December Update

So, I couldn´t think of a catchy title, and I only have about 6 minutes to type before I need to leave the internet cafe. My MAC died a couple months back, so I´ve been computerless. I used to use my old roommate´s computer, but she left, so I´m really computerless now. However, in a few weeks, the guys are bringing theirs to the apartment.

Anyways, a little update. Christmas went amazingly well. I´ve got a post in the works all about that. It includes BBQ, fireworks, alcohol, and lots of laughing. Work is still going well. As opposed to before BsAs when I saved every penny, I´m actually using my tip money. I´ve purchased some very cool shirts, and I´m in the process of revamping the wardrobe. I´ve lived a rather bummish lifestyle since I´ve gotten here, meaning I havent purchased a lot. Now, I´m starting to buy fun clothes, and enjoy the summer like it should be enjoyed. Lots and lots of meat on the grill, cold Fernet, and hanging out.

On a closing thought, this city is absolutely incredible. I know I say that a lot in these posts, but until you come here, it´s just words. You have to experience it and you´ll fall in love. Both Holly and Lindsay talked about that time when you feel like you need to go back to the States after studying abroad. I was thinking today, I could stay here for a LONG time. Life is very enjoyable, the people are nice, the weather is beautiful, it´s amazing. I´m very content here, and I´m definitely coming back after I graduate.

Ok, 25 seconds until they increase my price a peso.

Bye!!!


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Life Is Great...Version 2.0

I just got back from looking at the apartment...amazing! I met one of my future roomates, Eugenio, and two of his friends were over hanging out. Nice apartment, and they´re in the process of painting it right now. I´ll have my own room with lots of sunlight every day, and a 9th floor view too. After the quick apartment tour, all of us sat in the living room, drank a couple Fernet and Cokes, and just chatted for about an hour. Both of the roommates are from Buenos Aires, and the two friends lived two neighborhoods away. I envision lots of warm summer nights hanging out at city parks in the future. This will be PERFECT to increase my Porteño vocabulary, and really experience an Argentine summer. On top of that, work is going fantastic. I´m starting to really mesh with my coworkers at the bar. I get along with my mangers well, and they know that I´m a hard worker and good at what I do. Plus, I´m getting some very valuable experience that I can bring back to Minneapolis. I couldnt have asked for anything more!


ps- This past weekend, my friend Mariel invited me to her family´s Sunday asado(bbq) and I have a bunch of pictures to post. Soon to come.


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Move

Moving time again.

Moved out of the apartment yesterday. A LONG day filled with bleach cleaning and sweeping. Still don´t have a new apartment, but my friend is letting me crash at her place while I continue my search. I´ve got a couple nice places lined up, its just a matter of taking a look at them, and figuring out which to choose. I found one with two 22 year old Porteños who are going to school here and working. Sent a few emails and they seem pretty cool. Plus, one is a biker and I would LOVE to start biking again. I biked 500 miles last summer in the States, and I really miss it.

Besides the move, everything is going well. It´s starting to get hot now. The days are all around 85* and sunny. Honestly, I´ve never lived in a place where almost every day is blue skies and sunny. It rains once every two weeks or so. However, when it rains, it RAINS! It downpoured last week for an entire day. The streets near the house were flooded with about 1.5 to 2 feet of water. Carlos and I ran through the streets enjoying it. If we would have had innertubes, we could have travled around 20 blocks riding the current.

Well, I´m off to work. Friday night, should be pretty busy!

Les mando un abrazo,
Patrick


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Newest Bartender on the Block

I got it!

Ladies and gentlemen, you're reading the blog of the newest bartender at the hippest cocktail lounge in Buenos Aires, Argentina...Portezuelo Lounge Bar & Music.

What can I say...I just got done working my first night at my favorite bar from last semester. I always thought it would be cool to work there, but never knew if it would happen. Well, it did.

From now until sometime in April, swing on in and say Hi.




Patrick


ps- the place is amazingly similar to the Loring Pasta Bar back in Minneapolis. Vintage chandeliers, lots of brickwork, very cool ambiance.


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

South American Guidos?!?

Well, it's 8:14AM, and I got home from a LONG night bartending. If it would have been hip-hop, salsa, reggaeton, or ANYTHING worth dancing to...no big deal. However, it was Eurotrash techno night. The same continuous beat over and over and over. Every so often, I thought the DJ may have been putting the song on repeat, but then, all of a sudden, the mass of dancing people would all start singing along with the song, and if you know any techno, that pretty much means saying random sentences like, "Love love love love emotion emotion emotion emotion. Keep the beat bumping bumping bumping bumping."

Furthermore(susan), I was definitely not feeling the amount of Dude-ness in the air. I'm pretty sure I was privy to witness the mating rituals of the Argentine Guido. Lots and lots of men, buying overpriced champagne and mixing it with Speed(their version of Redbull), dancing(read shaking, or better yet, convulsing), a large majority coked out of their minds, wearing Armani Exchange shirts that say...ARMANI EXCHANGE in huge letters across the front, all clad in epilepsy inducing BLING jewelery, spazzing out alongside their equally drugged up, fake beasted, sunglasses at night, female counterparts. These people were, by all means, the epitomy of Club Rats. 35 year old men, in the above mentioned wardrobe, dancing nonstop, circling ladies on the dance floor. I imagine myself to be drinking a gin & tonic at a jazz club when I'm 35, not popping a bunch of exstacy and going fratting. Different strokes for different folks.

Luckily for me, this technofest only occurs once every three weeks, otherwise it's good reggaeton or cumbia, and you can actually talk to people over the music.

Patrick


on a sidenote, I actually have an interview tonight at an AMAZING restaurant/bar in a really great neighborhood of the city, Recoleta. It was my favorite place to go last semester when I lived two blocks away. Ambient lounge music the entire time and a good crowd demographic. I'll let you know how that goes.


PS- if you don't know what a Guido is, check out the following:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g245/errol_brownpants/guido12.jpg


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Summertime!

It's all over folks, I've finished my second semester in Buenos Aires! I aced my finals, I'm pretty sure I pulled straight As. It was, as the last post stated, pretty insane thought. Lots and lots of studying and uneasy nervousness. Never before have I had to walk into a room, sit down with the professor, and HOPE that the two questions they ask me, from the ENTIRE semester, are within the range of things that I have studied. Either way, it's all over.

Argentina summer, here I come!!!

Patrick


ps- I got a job bartending at a nightclub about 3 blocks from my house. Cool place with some very attractive customers. Can't ask for much more!


I'll write a little longer post about my summer plans, but I've gotta go make some pesos!


Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina