from the blackboard

and the 2 day recovery is officially over and I´ve got life on a string once again, or is it that life has got me by the tail... it´s hard for me to tell the difference just yet
perhaps it was the umpteen bottles of wine we consumed on the stairs of my building waiting for the key, yet more in the parks, on the beach, in the apartment, or maybe all the meat we ate- oh my goodness we ate SO MUCH MEAT!!!
maybe it was the places we visited and the games & shows we made a contest out of each time; the money sucking casino, the auditorium style live music, cards in the park and on the beach, picking polo teams, trying to swim out of the hot, wet pool in front of the pearl jam concert, counting pregnant ladies in the street, bearing the heat at the futbol match while trying to master at least one of the ongoing chants, or the 17 games of pool that we played consecutively in one afternoon, maybe it was staying up until sunrise just to see it rise up out of the water like a giant hot air balloon...
maybe it was fighting with the other day after day about mindless, pointless jibber jabber that we knew really didn´t matter in the least, or it could have been getting lost in the streets of the cememtary, maybe because of all the eating and eating and eating to make sure we would not become the slightest bit hungry, perhaps the friends we made in the streets, or in the bars- it could have been they who have made life such a slow steady blurr, I can´t say exactly what or who or when all these things happened, but one thing I know for sure, they provided for me an aftermath of slow drudgy movements until today- the turn around day- hump day- getting outside and feeling good day :)
Look out world, I´m back and ready to rock!!!!

street walkers

In one direction about 10 blocks from my place it starts getting dirty, a little smelly and the streets are crowded beyond control. It´s hard to push your way through all the people and when you do- they don´t necessarily appreciate it. There are shops everywhere, people handing you flyers left and right and people selling the most irrelevant things on the streets; Q-tips, batteries, popcicle sticks, broken calculators, old socks, detachable bra straps- and if the non-necessary items weren´t enough... they always work in groups, so there will be 3 or 4 people within 15 feet all selling detachable bra straps. First of all, who buys a detachable bra strap? and if you need it to detach, doesn´t the bra already come with this device? Is there that big of a demand? I mean, if I have a strap that breaks, do I want to replace it or just go for the new bra? I visited this area not for pleasure, but to see where the bus was that could take me to the airport tomorrow at 7am. I guess it´s like a 2 hour ride... uuuuuffff.. Well, I suppose I can put up with 2 hours... my visitor is coming 14 hours to see me!!!! YEAH! super excited for this one! :)

a good little wife

It´s official. I´m going to live here for a while, and with possibly the 2 best guys in all of Buenos Aires. I kind of had the apartment before I arrived... it´s all about who you know- and well, in my case, who knows who I know. Thanks Digidy :)

Outside the door to my apartment sits fruits and vegetables and the older and younger gentlemen that guard them. After 2 visits yesterday, I decided to introduce myself, because they would be seeing me every day. I´m mighty grateful for the fresh, succulant, ruby red strawberries... and well everything, peaches, kiwis, pears, spinach, huge bell peppers!!!! I love that place. On the corner is an enormous candy store, not that it interests me so much... but maybe I can lure my neices and nephews to come and visit :) Internet cafes are everywhere, as our newpaper stands and little shops that will provide you with just about anything I need.
Today to seal the deal I bought my first plant- a yellow chrysanthymum.. I think.
I tried to impress the guys the first day and a 1/2 by cooking and being super nice...today I even prepared breakfast at the break of dawn and saw them out with a neatly packed lunch. I have been vigorously cleaning all day. Not for them, oh no, but for me. Since I will be living here I think a good scrub down is in order before I dare to unpack all my stuff. Now that they´ve accepted and like me, I`m in! I guess I can go ahead and be myself any time now ... hehe

