The One With The Article on No Spare Change in Buenos Aires

Latest write up on Buenos Aires that we here have known for ages:

"Spare Change? There's None in Buenos Aires" by Uki Goni

And I've NEVER liked coins. But, here in Buenos Aires, I find myself collecting them to use.

Sigh.

The One With The Fun-Filled Weekend (Nov. 13-16, 2008)

Ever since my crappy US $3,000.00 DELL notebook crashed on me a couple of months back, I've not been able to upload any of the pictures taken using my still loved (though slowly deteriorating) Nokia cellphone. Therefore, the following entry shall be . . . photo less. I know, you all crave for more pictures of yours truly, but bare with me.

Ok, so I've had an amazing weekend this past one.

Started on Thursday night. Met Mike (aka Miquel, LOL), Ariel and the lovely Natalia for the first time. All's I'm saying guys, next time, do NOT eat a big ol steak dinner at MIDNITE! I got so worked up for the night, too . . . Only to have been dumped after the bar. Sad, but hey, I completely understand. No biggie. We still got another month or so. I ended up hooking up with a couple of other friends and went clubbing till 3 am. So, ended ok, anyway.

On Friday evening, I went with Arvin (the Pinoy) to meet a Philipina lady that is based in Paris, but comes to Buenos Aires every 6 months to dance tango. She took us to this AUTHENTIC milonga in the neighbourhood of Constitucion in Buenos Aires called Niño Bien. It's not a tourist-attraction place. Entry fee was Pesos 15.00 (as opposed to the Pesos 100.00 (or more) for other more touristy tango places). I was told that if you make eye contact with someone there, then you'd have to dance with them. Let's just say, my eyes were fixed on the floor. And people there danced the real tango dance - slow, seductive, and mesmerizing. And, it was proven that night: I CANNOT DANCE TANGO! Nuff said. Though now, I suspect Arvin will try to convince me to take classes. Oy vay! Oh, and I used my sprained ankle as an excuse to not be able to dance. Wonder if anyone was convinced?

The next day, I woke so very late. And immediately went out to have a late lunch at Olsen with Marcos and Greg, as well as one of Greg's visiting friends (there were three of them that were leaving back to the States that very evening). As always, Olsen did not disappoint. Food and scenery was excellent! Hubba hubba, if you know what I mean.

Then, we went to the the visiting friends' apartment to wait out for their check out and eventual departure to the airport. I was SO amazed, coz they had a view that saw directly into the Polo stadium, that coincidentally was having a major game that day. We had the best seats EVER! Well, it would have been more enjoyable had I liked the sport to begin with, but seriously, any sports that involved animals is a big NO-No for me.

Then, after they left and we departed ways, I met up with the Pinoy again for our first series of events that evening. He made all the plans and itinerary (bless him) and he even printed out these on-line "tickets" that enabled us to ride certain buses that evening (from 6pm to 3am) FOR FREE!

Why?

Coz it was The Night of The Museums.

But first, we went to my all time favorite cultural centre, KONEX to watch FESTIVAL VÉRTIGO. It's an acrobatic show featuring gymnasts and acrobats doing all kinds of things. I loved the music played by the band. We wanted to buy the CD, but forgot about it in the end. There is a version of the show that's more interactive with the audience, but Arvin got the non-interactive one, coz my ankle was still a bit swollen, so I would not have been able to participate. For me, the show was mediocre. The ONLY performance during that whole show that saw the audience in silence was the first one, with two of the female performers doing the circle thingy acrobatics from the ceiling . . bare chested. Even the kids kept quite.

Then, we went to Palacio San Martin as part of our tour of museums that night. Met up with Marcos and Greg there. We were supposed to tour more museums, but we were told there was a party on the street of Puerto Madero to officially close the Night of the Museum. So, of course, I wanted to go, though I think Pinoy wasn't too happy about it. Sorry! But, Pinoy got excited, at Palacio San Martin coz he found an authentic document stating that the Liberator of Argentina, General San Martin had a brother who had lived and died in the Philippines. So, I suppose that made up for it.

We went to the Party thing after and it was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. There were like 4 djs playing and everyone was on the streets and dancing. Too bad I was being ULTRA cranky coz I got SO hungry, we left after a while. And then we walked and walked and walked trying to find a place to eat (was around 230am, and most were closed). So, in the end, we decided to call it a day and went home.

On Sunday, I willed myself to wake at 9am (ish) so that I could help a friend set up her newly bought notebook. Then, just chilled till much later, after which T and A and myself went to THREE shopping malls back-to-back finding stuff to buy for our future Peru Trip. I got me a pair of excellent shoes. T got a pair, too, and a hat that I totally dig (though would NEVER buy for myself). And, T, I'm still laughing over the incident with the cashier. SORRY LAH!

So, yeah. That weekend was a nice one. A much needed break from work related stuff I've been having lately of. Though I know from this weekend till next, I shall not be having any leisure time for myself, considering it will be an all work week (or two). Sigh.

But, on the plus side . . . I am SO looking forward to the first week of December.

Tom Toles: FRIEDay, November 7th, 2008

SIGH . . .