Boca Jr's/Tango List Update

Go to a Boca Jr's match

I went to a soccer match yesterday. I loved it. The whole thing reminded me of being in Athens for a football game. We were lucky. The whole trip was just a spur of the moment thing. My hostel buddies and I woke up and they mentioned that there was a soccer game today. We went over to La Boca and bought the tickets and got in - nothing to it. When we got there we met a really nice local guy and his son. He told me all about the history of the team and the players. He also said that there is a museum that you can go to and see the locker room, go up to the field, see all the trophies the team has won and things like that. I would like to go on that tour another day. During the game there was so much fan fare. It is almost like the fans are more intrested in cheering than they are in watching the game. There were so many flags, banners, and cheers. Right before kick off the upper level lowered a huge banner that blocked the view of the lower section. I couldn't tell what it said because I was on the inside. Then after a few minutes of cheering and songs the banner was raised and we got to watch the game. The game itself was intresting. No goals in the first half and 4 in the second. Boca won 4-0. When we got back to the hostel they were showing highlights of the game and I got to see some of the stains from other camera angles - that was cool. I loved the whole experience. I'm glad we got to sit with the die hard fans and talk with the locals that made the whold experience so much better.

Tango List Update

Meet someone from The South/Georgia

Today I went running to Puerto Madero. I was almost there when I spotted a college Letterman jacket that said N.C. State. I could not resist the opportunity to talk these people. The guy wearing the jacket was from North Carolina and so was his friend. They were both staying in Buenos Aires for a job inspecting the amount of polution generated from a turbine. I was so excited to talk about sweet tea, southern culture, North Carolina, Georgia, just anything. The two guys were typical young Southern guys. We walked around the port for thirty minutes just sharing our stories about places we had been. These guys travled all over for their jobs. They were in Vegas, Puerto Rico, Spain just all over. After our little walk we decided to go to an all you can eat chineese resturant not far from my hostel. The food was excellent. You had all your typical options plus they had a grill. You could chose any cut of meat and they would give it to you. What a great night. The truth is that I had been feeling a little homesick earlier. I decided to take a nap. When I woke up I thought a nice jog would clear my mind. Then I run into these guys. I didn't feel one bit of homesickness after the night was over. I actually felt like I was at home entertaining guests. I guess you get what you need just when you need it.

Siga La Vaca

I went to lunch with my Mexican neighbor today. I have been dying to go to a place called Siga La Vaca (Follow the Cow) so I invited her. We must have walked for thirty minutes to get the the restaurant. I thought it was closer. Poor girl she was wearing girl shoes and her legs are about as long as my arms. The views were nice and so was the conversation so it was not that bad. We finally made it to the place. All you can eat Argentina Stake and Salad. Plus you get a bottle of wine or pitcher of drink each. I got to try all the major cuts of meat and I discovered two things. Salad really is not salad without ranch dressing and there are only two cuts of meat that I am willing to pay for. I ate some liver, yuck. I ate a grilled shrimp unpealed, yuck. I ate tripe, yuck. The asado was excellent and the ribs were excellent. Of course the conversation was excellent. We had a great time. Maybe it was the bottle of wine but there were moment were I felt like I was on an actual date - nah.

Later in the night. I found out that I was the victim of a fake 20$ bill. I clearly had a fake and I think I got it from an ATM. Now that I know the difference I will be sure to be super sure all my bills are real. Small price to pay in my opinion (20 pesos = 6.67$U.S.) I..m just glad I did not have a fake 100(33.3U.S.$)

Can I offer you something to drink?

Today I was in the ¨super¨ shopping for groceries. I was just looking at was was there and I suddenly had a strange craving for Dr. Pepper. I almost never drink Dr. Pepper. I think the last time was when I was in Dallas at Jason´s Deli. Well I start looking around and there is none to be found. I must have been wondering around like a lost puppy looking for its mother or something. I looked almost expecting to find Dr. Pepper. but no. I have not seen a bottle of Dr. Pepper in my whole time in Argentina. Then I started to wonder what other drinks are not here. No Moutian Dew, no Fruit punch sodas of any kinda (single tear), No Sunkist of any kind, No Sunny D from what I can tell. But no worries they do have plenty of tonic water and podwer tang! Excuse me while I gather some kind of international marketing campain and bring all my frogotten drinks to Argentina. No wonder all thoes people disappeared - it wasn´t political it was thirst. They were looking for Dr. Pepper. O.K. off smart ass soap box. At least they have Coke.

Training Day 2

Today was such a nice day in Buenos Aires. There was no wind, the sky was clear and there was just enough cold in the air. I went for a little run on the same route as yesterday. I set a slower pace and a managed to run for a greater distance. I feel like my breathing is improving and my pace is good. A few more days like today and I should see a big jump in performance. I think I covered about 3.5 miles - a good bit of that was walking. Tomarrow I´m going to rest and push harder on Friday.

