el 9 de Julio and the beginning of life in BsAs

This was originally written my second week in BsAs, and has been edited. Enjoy!

This has been an exhausting week! Monday was the first day of the intensive Spanish language program at my school, Universidad Catolica Argentina. I was nervous because I didn't have any friends doing the program, so I was anxious to meet the other people.

Wedesday was 9 de Julio, which is Argentina's Independence day, so we had a day off from school. Sabine and I had brunch at a cafe and wandered down Avenida de Santa Fe, which is very popular for shopping here. Later we stopped by El Ateneo, which is beautiful because it was once an opera theater, which has been converted into a bookstore. The ceiling is still elaborately painted, the different sections of books are on different balconies - all overlooking the cafe which is on the stage.

My friend and I found it very interesting that none of the Argentines were celebrating their independence day. The city is usually bustling with people and slightly overcrowded, well, most of the time. However today it was eerily quiet and deserted. We asked our waitor at brunch why no one was celebrating. He said that this is how it always is in Buenos Aires on 9 de Julio. Argentines are arrogant when they are outside of the country; but he said that when they are inside their country they are humble because they know their government is corrupt and has many problems. Because the people are so dissatisfied with the government and the current state of their country, they choose to not celebrate their independence day.

My friends and I had a very typical Argentine weekend. Most of Saturday was spent in various cafes around the city, lounging and talking. A friend said today, after we had been in a cafe for two hours "Well, I guess we're Argentine now!" That night we went to Crobar, which is a popular boliche in BsAs. I'm not a fan of Crobar because the main room is overly crowded and the DJ pounds electronica all night. The smaller room in the back was better though, playing mostly latin music. We went to bed around 6 am - which is early by Argentine standards! Sunday was spent in San Telmo, which is one of the most historic barrios in the city. We went to the Feria de San Telmo, which is an antiques flea market, with of course tango dancers, live music and a variety of food.

Besitos, B.