Exploring Buenos Aires

I guess I'd better get around to blogging about our quick weekend in Buenos Aires, before we head back there this weekend, this time for 4 whole days!  With it being Easter, and here in Argentina that means no work until Tuesday, we're getting time off!  And boy, are we looking forward to relishing some down time.  We're also looking forward to something else.  But that's a surprise, so I won't spoil it.

After the day spent in the Brazilian capital, a long afternoon and evening of travel from Brazil to Argentina, another customs adventure, we settled into a hotel near the airport, glad to be back in this wonderful country!  For some reason, it's just more comfortable than Brazil.  I think it's because we can have some level of independence since we have the language and have spent several weeks in this culture.  There's nothing like not knowing your way around and not being able to communicate that makes you really dependent.  

Anyway, Sunday we took some time to explore this colorful South American city.  We figured, 2 government capitals in 2 days, that's got to be some kind of record!  We made our way downtown and wandered through a lovely street bazaar where we bought a painting from a local artist. 

The street bazaar--all kinds for sale, cobblestone street, 

tall, old buildings perusing the merchandise from either side.

Our goal was to get to the official buildings, but, because of some political protest going on, everything was blocked off.  We didn't stick around the main plaza too long, since it was obvious the marchers were headed that way to make their sentiments known to the presidenta.

 Instead of the White House, the Pink House (Casa Rosada).

All those ugly graffitied signs are courtesy of the protest, I think.

The scaffolding is the stage where passionate speeches were to be given, I presume.

Needless to say, that wasn't the greatest experience Buenos Aires had to offer.  Good thing we found some other treasures!

 The only English used book store in Buenos Aires, 

and we stumbled upon it.

Walrus Books is in a gorgeous old section of town called San Telmo.  It looked straight out of England, for sure!  We perused, and I bought an adorable picture book about a French mouse who loves music and his adventures as he tries to find a mouse-sized piano.

 So many of the city's buildings are this style.

While there are modern buildings, too, these are so quaint!

We wandered down to the river walk where José told us we could find some great restaurants.  He was right!

 I'm not a steak-lover, but this was excellent!

The little cow says, "Estoy jugoso," (I'm juicy!)

Feeling full, but needing some coffee before we set out on our long drive north, we went to the French district, called Recoleta.  This section of town was absolutely endearing!  Old buildings, tree-lined cobblestone streets, grassy parks, and street cafés all over.  

 We picked one with charming decor and seating in the loft.

 I'd say, Buenos Aires is a fantastic city, well-worth the trip!

I can't wait to go back this weekend!

After the long drive back to the farming region, we found ourselves once again in Villa Cañas, a small town, but home to our favorite restaurant.  Monday was back to the field.  If we learned anything while in Brazil, it'd be that we have an awesome team here in Argentina.  The farm we visited in the land of vast agriculture was great, but big and not so friendly as the guys on the team outside Villa Cañas.  They gave us a hearty welcome and we stood around chatting for quite awhile about how things have been for them, how our trip went...There's a real level of comfort, almost family-like, with these guys.  

The week was busy.  Once again, lots of hours worked, for both of us, but especially Jonathan.  One particularly late night, after harvesting ended for the day, the guys had us into their casilla (the mobile home where they live while camping out in the field for harvest) where we sat around munching on sandwiches and swapping stories.  It was fun.  

These guys have become our friends.

One thing has changed since we were last here.  The evenings and mornings have become crisper, the fields have all turned a rich golden color, some of the trees are putting out yellows and oranges where there was only green.  It struck me as I walked across the field late one night, breathing deeply of the harvest scent in the cool air, gazing up at the clear sky full of stars only slightly dimmed by the full moon rising over the scene.  It's fall.  Autumn.  How long has it been since I witnessed the transformation from summer to fall?  I can't even remember.  Probably 4 or 5 years.  I think I've missed it.  There is something captivating about the changing of the seasons.  

Which reminds me of this song.  The "turning of the season is upon us, my friends", and it should make us think.  Jesus had a lot to say about the lost, and he compared our work to the harvest.  

For all that we've grown, how could we forget,

those who don't know, or just know yet?

Let's harvest this field from sunrise to sunset!

The Master is coming; we are not done yet.

Wherever we are,

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are [golden] for harvest."

-Jesus.