It’s the little things in life and yes, it truly has been. Here, it’s all about the small details and actually taking the time to relish these moments. As irritating as the Argentine system can be, I think it all comes from their dedication to seriously enjoying oneself with friends and family and not letting a time schedule inhibit that experience. That’s why you may often sit down to lunch waiting over an hour before they take your order or idly wondering what exactly was so complicated that the waiter can’t bring you change in less than ten minutes. I think that it’s our American expectations and biases that often get in the way of us sincerely taking in the culture- so Karlyn and I have finally learned to adapt this slow pace and RELAX. One prime example of this lovely custom, is that we still remain unclear on exactly what time it is right now. The Argentineans have not yet decided if they will implement day light savings time and you are inevitably left with hordes of people working at their own preference of timetables. We’re hoping they’ll finally decide one soon because it’s making it hard to catch a movie.
Looking at the calendar has made us realize how fast time goes by- we were completely dumbfounded that it has almost been two months since we have been here. We wish time would just stand still. We’re sick of hearing questions about what are you going to do with your life? Where will you live? Who will you marry? When do you think you will have kids? What is it that speeds up the controls of time immediately after you graduate college? We just want to stay in this moment- live and be young. It’s a scary thought when you start thinking in seven years when I am thirty, where will I be? That’s why I think it’s so important that we have this time to just sit back and think. What do we really want to do with our lives- what are our passions, goals, etc. and then make a decision we know will make us happy.
Yesterday, we celebrated mother’s day here the best way we know how. A delicious pizza lunch sitting out on a sunny block filled with family’s lovingly embracing and recanting old stories and memories. Not to mention, vendors carrying huge baskets of pink roses to be awarded to each mother present that day. Karlyn and I stared on while enjoying a bottle of white wine as we observed the interactions of those next to us and the uncanny resemblances of the different members in each family. After relishing a delicious bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, we were awarded two bottles of champagne on account of it being mother’s day. Even though we aren’t moms now, there’s no reason they can’t let us celebrate too. We decided to take our bottles of champagne to go and head to the tracks.
At the tracks, we tried to make sense of the mess that was the race schedule. I don’t know if it was the language barrier that prevented us or just our own stupidity. The races were quite the spectacle- not to mention in construction with the area in front of the arena torn apart. We were amazed to see how fast and with such vigor the horses ran down the path. Only for a short instant were we able to make out the winning number, horse four, definitely not what we were expecting, but at least we didn’t place any bets.
After watching one race, we eased ourselves off the betting scene in an attempt to get some much-needed exercise. We were in the mood for walking and a good bit of it- over forty blocks working our way across the city from Las Canitas to Recoleta. We figured the two bottles of champagne would ease us along and we would reward ourselves, as we got closer to our destination. Before we were even a block away, we came across a “special sale” for Ralph Lauren. Could we be much luckier? Karlyn was able to find some great steals for unbeatable prices! With bags and bottles in hand, we made our slow approach taking in the beautiful apartments down Libertador eyeing and taking pictures of the ones we wanted for our own. At times, it seemed like we were walking through a major boulevard in Paris because of the incredible European influenced style of architecture of these majestic homes and apartments- including the American embassy which was as grandiose as you can get. Currently looking a way to snag this lucky position!
We managed to come across two perfect spots to enjoy our ultimate thirst quencher. The first was in the middle of a park with the moon reflecting off the roof of the old remade in which we were sitting under. It would have been the perfect spot for an evening dance. We certainly could have easily been presumed to be lovers to onlookers, but that didn’t stop us from popping champagne bottle number one and singing our own rendition of Van Morrison’s “Moondance”. As we issued cheers with our plastic glasses of champagne, we reflected on just how lucky we were as the moon stared down at us.
With a little struggle, we got up from our beautiful location (with a mental note for future suitors) and continued our journey. The location definitely offset our lack of prudence in our shoe choices and kept us going until we found ourselves in another park a few blocks from our destination. There, we had another round of toasts and brought our full glasses with us as we made it the last few paces of our trip to meet our friends for a good old game of baseball. I know the dads will be shocked at our dedication and wonder what exactly would compel us to watch a game of American baseball in a foreign country- some answers will always remain unsolved. Let’s say it was a marvelous holiday and we were able to appreciate the best sides of both Argentinean and American culture with a few of our favorite delights thrown in.
Anyway, we are now off to an asado with some French friends an hour late- right on time in Argentina. Updates to come! We are very excited for our first visitors who arrive this week and our upcoming trip to the land of our dreams…
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