kellita the señorita the ibby dibby dow: Couch Surfing

I´m a nomad. Just as I was settling back into life in Buenos Aires, it was time to get on the move again. Diego's family was visiting from the US, so I agreed to move out for 2 weeks so they could enjoy some close family time. I spent the first week couch surfing at Nelle and D's place. And I wanted to stay there forever. The second week I spent at Pati's house. I wanted to stay there forever also.

In my own apartment, I have a routine. Come home from work, work out, relax, make dinner, whatever. In each of my two hosts over the last two weeks it was the same. The best was Nelle and D's, but followed very closely by Pati's. Here's how it went down.

Since Nelle and Derek teach English, they don't have regular 9-5 schedules. They live more on Argentine time than I will ever be able to. So after work every day I kept myself busy between boulder classes, visiting Pati, and bike rides. Then I would get a text that one of them was heading home and meet them there. Once the three of us were back at the apartment we spent about an hour relaxing and recounting our days. Then as Nelle and I continued in relax mode, Derek whipped up amazing gourmet dinners. I could definitely get used to that. Derek has worked many years as a chef, and loves to cook for other people, and he's damn good at it. He would always decline help, so Nells and I just sat around waiting to be served. What a life. Note to future boyfriend/husband - I hope you cook well.

The other great thing about staying with these guys was that there's no expectations. The weekend I was there we were all beat, and spent most of the gray days lounging inside, watching movies and taking naps. I never felt guilty taking up their couch space and they didn't feel like they needed to entertain me. We're the perfect trio.

After a week, I moved on to Pati's as to avoid overstaying my welcome at Nerek's. It was nice to be back with my old roommate in Recoleta. Because Pati still has to spend a good majority of her time in bed, I think it was really nice for her to have me around again. Our ritual nights together went like this. I arrived home from work early-ish, or late-ish depending on the day. Walk into Pati's room.

Pati - How was your day my love?
Me - Great, and you, how do you feel? Did you sleep last night?
Pati - (Depending on the day) Yes I slept. or No I didn't sleep.
Me - Good. Or Oh, No!
Pati - Are you hungry? Go get something to eat.
Me - Not really.
Pati - Ice cream then? (Pati has a constant supply of 2 kilos of ice cream always in the freezer, one more reason why I love this woman)
Me - Ice cream, of course! You want some?
Pati - Well, of course.

Then we would walk to the kitchen, get our ice cream, and crawl into her king-size bed for movie night. And it went like that every night for 10 days.

One day last week a student asked me for something, and I told her I could get it to her once I returned to my house. This resulted in her asking if I had a boyfriend here. My reply? Well, if by boyfriend you mean I climb in the bed of my 70-year-old best friend to eat ice cream and watch movies every night, then yes.

In other exciting news, I finally bought Bida a new back tire. Hopefully new back tire will not get stolen.

Last Friday night Libbs and I went to Open Gallery Night in Barrio Norte. All the art galleries are open later from 7pm to 10pm the last Friday of every night, offering patrons free champagne. We had a blast walking around arting and ended with a great sidewalk dinner. It's finally spring and the weather is AMAZING. On Saturday I spent the day at the Buenos Aires Photography exhibit in Recoleta. So much culture to soak up in this city!