a few amigos

Our good buddy Juan. I call him "Juanche" or "Juancher"- not sure if he is all that fond of it, but I call him that anyway out of cariño (a collaboration of his name, Juan, and "che"- the Argentine "hey" commonly used when addressing another person.) Fun Facts: He studies Sociology. He teaches kiddies how to play the guitar. And like the majority of Argentines, he takes weekly visits to the psychiatrist.
For more info on Argentina's obsession w/psychoanalysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IJmcU-kwMM :)

Meet Julieta, our friend/tutor whose got dance moves like no other. She started off as a tutor, and then quickly thereafter a friendship was born. Our once a week tutor sesh always opens up with hysterical chitter-chatter surrounding Argentinos, weekend outings, and upcoming to-do's.

Fellow Californian Mikey. We met him and his roommate/best friend, Robin, at a party a while back. Small world story: Upon me telling him I did massage, he said "Oh sweet. Yeah, my tutor has business cards of a student of hers who is doing massage here, and some fliers for some wellness package deal..." me: "Wait, who's your tutor?" mikey: "Julieta." me: "Julieta is my tutor! And those flyers/biz cards- that's us! Col and I, we are 'Samatha'! (the name of our pilates/massage package deal that has unfortunately not gone anywhere :) ...I about died.

Lucas. He looks super serious in this photo- I promise he's a nice guy. Yet another small world story: The first time he came over, I met him downstairs to let him in the building...he asks me, "Are you in 1e? Martin's apartment?" me: "Whaaaat?" lucas: "Martin is a friend of mine, best friend's w/my ex. I was just recently in Europe for a month, and saw him while in Barcelona..." Wild, right? Turns out he had spent a lot of time in our apt as his ex-novia used to live here.

Kayton & Becca. Kayton hails from Atlanta, GA...Was working in BA up until a few weeks ago when he had to return to the States to take care of some things. Great guy. And Becca, as in the Becca & Durban who went to school w/my bf from back home, Phoebe...both are incredible gals- their zesty spirits and fun loving personalities I find absolutely divine.

I met Jenni (chica on the left) while she was working at Coragroppo, a favorite store of mine...I was being the extremely indecisive person that I am regarding that jacket I am wearing in the photo (went back to the store like 10x before making the purch,) and upon going for it, I basically asked her to be my friend. Haha. Sounds funny. But she seemed like a rad person and hey, it's not easy to make friends that are girls here. And so that was that. She is now an awesome amiga...Fun Facts: She has about a year left in her textile/fashion design studies. She makes a mean caiparinha. And her, Col & I are dreaming up plans to start an Argentine/U.S. bikini line... look for it :)

visitors, horses & catwalks

Sammy & I at the San Telmo Street Fair.

After almost three weeks in the apartment solita, Coller returned from Chile and we were immediately met by a wave of visitors. Our first visitante, Sam, we had actually never even met- a nephew of Jude and Rob (Col's godparents slash good family friends who came to visit us in Brazil,) who was needing a little vacay before school got underway. One of the most easy going, pleasant-to-be-around chaps I have ever met...he put up with a lot :) as Col and I showed him the ropes of Baires in five days- I think he had a hellavuh time. Sammy's viaje overlapped with the arrival of Kauai-based lovebirds, Britney and Erasmo...many a good times were had as our days were filled with city meanderings, a horse race, workouts in the park, an apple stuffed-honey glazed chicken roast (which unfortunately was devoured in 5 minutes- we were in a rush, so yes, hands were involved,) groovin' at Bomba del Tiempo (a killer percussion show that Col and I often frequent on Mondays,) "Veronica"- Brit's peppy alter ego/workout prof persona that she puts on to lead her pound-shedding cardio sessions, a BsAs Fashion Week runway show (yes, Erasmo, being the trooper he is, went along...and totally enjoyed himself I might add!)...and lots of kickin' back at the apt.

Bife de lomo time at Miranda, our favorite parilla (steakhouse/grill) just around the corner.

An afternoon at the Hipodromo, Palermo's prime time horse racing track...

Britney Lee strikes a pose.

