Agile Thoughts

Little to report.  Slept most of Thursday, followed by a trip to Buenos Aires Opera House to see a Wagner concert (okay, not exactly Latin American culture, but my host already had the tickets).  We wondered the theatre district and ate pizza that night.  Second best Pizza I’ve ever eaten (best was in London - don’t laugh, it’s true!).  But I did have the very best pasta I’ve ever eaten in Buenos Aires a couple of nights earlier.  Big Italian influence here; apparently the ice cream is the best in the world.  That’ll have to wait until next time.

Spent most of Friday in my private Jacuzzi, unwinding and reading the Rough Guide, and on Friday night I went out with a bunch of the guys from the course (around 12 of us) for Asado - barbequed beef and other assorted cow parts.  I was persuaded to eat something unidentifiable - “don’t ask what it is, ask if it is good!”  It wasn’t, and I did ask.  Glands.  I regretted asking.  The whole Argentina beef experience was a bit of a let down, really.  The dessert however was a perfect example of Argentinean flan, topped with cream and dulce de leche, the sweetest thing in the world.  That alone is worth returning for - and the pasta, of course.

Spent Saturday strolling through La Boca, absorbing football, painted buildings, local artists, tourist trash and tango, and later through my local area, Palermo, full of charm and style and a great market place.  Really, a lazy wrap-down to the week.  Next time I’ll be more of a tourist.  This time it was work and people focused.  The best part of this whole trip was the people I met: the welcome, the friendliness, the course itself, it all exceeded expectations.  I’m home now, 18 grueling hours of flying.  Tired, but happy.  The desire to return soon for more of the city and the people is strong today.  Thanks everyone for the great feedback, and the kind words.  Alan and I are already planning the next visit.  Details will be available here as they become known.  Stay tuned.

Some related blog entries and photographs…

Mariano’s Blog 1
Johnny’s Blog
Shaggy’s Blog
Mariano’s Blog 2
Comments here
Angel’s Blog
Ariel’s Photographs: Day 1 *
Ariel’s Photographs Day 2 *
* Yahoo login needed to view the laasd photos