In the morning I made my calls home to everyone. If you didn´t get a call and would like one send me a message on facebook and I will add you to my weekly list of people to call. Mama sounded less than pleased that she had to deposit money in my account so soon. Daddy was happy that I was doing well. I caught Leslie at the perfect time - she was on her lunch break. She was happy to report that she got a raise! I missed Cathy again and Chassidy. I missed Chis and left a message. He sent me a message and I´m gald to hear that he is keeping up with our hiking plans. I can´t wait to get back from B.A. and start of A.T.

Birthday Vote

If you notice there is a little poll on the right hand side of the blog. The question is "What should I do for my birthday?" You have four options. I am going to actually do whatever wins. Since I am in a different country and no one can actually "give" me a present - this is your way of giving me a present. Of course it will be a surprise. I have a personal preference but I'm not going to say the thing I want to win because I think that would sway the vote. So vote as many times as you can. Right now there is only one vote.

Training day 1

I have been putting this off for too long. I decided to go for a little run in order to get ready to run the Nike Human Race 10K. My goal for the day was to run to Puerto Madero, rest a bit, run a lap around the port, rest, and then run back. Well needless to say that was a little but much for the first day.

When I stepped outside it was drizzling. I was glad to have my rain jacket and running shorts. I ran to the port. The trip there was so nice. The streets had less people and I felt like I was moving at superhuman speed. A walk that would have taken 10 minutes in the crowd only took 4. I was tired by the time I got there so I took a rest. Then I ran a few blocks and across the bridge. The port was so peaceful there was almost no one there. Then right as I get to the center of the bridge I cross paths with two young women joggers. We smiled at each other. They must have been feeling the same way I did. They were all deck out in rain gear too. I wanted to jog all the way back home but I could not help but stop at the little burger place. I ate a salad and water (I was feeling healthy). I caught my second wind and jogged most of the way back. I would guess that I covered about 2.5 miles. I still have quite a ways to go.

Nothing much going on

The past couple of days have been kind of boring. I have been itching to get out of B.A. for a little while but I don't want to go through the trouble. There are still two weeks until the group from UGA arrive. I want to do one more "big" thing before I have to start school.

I spent most of the day today walking around looking for the outdoor shop that I found the other day. I did not manage to find the place. I guess it is not that big of a deal - all I wanted to buy was a whistle. I must have lost my other one. I did find my shovel so that is a plus.

Yesterday I had a fantastic dinner. I ate a basket of bread, a small starter of chicken and egg, a huge rack of grilled ribs on the bone, a pint of beer, one glass of coke, and some ice cream for 14$US (that is tip included). I had such a great time but I did not have anyone to eat with. So today I asked a girl to dinner. I probably should have asked a couple of days ago but I thought I might go to Cordoba. She has not responded so either she has yet to check her mail or she does not want to go. Maybe another time.

Not that there is anything wrong with that

Wow I just had a very interesting experience. I was on my way to watch a movie when I ran into a few of my old roommates (The Chilean girls). They invited me to go out with them. I would much rather go out and speak Spanish than watch a movie in Spanish so I agreed. After much ado about nothing (20 minute metro ride, finding Vodka, waiting for people to change, typical girl things) we made it to Palermo Viejo. As we are walking around one of the Chilean girls tells me in English "We are going to a gay bar." I instantly said "Yo no." (not me). Then we went on for about 5 minutes why I did not want to go to the gay bar. Some of the reasons: Not my country/bad situation, I'm not gay, I'm a guy, and so on. Of course she said "no, it's not like that." At that moment I felt very American and very Southern. I'm was getting more and more pissed that she did not tell me this two hours earlier so I could make a choice. I tried to leave on a positive note because it was there last night in town and I didn't want to spoil the night for everyone. I caught a cab and as per usual I had the empty why-am-I-here-I-should-know-better feeling. To add insult to injury I didn't have enough cash on me to pay the cabbie so I had to ask him to stop at an ATM. Well the ATM's in this neighborhood are totally different than I have ever seen in my life. The bank closes the ATM's in a room and you have to swipe your debit card in order to unlock the door. Of course I didn't know this so I looked like a jack ass for five minutes trying to open the door and then the cabbie tried to explain how to open the door. I thought he said that I had to use a card that was located by the door. I spent another two minutes (getting more pissed by the second) trying to find a card. I got back in the cab and asked the cabbie to go to another ATM that was not locked. I told me that I had to you MY card. At this point I was embarrassed and frustrated so I just told him to go to another that was not locked. He did; and as he drove off the said that they would all be lock. "Not in the microcentro." I said. He stopped at another locked ATM and I used my card and it worked. I'm glad that I know how to access the locked ATM's but I was just mad at the situation in total. I gave him a nice tip.

On a more positive note I beleive this situation calls for an update of the Tango List. Check the next post.

Tango List Update

Tonight I can cross off #11 on the Tango List.

Tell someone how I feel even though I don't think I should.

I thought this would be one of the easier things to do on the list but in fact it was not. I really felt a rush of bad energy when I had to tell the Chilean girl that I wasn't going to go to the gay bar. She seemed surprised that I didn't give in. I'm sure I could have dealt with the hole situation better but I did what I thought was right for me at the time; that is the most important thing. If the girl can't understand the value in that then I don't mind if she is offended.