not just a deadly weapon

I am doing automated publishing this week while I'm away, so I hope you enjoy these older photos this week. This one of Plaza de Mayo, was taken the first week I was here, when I was living downtown. There's always stuff going on in the plaza. The protests seem to be permanently installed there, along with the pigeons and tourists.



Why yes! I did bring my tripod down here. It was a hassle, and I think I am actually seeking out situations to use it--and not just as a deadly weapon.

playa repetto

It was 34 degrees C (93 degrees F) all weekend. Sunday we caught the last rays of sun on the terrace, drinking Quilmes and eating leftover tiramisu.


The other night we heard the train blaring and it sounded like a boat, and sometimes the wind rustling through the trees can sound like the ocean--so we've taken to calling the deck Playa Repetto--Repetto is the name of our street here in Villa Crespo.

And 'playa' (beach) is pronounced "pla-sha" here in Buenos Aires, of course.

couchsurfing in montevideo

Starting on December 25, Suzanna and I couchsurfed (and cot-surfed) for a few nights with the "ambassador" to Montevideo of couchsurfing.org.



Our host was incredibly chill and open, as the best couchsurfing hosts are. To be welcomed into a stranger's home on Christmas seemed so natural and unobtrusive. I loved the Uruguayos.

el tableado de ajedrez casero

My roommate and I made a chess set yesterday out of an old drawing board and a cardboard shoebox.



Unfortunately I used an oil-based paint for the orange pieces, so it will be another day or two before we can play.

nice night for an asado

Last night my roommates prepared an asado, which we enjoyed on the terrace in perfect weather. After the meat, we tucked into a homemade tiramisu, then undertook our usual activity of trying to locate Orion and the Southern Cross.

La Bomba de Tiempo

Monday nights there is a big party at Konex, this factory-turned-art-space in barrio Once. It is an early party. At 8 pm, this big percussion group of about 15 people descend from the top of the orange metal stairs in the center of the courtyard. This is La Bomba de Tiempo.

People love them in Buenos Aires. The group wears all red with their first names printed on the front of their shirts and their last names (apellidos) printed on the back. The place was so packed that when the wind blew, you just felt the body heat of a thousand other people. Everyone is dancing and the energy is great--attentive and friendly. At one point, the entire crowd showed respect to the group by silencing themselves and crouching or sitting to make way for an explosion of energy.

And at 10 pm promptly, the party was over, until next week.

buenos aires

I forgot about this blog. I'm happy to have found it again. 

I talked to this guy today for a story I'm writing for INKED magazine. His name is Ernesto Vasquez and he runs a tattoo studio in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires called "Historia de Mi Vida" (that's 'Story of My Life' to you gringos out there). 

I am in awe of people who really live their life's work.