Spring fair and Spring Rolls

Keeping up with blog posts has been hard, both because I’m extremely busy and because I’ve gotten into a routine that leaves few new observations to write about.  This weekend, however, after a week of ridiculous amounts of homework,  I did have a few new adventures worth sharing.

Feria de Mataderos:

My program took us to a fair in a part of the city that historically was the slaugherhouse area for the massive quantities of Argentine beef to be exported (hence the name mataderos).  Upon arrival, one immediately noticed the gaucho influences: men in old-fashioned hats, stands selling food and panchos, etc.  It was the perfect place to buy souvenirs, as one could find anything from knives to jewelry to mate gourds.  Of course the free samples of cheese, jams, and dulce de leche were particularly appealing, though I did get tired of pretending to be interesting in purchasing their wares.  After buying a few gifts and consuming a few too many empanadas, we boarded the bus home.

Barrio Chino:

What would a big city be without a Chinatown? (Though in this case, it’s more like China Street.)  It was a big feat for my friends and I to be on a whole new quadrant of the map, and we were really excited walking down the cluttered road.  Shops bursting with plastic trinkets and dangling lanterns alternated with restaurants offering a change of pace from Argentine beef.  Though the food wasn’t quite like Chinese food in America (Wonton soup was more like Wonton water), it tasted great after not having eaten much other than ham, beef, and empanadas for the last few months.  Deciphering the menu was a particular challenge, as the plates were listed as Spanish translations of the Chinese dishes.  Sleepy and full, we rode the subte (subway) back ready to start another week of classes.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Several things of importance happened in the last week that I must make note of: 1. I found an imitation Chipotle called California Burrito Company (CBC).  It is modeled exactly after the real thing, offering burritos, three tacos, or a salad made for you as you select your toppings of choice.  Even the décor is similarly styled, with corrugated metal paneling.  Though the food isn’t quite as good, it is a pretty close approximation considering it’s in South America.  2.  In case my craving for Mexican (or Mexican-ish) food wasn’t satisfied by two trips to CBC, I ate at an amazingly delicious taco shop this weekend.  I ordered guacamole for an appetizer and proceeded to eat the entire Frisbee-full of the delicious dip.  And the tacos were spectacular- I foresee a return trip in the near future.

3. I went to a museum by myself for the first time- El Museo de Bellas Artes.  It was really different looking at the paintings without the company of others; I was forced to really think about what I was seeing.  Sometimes I found my mind meandering through the brushstrokes, envisioning dappled fingers guiding the brush across the canvas and wondering about the rationale behind each shape and color.  Other times I was transported there- into the grand ballroom bustling with lavishly-dressed aristocrats or onto the storm-swept ship amidst crusty pirates.  I didn’t have enough time to see it all, but I really want to go back!  4.  I went to Buenos Aires Fashion Week— what an experience.  To make a long story short: I waited more than 4 hours to get into one of the fashion shows, was turned away because it filled up, then acquired an invitation which let me enter.  Worth it?  Hard to say but it was really pretty exciting to see the runway and the artistic designs by Wanama.  4. Being surrounded by thousands of fashionable people inspired me to do a little shopping- probably the most dangerous activity yet.  Everything was so cheap that I just kept making purchases! I got one of those dresses that you can wear ten different ways and have had a lot of fun trying them all out.  I also bought a Wanama top (it was surprisingly inexpensive) as a souvenir to remind me of my BAF Week experience.  5. Saturday night was my first time really going out the Argentine way (a.k.a. really late).  I ate dinner at 11pm (very normal here), was entertained by a belly dancing show while I slowly savored my meal, and watched the restaurant slowly convert into a nightclub.  I stayed out until 6am, and honestly don’t know how they do it here because I was yawning quite a bit by the end.  We ended the night with breakfast in a café (yup, they are still open) and then finally made it home for some much needed sleep.  Though I was pretty exhausted, it was a lot of fun dancing the night away with my friends!

Learning the Hard Way…

I’ve been here a week now, and I have definitely learned a lot about living in Buenos Aires.  I’ve gotten use to the crazy schedule (staying out until 5am and going to class at 9:30) and have perfected the art of napping. I have learned how to avoid accepting counterfeit money as change, that Argentine guys are ridiculously persistent in the bars

Luckily, another girl from my program lives near me so we make the trek to orientation classes together.

and must be given a very cold shoulder and fake phone number, and that you have to push the button on the bus for your stop or you will end up going way too far.  (Yes, I learned most of these things the hard way.) I can navigate my way through a menu a little better (the empanadas are delicious), and quickly found the local dessert- alfajores. These are cookie sandwiches filled with the carmel-like dulce de leche which are sometimes covered in chocolate.  Yum… I realized quickly that it isn’t rude to yell for the waiter when he’s across the room- if you don’t he’ll never come over because he doesn’t want to bother you.

I do love that ordering a tea entitles you to the table for the afternoon, and today I took advantage of this to enjoy a lazy Sunday reading at a café.

I’ve already done a little too much shopping, but it is hard to resist as the prices are amazing.  And you have to buy leather boots when you’re here, right?

There was a power outage two days ago (yes, I survived a whole day with no phone or computer as both were in need of a charge.)  Though there was no water or light, it was kind of fun to live by candlelight.  And unfortunately, a neighbor realized I was borrowing their wireless internet and password protected it, so I am now unconnected- grr… Guess I have another excuse to go to a cafe.

Yesterday my program gave us a bus tour of the city.  We got to see the historic area of La Boca where the first immigrants lived and painted their houses with random paint that came in on ships.  (Hence the different colored sections on the walls.)  We visited the Casa Rosada (the equivalent of the White House) in the Plaza de Mayo where the mothers/grandmothers of the disappeared still protest.  We also toured my neighborhood a bit where street performers draw spectators and booths sell useless crafts.

I started my Saturday night at a traditional parilla, where meat is the specialty.  I went with a big group of girls and we ordered a bunch of entrees to share.  With several different types of meat and potatoes, I was left a-yearning for some veggies.  The beef, chicken, and pork were tasty for sure, but meat alone doesn’t really do it for me.  We did order some tomatoes, but for some reason the tomatoes here have a distinct twang that does not quite appeal to me.

I start classes next week, so I’ll keep you posted about all-Spanish lectures!