Hasta Nunca, BsAs

It's a little sad to say adiós to BsAs, a huge, fine, vibrant city that happens to give me a little indigestion. No, I didn't try the Kosher Sushi Bar I passed today, but it was a pleasant sunny walk with a hint of fall in the breeze.

I'll take a nap before the apartment rep arrives to give me back my security deposit and take the keys. And ask about the salad bowl I melted in the microwave last night.

And then it's off to the airport, and if the airline hasn't completely screwed up, off to Houston tonight and Boston tomorrow.

¡Hasta luego!

Everyone loves a firing squad

My penultimate day in BsAs, and they give me a parade! Or maybe it's a firing squad - some politicos get one and then the other in quick succession!

Got the urge for going

The operational definition of "got the urge for going" is when dirty clothes go into the suitcase rather than to the laundry. Also, I've been feeling poorly the last several days, am only starting to make short forays out into the gorgeous BsAs sunshine, and am getting thoroughly bored with the Kindle. I want a real book, some schlocky Spanish sci-fi or mystery. (Although I gave up on one such when magic swords suddenly appeared out of nowhere in downtown Madrid. What's this thing about swords? Is it Freudian, or is sometimes a sword just a cigar?)

School has started after the summer vacation. My apartment window looks out on the enclosed center area of this particular block, portions allocated to a parking garage, private gardens, and the playground of a local colegio - a Catholic boys school. BsAs is a very noisy town. I'm going to miss it.

Weather report says that Wednesday and Thursday should be fine in BsAs and Boston.

Washed out

It rained much of yesterday, and today's skies threaten the same. What to do? Oh right, the laundry.

Doing the laundry is a constant traveler's chore. Two general approaches:

1) Do the undies in the kitchen or bathroom sinks, and hang them up to dry wherever. Mix and match outer clothing, reusing as often as possible. All male readers know how bathrooms become obstacle courses.

2) Let the pros do it. Expensive in a hotel, but in BsAs there are lavanderias everywhere. U$5 for a bag of clothes. Only one problem:

In BsAs, the lavanderia often uses highly perfumed detergents. Highly. As in you smell like you spent the weekend in Madame Labonza's House of Heavenly Pleasure.

In fact, this makes me wonder if the House of HP is near my particular lavanderia, and if they use the same washing machines for my clothes!!

Hmm, maybe option 1) above may be the way to go.

Big news here - no news there

Front page news in BsAs for several days - local authorities detaining a US Airforce plane and confiscating all kinds of undeclared munitions and drugs. Turns out it's on a well-planned mission to train Argentine forces in counter terrorism techniques. But elections are coming up here, Obama is avoiding Argentina in his upcoming South American tour, and local politicians are miffed.

Looked for headlines in the NYTimes, but there are more stories about Argentine soccer.

What not to put on a pedestal!

Thirty years ago, taking a picture if the Ministry of Defense would have earned me a free one-way plane ride over the south Atlantic. I kept looking over my shoulder as I scurried away, thinking of a possible defense: "But I'm a vegetarian!"

¿Donde está la revolución?

Said goodbye to this week's teacher, the lovely young Luciana. She's a Philosophy major, concentrating on Heidegger and Kant. She said that I am a "rebelde". I said yes, an ancient rebelde, "¿Donde está la revolución?"

Happy birthday, Eliot!

Astronomy Lesson of the Day

Amateur Astronomers note:

Here is a graphic of current moon phases as seen from Massachusetts:

Waxing Crescent, 41% of the Moon is Illuminated

Today	Feb 11 First Quarter	Feb 18 Full	Feb 24 Last Quarter	Mar 4 New

And here is the same graphic from Argentina:

Waxing Crescent, 41% of the Moon is Illuminated

Today	Feb 11 First Quarter	Feb 18 Full	Feb 24 Last Quarter	Mar 4 New

Yes, it's true! The moon is upside-down in Argentina. This is clearly a bug, and I will let you know as soon as a fix comes through. You can thank me later.

Rainy days and Mondays

Looks like a rainy week coming up. Half of the vehicles in BsAs are taxis, but it's still impossible to find one when it starts to rain.

Perfect weather

Temps in the 70's, a perfect day for futzing around with the computers.

OK, all futzed up, now for a walk in the parks. Many parks, including the Japanese Gardens at right (free if you're a geezer like me!) and the Buller Beer Gardens below (no such luck). A lot of things have changed since 2 years ago. Some favorite buildings are being renovated to malls. The peso has lost 20% of its value and things cost 50% more. Sort of like my medical plan.

No, I didn't watch the gigantic screen, but I can spell Pittsburgh.

Safe, if not sound

A 5 hour plane trip to Houston, a run through the terminal, a 10 hour plane ride to BsAs, and I'ms so confused and tired I don't know what I'm doing.

At left a view from the apartment. It's very bright outside, why is the photo dark? Because the iPhone does not make the best camera. Also both smartphones are bereft of wifi, because I can't manage to get it going yet.

Snow in Houston?

Flight from Boston cancelled again, this time because of a snow/sleet/ice storm in Houston. Re-booked for Friday Feb 4, this time through DC on United. Had to shell out $250 more, and can't get a seat assignment for the leg to BsAs.

Update - the cost of the flight didn't go up by $250, it went up by $1350. Tried to undo it on the web site, they said to call Continental. Continental is not answering phones.

Snow

Planned departure today, but the weather thinks otherwise:

5-Day Forecast for ZIP Code 01749

Customize Your Icons!

Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
22° F | 20° F	25° F | 13° F	25° F | 5° F	29° F | 11° F	31° F | 22° F
Snow 100% chance of precipitation	Ice Pellets 100% chance of precipitation	Chance of Snow 20% chance of precipitation	Clear	Chance of Snow 40% chance of precipitation

Buenos Aires 2011

I'm spending the month of February in Buenos Aires. This blog will be occasionally updated.