easter

Today I woke up later than planned, crammed two fistfuls of Fiber 1 dry cereal in my mouth, and walked like 30something blocks to the Presbyterian Church in San Telmo. I was forty minutes late, but I made it in time for communion, one hymn, and the Apostles’ Creed in Spanish, so I think that counts for something. There were only 24 people in the church for the service. It was kind of unreal for Easter. After church practically everyone came up to me to talk. A lot of them wanted to practice their English with me. They were very nice in a churchy way. One lady invited me to the youth group retreat in the suburbs next Saturday, but I don’t plan on going because youth group sounds rather young and I can’t plan ahead that far anyway. We discussed Luis Palau and Spanish literature. And one lady wants me to teach her to talk with a Texan accent. I just don’t think that can be learned.

I ducked out of church and went to the market at San Telmo, because I was already there and it’s a pretty day. The streets had been empty on my 40 minute walk to church (note to self: buy better walking shoes) but Calle Defensa was packed. Mainly with vendors and tourists. I didn’t buy anything, but stopped at Materia Urbana and El Buen Orden, both of which were mentioned in Lucky magazine a while back. Materia Urbana is an awesome bright space with art and colorful clothes from new designers. El Bueno Orden reminds me of Uncommon Objects in Austin because it is overwhelming, but a different kind of overwhelming than Calle Defensa on a Sunday.

The only things I bought were two empanada at Continental (a chain) but at 5.20 pesos por los dos, it was a good deal. There was a hard boiled egg in it, but I was hungry so it was good. On my way home I overshot it and ended up passing through Plaza Congreso, which is very nice. A few people were laying out on the grass. And when I got back to the apartment I had to get the doorman to help me with the keys. Hopefully I will remember how he did it.

felices pascuas
(Happy Easter)