Tonight I Can Write

Photo Credit: Bracani….Antonio
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write for example, ‘The night is shattered
and the blue stars shiver in the distance.’
The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.
 
A portion of Pablo Neruda’s poem XX, Twenty Love Poems and a
Song of Despair
There are mosquitos the size of bats on the ceiling. I’ve been [...]

Looking Towards Summer

Photo Credit: silkegb
It’s raining today in Buenos Aires, a steady rainfall perfect for grading papers and catching up with favorite blogs. I’m contented, as yesterday afternoon I sat in Parque Las Heras just feeling the sun on my face. It was the first warm day in a long time where I could go without my jacket.

Don’t Pet the Cats

Photo Credit: Andshewas
In my Top Ten Things post, I mentioned that it’s worth your time to visit the cats in Parque Carlos Thays in Palermo.
It’s surprising how tame the cats are. They are used to cat lovers who arrive daily to set out little dishes of food at set locations. They are also used to Argentines willing to sit on [...]

Barrio Exchanges

Ricardo sat on a vegetable crate across from me with a wide, cheshire grin.
“I would love to practice my English with you. I am traveling to New York in the week after next.” I mustered a half smile.
I answered in slow, methodical Spanish, “You will love it there. Are you going to the theatre? You [...]

Stranger in My Blood

“But here, absolutely everything conspires to keep me staring into the dark.”
–Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun

This was my feeling when I first arrived—learning the subtle movements and navigations of Buenos Aires I needed to see me through. Not only did I need to learn the literal language, I needed to learn the other [...]

Bambino Mio

There is much Italian influence in the Buenos Aires. I’ve noticed that many portenos, or native Argentinans, have an Italian appearance. Also, when I hear the older men talk, I’m reminded of the cadence of the Sicilians in the Godfather. The wine is superb here. Unfortunately for us, they make really bad pizza.
As I walked through [...]

New Kid in Town

This is the view on the street outside our apartment. I’ve always liked tennis shoes hanging from a power line.
I am flexible with change and blend in with most environments. Before I arrived in Buenos Aires, I had the idealistic notion that no one would recognize me as an American. It’s not as though [...]