The Thrills of Buying a Cell Phone in Argentina

Hola. Yes, I am in Buenos Aires again by myself.  It is so hard to be away from Leo, my heart hurts when I think about it.  I arrived last Tuesday.  I took care of setting myself up. I checked into the apartment, the land line had no answering machine and I was without computer (as well as Leo). 

My friend, Chris offered to buy the phone from me once I finished using it.  I just had to do the leg work.  Now, if you have never been to Argentina and only know American customer service you MUST lower your expectations about the service here. 

I walked over to the trendy and very overstimulating Alto Palermo mall.  I went to Personal's kiosco (one of the cell phone companies here) and bought the "mas barato" phone.  It meant a basic phone, no camera or any other tricks and gadgets.  I was advised by the sales chica that within 24 hours I would get a message with my new phone number.  Ok,  I thought thats cool. 

As this is Argentina  the story does not end yet.  On Tuesday, no service. On Wednesday, I made the dreaded trip back to Alto Palermo and to the Personal kiosco.  In my best Spanish, I advised the chica I had no service.  She assured me that in another 24 hours I would have service and if not I could call her.  I was skeptical but also hopeful.  No service on Thursday, Friday.  I really did not want to go back to the kiosco.

Today, I met my friend Richard and his zexy boyfriend Carlos ("Charlie") at Alto Palermo to see a terrible Bruce Willis movie.  Anyways, Richard said Charlie would help me with fixing the no cell phone problem.  We got to the kiosco and the spanish flying between Charlie and the sales guy was so fast I just mentally blacked out.  The sales guy was a jerk, he told me to go to the main office.  The main office is usually packed with 100 people waiting to be seen (not unlike the DMV). 

We went around the shopping center to another Personal kiosco.  The chica was very helpful and called the woman I had spoken to the other day and said she would be there in 15 minutes. We waited (although I was certain she would not show). I saw Mickey Mouse on Ave Santa Fe giving out balloons which only made me homesick.  Anyways, the woman showed up said it was a bad chip and changed it.  All that drama for a "bad" chip. Now, I have cell phone and I am plugged in.

More Photos from Argentina

I tried posting more photos from Argentina in the post about our trip. However, my computer skills did not allow me to do it. I am posting more under this post. I only have a minute as Maximo does not know how long to microwave a chicken nugget.
ENJOY!

I prefer dirty laundry

A friend of mine, another mom made a posting on her blog that really got me thinking. She discussed an interaction with another mom about why she has a maid and does not cook all of her family's meals. It sounded like envy to me.

However, posting made me really think about my life. At times, I am guilty not working full time. Its insane. Women can be mean to one other and even interactions with other moms (ADULT WOMEN)can be high school all over again with cliques and jealousy and gossip. I dont know when this "mean" cycle ends. I can only try not to engage in it.

I remember an incident when I was pregnant and new to Phoenix. I figured I would meet some cool women at pre-natal yoga. In my experience, I have gotten along with other yogis. The teacher said we would all become one anothers best friends. I felt hopeful. A few pregnant moms were having lunch, did not extend the invitation so I invited myself. I felt like a fish out of water.

I think I never wrote about because I was in shock. At every pre-natal class rarely did anybody give me a smile or say hello let alone invite me to lunch. I tried to "turn the other cheek" but I got tired of reaching into an empty well. At the end of my pregnancy, I was on modified bed rest so I stopped going to pre-natal yoga.

After I had Leo, I was surprised to receive emails from other moms in the class about their childbirth and newborn experiences. One of the women suggested we all meet with babies for coffee. Today, I can say these women are good friends and very supportive. We have a weekly playgroup. Many of the moms stay at home or have flexible working schedules.

Anyways, back to my friends blog posting. She discussed a Maureen Dowd article about how Americans are less happier then ever. In general, I am much happier now that I am a mom. I would not return to single life and/or exchange it for my baby. My son is precious to me. I am so grateful to have him in my life. I had 25 years of working in jobs I did not always like. I have a greater purpose being a mom and being happy. I am trying to figure out what is my passion.

It is unfortunate that other women are so critical of one another. I have definitely met judgmental moms and some not so much. It sounds like the woman was envious of you! I see you and you are happy. We only have 2 hands and 1 heart-its impossible to do it all. I would rather have dirty laundry and left overs then give up my time with my child.

LOVE AND ILLNESS IN BUENOS AIRES

Its been quite a trip to Buenos Aires.  Our "return" with Leo.  There has been so much going on I have just been too tired to sit down and write about it. I am going to cheat and list the highlights.  The photos will follow upon return to the USA.

1. 10 hours flying from Dallas to Buenos Aires

2.  I slept, Leo slept a bit and Max barely slept.

3. We met Valentina! That is Ambi and Hugh's 10 month old daughter.

4. We saw Cousin Rachel and 7 of her 9 children.  She graciously lent us a pack and play.

5 We bought eggs in the grocery store. Eggs are kept on shelves as opposed to a refrigerator.

6 We ate at 647 and caught up with the "gang"; Terry, Chris and Ana.

7 In the middle of the night, I threw up, followed by Leo and ultimately Maximo.

8. Luckily, Ambi had provided me in advance with a pediatrician's phone number.

9. Maximo called this doctor we had  never met at 4 am on doctor's cell phone. He instructed us what to do and he would see in the morning. I cannot imagine that same scenario in the USA! Calling my doctor or a pediatrician on his cellphone and at 4 am!

 10.I took Leo along with Ana and Terry (my personal translators) to see Dr. Guzman. A liquid diet was prescribed.

11.More sickness. Hugh sends over this babysitter Rosa to watch Leo. Finally, we all get some sleep.  Rosa makes us a feast of jello, white rice and pureed carrots.

12. Eventually the sickness passed and we explored BA. Max and I decided to only do things we had never done while living here.

Mas adelante.................

Leo is walking

Well, it happened Leo is walking. He took his first steps on July 4, ironicallly Independence Day. He started pushing a shopping cart (which Maximo weighed down with a box toys) around the house by himself. I am truly amazed at how he performs these (to me) miracles.
Please see more with the attached photos and videos.