Penguins, Horses, Chess, Capoeira, Politesse...
Brief update about the past week.
Last Saturday I was pretty excited about trying out a tai chi class. It meets Saturday's at 10:30 in this park. Naila and I went and no one was there. I'm calling the lady today to see if it will happen tomorrow.
That night: Saturday I met up with Naila and Romina and Rominas dentist crew and we headed out to some random birthday party. None of us knew anyone at the party but it seemed like all were welcome and with the costume vibe everyone was in a good mood. We danced until 5:30 in the morning and bid happy birthday to the two birthday girls - one dressed as Catwoman and the other dressed as the Queen of Hearts.
Sunday - I saw March of the Penguins - dubbed into Spanish which I'm never a fan of. Its always those bizarre and bland accents - ugh. Anyhow, fascinating how they manage to survive - a constant back and forth of caretaking duties in sub-zero temperatures.
Afterward Naila and I headed off to a very cool restaurant - a huge place with the kind of "have your birthday here" vibe. They have a big collection of board games - you can eat, drink and play all at the same time. Naila and I played about 4 games of chess, the first two pathetic, the third a little more promising and the final game was genuinely entertaining. I like chess - when you are just starting out, its full of suprises. You realize that you are too anxious to kill and suddenly you open yourself up for attack, you dont know how to use your pawns properly, they end up hindering you more than helping you...with time and practice the game will take on a different rhythm.
Monday night was capoeira class. (A Brazilian form of combat adapted by African slaves to fight oppression. Capoeira is dance-like, and many believe it was developed this way to be disguised as a dance to the slave owners.) Every single muscle has been used, stretched, abused really. We ran, did push ups, sit ups, crawled along the floor like spiderman, walked on all fours like elephants, jumped and spun in the air, did handstands and bridges...brutal. Great workout though and for that I'm happy. 2-3 times a week for the remainder of my time here should help shape me up.
Just a quick note - its Friday and I'M STILL IN PAIN.
I'm nearly done with the book Out of Africa - a wonderful story about a Danish woman, her 25 year stay in Africa and her relationships with its people, observations about the land.
Stuck up in a subtle way for Americans on Wednesday. 5 older gentlemen came into the restaurant where I had just finishe dmy lunch. I saw that they were in need of space and by paying my bill and leaving I would make thier seating much easier. So I did just that, I told them to give me a moment to pay and they could have my table. One fellow said "You must be from the Interior" (meaning, not from the Capital - meaning not rude ;) I said "No, I'm not from the Interior, I'm American - so I guess you are right, I'm not from here." A little wink and a smile and out I went.
Also Wednesday - Horseback riding - no longer a pleasant two hours of every week. I've been dreading it these past 4 weeks or so. I have a growing animosity toward my petulant steed. That day I had had enough - his pissy behaviour has steadily worn down my self-confidence. I've tired of constantly having to kick and whip him out of his moods, his laziness. I've only been able to predict his unpredictability. I asked for a new horse - if things dont improve then I think I'll give up horseback riding. I've gotten what I wanted - to be able to ride confidently. I dont need to jump anymore. The real struggle is in my head - is it a simple matter of needing a new horse - or is it my substandard horsemanship?
Tomorrow I'm going to the Japanese garden to check out a display of Kimonos. Also, this weekend is the Contemporary Art Expo - need to check that out. There's also a jumping competition on Sunday - yeah, I MAY check it out. We'll see.
Dont mean to be dulll - but that's all I've got for now.
Last Saturday I was pretty excited about trying out a tai chi class. It meets Saturday's at 10:30 in this park. Naila and I went and no one was there. I'm calling the lady today to see if it will happen tomorrow.
That night: Saturday I met up with Naila and Romina and Rominas dentist crew and we headed out to some random birthday party. None of us knew anyone at the party but it seemed like all were welcome and with the costume vibe everyone was in a good mood. We danced until 5:30 in the morning and bid happy birthday to the two birthday girls - one dressed as Catwoman and the other dressed as the Queen of Hearts.
Sunday - I saw March of the Penguins - dubbed into Spanish which I'm never a fan of. Its always those bizarre and bland accents - ugh. Anyhow, fascinating how they manage to survive - a constant back and forth of caretaking duties in sub-zero temperatures.
Afterward Naila and I headed off to a very cool restaurant - a huge place with the kind of "have your birthday here" vibe. They have a big collection of board games - you can eat, drink and play all at the same time. Naila and I played about 4 games of chess, the first two pathetic, the third a little more promising and the final game was genuinely entertaining. I like chess - when you are just starting out, its full of suprises. You realize that you are too anxious to kill and suddenly you open yourself up for attack, you dont know how to use your pawns properly, they end up hindering you more than helping you...with time and practice the game will take on a different rhythm.
Monday night was capoeira class. (A Brazilian form of combat adapted by African slaves to fight oppression. Capoeira is dance-like, and many believe it was developed this way to be disguised as a dance to the slave owners.) Every single muscle has been used, stretched, abused really. We ran, did push ups, sit ups, crawled along the floor like spiderman, walked on all fours like elephants, jumped and spun in the air, did handstands and bridges...brutal. Great workout though and for that I'm happy. 2-3 times a week for the remainder of my time here should help shape me up.
Just a quick note - its Friday and I'M STILL IN PAIN.
I'm nearly done with the book Out of Africa - a wonderful story about a Danish woman, her 25 year stay in Africa and her relationships with its people, observations about the land.
Stuck up in a subtle way for Americans on Wednesday. 5 older gentlemen came into the restaurant where I had just finishe dmy lunch. I saw that they were in need of space and by paying my bill and leaving I would make thier seating much easier. So I did just that, I told them to give me a moment to pay and they could have my table. One fellow said "You must be from the Interior" (meaning, not from the Capital - meaning not rude ;) I said "No, I'm not from the Interior, I'm American - so I guess you are right, I'm not from here." A little wink and a smile and out I went.
Also Wednesday - Horseback riding - no longer a pleasant two hours of every week. I've been dreading it these past 4 weeks or so. I have a growing animosity toward my petulant steed. That day I had had enough - his pissy behaviour has steadily worn down my self-confidence. I've tired of constantly having to kick and whip him out of his moods, his laziness. I've only been able to predict his unpredictability. I asked for a new horse - if things dont improve then I think I'll give up horseback riding. I've gotten what I wanted - to be able to ride confidently. I dont need to jump anymore. The real struggle is in my head - is it a simple matter of needing a new horse - or is it my substandard horsemanship?
Tomorrow I'm going to the Japanese garden to check out a display of Kimonos. Also, this weekend is the Contemporary Art Expo - need to check that out. There's also a jumping competition on Sunday - yeah, I MAY check it out. We'll see.
Dont mean to be dulll - but that's all I've got for now.
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