Pastries, Cakes and other sweet goodies

The Argentinians love sweet things, Dulce de leche (Sweet milk), Factura (pastries) and loads of other sweet yummie goodies. Yesterday when I went to collect my laundry from the Lavadero, I noticed a coffee shop and pastry house right opposite. Not sure why I hadn't noticed it before. I normally have a pretty good eyes for such places. Anyhow I ordered myself a cafe con leche (that's my standard coffee) and then I caught a glimpse of the pastry counter...... loads of heavenly factura and they were only $1peso each! I couldn't stop myself I had two. They were so delicious. And if my jeans don't fit its because they shrunk in the laundry!

OUR NEW HOME - Laprida 1257

After three weeks of searching I have finally found us an apartment to rent. I have taken a three month lease with the option to renew. It is one bedroom with a nice open plan living space which opens on to a small run balcony. The kitchen is fully equipped and the bathroom has everything we need. Included is a once a week maid service, Internet connection, a TV with cable a small stereo system and a pay as you go telephone. It is 2 blocks from Ave Santa Fe, and the Aquero Subte station, so it has a very good location. I move in on 17 June, and will have it all sorted by the time Brad arrives 1 July. I took a walk around the neighbourhood and found a "Hotel Familia" around the corner, so any friends and family who wish to visit can check in there.... depending on your budget, you can have a room with or without a bathroom!!! Can you imagine what it must be like...........................

the COMPLEJO TANGO experience (part 2)

Confident in our dancing skills, we went into the show venue. A dinner theatre. We had a wonderful choice of dinner options, Thee of us had the salad starter, Amy had the empanada and then we all had the STEAK....... melt in your mouth delicious..wow! it was super, the meat has such a wonderful flavour here (I'm starting to salivate just thinking about it!) and then there was a wonderful selection of deserts, I opted for the poached pears. Drinks were included, so being a white wine drinker I had my own bottle, and the girls shared 2 bottles of red - Malbec! Then the show began................... it was truly wonderful. Tango is divided into 3 parts (a) the music, (b)the song/poem, and then (c) the dance. This show included all three and was really slick and professional. A stunning evening out. To find out more check their website. www.complejotango.com.ar

the COMPLEJO TANGO experience (part 1)

To come to Argentina and not see Tango, is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower.....

So when some of the girls from the class said they wanted to take a lesson and see a show, I contacted my friend Max Lopez . (Max was the tour guide that was so helpful in 2007 when we were here.) He arranged a good evening out for us at COMPLEJOtango. The transport collected us from a hotel not from our apartments and took us to the venue where we started off with a tango demonstration and then a lesson. We learnt two steps and put them together into a little routine, once the teacher were certain we could do the moves they handed out our Certificates.........

THE PAST WEEK - WHAT A WEEK............(2)....

We started our teaching prac. lesson this week. Three down and three to go.............

I have received good feedback and really enjoy the experience. My admiration for teachers has grown this last week. I really didn't realise how much time goes into lesson planning - and preparation, but it has all been worth it. I have had good lessons and constructive feedback.

Each lesson that we do is observed by one of the TEFL trainers and one of our peers. They give us feedback, and so do the students. THE STUDENTS , they are awesome, all adult learners ranching from 20's to 60's - male and female. TEFL offers the lesson free of charge so that we can get experience. The students know this when they sign up. There are different language ability groups, ranging from Basic Beginners to High Intermediate. Some of the students have been at the school for 3 years and have moved from basic beginner to high intermediate. Over six lessons we get the opportunity to teach all the groups, as well as doing a One to One Assessment and Lesson. This as you can imagine gives us great experience teaching the different language proficiencies. It is also quite a challenge, because each group is different and you only get to teach them once or maybe twice over the 2 week period. But it has been a brilliant experience and I have learned so much. Totally worth it. Today we had a seminar about getting work and job opportunities in Buenos Aires, and despite the economical crisis, I feel rather positive. Will need to work 30-40 hours a week to meet expenses and have some fun! Will make a change from the 80-100 that I used to work!!!! Wednesday morning got great news...............................................................

I passed my Grammar Exam - 84% , I was so chuffed. Celebrated with my own small bottle of Chandon (bottle of bubbles). Other good news have finally found a suitable apartment for Brad and Myself. (watch future posts for more info and photos). Other good news this week is that Brad has changed his ticket so arrives in BA a week earlier 1 JULY .

Will celebrate the end of a great week with a TANGO LESSON/DINNER AND SHOW...............

going out tomorrow with the gals to chill out and enjoy!

THE PAST WEEK - WHAT A WEEK............(1)....

This has been one of those weeks that has just whizzed by, but so much has happened... started off as you know with Independence Day and the dreaded Grammar Exam! and then it has just got better. Monday night I went to the La Bomba del Tiempo, with Amy and Lisa (my classmates), we had a brilliant time. Because we all live in different places around the city, we decided to meet at a central location, as I walked out the apartment door the heavens opened and I got quite wet. So by the time we walked 10 blocks and got to Konex to see La Bomba we were all rather wet. (not quite sure why we didn't take a taxi???) Some one was on our side, because the drinks were a fantastic price $8 peso for a high ball glass of wine. I mean who could turn that down.... so after 2 glasses and drying my hair with my scarf I was ready to move to those Latin drum beats..... The La Bomba is a 17 piece percussion band that plays every Monday at the Konex Centre. There is a conductor/ band leader who using some very interesting hand signals directs the musicians. The music is very Afro-Latin and you just dance and enjoy the show. The music begins at about 8 pm and goes on non stop for two hours - talk about a work out ! these guides are good. By the time we left the rain had cleared up and it was a great evening.

25 MAY - INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today is the National holiday when Argentina celebrates its

Independence from Spain. I could not quite understand why there were no people about this morning, the streets were scarey quiet. Like everyone had been abducted over night and I got left behind! but then I saw blue and white ribbons and realised PING! public holiday!!!!. We still had to go to school and do our grammar assessment. That's over now and we get the results back later on in the week..... We also did our lesson plans and prac. teaching preparation for this weeks lessons. It has been so hot and humid today, but it has just started raining... hope that doesn't mess up the plans for tonight.. Some girls from the class plus some of their friends and me ( and maybe Aldo - the Mexican who shares the apartment with me), have planned to go to La Bamba del Tiempo. (now that is such good grammar and sentence construction!!!! what have I learned?)

Hope its not washed out! It is now pouring down, huge gigantic raindrops!!! Will tell you all about it on the next blog post!