What a day. Full, hot, fun.
I woke up early and walked the 30 blocks to school to start a new day of Spanish education. The other schools had recommended a school here in Buenos Aires that is between Recoleta (where we have stayed in the past) and the Micro Centro. I immediately liked the morning teacher, Annabella. I learned more in the 2 hours with her than in the 4 days in Bariloche! The school in general is more formal, and the director was clear there would be no English with me. In fact, we were chatting after class and I switched to English, but she repeatedly answered in Castellano.
My walk was great, everyone headed to work and the streets filled with cars. (I tried to get up early to do the same, today but I was just too tired). I got to the school 10 minutes early, just enough time for a quick espresso at the corner café. However, the temperature was climbing and I was sweaty.
After 2 hours with Annabella, Steve and Paco met me and Steve and I traded Paco. They had taken the subway and were roasting in the heat. Paco was overtired and hungry and not on his best behavior. So a quick trip to McDonalds (again, I know, but McDonalds has its place on a hot, humid day with a hungry child). And we ate the huge, crisp, cold apples before Paco ate his Cajita Feliz.
Paco and I then took the subway back, which was fast and great. And compared to London, surprisingly smooth. It is only 70 centavos (about a quarter) so a bargain for sure. We returned to the apartment, Paco had some milk while I ate lunch (leftover sandwiches de miga) and then he passed out cold. Unfortunately, he needed more sleep than we had time to take the train, so we had to take a cab back to the school to trade parenting once again. The nice taxi driver and I had a hilarious conversation about seatbelts. I had to dig them out of the seat (and no car seat, you know I am loving that). He said no one ever uses them (but he was wearing one) even though it is now the law. I noticed when we got out of the car, he stuffed the belts back down.
The afternoon had a different teacher, whose name I cannot remember. She was good for me, exhausting, but good and she really worked on my pronunciation (I keep dropping “t”s and am not sounding out my “o” and “u” sounds. When I left it was rush hour and the Subte was just packed. People crammed in tight. I was surprised by how many people were not sweating! It must be something in the Argentine blood. Still, I had to say it was better than the London Underground, no delays, and I easily stood in the middle without something to which to hold for stability.
I arrived at the apartment and the boys were vegging out on this hot day after going to the park. We all needed a quick shower and we called a cab at 7:20 to meet some old family friends, the Loebs for dinner. I had spoken to Carola Loeb earlier in the day and had missed a key element of the directions! So we got out of the cab where we thought the restaurant was, and of course, were about 10 miles off. She had said the word “la Provincia” and I had missed it. Steve, too had looked the place up online and found a map that said it was about 12 blocks from where the apartment is, the directions were correct online but not the map. (http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/detail.php?ID=2234) The provincia is the area surrounding the city of Buenos Aires and those that live in the city act like it is Uruguay. We found a cab company that we knew (never hail a random cab here, it is scary) and booked out to the restaurant in Olivos. I was thinking we were headed out to the country, but no, 20 minutes later, there we were. It was the equivalent of downtown versus Fair Oaks and Watt in Sacramento. Steve laughed when he called Mrs. Loeb to say we were misplaced and she sounded like Steve’s mom as she said “What? You are in the city!!!”
The drive was worth it. La Palmera is a nice restaurant with good Argentine food that also has an enclosed playground for kids. Raúl Loeb is a supposed cousin of Miguel’s, but I have never figured out how they are actually related. (Raúl is actually in Córdoba right now and the family is joining him this weekend.) Their son Martín and his family were at the restaurant with Raúl‘s wife. And they had strategically picked the table closet to the access door to keep an eye on the kids. Paco never ate, he was outside the entire time. It was fantastic. Mariana, Martín’s wife and I got on very well and Steve and Martín picked up where they left off 20 years ago. We kept everyone out too late but it was a wonderful evening. Paco’s face was red and sweaty from the heat. It was 12:30 before Paco was in bed.
On the way to Olivos, I received two phone calls, one from Perla, the mother of my friends Carolina and Julieta Pomares, and the other from Beatriz. Both making plans for the week. It is why we need a week in Buenos Aires, so catch up with everyone! I need to find time to shop, though…
It just started to rain, so no park. Need to find a new activity for Pdub.
Love, Erin
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