We are starting our third week in Buenos Aires, and are feeling like (casi) Portenos.

I am set up with my exercise group, CURVES, the one I attend at home with an International Travel Pass to Curves anywhere - and right here in Palermo is the one for me. Last year the folks at Curves in Palermo were hospitable and kind - this year they remembered me and are treating me like an old friend. As the equipment is exactly the same world wide - I am set (to work some of the butter off the duck - in this case the duck is mostly bife, empanadas and helado).

Tongue exercises, in the form of our Spanish lessons are going really well. We have engaged our talented and creative teacher from last year, Gabriela Farrante www.gabrielaferrante.com

This year Gabriela has devised a terrific plan for our studies: Once a week, she comes to our apartment and DH and I each have one hour of private time on a mix of whatever area of Castillano we need most: Grammar, Conversation, Pronunciation, etc.

The second day of each week the three of us go on a little adventure - talking Spanish all the way. Once we walked into Palermo Hollywood to an organic Deli owned by an Englishman ex pat, and as we had coffee and scones in the Deli, we read an article about his decision to move to Buenos Aires and become an entrepreneur. This was so neat.

Today we took the colectivo #60 to Belgrano and found it fascinating to walk in that lovely, calm neighborhood with so many embassys and distinctive architecture. We discovered some interesting statuary and well-tended gardens, too. Gabriela also gave us some history along the way. Then we stopped at Maru Botana, a charming cafe, and had coffee and torta de manzana (muy rico) as we read an entrevista about Maru Botana. These outings are so instructive and helpful, and fun and, it turns out, quite tasty !

So we have been busy, among other pursuits, exercising our language and our bodies.

Hi! I've been thinking about u. Great you're hitting the gym. Your classes in Spanish sound really neat. Soon you'll be giving lessons!

Not too soon, my friend.

How are your travels - and where can I follow them on Fodors ?

~M

Going great...fascinating trip. Haven't been posting other than to ask questions as we travel. Perhaps a tr when we return home.

Great reporting from our unofficial Chief DE!

Any exciting activities for today?

Like dinner with the guy who is a proscript from TA?

Marnie, it sounds like you are having a delightful time. I really can imagine all these lovely things you are doing, and seeing and eating ! Wonderful!
I am in Mississippi at the moment, wandering the southeast until I get the condo on Feb 1st.

Please do have an extra bite of some of that delicious food for me. Perhaps a steak !

Keep on enjoying.

It will be my pleasure, Kodi. Enjoy your trip to the South.

Marnie: We have arrived in BA. Can't believe how great the weather is!

I am waiting for my porteña friend, Laura to arrive & bring me the yoga mat that she purchased for me. Then, I can start working off the pounds that I gained since we arrived 3 days ago. I can't stop eating yummy vegetable tartas. LOL!

Welcome back to BsAs. I hope you enjoy this visit as much as your last.

Thanks, Marnie. It is already better.

I will write about some of our adventures, soon.

Hi Marnie - we arrived in BsAs yesterday - can't seem to find your email addy......pls email me - would love to arrange our GTG!

Ok, it was an interesting post. But the subject line hinted of tawdry sex on the balcony of your high rise apartment, perhaps following a bottle or two of Torrentes.

Spanish lessons and Curves, while interesting, did not measure up to initial expectations.

Dr D..same thought crossed my mind too when I first saw it...maybe in future posts???

Says top poster drdawggy: "a bottle or two of Torrentes".

As "Torrentes" means "torrents", I assume he must mean our great "Torrontés" wine.

Just kidding.....

Oh Great, and Dr_D and Yestravel are my good friends - and they both know that the balcony in our apartment is too small for 'tawdry sex' and also that 'tawdry sex' would require Malbec, not Torrontes. I'll try to do better (DH is smiling).

My DH and I, as others on this Forum, owe so much to AVRooster [NOT for Tawdry Sex] for being such an excellent poster of ideas and answers and for helping in so many ways our adjustment and pleasure in being in BsAs. We are grateful.

Gracias, AV

Such kind words from Chief DE MarnieWDC!

I'm blushing, well almost......

ROTFLMAO! The esteemed drdawggy taught me that one....

I am glad you enjoy Argnetina once again... you will be an expert once you had adopted "porteño´s" accet. LOL!

Angie (Flintstones): I don't correct your spelling because I know it's useless. LOL!!!

Yesterday, our teacher Gabriela, took DH and me on a wonderful surprise adventure - principalmente en Español.

We took the train from Barrancas de Belgrano to Beccar,(one stop after San Isidro) Crossed the old metal bridge and found ourselves on tree lined streets with beautiful houses and a quiet and calm you cannot even find in the Japanese Gardens (unless, perhaps, you are a carp). We continued on, having no idea where we were headed, but totally trusting Gabriela, until we reached VILLA OCAMPO. Fantastic ! This is the summer home of Les Ocampo that Victoria Ocampo refurbished and refined, including the gorgeous grounds. We took the tour of the house (in very well articulated Spanish - but Spanish still - so I won't provide much history) but we learned about her having started the Literary Magazine SUR and being a very serious patron and supporter of many famous writers and musicians - many of whom were her guests in Villa Ocampo: Stravinsky, Camus, Graham Green, Borges, Malraux and so many more. Victoria Ocamp,s projects included support of women's voting and other issues world wide - she was the only woman (I think I have this right) at the Nuremberg Trials.

Base on all of this, Villa Ocampo is a Unesco Site, and on well worth a visit if you have the time.