Por Cina

I spent all morning in the hospital.  My roommate Christin was with a fever all during the night with her lungs on fire.  She wasn't able to stand up to walk across the room.  So after a disgusting wait in the waiting room (i.e., hacking and coughing, kids throwing up inside their masks causing the white vomit to trickle down into their shirt-collars) Christin had her temperature taken (102.2 F/ 39 C), lungs listened to, and the diagnosis pronounced: SWINE FLU.

I as the roommate am more or less quarantined in the apartment.  The two other girls from our apartment have been transferred to another room.  I was not permitted to go to class, and if I go outside I have to wear a mask.

Attractive, I know...

If I do not have symptoms by tomorrow morning then I should be in the clear (and I can go skiing with the group!!).  I have a slight cough but I think it is more mucus related (yum, I know)- I am guzzling fluids and airborne and taking it easy.  The vacated room has been cleaned so I will sleep in a different room at least, though at this point I have been exposed to the germs so it will only be so I can sleep through the night without hearing Christin cough.  Poor girl.

And to think I was so flippant about the swine flu a couple weeks ago.  Funny enough, Christin must have gotten it in Argentina.

Inspiration: Recuperation

We left Buenos Aires with a bang.  We spent Friday on Malaly's family motor boat on Rio del Tigre.

View of BA on Rio de la Plata (divides Argentina & Uruguay)

Friday night we went to dinner at Malay's again (and once again, ordered in empanadas YUM and had more Freddo ice cream).  After dinner, around 12:45 we went out to the Plaza Serrano area to Sugar and spent time with friends.  

We got home to our apartment about 5/5:30 (it's cultural to be out that late; but John, you're right- if we live down here, you will rarely (x 100) see me out at that hour!).  Woke up at 9:15 to pack for check-out.  Left for the airport at 11, caught a flight that afternoon back to Santiago, and now here we are!  We are so happy to have a free day and we will be studying for finals.  

Wow, less than a week left!

Abra la Boca

We went to La Boca area today.  It is the area next to the port where Tango was begun.  The sailors (German and Italian mainly) would come to port and outside the brothel windows would call and sing to the prostitutes, thus the agonizing and passionate dance of love = tango. 

The buildings are so colorful because the immigrants would steal paint from the ports to decorate their new Argentine homes thus creating a patchwork of colors.

Leaving La Boca was painful- huge protests today blocking Avenida 11 de Septiembre, which at 19 lanes is the largest avenue in the world.  The protests presumably are in anticipation of the elections in two weeks- there is great discontent with Presidente Kirschner, who assumed presidency when her husband's terms ended.  The elections are regarding Congress.

Oy, only one and a half days left in BA. que triste.  But I am out so late and sleeping so little I am getting a bit sick, so it is probably a good thing that I go back to slightly boring Santiago so I can catch up on my rest!

surprise: another great BA day

Fredo dulce de leche, doble chocolate helado

homemade milanesa for dinner

most ridiculous taxi ride home.  make sure i tell you the story later. might need to be an in-person kind of story. christin and i are still laughing.

tomorrow, the Supreme Court de Argentina! somos tan especiales, no?

xox

This is the best city in the world

No more can be said, BA is the most incredible city to which I have ever been.  It is my second time here and my expectations of the wonder of the city have been surpassed beyond my expectation.

Finalmente, empanadas perfectas- de chocolo, roquefort, carne suave, jamon y queso...

Christin was a high school exchange student with a family here and they have visited each other and stayed in contact for all this time.  The younger daughter, Malaly (Maria Laura) was a bridesmaid in Christin's wedding even.  So the parents and Malaly picked us up from the airport, took us to their three story penthouse, fed us demaciados empanadas y el helado mas rico en el mundo- de doble chocolate y dulce de leche tan buenisima (I immediately took a Pept0- lactose intolerant, or lacking self-control...? no se...)

La familia increible: Juan Carlos, Claudia, Malaly, Nacho, Christin, y Nico

Christin and I then went out with Malaly, her boyfriend Nacho, and her brother Nicolas to meet with some friends when dinner finished at 11.  We needed a toast of Quilmes to new friends and to being in BA.  Oof, we checked into our hotel at 4 am.  John I wish you could be here!

Las tres companeras: Cwis, Malaly, y Cari

Today we had clase a la UBA- mas de negocios.  After class we took a small siesta, then went to the local "hippie" market stalls.  We took a taxi to Malaly's y tomamos cafe y fuimos para cenar in a restaurant k fue fantastic.  Fantastico.  We need to go to sleep earlier tonight, so now it is 11 45 and hopefully to sleep by midnight.  (Quien soy? no estoy dormienda a las 10??)

Driving around these streets I am so happy.  I get jittery.  This city has a certain feel, an essence, it is hard to explain.  I love being with locals.  I love how beautifully dressed all the women are.  I love how cultured the city is, yet so distinctly Argentinean.  Estoy tan feliz.  John I can't wait to bring you here!  (and maybe stay?? start working on that castillano :) )

muchos abrazos- we'll be very busy tomorrow and wednesday, but I'll do my best to keep updating.

que rico k puedo dormir en la ciudad mas mejor en todo el mundo !

whhhhhheeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Vamos a Buenos Aires manana!

Que Lindo!

As always, I send my affection to all of you; and as always I appreciate your comments and thoughts on the posts!

In-flew-enza

The world health organization has declared a swine flu pandemic.  Chile, unfortunately, is listed.  Our program is discouraging us from riding the metro and we are having class at the hotel conference room rather than at the law school.  When we fly into Argentina on Sunday customs will be spraying us down with disinfectant.

The article is here.

But I'm feeling very healthy and am not very concerned.