La Boca
November 13, 2006

This morning, for the first time in our relationship, Sterling and I walked to school together. He even carried my books. The Spanish school we chose to attend is called Hispanaries and it's just seven blocks from our apartment. The teachers are wonderful and there are relatively few students, so it kind of feels like a family. In fact, Buenos Aires born residents, known as Portenos, are such informal and welcoming people that one finds oneself kissing strangers all the time. (just one kiss, not two)

Sterling and I have decided to start with semi-private lessons to really kick-start the process and our teacher, Nuria, is terrific. Apparently, Sterling and I are really speeding through the material so far, but I'm sure the pace will slow significantly once we encounter entirely new material.

One hour into the class,everyone at the school broke for coffee, which gave us a chance to meet and chat with the other students and teachers. Today was our first day and that of three other students, so the school treated us to a delicious lunch of empaniadas. (By far the best I have ever had!) And as if that wasn't enough, following lunch about ten of us went on a guided tour of La Boca; a small neighbourhood famous for it's colourful architecture and the origin of tango. Apparently each week the school provides a tour of different barrios (neighbourhoods). This, I've discovered, is not only a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and its history, but also a terrific way to practice Spanish with other students (and milk a few more lessons out of the teachers for free)

Below are some pictures from our walk about La Boca.