HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Today, I am in Buenos Aires, in the area of Recoleta which is the center of culture and arts. I am at an actual Internet Cafe. Most of the internet connections are at Interlocutorios, which are NOT cafes. So, I get to drink coffee while I write. I also notice that beer is available, were it later in the day.

It was a very busy and kind of tiring 10 days in Bariloche. The tourist portion of the city is like any other ski resort--full of goods, restaurants and tourists.
My host family, however, lived about six kilometers from town (3.6 miles) and it was in a nice subdivision and very quiet. They don´'t pave their roads, and I could only use first gear for about the last 1/2 mile.

I was sure glad to get rid of the rental car. It was a piece of crap, but I didn't get charged any extra when I turned it in. Traffic wasn´t all that bad, but it limited my activities, as I didn´t want to drive after having anything to drink.

My host, Mercedes served dinner at 9:30pm, of course, with wine. There was one other person staying at her home. His name was Martin, from the Netherlands. His English was good, but his Spanish was even worse than mine. We were also in the same class at school.

The course was good, with a teacher named Flavia. She was very patient and very pretty.

I decided that I didn´t like the cold, and the lack of freedom, not to mention the stress of the class, and having to get up in the morning, and driving that car. Probably this all has to do with getting old! I had to buy a fleece coat to keep warm.

So I kept my reservation on the bus on Saturday morning, and rode another 20 hours back to Buenos Aires.

I had reserved another apartment til March 9, at which time I have a flight to Miami. The apartment is nice, but has no internet service, and the only TV is in the bedroom. It is on a side street, and on the back side of the building (not street side), so it is very quiet. It is close to Vincente Lopez, where there is much activity. Ward and Jane and I had visited this area when they were here. I counted 30 restaurants within three blocks of my apartment.

I may take some more Spanish courses here, if I can find a place within walking distance, and with afternoon classes!

In case I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Charles and Carlen and Dee. It seems as if there should be more February birthdays, so forgive me and remind me if I forget.