Passing the Days

Good morning world. My eyes are heavy this morning even though I slept well. I wasn't so sure that I would, because it was the first night apart for Todd and I in a VERY long time. I think maybe since we left the states two years ago. When we were living in Kansas City I grew accustomed to his heavy travel schedule for work. I don't think I ever fully got used to it though. This night apart was nice but weird and definitely healthy.

Todd wasn't here last night because he went camping. Well, more specifically he is taking a two day intense rock climbing course. I like rock climbing a lot but Todd wants to learn the more intense aspects i.e. multi-pitch, rescues, etc. He would have slept in a tent on the rock if the instructor would have had one. I am thankful he did not. So off in the mountains he went yesterday morning. Hoping it wouldn't be too fridged, winter is on the prawl down here. I hope he had a great time. I will find out late tonight when he returns.

I had a great day by myself; cooking, running, reading, and just doing things that were all about me. That always makes for a good day. And it was a beautiful fall day with sunny skies and a crisp breeze that kept moving through the air. I watched the basketball final by myself in the apartment. But since I was torn on which team to root for, it almost felt like I had a companion with me rooting for the other team. What a great game!

Anyways, besides Todd camping and me enjoying me we also managed to have a great Easter. Surprisingly, Good Friday is the major holiday here. There was a 30,000 person 7 church march, the hotels were at full capacity, and the city was closed. We decided to go to mass on Easter Sunday so our groggy bodies rose Sunday morning after a fun night of basketball hooliganism and went to church. We arrived at 11am thinking we were late but the church was practically empty. Apparently, Argentines don't even get to mass on time. Eventually the church filled up and we were on our way. Three interesting points here: 1. Easter is supposed to be a joyess event of life. The priest made sure we were all aware of this and announced it in the most ho-um monotone voice ever. It was depressing and the rest of the mass followed in monotone pursuit. 2. No music. Just one older ladies cracky voice leading the singing which ended up sounding more like chanting. Not joyess. 3. Confession was being held in the vesibules by two priests. One cloaked in his vestments, the other simply wearing jeans and his purple stole. People participated in mass while waiting in line. Oh yeah, there is a 4th...no order to communion. People just piled out of pews or came from where they were standing and assembled lines, no order. Even with the quirks, it was a nice morning. Something familiar even if it was actually a bit foreign.

After our non joyess celebration we went out for coffee. While sipping our coffee and reading the paper Todd came across the horse racing brackets. And we were in luck, because it was data for the Easter day race. There you go, we had something to do for the day. So, we finished up our jo, wondered home, and then walked over to the Hipodrome. I apparently know nothing about any sport that involves horses. Yes, the horses ran around the track, but the half moon or circles on yellow signs that accompanied the winners board, no idea. And the betting auctions, again clueless. Besides watching the races, we wondered around, checking out the horses, watching them strut their stuff before the race and of course people watching. Lots of good people watching! We had a great time, even if our horses never won.

So, that is that. A holiday past, a night spent alone, and less then a month left in Argentina. Crazy!