The city shakes at 6 o´clock!

The posts start to trail off as the days become more routine and the quotidien doesn´t feel like anything to write home about...Things of course have become more comfortable and usual, even though with the eye of a traveler and an outsider, even the smallest things still feel exciting. It´s so much easier to have constant curiosity about everything while away and take it all for granted when home. I am a curious person in general, but I feel like I´ve been clammed up for a few years, taking things in, observing, analyzing, and protecting myself without offering in the way I would like. This trip, thus far, has been exactly what I was hoping for: an opportunity to get out of myself and my own world and just let down some walls. I feel so excited. SO, so excited to be me, here, now, which is a delight, a surprise, a gift, and a privilege. I am hoping that my time on the farm, which is fast approaching, will allow me the space to think more about how to maintain this better balance of myself in my cozy, beautiful, home.

Last night was magnificent. My housemates, a local couple, and a few of my classmates took a train out of town to Olivos to attend my first Peña Folklorica; a big, happy festival celebrating the roots of Argentinian music and dance. The buildup to the event made it all the better: A long train ride, a walk by the river, dinner and drinks...post dinner fatigue, meeting up with another group of new people by the side of the road, the dark walk to a dingy looking playing field past which we entered a small building and burst out into a beautiful courtyard strung with lights and full of people who love music, dance, and Argentina. We learned a number of dances like the chacarera and el gato, drank wine, talked to dozens of people (in spanish!!) and danced, danced, danced until 4am. The dances were often partner dances but done in large groups, sometimes circular, sometimes it felt like we were just running around wildly, laughing and losing our breath. But out of this kind of dancing comes the most delicious energy.

It was very weird to wake up at 2pm to the sounds of the San Telmo street market. Now, at 6 o´clock, there are more bands in the street and everyone has come out to explore after the heat of the day has passed. 32 celsius but it feels atrocious in the afternoon.

School continues to be fun and interesting, my teacher, Alejandro, is pretty hardcore and simultaneously funny, but most importantly a great teacher. I only have 2 classmates which means we each get a lot of practice time and individual instruction. My grammer improves daily.

ALSO, I have a job interview! For a job in Seattle that sounds so, so perfect. I am trying to set up a phone interview with them this week, so wish me luck!

love and socks.