Huge forearms are desireable, no?

So one thing I've kind of always been interested in exploring is rock climbing.  And sure, I did it that one time small-scale when I was like 15 with Outward Bound, and it was awesome, but I don't count that as actual training or knowledge of the sport. While in Brooklyn I always meant to make it to that rock climbing gym to check it out, but life always got in the way. Fuck that.

I'm settling down into a somewhat normal life again, getting used to more permanence after about a year and some change wandering responsibility-less. So I've started to think about other things I want to learn and do and see that can keep my life interesting and exciting outside of work, living in another country, and trying not to get hit by collectivos on my bike (not that any of these things lack excitement for me right now). But this is the time. Just because I've decided to stop wandering the earth for now doesn't mean I should stop wandering. So after a bit of research, and the recruitment of my buddy Nelle, we signed ourselves up for a 2-part rock climbing course. In Spanish. (I also need something to keep me in shape, and joining a regular gym is OUT OF THE QUESTION.)

Imagine how cute we sounded when the instructor, Hernan, asked us our names during the sign-up process. Nelle. Kelly. Yes, seriously.

The class is split into two 3-week modules. We have safety/technical classes on Saturday afternoons where we have been learning to tie the knots, all the safety, and how to belay. We spend the two-hour class harnessed up putting our lives in each other's hands on the outdoor climbing wall. It's fun, and luckily for us Hernan has an accent we can understand perfectly. I only get frustrated when the boys in the class try to tie my knots for me. Por favor, don't touch my harness. I can tie a knot myself.

During the week we have to go to boulder class, which is the time to learn the proper method to maneuver on the rock wall indoors. The first night we went, we marveled at how the Argentine women made it look so easy, as if they were dancing along the jagged edges. It was not nearly as elegant when we got up there. I got a little stressed because they were playing heavy metal, and the more experienced climbers were literally climbing over my head while I was holding on for dear life. Nothing is more discouraging that metal music and balls in your face.

The second time we went we were feeling more confident until our instructor, Enriquo, gave us a path to follow that was a little more difficult. Let's just say it ended in me literally hanging from the ceiling with all my might, trembling. When he encouraged me saying, "you can, you can", I could only respond in utter frustration, trying to lift my arm, but failing responding, "no, I literally can't", then falling to the mat below. Luckily for Nelle she is able to keep her cool a bit more. I still have that competitive spirit even when I'm not competing against anyone.


This weekend we'll complete the rest of the first module, then move on to some more complicated stuff. By the end of August, we'll be ready to head out on our first real rock climbing adventure!

Nells getting after it

Hernan (in white) showing the boys how to do it right

this is random and off-topic, but i found real live natural peanut butter. a woman at the farmers market made me my own special batch. and i ate it all in 4 days.

Won't you take me to sushi town

After my weekend in Asia, Nelle and I discussed over boulder class that our next group dinner should surely be Asian themed. So we called in the crew, agreeing to have a pot-luck style dinner where everyone had to make and bring a dish, and as a group we would make some sushi.

No one had ever made sushi before. I thought it would be really hard, but turns out it’s not so bad. After class, Nelle and I headed for Barrio Chino to buy some ingredients, a trip that ended more stressfully than it began. I say that because it began as a lot of fun, me riding my bike the slowest you can imagine someone riding a bike, and Nelle sitting on my back wheel rack holding on for dear life. It was straight out of Dumb & Dumber, and we giggled uncontrollably as we recited every line we could think of to fit the situation. Hilarity.

China Town wasn’t nearly as fun. Too many people. Not enough space.

But we survived, and a few hours later the magic happened. I arrived at Nells and D’s place around 9, in the blistering cold, and we got to it. We worked as a team preparing dumplings, lettuce wraps, and prepping the sushi rice. Just as we were ready to start rolling the sushi, Anina and Chiang arrived with some sweet and sour chicken. After about 3.5 hours of prepping, and nibbling, and then some fun rolling sushi, the feast was ready. In reality, we had enough food to feed an army. And once we finished, no one could move or speak. And the night pretty much ended with me almost asleep on cushions on the floor, Anina and Chiang almost asleep on a bench, and Nells and Derek the same on the other side of the table. I don't think I've ever had a situation where sushi filled me up. I always want more. Not this time. Well done. And you should try to make sushi if you haven’t before. It’s bafflingly easy.

wrapping some pork dumplings

Nells prepping the sushi

don't forget the cream cheese

more rice please

a feast fit for kings - at least 10 of them