"Ladies Night"

Last night, Friday, we explored the other side of the city, walking all the way to the river, with a group of Tulane kids. It’s pretty cold out here, I mean it is winter, but I’m enjoying the brisk climate and it’s only going to get warmer from here. I felt like we were walking through several different cities because each area is different - we walked though a small and quiet neighborhood with cobblestone sidewalks and canopied trees, then it was as if we jumped on the other side of a map. Big city streets with a crosswalk almost as long as a football field, cars honking, enormous old buildings towering over us. The variety kept the long walk interesting and exciting. However, I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a week, so after taking the 20 minute metro ride back to Belgrano, I was ready for a serious siesta.

It was only 6pm, so dinner wasn’t for another 3-4 hours. Elena was hard at work on her famous empanadas - let me tell you, these things are dangerously good. I offered to help but in reality I know less than nothing about the art of the empanada, so I did the the important job of supervising. Elena made empanadas de carne, which had meat, eggs, raisins, herbs and spices, etc. It was an interesting combo, in a good way of course. A very good way. She also prepared empanadas de choclo, which looks like mashed potatoes but is made with corn and is kind of sweet. The entire time, Elena had rollers in her hair which cracked me up. She’s as tall as my shoulders, and I’m only 5’4’’ so pretty much everything she does is just the cutest.

While Felice and Elena folded the empanadas, we drank malbec (the big red wine of Argentina) and told tales of boyfriends past. Lol. Later, Claudia, one of Elena’s daughters, arrived and the party started. Because it was a special occasion, (occasion: Felice is leaving in two weeks/ I arrived/ who doesn’t love ladies’ night?) we set the table and ate in the dining room. We expected two more guests, Elena’s friend and her 25 year old daughter, but they arrived later, so the four of us enjoyed lots of empanadas and lots of wine. Elena likes to put granulated sugar on her empanadas de carne… I don’t get it but do yo thang girl. We talked and laughed for hours, and when the other two ladies arrived we repeated the process, this time with limoncello - ay Dios. I tried my best to keep up with the conversations flying around at a rapid pace - it was so enjoyable that I didn’t realize we were still seated at 3 in the morning!!! I retired to my room around 3:30, face planted and remained in such position for about 9 hours.

I’m up, I’ve had my cornflakes and fruit, and I’m ready to conquer the new world I’m living in! It’s definitely time to get some exercise, phew. Ciao for now!

Besos, Nelly