Never Underestimate the Power of Tissue….(and a few other great thoughts)

Two months in Argentina has passed in the blink of an eye and yet I feel as though I’ve learned a lifetime worth of valuable lessons. The most important of these may be the Power of Tissue. Tissue is one of those things I’ve dismissed most of my life, mostly because I never need to blow my nose and it was always something else to remember. Argentina has proven to be a great teacher of many things though, and a good reminder of others.

BA (Buenos Aires), though often called the Pairs of South America in the guidebooks, in my opinion, was the Pairs of South America before its financial collapse almost ten years ago. This certainly doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting, but unless you plan to stay only in Recoletta, the most affluent neighborhood in the city, it’s dirty. Sidewalks are often in disrepair and the lose titles have a way of spitting “water” or weird stuff on your foot at the worst moment. More than once I’ve found goo on my foot, from where or what I don’t want to know, with only a tissue of a friend to rescue me! Also, toilet paper can be a rare bird here. It just doesn’t seem to be a concern, even in some of the nicest of places. Tissue to the rescue! Water also drips from many of the window air conditioning units that are working overtime to beat the heat. If wiping the various splashes on your best dress or pristine pants aren’t viable options, tissues to the rescue once again!! I’ve been through enough of these situations now to have at least one pack safely at my side at all times. You’d be so proud of my preparedness Joyce!

On a more serious note, I have come to better understand the rhyme of life. No this isn’t some new age book picked up in the airport, but living without a vehicle, which this is the first time I’ve been without since I was 18, puts you much more at the mercy of the daily forecast. Taking advantage of beautiful days becomes much more critical, saving rest for the rainy or overcast days. One would think I would have picked up this lesson while living in the north, and experiencing the drama of all the seasons there, but vehicles do a lot to enable us to live apart from natural conditions. In fact with the help of a vehicle, air conditioning/heating, and a cell phone, it’s possible to busy oneself 24 hours a day 7 days a week, I suppose, and the inherent value of inclement weather quickly diminishes to a mere burden. In short, I’m learning to happily honor the days of rain as the rest I think they were intended to be and the days of sun as the activity.

And lastly, I’ve been reminded, once again, that we do not get through life alone and that as I have been given unto, I to must give. While packing my bags for my trip out west, it was clear I needed to part with some of my things in an effort to lighten my load. I strongly considered mailing a box of stuff home, but it poured rain for three days and the mail system here is as cumbersome as the banking system. Instead, I offered some clothing and remaining cooking stuffs to the lovely woman who cleans the house. She seemed so excited, hugging and kissing me several times. Admittedly I was a little taken back, as none of it seemed of that much value, but I left the experience reminded that we often operate day to day unaware of how we affect others. Today, please know that I feel amazingly blessed to have received so much support from friends, family, and even many of the people I’ve meet here along the way, Tamaska!, than I can ever repay, but I’m going to do my best to try.
Cheers and Besos (kisses in Spanish)!!