I'm glad I have dollars

The wife and I were in line at the grocery store last night and there was a family of four in front of us. They had a pretty full cart, so I was waiting to see how much it would cost.

$671 pesos. Man. I can't imagine paying $671 dollars for a trip to the grocery store. It's not like we went to Whole Foods or anything, just a regular grocery store.

Thoughts on 2010 so far

I am apparently trying to set the record for most yerba (mate) purchased by a foreigner in one year.

Bonarense

I'm officially now a Bonarense* now and not a Porteno. The distinction is whether one lives in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires or in the province of Buenos Aires that surrounds the city proper.


*I think I spelled that wrong.

Learning a language is an interesting experience because you learn how many things don't make any sense in your own language. For example, today I have been trying to describe power strips in Spanish. Power strip is a decent description of a device that offers multiple electrical outlets, but truthfully it doesn't make much sense literally. And frankly, while I assume there's a few other words in English for it, I can't think of them right now.

Ironies Abound

When I wander around the city on public transportation, I frequently bring my ipod shuffle on me, loaded with various podcasts, Ride songs, and maybe a Shakira album or two.

Sometimes I leave the earbuds in, but usually I take them out if I talk to people, even for the simplest interactions.

The other day I didn't take my earbuds out, though I had turned off the sound. I walked up to the ticket counter, said where I was going for the train and the cranky lady asked if I had 10 cents. No, I don't have any coins, I replied. She asked me again, I shook my head no. Then, visibly annoyed, she said "HELLO! DO YOU HAVE 10 CENTS?"

I was pretty amused, you cranky old bureaucrat you. I'm the one with the earbuds in, yet you are the one who lacks the auditory capability. I replied politely with a smile on my face 3 times and heard every word spoken, yet you utterly failed to pay me heed or notice that my facial expressions would have indicated that I had also responded. Also, cranky lady, I will continue to wait at the ticket counter until you remember to give me the ticket I've paid for...no matter how annoyed you are.

Argentina hates me and wants me to die

They have cancelled Daylight Savings Time this year.

Christina and Nestor Kirchner, you may be two of the worst elected officials* in the history of the world and trying to ruin your country to enrich yourselves, but now it is personal with me.

There are nights when...

There are nights when life just is perfect. Everything is exactly like you want it. You have made long-term plans, they have come to fruition; short-term things have worked out in your favor as well.

Tonight is that blissful night.