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Gem and Lob's Big Adventure
Hola from Buenos Aires!
Just a quick update from us, as as you might have guessed we've spent about half our time watching the world cup since it started...
Needless to say Argentina are feeling a little more positive about the tournament than most of you guys back home. We had a great time the other day watching the 6-0 game, and there are a couple of pictures of the celebrations at the Obelisk in the centre of town where the fans go after a win. It was absolutely mad, great fun.
The other half of our time has been taken up mainly with spanish lessons, which we have with a lovely guy named Tomas, who makes a mean pot of tea. That's a couple of hours 3 times a week, and we're improving, definitely in understanding, though we're still a bit rubbish at talking. We are getting better all the time though, and we've got probably another 6-7 lessons still before we move on, so we should be well away by then!
We've also done some touristy bits, we visited Evita's grave in the Recoleta Cemetetry, which was a bit morbid, and a bit rubbish to be honest. We've been to the market at San Telmo again, because it's just lovely. Today we took in the modern art museum which was cool, we've been to the parks at Palermo, though we want to go there again on a sunny day so we can go on the pedallos! Hee hee.
On saturday we went to see Argentina play Wales in a rugby union international, which was a bit odd, and not normally our thing, but it was cool. Very cool in fact, absolutely freezing! We were in a completely open topped stadium, on top of a hill, and in the top row, and the wind was blowing like mad! We were actually jealous of all you at home in the warm for once!
The match was great, lots of running, lots of tries, that kind of thing. (Clearly you can see we're rugby experts) The only slight problem was that we'd decided to support Wales, and it was Argentina doing all the scoring! But the crowd were happy (well most of them, though there were a suprising amount of Welsh supporters there), especially after all the excitement of the football the previous day. Apparently it's the first time Argentina have beaten Wales in a series, and it's a really big thing for them, so that's nice!
But by far the most exciting, and funny, bit of the last couple of weeks was yesterday evening, when we had our first Tango lesson. Lots of Gringos learn the Tango here in San Telmo, but most of them go to lessons with an English speaking teacher. Not us though. We decided by far the best plan was to go to the local free lessons in the community centre up the road. All in Spanish.
We were paired up with a couple of old men, and off we went! Lisa was very good and learned about half of the steps, however Gem's partner didn't like the teacher so instead just whisked her round the dance floor for most of the hour. It was a scream, and we can both now walk backwards on our toes. Well more or less.
So, as it turns out, the dance is so impossible that it really doesn't matter what language they teach it in!!! But we're going back next week, so it can't be all bad... we will be dancing in the Plaza Dorrego before we leave Buenos Aires for definite.
And that's about it really, apart from the usual routine of far too much eating and drinking and staying up late!
Looking forward to tomorrow's match, should be a good one.
Hope all's well with all of you, and stay in touch,
Love, Gem and Lisa. x
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