Buenos Aires Fashion Week is here. As Coragroppo is one of our favorite designers here in Baires, we hit up her show to see the not-yet-released designs on the catwalk. http://coragroppo.com/

A hand-banded duo. Brit & Coller at Bomba del Tiempo.

pretty woman...walkin' down the street.

The inside skinny surrounding a few cositas that fill these days of mine...
...For some reason I crave apples at all hours, averaging about 6 a day- yesterday I had 8. Mom says I should cut back, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. Sorry mamers! For a little something dulce I've been slicing up sweet ladies, topping them with a glaze made of fresh lemon juice, raw honey, cinnamon and oats, and throwing those babies in the oven. Super-rica!
...I am a total gym rat-there's just no denying it. The classes at La Imprenta Fitness are superb. Absolutely obsessed with spinning, and my stretching teacher Walter? Don't get me started. The man is a hoot, and a hero- he is helping me with my tightening-of-the-quadriceps tendencies. I have a few middle-aged lady friends who I pump iron with, sauna with, etc...oh how I love charlar-ing it up with my fellow gym rat friends! The ambiance of the classes differ greatly from those I've taken in the States- there is sooo much more chitter chatter (esp from the female boca,) and when an exercise proves tough, these women will just scream out (literally) sighs and gasps like no other. And some of these bordering-on-sexual movements that the profs have us do in GAP (glutes, abs, piernas) class? Wow. A bit much, but I do find it rather comical. You know what's also entertaining are some of the getups that the sixty-something ladies wear...we're talking pantyhose, skintastic body suits in sparkled fuschias and golds, all topped off with a headband to match. It's incredible.
...Been meeting a lot of really fabulous people lately, hosting cenas and get togethers at the apt (which by the way I am still obsessed with) and hittin' the town with newfound amigos. I am struggling in the friendship photo department, but once I get my act together I'll be sure to post em'!
...And my first time experience as a masajista? You know, other than the minor bump in the road here and there, I must say that it's been treating me quite well. It's allowed for a flexible schedule which we all know I loooove, but of course the downside is the lack of consistency- one week I'll have six massages, the next, two. It's all very spur of the moment. The majority of my clients are those simply passing through Baires, most of them being businessmen from the States. The whole situation: me, young girl, with my massage table, oils, and música relajante going to the hotel rooms of men in a foreign city...seems pretty sketchy, right? Thank the good Lord I've not run into any bad situations thus far. Most I can see coming from a mile away- take for example, the guy who needed to talk to me on the phone regarding the session (whaaat?) who then proceeded to ask me in his creeper voice if I provided anything other than massage. It's really frustrating to be practicing massage, such a beautiful form of art and wellbeing, in a country that tangles it so liberally with sexual content. Those disturbing emails, they come every now and again, asking for photos, or if I am available at ten o' clock that evening...straight to the recycle bin they go! As for the folks I've actually met and worked on, it's been wonderful...and even better when they are residing here in Baires as I am able to develop a relationship with them. One client who I just actually met for the first time last week, lives in a 3-story penthouse (w/pool and parilla on the rooftop terrace) with a killer panoramic view of the city...he talked my ear off the entire massage (real nice guy- friend of a friend,) and then post-massage offered to take me home...I hesitated, but then thought alright- might as well save some plata. So there I am, total scrounger waiting on the curb with my massage table, and out he pulls in a slick-rick Ferrari! Can we say Julia Roberts and Richard Gere? Straight out of "Pretty Woman" let me tell you...I about died. Funny thing is the camilla didn't even fit in his hotrod ...hahaha... had to take a taxi.

l.i.f.e.

About a month or so ago I began volunteering for an organization called L.I.F.E. (http://www.lifeargentina.org/,) a non-profit that works in socially marginalized and extremely impoverished areas of Argentina- their objective being to raise the standard of living and daily environment of children, providing them with otherwise inaccessible opportunities. L.I.F.E. offers a number of recreational, educational, and social activities, all of which are set in the outskirts of the city, known as the villas. In order to wholly connect with the chicos, I decided it best to simply pick a site and stick with it...and so each and every week I jump in that beater of a green van packed tight with others from around the globe, and reunite with the youngsters of La unión hacia la fuerza...

a leaf on my bed.

