Milongas

I am officially in love! It turns out the Buenos Ayres Club (http://www.buenosayresclub.com/) is just two blocks away from my house - so I decided to check it out last night. Tango classes at 21.00, and the real milonga (a place or event where tango or milonga is danced) with live orchestra at 23.00.

So much fun! About 30 people showed up for the class, a mix of tourists and Argentines. Laura and the male teacher referred to as "El Gato" (the cat) led us through some stretches, basic postures, walking with the tango attitude, and some basic steps, which we practiced alone or in couples, changing partner with every exercise.

While waiting for the doors to open, I met Lucas, Porteno who speaks a very good French! We were joined by his three colleagues for the milonga, which totally filled up with local tango aficionados. Beautiful thirty- and fourtysomething people, some dressed up, others casually hip, difficult to keep our eyes of the sensual but strictly professional body communication between the pairs, so full of tension and unfulfilled attraction. And then the live music, performed by the 10-headed La Orquesta Tipica El Afronte, wauw! We quickly spotted our favourite figures on the dance floor: Crocodile Dundee without the hat; the girl with the superb red-heeled tango shoes; Woody Allen in Crocs; and then, the main cause of animation, laughter and entertainment at our table: the lambada girl, moving her hips way too much for a classical tango that I decided that she is officially inventing a new dance - the tangada. The author of this piece was also asked a couple of times on the dancefloor, and since according to etiquette you can't really refuse, I managed to stammer a couple of words to indicate that I am really really really a beginner. Being led over the dancefloor is pure magic! The Dj took over at the end, and was acclaimed for the typical Folklore songs from the North which stirred a type of inline dancing from the locals, known as Chacarera. What a beautiful night! I am officially in love with tango!

Que?!?

Good news! I am no longer working all by myself at the office! And even though Luciana only joined me last week, it feels as if we've known each other for a long time!

A feated journalist, published by several national newspapers and magazines, smart and witty, and with a good sense of social involvement, what a pleasure to work with! Needless to say that my Spanish is finally also starting to improve now.

Today, we decided to no longer communicate after 5.30 pm, because for some reason, we end up having parallel conversations in castellano. A snapshot of today's conversation, around 5.30 pm indeed:
Rose: "So, where are we meeting Javier for lunch on Wednesday?"
Lu: "He only has one hour for lunch."
Rose: "I thought we agreed to meet at 1.30 pm already?"

Que!?! No entiendo!
Welcome Lu!!!

Trojan Horse

Sorry, dit kon ik niet laten...
Met dank aan Heloise voor de continue stroom jokes en twijfelachtige humor ;-)

Home

This is the official start of my new life in Buenos Aires. As I came HOME twice over the weekend.

First, on a physical level, how nice to finally have a place I can call home. My suitcases finally unpacked. A working kitchen. The old pinewood floors cracking under my feet, the six meter high arched ceilings and the antique furniture taking me back into time. I love every inch of this place, and it looks like there is a good vibe in the community living in this Pasaje, as I found out on my first night. Ovidio, the landlord, came by with a set of extra keys, and promptly invited me over to his best friends in the Pasaje, taking a bottle of red along with us. I found three French guys playing cards (stronten!), in the one apartment which includes a turret as extra feature, so I guess that this is the official castle in the block.

Second, how nice to come home to myself. I spent this first long weekend in Canuelas, on an advanced meditation course in silence organized by the Art of Living. Blissful, peaceful, relaxed, I am sporting the biggest smile I've ever had on my face, one that comes from within. I was in desperate need of this, as the stress of the move and all that comes with it was slowly taking the best of me. I started having restless nights, worrying, stressing, and the fact that I was going through all this by myself certainly did not make it easier (hint: I really welcome your emails and calls ;-)). So, this is a new and fresh beginning: I'm ready for the big challenge ahead, of making our first Latin America chapter a big success, and of building a happy life for myself here.

Anyway, as promised, here are some pictures of my castle, enjoy! Oh yes, there is one added surprise in my castillo, which you can't see on the pictures, and which is making me soooooo happy! If you can guess what it is, you get priority on the visitors list ;-)

https://picasaweb.google.com/rose.vervenne/ElCastillo?authkey=Gv1sRgCOKxyNXv7Nq4zQE#