Trying to be Tourists!!!

So in the few weeks since I have posted we have been BUSY....

Processing paperwork here in Argentina is unlike anything I have ever done before... it takes time, patience and a certain skill of knowing exactly what to fill out and hand in, because even most Argentines are confused by it all.  This has left me bruised and battered most times.. and elated when we accomplish a simple task!!!  I am thankful for my Tutor who has been so kind to join me on "field trips" where her knowledge and language skills are required.

When not dealing with the everyday mundane stuff of just getting settled.. we have tried to be what we hoped we would be... TOURISTS!!!

We have visited downtown Buenos Aires a few times, hitting up Puerto Madera, Temaiken Zoo, The Decorative Arts Museum and the San Telmo Market (like 2 miles of shopping!!!)..  Last Monday was a holiday from school here and we made sure we spent it exploring.  

Also.. we started school.... this is the end of our third week and may I say we are settling in quite nicely.. The girls ride the bus in the AM and I am pick them up after activities in the afternoon.  Cora is taking readers workshop, tennis and jazz dance and loving them all!!!  Nola is taking a well deserved break from soccer and trying her hand at drama, basketball, swimming and synchronized swim.  So far Nola is loving them.. she is really liking the swimming competitively and last night I think she admitted she liked it better than soccer.  They have nice classes full of good kids from all around the globe.  Nola's class has not one child from the same country in it!!  Their teachers are wonderful and so far the school lunches are the best food ever!!!  I will say I have seen the lunch and it looks so good..

so here are some random photos.. :)

Grades 4th and 5th... where the time has gone is beyond me

lunch at a little parilla by the uniform shop.. always need new clothes

Decorative Arts Museum.. a former home of a wealthy family... it is beyond stunning

lots of furniture with wooden detail inlay.. expensive at any time

bottom level of the museum was a museum dedicated to a famous Argentine designer..

random.. but the roads here are rough.... still haven't figured out how to get this back on the car..

Nola aboard the ARA Uraguay at Puerto Madero

thank god for the love of coffee and snacks

 Puente de la Mujer..

ok.. the public toilets on the boat.. NO WAY.. LOL

We found Abuela Goya Chocolate.. YUMMMM

lunch in San Telmo where they cut the meat with a SPOON!!!

The San Telmo market is full of lovely treasures and unique sightings.. lots of music and street food.. next time I am determined to try more street food.. the chocolate covered churro let me know there is more yumminess out there..

The zoo is lovely.. and only 20 minutes from our home.. we will be regulars!!!

American Girl Story... Chapter 3.. Bikes.. Always a door to say hello!!

so my friend Vanessa and I came up with a great idea that we should write an American Girl book based on the adventures we are having.... Vanessa expanding her successful business with a new Yoga studio.. me on a journey to Argentina.. keeping our friendship alive.. etc.. you get it..

well on Saturday past we bought the girls bikes.. we had to wait a while to get them and man they are awesome..  the girls rode and found FRIENDS!!! Freedom from mom and dad leaves time to explore and kids notice one another when a parent isn't around so as I was texting Vanessa to tell her and we came up with Chapter 3...  Bikes.. Always a door to say hello!

it is amazing how friends can be so important.... now none of these girls speak English fully, mine don't speak Spanish fully and 2 of the girls.. they speak German!!!  but yet there were 9 or 10 girls in the back yard happily painting and playing football.. we have had a few over for games of UNO and in general they have just been around.. Nola now stays out until 7 pm riding to the clubhouse.. Cora right behind her of course.. it is really great..

I really understand this need to have people around.. someone that understands enough to toss the ball, or complain about your mother and her rules... LOL.. it has been so hard transitioning to here.  It is a lovely community and it is a lovely area, but we are not at home.. and that leaves you on edge, it makes things just more fragile.

now of course it has only been a few days and last night Nola came in crying.. because yes she is odd man out and she does need to learn a lot more Spanish.. and it is hard.. and it sucks beyond comprehension.. and when you are 10.. it is double that... no one was being mean to her, no one was excluding her, but its hard to know you are the different one.

somehow though after a talk about friendships and groups, the dreams of writing an American Girl doll book and the importance of not being afraid and leaping like you know the ground is there (even though it may not be).. she was good.. and I was good..

I went to bed last night thankful for her friends here that ask her to ride her bike with them.. I am thankful for her friends in TX that text.. email.. comment on bad photos she posts on intsagram.. and I am most thankful that I have the kinds of friends who she knows support me enough in this crazy journey that I can support her in this crazy journey..

so there you have it.. Chapter 3  :)