new city nerves

When I got to Cordoba, I was SO anxious to get to Buenos Aires that I bought my ticket for the following day, only allowing myself only one full day in Cordoba. I loved it there, and if BA doesn´t work out (it totally will!!!!) I could and would allow myself to live in Cordoba. I sorta wish that I would´ve left Mendoza sooner..but I`m sure my anxiousness to arrive in the big city would´ve still purchased that ticket sooner than later.
I arrived to my new city last night. And it never fails that when I`m entering a new city- I get these incredible nerves that flutter throughout my entire body making me shiver with excitement and terror all at once. It doesn´t happen when I´m visiting a city, just when I plan to live there for some time... Odessa, Prague, Caracas, and now Buenos Aires- each time I´ve had to put my stomach on pause upon arrival, if it is in the plane overlooking the new city, or as it was yesterday, driving in. I had a prime view as well, front seat on top of the bus- big windows, looking down on traffic, looking eye level at so many things that I will get to know better and better over the next few months.
There was even a welcome party for me by my future roomates. Wine, music, good talks, and orange mousse with chocolate sprinkles. I think they will be my future roomates, after that welcome, there´s little chance they won´t be. I´m off to explore my new neighborhood and seal the deal tonite!!!!

whyjames

I met James in Caracas. We taught English at Optimal together. Just so happened that we were both in Mendoza, Argentina at the same time this past weekend, staying 3 blocks apart. Although both of us are loving our lives of wanderlust in this amazing country, we also are a bit lazy, finally we managed to spend a good quality hour or so together facing a tree poolside in a hostal. Its always a treat to see friends and compare notes after months of travel. Good luck to you James , try not to get robbed, and see you soon in Buenos Aires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Santa Angela

This puppy prefers men. All he wanted to do was play with a deflated pool toy. Quite frightening for the guys, 100% entertaining for the rest of us.
Here is the real life Che, crossing borders on a bike. There are many of these type of travelers. The last border I even saw a guy on a bicycle with all of his belongings in a tandem riding behind. Hard core.
My table consisted of Argentinos from Cordoba and one English fairy.
This was my 2nd BBQ I got talked into staying for in a 3 day span. It started at 11pm and I was still poolside well into the light of mid morning- nothing but good decisions on my part.
I was painted at some point.... looks like fun, huh? :) Wines, punch, and champange with a name I couldn't resist, Santa Angela.
Day following BBQ, very chill. If in Mendoza, go to Andino Hostal.

I didn't pack for this!

bienvenidos a chile, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

although Chile is considerably more expensive than the rest of South American countries, I will definately return here someday. Not something I've said to myself since September, leaving Colombia and Venezuela.
Mountains, beaches, good people, great strawberries (and all other produce), clean, people are even smarter.... and when you don't need a calculator to give me change from 56-46 I feel good about the place

vina del mar

vina del mar, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

since going in the water at the beach is a no-no (the waters too dangerous... and cold) kids find alternate ways to enjoy their time. Far to the left is Vina del Mar, far to the right is the start of Valparaiso. Fabulously steep beaches, very nice- very nice indeed!

valparaiso

valparaiso, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

some art exhibition was happening in the center of lots of imoportant buildings and monuments. I looked for just the right spot to get a shot without naked bodies everywhere.... so here is the scary asian

victoria plaza

victoria plaza, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

Here the uniform wearing schoolmates (from the same plaza as the pic below)are in much more of a loving state. I can't think of a better way to end a tough day at school.
Very loving culture, I repeat- very loving culture

bullies

bullies, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

I was sitting in Victoria Plaza just after getting my 2nd rabies shot and happened to get a front row seat to this poor girl getting a sack of flour or powdered sugar... something white, poured all over her by her fellow uniform wearing schoolmates. There had to be at least 20 of them... and only 1 girl got the white stuff. I wonder what kind of initiation this was, they were only about 14.

