City Update

Yes, I have been able to maintain my running (it has been at least a week now). And yes, I still take my camera. Sunday was a gray day but good for running.

From the apartment, I ran up Avenida 9 de Julio past the Teatro Colon, which is still closed for renovations. It was to re-open in May, 2008 on it's 100th anniversary but things have been 'delayed'. It will re-open sometime in 2010. In time for the country's 200th anniversary.

I ran by El Obolisco

on the way to the Casa Rosada (the Pink Palace),which is the office of the country's president. Cristina has had a rocky time lately....and pretty much deserves it. They keep the gates locked up all the time now and she commutes from home in a helicopter.

I continued on to Puerto Madero, where there is the distinctive Puente de la Mujer (Women's Bridge). It was designed by Santiago Calatrava - who has designed several world renowned bridges. He has also designed the footbridge that will be (probably, maybe, might be) built at 10th Street, crossing the Bow River in Calgary.

And another thing....

Felice Dia del Amigo! (July 20th)

It is a great little day of celebration - not a holiday, no cards - just a recognition of friends. So enjoy the day & remember your friends!

B.

Plaza Holanda

I have taken up running (again).

The cooler 'winter' weather is definitely more suited to being able to survive a run. I have a loop from the apartment to the Plaza Holanda. It is a park where the road is closed to traffic - other than joggers, bikes and rollerblades on the weekend. The loop surrounds a lake (ok, 2 ponds and a big rose garden).The paddleboat fleet doesnt get too much business at this time of year but they are colorful. I take my camera when I run (that's how serious a runner I am - any excuse to stop to take a picture!)

I will report back in a couple of weeks to let you know whether I have kept up with the running.

B.

MJ Tribute

I walk by this store every day on the way to and from work. The store window is always full of very colorful clothes so it took 3 days of walking by it to even notice the change.

I think it might be every piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the city.

B.

Now it is starting to impact my life!

H1N1 or the Swine Flu is now affecting my social life. Friends invited me to brunch this Sunday at the Four Seasons Hotel. I confirmed with them and they tried to make reservations. At the Four Seasons, brunch is cancelled until further notice. The reason: Swine Flu (or Gripe Porcina or H1N1).

The public service pronouncements are everywhere. There are even bigger signs than this in the city.

We have also posted notices in our office. The papers are also 'full of it'.

And:

• All schools are closed. The kids get an extra 2 weeks of winter holidays.
• We have gone to flextime in the office so staff can travel in less crowded buses and subways.
• Live theatre and concerts have been cancelled.
• Restaurants are reducing their capacities (less tables and spacing them further apart).

We did find a great restaurant in Palermo that was open for brunch though and then we went to the Mataderos Fair afterwards. It is a market/entertainment event that goes every weekend in the winter. The place was packed. Temporary booths are set up for blocks. No flu fears here.

Besides the market selling local wears, restaurants cooking traditional food and the cultural music played be a number of bands through the day - you can get a ride on a wagon pulled by a pony. It might be difficult to see but there is a dog on top of the pony 'announcing' their arrival. Down one of the sidestreets, they spread sand in a narrow strip on the road and out come the gauchos to put on a demonstration of riding skills. They hang a ring (the size of a wedding band) from a bar and then race full speed towards it and try to catch the ring on a stick the size of a pencil. We have seen it before at an estancia but here they 'bring it to the cityfolk'. These guys are quite good.
It is winter here and the weather has been like great autumn days. Cool, fresh & sunny.

B.

Studio 54

After a long day at the office, you gotta love coming in to a home cooked meal (or 12 of them!).

Esperanza spent a couple of hours preparing empanadas de pollo (chicken) ALL FOR ME!

I will attempt to put some variety in my diet but I can see empanadas on the menu for a couple of weeks at least!

They are so good! I actually think they are getting better each time she makes a batch.

The count (after one dinner) is down to 54.

B.

Stampeding in BA

Last year at this time, I hosted a Stampede Breakfast in our office. Since this is not a nation of breakfast eaters, there was lots of leftovers.
This year we tried something different. We went for the Stampede Lunch. Liliana did some quick organizing - and modified the lunch to work well in the office. This time, there wasnt (or werent?) any leftovers.
The 'beef on a bun' was 'lomo on a bun'. Which was really good. There was lots of fixin's and there was helado (ice cream) for dessert.

There was a bit of beer consumed but with luncheon selection there was some leftovers.

Not a runaway, just a fun Friday lunch in the office with a Stampede flair.

B.

H1N1

Now that the midterm federal election is over and the Kirchner's were informed by the electorate they are not happy with their performance, the country turns to other issues.

One in particular is the H1N1 (or the gripe porcine). There are now many schools shut down in the city and at those that are open, you will see the children wearing masks. When I returned to BA from Toronto, everyone on the plane was given (more) paperwork to fill out, you had to pass a thermal scan (looking for a fever) and we had to wear a mask when coming off the plane. It made it very difficult to talk to the immigration officer (or for him to even match my passport photo with my face).

H1N1 is an issue here. For as much as there is a health care system, it is two tier and in a large city of ~ 12 million people - problems can spread. The debate rages over whether the fact that 25 people have died of a flu (during the flu season) is a major health issue or not but the government has to 'appear' to be reacting so the kids gather in the playground instead of the classroom.

This falls on the heels of the end of the mosquito season, which was responsible for a nasty season of Dengue Fever (something you dont want to catch more than once).

on a more positive note:

Happy Canada Day everyone!

I have ordered facturas for the office (that morning treat that is a less sweet equivalent to 3 dozen Tim Horton's donuts - and very much appreciated).

Truth be told, I have ordered in facturas for many reasons this past 18 months. For reasons such as: it's a Tuesday, it's raining, Boca Jr's lost, my birthday. I have requested these facturas be 'red and white'.

On Friday, the Calgary Stampede starts - hmmm, what to do, what to do?

B.