Last Night Out

What a great last night in Buenos Aries...and sort of all S. America. Today, I officially start the long, long, long journey home. And I must say, I am ready, and excited to see family and friends. But, it just so happened that my last night here was also St. Patrick's Day- and I was invited to a great party to celebrate the holiday, and a birthday.



It was dinner and drinks at an apartment in San Telmo, then out to the Irish pubs and street festivals afterwards. I opted to step up the standard wine gift, and bring a bottle of rum and coke....it was a bad decision. When I arrived, I quickly realized I was going to be the only guy there, which was just fine with me. Especially since the rest of the company where about 20 Norwegian girls, all who spoke great English...sweet! I always feel a bit of trepidation when surrounded by a gang of the opposite sex...but they made me feel amazingly comfortable, going out of their way to speak English around me. I was really grateful. And, I was honored to be a part of their birthday celebration. Eventually a few more guys showed up, and more girls...and then the police.



Yup, good ole B.A.P.D. came a knocking. As always, someone invitingly opened up the door, and they walked right in, looking for the tenet of the building. Immediately they snatched up here passport, and started threatening to take her to jail. Of course, everyone was mildly freaking out, until we got a number out of him. That is, the amount of money it would take to pay the 'ticket' and just break up the party. The amount was about 60 dollars, but someone smartly called the landlord, who also happened to be the Spanish teacher of the Norwegian girls. He swept in to the rescue, worked things out with the police, and everyone went on our merry ways.

Our merry ways took us to the street festival, which...quite frankly, did not do St. Patrick's day justice. Maybe I'm spoiled after Chicago's yearly festivities (which I spent a lot of time talking up down here) but either way, I was not impressed. A good start would have been beer and portable toilets...but apparently that was too much to ask. Not long after we arrived, the group split up a bit and some of us ended up at a bar called the Red Door, Ironically a bar that I had already been to on my previous trip. Most importantly though, they had drinks and elbow room...as well as a really cool atmosphere. The night went on, and fun was had by all...especially now well lubricated with alcohol-as a proper St. Pats should be spent! :)

Today, I am meeting a friend for lunch, then going to purchase some drugs from the pharmacy to gt me through the bus voyage, off to never never land! All in all, I couldn't have a had a better last night out.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.