This past Tuesday Col and I said chau chau to Luis M. Campos 381 3C, somehow managed to get all of our crap (including my massage table) plus the two of us into a taxi, and moved it on over to bigger and better (not to mention cheaper!)...Welcome to our dwelling on Bonpland 1693 1E.


Oh I couldn't be more feliz right now. This place is fabulous. Set in Palermo Hollywood, a subsection of Baires' largest neighborhood (Palermo,) our new pad is perched at the cross-section of two popular, but neighborhood-esque streets (I can't tell you how nice it is not confronting a main drag, ie. Luis M. Campos, each and every morning upon leaving the apartment...no way to start your day.)


Some of the city's most happenin' cafes, bars, & restaurants can be found scattered throughout Palermo Hollywood which makes for 24-hr action on the streets below (noise- yeah, we've got noise.) Although our old apt was sleek and quiet, my oh my we were aching to bounce out (esp with all of those damned rules/regs we were living with- no way to live.) We were in need of something with a little more character, a little more onda ...everything was so modern, blank, and regimented in theme, the color palette being black, white, and silver, making it hard for even a bouquet of flowers to survive up in there.


I cannot even begin to describe how much more this place suits my (our) style...super tall ceilings & large windows allowing for divine amounts of natural light and fresh air to waft about, hardwood floors/table that aren't white (yeah that's a no no,) funky decor, heaps of color, paintings on the walls...the living room is very 1960's salon- I can picture it now: a few nicely groomed older gents conversing the afternoon away, cigar in one hand, and hard liqueur on the rocks in the other...in the corner, a red-lipped, sassy lady friend, surely adorned in jewels and mink, sits back puffing on one of those extra long cigs. Love it. Oh and we have a balcony! Always wanted one of those.


Geesh, I am so thankful for this space, this light, this color! And the visual access to the outside world? So necessary. There is nothing quite like having sunshine shine throughout your living quarters- makes for a perfect afternoon of relaxing in a comfy chair with a book and fresh fruit a mano, the warmth of the sun gracing your cheeks. I have found that around 2pm the sun enters our bedroom window just so, pouring light out onto the bed and creating some of the most exquisite journaling-chill out sessions EVER. Yesterday I found myself truly delighted to find that a large leaf had made it's way through the window and onto the bed where I sprawled...it's the little things that keep me going I suppose- what would we do without em'? Cheers to sun-kissed faces & leaves on your bed.

love the taxistas

Just thought I might take a moment to shout out some love for the cab drivers here in Baires...
I feel as if every time I am either going to/returning from a massage, my happiness level skyrockets. Perhaps it's the hablar-ing in Spanish, or maybe it's the brief glimpse into a strangers story...whatever it may be though, through it I find contentment. Connecting with this taxi drivin' population of porteños has provided much entertainment. Exchanging stories. Talking authors, elections, culture, weather- the whole shebang. Often times with taxistas you've got to be the forward one and throw at them the "¿Cómo te va tu día?" and from there, well, most are elated to chit chat it up for a while...but every now and again I'll receive the short, blunted answer that leaves me hanging...I suppose ya can't win em all.

what i would give...

My days are void of blues and greens, of dirt and leaf, of tank tops and flip flops. Hearing from all ya'll back home speak of days spent in the mountains, on the sand, and in the water...it doesn't digest well! While I stand on congested avenues throwing my body out into traffic to snatch a cab, you people sit lakeside sipping on brewskies and eating guacamole. While I throw on my fleece and alpaca cap to brave the brisk morning walk to the gym, you people strip down to your bikinis and board shorts and hit the beach for a little wave riding and sun worshiping. While I look outside my window and see a brick wall, you people look outside your windows and see warmth. I'm throwing myself a major pity party here, no denying that one... :) And really, it's not all that bad...I like to be dramatic at times, especially when it comes to this city slicker-in-the-winter lifestyle that I am taking on. It's plain and simple though- I am craving summer. What I would give...to breathe crisp montaña air, to cruise on a bike, to stretch out on sand! I suppose it's time I get myself up out of this mayhem and back in touch with good ol' Madre Naturaleza. Cheers to that.