are the vegetables in this country? i need some kale!! help!! actually.. its a really interesting time to be here.. with the farmers striking. and the president causing a real ruckus for the people. i cant get into it now.. but just so you all know.. its not affecting us all that much... and we are fine.. and safe.. adn they will be having discussions over the next 30 days.. so i think it will be more mellow.

allright yall.. my host dad just showed up to pick me up.. so i gotta run! but i send hugs and kisses out to you.. and hope all is well at home.
abrazos y besos..
eek