It’s been an absolutely lovely weekend–mid-60s and sunny both days. Also, apparently the “give-it-a-week-to-feel-comfortable” advice was dead-on. While it’s still certainly overwhelming (and I’m still not being understood very well), I love the city. I’ve been walking around for two days straight and I’ve had such a great time. (Note: I have been walking so […]

Update: The oven works! The guy who came to help me didn’t speak English, so I’m unsure of the specifics, but apparently I have to hold the gas on for about 30 seconds before and after lighting. I also have to open the door to my balcony so I do not light myself on fire. […]

Interesting things I saw today: • A baby riding on the lap of a cab driver who almost ran me over • A black person (the black person?) • About a dozen policemen standing in front of a huge bank with body-sized bullet-proof shields The weather is really lovely right now—mid-60s, or 18˚ C, for […]

I came to a crucial epiphany today that sums up how I’m feeling: Buenos Aires is lovely until you have to talk to someone. Then it becomes either a horrific, panic-inducing event or, if you’re very lucky, simply humiliating. Recognizing that today was my first full day here, I’m assuming these interactions will become (at […]

Hola! Here I am, after much chaos, outlined below: Friday, 5:30 p.m.: I arrive to Reagan National and am informed that my flight is leaving “about 15 minutes late.” 7:30 p.m.: At the time I am supposed to be taking off, I find myself eating fruit Mentos and reading the Departures board, only to be […]

El barco se está hundiendo y el capitán se dirige a los pasajeros: ¡El barco se hunde! ¿Hay alguien que sepa rezar con devoción? Un pasajero dice: Sí señor, yo. El capitán responde: Estupendo, porque nos falta un chaleco salvavidas. This is a joke, in Spanish–a joke that I don’t understand in any way. I […]