Moises

moises, originally uploaded by angelaostlie.

here is the kid and the kids mom that my mom & dad sponsor in Valparaiso. Moises and his mother are fabulous, short but fabulous. I was able to see how they lived, their home, little barrio village...everything.
About the shoes... yeah, maybe I was subconsciously trying to hide them, I guess I truly know how ugly they are.
Hopefully these will last longer than my ones purchased 2 weeks prior in Lima.

I love MY nephews and nieces

So, with wealth and more civilized living comes loud, unruly kids. The worst behaved kids in all of South America in my opinion. Walking down the street I notice them (screaming), in the super markets they are uncontrollable, the public transport I try and keep away from for fear the little warriors will make their way over to me.
Today, I went to Viña del Mar to hit the beach. I thought, 'Monday, it will be mostly kid free and fairly bare' It was, absolutely. I walked down to the place where there was no one as far as I could see on either side of me. At least a couple of football field lengths... it was perfect. There I fell asleep disregarding any onlookers. Then I woke to the loudest, wildest kid in all of the city- screaming his lungs out.... there in the middle of nowhere, the Dad had decided that the perfect place set up camp and hang out with his loud voiced little kid was 20 feet away from me, sleeping Angie. After I was sure they wouldn`t be moving anytime soon, I moved myself. Just as I was dozing off for the second time, the military park behind me chose to keep their tanks and bombs in working order and shot them all off one by one for a good hour- spaced just enough apart from each other that it made me jump each time.
fabulous.

dilemma of the week

I don´t have rabies and I won´t be getting them anytime soon. I hope, I hope, I hope. I got bit by a dog last night. A big dog, a street dog, a wild, vicious foamy mouthed dog. (ok it wasn´t foaming at the mouth) I provoked it for sure. I saw a guy with a day old puppy and had to pet it. I went to pet the mama and she leaped at me ripping my sweater and tearing into my arm and boob. Not only my boob, my nipple. No, I`m not kidding. My late night hotdog got taken from me when I wasn´t looking and while being treated for my wounds with German medicine I managed to frustrate the girlfriend... oops
I went to get the first in the series of 5 rabies shots today and prescriptions for pain and inflamation.
At least I`m eating the best strawberries in the world...everyday.

long and thin

and so... after 5 long days of being without money and going door to door asking for crusts of bread I managed to get me some money!!!!! That very hour, I spent much too much of it- making pizza for me and everyone in the hostal, buying some Argentinian wine, a huge sack of coca (leaves for tea), belts, chocolates, pastries... it was great. I liked Salta and everything that went along with it, all of Argentina, France, Portugal, Germany, but Italy was my favorite- he helped me shred the cheese for the 2 pizzas. (thats my least loved part)
Now, I´ve moved on- in 26 hours I made it to Mendoza and into CHILE. The first stop was the beach, of course- or at least that was my plan. Not 10 minutes after I checked into Residencial Angelina, a man approached me on the corner asking me if I needed directions and that it was ok because he was a cop. I was a bit leary of this ¨cop¨ character, but took his advice on which direction the beach was. About 5 blocks later he caught up with me and called it coincidence. Riiiight. He limped alongside of me for the next 4 hours. (supposedly he got shot a month ago) I took his uninvited presence as a chance to ask about the corruption of the police in South America and Chile specifically. At that point, the English he had been practicing the entire time came to a screeching halt and he turned to a French sounding Spanish. He was an incredibly good looking fellow, but far too old for me and completely dry.
After laying on the beach with the rich and famous in Viña del Mar all of the next day, I decided to take public transport 10 minutes to Valparaiso, avoiding a second encounter of my cop buddy for the second night in a row. (Viña: pop. 6,000)
Valparaiso is much less expensive for some reason, perhaps because its a college town. Regardless, Chile is upsettingly expensive. I´m going to inquire about doing some dishes for a nights stay or maybe borrow this guys guitar and pretend to play on the streets for money. Hey, there´s gotta be worse players than me! ...Ok, that´s not true.
At least the wine is cheap and SO good and the produce is fabulous- if I stick to those, I should make it through these days just fine.