first night out

At 3:19 am I get home from a night out with Annemarie, her boyfriend Damian, Siliva and her boyfriend Juan Jo (short for Juan Jose). They are all very fun and very sweet. I think I am off to a good start.


Around 9:15 pm Damian and Annemarie pick me up from my apartment, ringing the bell and exchanging a few words with Ben, who decides to stay in. They show me to the colectivo (bus) stop close to Café Josephina, where I had breakfast the morning prior. We take the bus to Juan Jo’s apartment, where I am greeted by Juan Jo, Silvia, and Silvia’a Poodle, Camila. Camila wears a purple bow in a tuft of her hair. She is very soft, and even though she is a small dog, I like her. Silvia has blonde wavy hair and likes to dress her dog in lace collars and sweaters. I don’t think Camila minds. Juan Jo has a serious obsession with Bon Jovi, and pretty much all things 80s rock.

Silvia, Annemarie, Camila & Meg

From Juan Jo’s apartment, we head to dinner; a place in Las Canitas called “Lo de Falucha,” turns out Falucha is a dog that “owns” the place. I do not get to meet Falucho. But I do get to eat una ensalda capresse with more grape tomatoes than I ever thought I would eat in my lifetime, mozzarella cubes, basil, and olives. I avoid the olives. It should be noted that Silivia speaks close to no English. We converse the whole meal in castellano, with the occasional translation from Damian when words fail Annemarie or me. Silvia is understanding and patient, but hates to be left out of the conversation. I also ate provoloneta, which is basically cheese cooked on a grill. Melty and delicious. Muy rico. I also take a bite of Annemarie’s steak, but to be honest, I never cared much for steak; and I don’t miss meat. The appeal is lost on me.

After dinner we head back to Juan Jo’s apartment and the boys watch VH1 while the girls flip through a slew of pictures Silvia has on the computer. They are mostly vacation shots or model-esque poses, as Silvia is both well traveled and beautiful. There are also a few pictures of squirrels she took in Miami. She thinks they are amazing. We talk and laugh and drink tornilleros (screwdrivers) until it is 1:44 am – time to hit the bars. Silvia helps Annemarie and I with our makeup because apparently we are not wearing enough mascara.


Later I learn that Silvia speaks Portuguese and will teach me if I teach her English. Let’s hope this works out. We have also discussed a possible trip to Iguazu. Fingers crossed.

Jaun Jo & Damian

Damian warns me that it is a slow night because of Holy Week; a lot of portenos leave town on holiday through Monday. Silvia drives us to Palermo, where we pay a man to help us park in a tiny parallel spot a few blocks from a bar called Sonoman. Sonoman is “not very crowded tonight,” but reminds me of the crowd at Cheers Shot Bar in Austin on a Thursday night. The back porch sprawls out to another bar which backlights bottles of Malibu Rum and Absolut Razberri, as well as your standard bar fare. Very reminiscent of Cheers. It also plays a lot of 80s music, which can’t help but remind me of a frat party – let me tell you, you haven’t lived until you’ve heard Porno for Pyros’ “We Make Great Pets” or Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” sung at the top of their lungs by drunk studiers abroad and Castellano-speaking Argentines. After one drink, we make it an early night and Silivia drops us off. Easter is tomorrow.


Also, I am a horrible roommate because I have yet to figure out my keys and the door. I remember I had problems with this last time. I shall spend tomorrow practicing. Ben had to let me in tonight.