I spy ... some spectacular and strange grafitti on our way to the markets in San Telmo! We spent the weekend on our feet. Walking miles, ignoring buses, taking the occasional subway - that's the way to clear out the excitement and make way for appreciation. I appreciate the pizza (yes! this is most popular next to empanadas). I appreciate the wine. I appreciate the delicious treats from the confiteria next door to our apartment building. And I am in love with the balcony.
The balcony looks out onto the inner square of apartment buildings. It's a turbulence of laundry drying, babies wailing, people cheering the football game (at all hours of the night), people reading and plants climbing every available surface. It is delightfully urban. Privacy has taken its leave.
The scents and sights of a city have been a slap in the face reminder of my days in Philadelphia. Watch where you step! People walk their dogs on the pavement. Live next door to a pastry shop? Guess what you smell 24 hours a day?
And yet, in this big city people are most unabashedly friendly. The shop cashier walked us next door to buy our transit card. The stranger in the supermarket worked with us until he understood we wanted to buy pepper. It's the kind of friendly that warms you like a hot flash - for those of you who understand that deep in the body flush. I'm not quite sure how to respond to it.
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