Un Mundo Diferente

After exploring the city, my path led me to a small farm about 60 miles north of Buenos Aires. Many other travelers similar to myself, and by similar I mean much more experienced, greeted me with a smile and a helping hand. The Eco Yoga Park is similar to a hostel in that many people from all over the world come to experience something new but is different because it has a focus on yoga, meditation and organic living. We arrived just in time for afternoon yoga...yes we is my father and me. He seemed completely overwhelmed by how far this placed pushed him out of his comfort zone but was willing to stretch, get it...yoga :) Yoga class is led in Spanish which can be a little confusing at times but the calm nature and soothing voice of the instructor makes you feel very comfortable. After yoga we officially made ourselves at home, unpacking our things and taking a tour of the farm. That night I went to bed anxious about the journey ahead and excited for it to begin.

The next morning we woke up at sunrise, don't worry that is only 8am here, and met everyone for an organic vegan breakfast in the restaurant. All the food served at the farm is grown in the huerta and tended to by the volunteers, that's me! We head to the washhouse behind the kitchen to clean our dishes then it is out to the garden with Maria, the head gardener. Maria tells you exactly what to do and sends you on your way! And by exactly of course I mean she only speaks Spanish so she points and then laughs at you when you do it wrong...Work in the garden was hard and made your body feel useful and productive. My mom would be proud because I could feel calluses forming on these soft baby hands after tilling and hoeing a bed. Gardening also warmed your body so you could feel your toes and even gave you the opportunity to take off one of five layers, it is winter here, and gave you time to share with people from all over the world. On the farm everyone is a volunteer. Our past lives are left behind and we become equals, el mismo. We share stories about where we came from and where we have been, obviously I mostly listened humbly. There was a man from the UK who taught at a university in Japan for 17 years, a German woman who was an actress in her previous life, two girls from Belgium (being paid to travel by their government...cough cough, that was for you Obama, if you are reading this) two girls from the US backpacking through South America, a very sweet girl from Australia who had been living in Brazil for the past 6 months, an Italian girl learning Spanish and a staff who was humble and hardworking.

Mornings in the garden are followed by lunch, yoga and meditation, and time for yourself, a rarity for many. That seemed to be the main attraction to this removed, simple way of life. People were there to try something new, to think, and to live. This got me thinking...if everyone here is trying to figure out their lives, does that mean there is a place where people who have figured everything out already reside? If so, I am going to need an address and a pad of paper, because I have a lot of questions...

Ps. Happy 4th of July Estados Unidos :)

Un Nuevo Comienzo

Three days ago my dad and I arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a long flight from Washington DC we awoke with cricks and cramps but safe on Argentine soil. A cab ride from the airport opened our eyes to the poverty that exist outside of the city. Once checked into our hotel we did not waste a minute and began exploring the city immediately. We walked to a park across from our hotel and down streets to memorials and monuments. Later we went on a bus tour and stopped in various regions around the city. Pictures will be posted as soon as possible :) Monday night we went to a tango show which we enjoyed over a glass of malbec, mi favorito! Tango dancers preformed a number of dances and a traditional folk band, complete with guitar, drums, flutes, y un guitarra pequeño, played as well. We fell asleep worn out by the days events and happy to be in a bed.

Day two in Buenos Aires was just as action packed. We woke up early to meet Ana, our bike guide, at La Plaza de San Martin. The three of us rode around San Telmo, stopped to see the casa Rosada (the President's house),took pictures at Puerto Madero, ate empeñadas en La Boca and saw the Silver River at Tigre Delta. On a side note...Ana, our guide, was a twenty something girl from Brazil who was studying journalism at a university. She had a quarter life crisis and moved to Argentina to study belly dancing. Hmmm...something sounds familiar about this story. Anyway, after our four hour bike tour a siesta was much needed. That afternoon we were able to navigate the city for ourselves and found an enormous mall as well as many street shops and street venders. We walked to Puerto Madero to catch the sunset and to have an authentic Argentine steak dinner. We arrived at the restaurant promptly at 7pm to find no customers and waiters walking in for work. Haha we decided to get a jump on the crowd I guess. Dinner was absolutely delightful and the company was even better. Everyone should spend time gaining wisdom from their parents over a great meal...being in Buenos Aires wad just a bonus :)