Buenos Aires....or how I lost 3 years of my life in two weeks

After a week on the farm, I jumped on a bus to Buenos Aires because word got out that a bunch of people were going to be there that I knew and I figured I'd take a mini holiday and then get back to the farm. Pat, Zach, his friend Sara and Pat's friend Stephanie (who lives in B.A) were my company for Christmas dinner. We had some pretty amazubg Puerto Rican empanadas made by Stephanie and watched a bunch of shirtless dudes blow off firecrackers in the streets. They don't really do christmas trees and carols here, just explosives....as expected. Buenos Aires is enormous, busy and dirty. Pretty much what I've been told. The public transportation (Subte) is fantastic and totally reminds me of the Chicago El because of people selling things, the rickity pre world war II construction of the rail cars and the overwhelming stench of urine. One whiff and I knew that I felt right at home in this city.

There is alot to see in Buenos Aires. We went to the Museo de Bellas Artes and its just awesome. It's got an amazing collection of really great contemporary painters. Actually, I pretty much think that they had every base covered. Picasso, Manet, Monet, Pollock, Van Gogh, Okeefe, Diego Rivera, a Kahlo. If you're an art fag like me than you'll totally dig it. The strictly Argentinian art was pretty cool too. I saw some pretty disturbing images there.

Check out the pictures and you'll see the Cemetario Recoleta which is an amazing place. It's essentially just a Necropolis spanning almost 10 city blocks that houses the dead of the city's elite. Sounds creepy and I suppose it is but I could spend alot of time there, it was peaceful. It's filled with stray cats and it's hard not to think about that story about the ancient Egyptians thinking of cats as vessels for their dead ancestors. It makes sense. Anyway, I'm a pretty deep guy.

We went to a jazz show with a friend Alex who happened to be in town from Chicago, (this was like the vacation of coincidence, everyone in my group seemed to know someone from somewhere who happened to be in Buenos Aires at the exact same time.) Bomba del Tiempo which is this awesome drum circle thing and so many other things its hard to recount it all. New Years was actually....not very crazy as everyone led us to believe. We went to some club with overpriced drinks and just danced the entire night. Fun but nothing like the orgy and drug filled madness that I was promised. Oh well, there's always Colombia. Essentially, Buenos Aires IS the most happening city in South America and a place I'd seriously consider living in...if it wasn't so bad for my health. Staying up until 9 in the morning every day has its costs though and eventually I had to get the hell out of dodge to return to JuJuy for fear of my liver and brain's safety. Two weeks left on the farm....is it possible?

I also have a confession, I ate at Burger King at least 3-5 times while in Buenos Aires. I completely blame Zach Sturley for this.