Argentina - Meeting up with Sam & Taiwanese reunion!

Parlament Building on a sunny day!

Buenos Aires (officially known as Districto Federal Buenos Aires), Argentina.

(Note: This is NOT a chapter full of introspection, rather of refinding joy and laughter in great company and in gorgeous surroundings! Enjoy!)

What a gorgeous city !!! When I first arrived, took me a moment to realize that no, I am NOT in Europe, but indeed in South America. It was such a contrast to the rest of the latin american countries I've visited so far as the people are 95% white and major parts of the city still retain its colonial buildings and the culture from the old world of discussing politics or meeting in cafés and eating pizzas, helados (ice creams), very much remain the influence from the Italian and Spanish immigration. To think I've almost skipped this country, if it wasn't for Sam, would have been a mistake! The architecture is just absolutely gorgeous, remind me too much of Europe. It IS Europe in South America!! To add to the effect, Argentinians, at least the capital city dwellers, so called porteños, are quite different than the stereotypical latin american. Not as friendly as the rest of their kinds, lol... another trait carried forward from the old world ...


Thanks to my brothers, Samantha and I were connected to fabulous Taiwanese folks with whom I've spent Christmas and New Year with! (For those that do not know, in the past there had been a big immigration movement of Taiwanese to Argentina. Later, when the economy of Argentina started to decline, a bit portion of them immigrated elsewhere, notely Canada). Making our time in Buenos Aires a very distinct and full of warmth. First, while waiting on Sam's arrival, I scoped out the city, hung out with Luis and his Argentinian wife. Luis had to be one of the most hospitable, generous and attentive host I've met! He treated us like family! Living with him and his always joyful wife immediately felt like home, oh and not to forget the reconnection with civilization and FAST INTERNET CONNECTION WITH DOUBLE SCREEN!!! After the episode in Peru, I was in real withdrawl... One night, I stayed up until the power cut (it happens from time to time), which was around 5a.m... As much as I love the raw country experience, I miss technology :D  We even watched American sitcoms during dinner time, making me feel completely at home! This is a country in South America but with all the available technology and necessities to be comfortable.

We really enjoyed strolling in and around Buenos Aires! Finally I was reconnected with my foodie counterpart! We walked through the city ALWAYS in search of FOOD and generating so much laughter that puts the contrast of the sour puss faces of city dwellers (is that correct Sam?) even bigger, lol. People would glance at us as we do not behave "normal"! Such fun we had!! And with all that good food (pizzas, empanadas, quiches, yummy icre cream and ARGENTINIAN BEEF!! and not to mention Sam is a vegetarian who has tasted the beef in Argentina and may never go back to being a veg!), we actually did not see many museums. Actually none! The fact is, Argentina is one of the pricier countries to visit in South America but the salvation is that Buenos Aires' attractions are mainly outdoor. And food. And great company, which I definitely had amongst my Taiwanese compatriots and Samsita! that is me trying to put Sam in dimuntive form that they use in Spanish all the time)

New Year 2011: We thought we were going to spend it alone just the two of us at the apartment, but one phone call later, we were invited at Cindy's place (Taiwanese friend of bro) to celebrate it with them! Not very Argentinian but very rich in culture! This is a taiwanese family that has lived in Buenos Aires for 30+ years, whose friends have moved to Montreal, which are also friends of my father! I had the luck to meet up with Cindy, as she has just came back from abroad to visit her family, and Cindy's brother and her Guatemalan wife. Luis' wife, Mildred, shared a very insightful family tradition for New Year. Each of us was given a bowl of exactly 12 grapes. One must think of what the 12 months of the New Year means to them before taking in all the goodness of the bubbly fruit, waiting to burst its sweetness in your mouth, and savor it as the thoughts get processed. What a wonderful experience it was :) We later went to the rooftop to watch the rising mini hot air balloons (a tradition usually done for Xmas by putting a wish in the hot air balloon and let it rise into the sky) and fireworks (home purchased! and yes it's legal here!). The return home was smooth, even at 1AM, as the public transport ran all night long on New Year's Day! Cheers to Argentinian public transportation!

Sam prancing down the red carpet!

Last but not least, we went to watch a wonderful Tango show the night before Sam left me for good. Yes, Buenos Aires was good to us but we had to say g'bye and continue the search of the legendary good-looking Argentinian men in other parts of Argentina... Onward we go!

***
The pursuit of good looking Argentinians was a deception. Sam and I looked all over the city and finally saw one or two. And not exactly true to Latin american men, seem to us even a bit snobby instead of being the Don Juan. They may think they are more beautiful then the women?!? Argentinians are truly a different breed of Latin americans!