Lunch with Leitch

So today I woke up, began to pack because I was awake and getting antsy (read: overwhelmed) in my “there’s to much to do and not enough time to do it in” panic, so I decided to start packing and then get my legs waxed. I figured if I can’t be slim for summer I might as well be smooth. Andres and I had made plans to grab brunch at some place that serves pancakes and milkshakes, but he slept in and I also had plans with Leitch for lunch, so brunch is postponed, perhaps tomorrow as a post-Jenny's birthday hangover cure. I was supposed to work the Expat Connection/Help Argentina Happy Hour last night. And I did, but only from 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm. They decided they were overstaffed for the event, and when they offered to let me go I bowed out gracefully in favor of sleep in my warm bed.

While I was there I chatted with two former UN members and a current one. Just sat right down and chatted with them to explain why we didn’t have a kitchen yet. “But you’re in Palermo; you should know your neighborhood,” the portly man told me. I didn’t bat an eye the first time I heard them say “Naciones Unidas,” but when they complimented my Spanish and said they interacted with a lot of foreigners (“Oh, through COPA?” – one of them is a host mother to a girl named Rachel from Wisconsin. COPA is a popular study abroad program because you can choose from multiple universities.) “No, through the United Nations.” Oh. Wow. That’s kind of a big deal, and I just made myself comfortable and sat down at your table to chat. The man offered me his business card and said he’d take me and five friends on a tour to some Estancia where literatura gauchesca originated. I bet that would cost me a pretty penny, and I only have one week left.

Then of course when I get home I get a phone call from Kristin. Oh great what did I forget? Only it’s not Kristin, it’s Greg Hayslett from high school. He just happens to be in Buenos Aires, traveling South America, and popped into the very bar where I work. Then Conrad called me from Cici William’s old phone because he and his cousin and Gillea stopped by the bar. I had tried to text him as I was walking home – he had emailed me earlier in the evening about dropping in – but I forgot he had lost his phone, so I guess that message is floating in dead space. I think they ended up having a good time; it seemed the night picked back up (even with the Argentina-Brazil soccer match, which ended 0-0.) Hopefully I’ll see those two before I leave. I invited them to the previa Annemarie says she and Damian are planning for me on Saturday: previa in Belgrano, then Crobar so we can (finally) take pictures with the transvestites. If I get everyone drunk enough maybe even Jenny will join…

Then on my last night in town, it's dinner at Olsen and drinks at Kim y Novak. Done and done.

So after packing, waxing, and coffee drinking, it started to rain. And I met Leitch at Sarkis, which is the top ranked restaurant in Palermo as per Guia Oleo. I love Guia Oleo, every city should have one. It lists restaurants by neighborhood and type. Sarkis is classified as Arabic/Armenian food, and was given 26 points. That’s 3 points above places like Osaka, which is pretty swanky. So I told Leitch to meet me at Sarkis on Thames (pronounced like we would say "Thomas") at 1:30 pm, after calling his hotel room twice and finally confirming with him. I took the subte and walked the rest of the way in the rain, with my scarf covering my hair like an old lady. Leitch took a cab and was dressed “business casual” to fit in with the crowd who’s staying at the Sheraton. I liked my food, but thought it was overrated. I don’t think Leitch cared much for it, but he really wanted ice cream and coffee, and since he had never ridden a subway anyway, we went over to my neighborhood to eat dessert at Munchi’s. But since it was raining, we took a cab to Plaza Italia, then rode the subte to Bulnes and walked a few blocks. Leitch kept saying the coffee here is so strong. I guess it is. But when he made the comment that the cups are so small, I asked him if he had been ordering espresso. “No, I order Café Americano.” Sorry to break it to you, but that’s espresso. I bet they look at you funny when you ask for it with milk, huh? I made sure to help him order his coffee and ice cream. And in the process we met a girl from D.C. visiting family down here for the summer. Winter.