Argentine Pick Up Approaches AKA Why I'm Single

You may hear "Argentine men" and picture smoldering hot guys whispering sweet nothings in Spanish, but I know the real deal. While I admit there are some good looking guys here, I tend to run into men that look more like this:

As for the sweet nothings, well, I'm not sold on that either. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I understand the words, making them less exotic and thus losing their sex appeal, but I think the technique is the main issue. 

There seem to be a few different pick up approaches that Argentine men use. I'm not saying these are the only ones, I'm sure there are plenty of worthy Argentine males who are much classier than the men I'm about to describe, but I am a Creepster Magnet, and these are the types of pick ups I am exposed to each and every day. 

The Louder the Better Guy
"Hola, linda!" (hello, pretty girl)
"CHE, LINDA! HOLA!" (HEY, PRETTY GIRL! HI!)
"MI AMOR, COMO TE VA?" (MY LOVE, HOW'S IT GOING?)


Oh, Louder the Better Guy, you just can't take a hint, can you? I heard you the first 3 times you called out to me in such an abrupt manner. I was trying to be polite and simply pretend my headphones blocked you out, but you just had to keep on yelling, didn't you? Yeah, I heard you and no, I don't plan on responding to your poorly thought out greeting.

The Dog Wrangler
"Chi chi!"
"Chichichi!"
(Insert whistling and other weird noises used to wrangle dogs)

Really, dude? Really? I know making weird whispering sounds involving "ch"s works on dogs, but it turns out I am a human being. My instincts are a tad more advanced than a canine, so those weird noses are both incredibly annoying and wildly offensive. What exactly do you expect, that I will come bounding toward you like a loyal animal? Save your wrangling skills for your dog walking job and keep your distance.

The Hit and Run
This involves a guy whole walks past you, usually at quickened pace, and quietly mutters something like:
"Que linda que sos" (How beautiful you are)
"Que belleza" (What beauty)
"Que hermosa" (How beautiful)


Now, on their own those seem like pretty nice compliments. However, when they are being whispered in your ear as an unknown man rushes past you, it it more likely to send a chill up your spine than give you butterflies in your stomach.

The Horny Old Man
To be fair, these exist everywhere, but they seem to be a lot more verbal here. These men usually spring up while I'm out for a run. As I sprint past them, sweaty and in work out clothes, they yell out things like:
"Mira que cuerpo" (look, what a body)"
"Hola, mi amor!" (hello, my love!)
"Hermosa" (Beautiful!) *Usually said with a snake-like hiss on the S, upping creepiness about 50%.


The Honk-Happy Driver
These guys don't even bother with words, they just show their enthusiasm by blowing their horn at you, repeatedly. You might think you are about to be hit by a bus, but no, some douche bag driver just thinks you are hot and has decided to show this sentiment by laying on that horn as if his favourite soccer team just won the World Cup.


So, if you're wondering why I have not taken an Argentine lover, now you know.

(Still) Sick of Goodbyes

I think it's time to dedicate another post to saying goodbye to people. Being an expat means that I am constantly having to say goodbye to friends and try to make new ones. I wrote my first Sick of Goodbyes post only about a month after my arrival. Since then, many people have come and gone, but I'd like to highlight a few.

Jenny
I met Jenny my 2nd day in Buenos Aires. She was a fellow Au Pair and we seemed to click as soon as we met, even if she and I occasionally had trouble understanding each other's accents/slang. Turns out US Midwesterners rarely meet Northern Irish girls. We spent a couple months discussing playing Squash before she and I created Squash Wednesdays, a day dedicated to playing Squash and going out for lunch. Jenny left in December, we said goodbye as she climbed into a taxi. Very cliche, but sad all the same.

Jenny and I, so different but an excellent duo

Sara
Sara saved me from a painfully boring conversation at a yoga event. After she rescued me from a over the top hippie couple, we bonded over the fact that we had both brought our dogs with us from the US. We spent a lot of time walking our culture-shocked puppies together. She left just a few weeks ago and I still haven't quite adjusted to Buenos Aires without her.

Sara and I at the LCD Soundsystem concert

Phil 
Phil and I met in Boot Camp class. We quickly realized that we motivated the other by being slightly competitive. He kicked my ass in arms, I came out ahead in legs. He's been one of my key male-friends, reminding me that life in Argentina does not mean I cannot have a conversation with a guy who isn't trying to sleep with me. He'll be leaving Monday and he will be missed!

Nina
Nina and I also met in Boot Camp class. We are boot camp regulars and live only a few blocks away from each other, so between classes and our night runs together, we see each other almost every day. She is also my fabulous hair stylist. Nina will be going back to Sweden at the end of May and I will be very sad to lose a friend, running partner and the best hair stylist I've ever had!

Nina showing off her work when she cut Phil, Jenny and I's hair

I wish everyone would stop leaving! I also wish I could visit my friends back home. I miss you all!

Maraton del Agua: 6K in Buenos Aires

A little over a week ago I signed up for a 6K run here in Buenos Aires. I didn't really train for it at all, I was just doing it for fun with a group of friends. I ended up finishing in 36 minutes. I didn't have a set goal so I can't be unhappy with that. I really wanted to be in St. Louis today running the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon. This 6K just made me crave a half marathon, I'm dying to beat my Denver time and cross the finish line in under 2 hours. I know I can do it, I just need to train properly.

There is a half marathon in Buenos Aires September 11th. It's too soon for me to know if I will be able to dedicate the training time I'll need to beat my time. I will not run unless I can kick my old time's ass. I also might be traveling in September. However, I have already figured out my goal pace time in both miles and kilometers.

I now stare at a sticky note on my desktop that says "9min/mile=1h 57min. 5.5min/km=1h 56min". I don't think I'll be able to shake the need to make those times a reality.

That being said, today was a blast. I signed up for the race with girls who started out as fellow Boot Camp attendees (and the instructor) but have now become some of my best friends here in Buenos Aires. We ran the race and then enjoyed a delicious brunch together. Excellent day!

Boot Camp Ladies! Nina and I are pretending like Katrina and Nadine need our help.

Cute and candid at brunch.