The things I love about Argentina

Because the positive is a bit overdue:

Palermo Viejo, the neighborhood where our lovely B & B is, a more
European version of Williamsburg, with ultra hip restaurants and
shops, a small artists market, and swarming with trendy 20 somethings
and more mature professionals (like Amy and I). However, it is much
more casual that had been reported to either Amy or I, mostly jeans
and sneakers crowd. Though hip jeans and sporty funky sneakers.

The Cypress In is a beautiful little haven in this overly polluted
city. Decorated in Zen-chic style that is so popular here, it feels
polished, sophisticate and yet homey. The lobby is all in black,
reds, and whites looking out onto a small patio with wooden chairs
and simple greens, fresh flowers always on the table. There are four
stories in the building accessed by a black metal staircase covered
with a glass awning. We are on the top floor, the only room, like a
bird nest in a tree, on that floor accessing an amazing roof-top patio
with more of the zen-wooden tables and chairs. We see the gardens and
patios of other buildings in beautiful pinks and blues all outlined by
tall green trees and the blue sky (or grey and rainy at the moment).

The great new pair of salsa shoes I just bought. Extremely well made
and fitted to my foot precisely and comfy and elegant. They are bit
higher than I hoped to find, but are so comfy. I hope I can dance
well in them and look forward to being back to my class, to familiar
partners and the addictive energy of the LA salsa scene.

The good food at cheap prices and the great wine and Brownie, the
little shop that sells great coffee to go and, yes, brownies.

Hanging out with Amy. It is good to be with a true friend that has
withstood the test of time and living together, and, now, travelling
together.

Bus 152: in a city without a bus map, this bus had gotten us
everywhere. First, to San Telmo and Boca and back. Then, walking
down the street in our ´hood, I saw this bus go by and Amy and I
laughed as we could have taken that bus all the way home from La Boca
rather than getting stuck on the train for 20 minutes the day before.
So, after we left the opera we should not have been surprised to see
the 152 pass the front of the theater (great since the woman who
befriended us before the show and downed several glasses of the free
champagne with us and offered us a rid home disappeared after ths
show). Then, today, asking the front desk which bus would bring us to
the Buquebus, of course she told us to take the 152. I truly love
this bus. Now, if only it went to the airport (since Buenos Aires is
the only city I have ever been in that does not have shuttle vans to
the airport, true to their motto -- see previous blog for that).

Hopefully, next on the list will be our final excursion, Recoleta.
One more day and we are staying in our neighborhood, avoiding the
exhaust fumes of downtown, eating good food, and relaxing before the
long journey home (or, for Amy, on to her next country).

Still to come . .. tango, Colonia, and more evidence to support my
campaign for the Argentine motto of ¨Yeah, Whatever¨"