Pick-Pockets and Patrick!

¡HOLA!

The end of another week here in Bs.As. They're starting to go by quite fast! What's great here in Argentina is that I don't have classes on Fridays, so I get a super long weekend every week!!

So, on Thursday, I witness what I'm sure will prove to be the first of many pick-pocket attempts! I was heading to class, on my usual subway route, which was SUPER crowded like always. I usually travel with my iPod in (that day I was listening to Josh Garrels, a new artist I've become obsessed with thanks to my brother, Jeff) and I had my backpack on my front (which is the norm here). I was standing on the subway holding onto the railing above my head, just jamming to my music and looking out the window when I saw a man, about 2 people away from me, CLEARLY stick his fingers down his own throat. He began dry-heaving OVER the man who was sitting down next to him. Everyone around this man started backing up and giving this guy space. Needless to say, he did not actually throw up, but there was so much commotion that I wouldn't have been surprised if he was working alongside someone else who pick-pocketed someone who was so caught up in the commotion that they didn't notice! 

And, again, as Bot and I were taking the subway tonight, a man was standing a bit too close to me on the (abnormally) uncrowded subway. I watched him as he covertly hid one hand under his satchel/jacket and tried to inch towards my bag. After about 30 seconds of watching him do this, a bit amused that he thought he could pick-pocket ME, I finally pulled my bag away from him. Almost instantly, he walked away, onto his next victim.

Friday, on our day off, (Bot also does not have classes on Friday) we headed to Recoleta another barrio (neighborhood) here. Recolota has a beautiful cemetery. After getting briefed about the cemetery by a guide who, after learning we were from the United States, spoke to us in her British accent, we spent some time walking around, checking things out. We saw Eva Peron's vault and took silly pictures for the fun of it! 

A street in the cemetery

Casually posing outside a vault!

Last night I got to iChat my family and talk with my Yiayia (my grandmother)! Afterwards I headed up a few flights of stairs to my host sister's apartment where we had a girl's night (my host mom and two grown host sisters) of eating pizza and watching a Nadal vs. Nalbandian tennis match on TV!

Today, I started my day by spending about 2 hours Skyping with my lovely and dearly missed roommate, Alyssa Provencher, all the way in Italy! Believe it or not, we haven't SEEN each other in about a month, which is the longest we've gone in quite a while!

Afterwards, I headed over to Bot's house and we went out for some lunch and then headed to a park near her house! It was quite the walk, and I found my inner child come out as I told Bot that she was 'dying in the lava' because she wasn't only walking on the white lines as we crossed the streets! It was an absolutely gorgeous day! We walked around, climbed in some trees, watched a Ukrainian dance show, and got cotton candy!

After a quick stop back at Bot's apartment, we headed to Plaza de San Martín to check out some St. Patty's Day activities. We watched an Irish step dancing show for a little while before hopping back on the subte to Palermo Soho (another barrio) to grab dinner for a few hours! 

Unfortunately, Bot and I didn't find ourselves hungry enough this weekend to eat our pre-planned steak dinner! Hopefully next week!

Now, my friends, it's time for me to put my iPod in and drift off to sleep once again. If anyone is interested- these days I find myself falling asleep to: most frequently, The Rocketboys, but also, The Pete & Mike Band, Josh Garrels, or my random worship playlist! I highly recommend all of them! :) 

¡Chau, Chau! 

-C