Welcome back to the USA

Welcome back to the USA! It was quite an adventure living in Buenos Aires and then getting word my husband could return to the USA. We flew out of Ezeiza airport with little drama into Miami International Airport. We were both so nervous on the flight we could not sleep.

We got into MIA (nice acronym) at 6:30 am and went to immigration. I was excited and nervous. We went right through to a room where a Customs, Border Protection agent went over my husband's documents. She was surpised at the amount of paperwork and commented that she though she was processing 3 family members. The whole process took about half-hour. We were advised his green card would be mailed in 1-8 months. He would need to get a social security card, etc.

We left immigration and then with little fanfare got our luggage, left the airport and were on to our next adventure, living in the USA.

Chau Argentina

We are winding down our time in Argentina. We have airline tickets and are packing up our gear. However, it does not feel real yet. When will it feel real? I suppose it feels surreal as I am not sure what to expect. I am happy my husband and I can live together in the USA as we always planned. I am sad about saying goodbye to the friends I have made here.

I have become accustomed to being an "expat" neither a resident of either country I am inhabiting. Its not that I like living in limbo because I now crave some routine and knowing that I am no longer in a temporary living situation. Many people tell me its exciting to live in Argentina and why bother returning? I actually enjoy living in the USA with all its contradictions. On the other hand, Argentina is also a place of contradiction but I am still an outsider.

New Year's Eve Blackout

The year ended with a blackout. It was a hot and soupy night with air conditioner blasting, cooling off our dog guest Nico. When, bam, the elcetricity went out. Its not an unusal thing here, the power goes out from time to time. It was 10:00 pm and it was time to get out of the house. The traffic lights were out, as were other buildings.

We hailed a cab and zipped over to Recoleta to a friend's house. For midnight, we were on the roof of my friends building with a spectacular panormaic view of the city. Fireworks were going off from all parts of the city, in Puerto Madero, centro, and Palermo. As everything is in Buenos Aires, midnight was still early and people were just starting out.

We arrived into 2008 with light in our apartment, the cold air whipping out of the air-con.

Thanksgiving Argentine style

Thanksgiving in Buenos Aires, whats an expat supposed to do? Host the meal at my home in Las Canitas. My friend, Katie called in for reinforcements, her dad, Wayne came in from San Diego to prepare the turkey. My friend Terry ordered one from his restaurant (www.club647.com ).
Its not so easy to find the staples in Buenos Aires needed to prepare such a feast. However, we made do and it was probably one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I have ever been to.

My friends all brought a dish, candied yams, mashed potatoes, salad, a green veggie, apple pies and ice cream. My friend Chris (americanlifeba.blogspot.com) made an amazing fruit salad from our local produce. We started the event off with empanadas and picada plates, we are in Argentina after all! I made cupcakes in horor of Katie and her dad's respective birthdays this week. We all sang Happy Birthday and Feliz Cumpleanos respectively.

It was not an exclusively American affair either. There were the spouses and partners of friends who are all Argentine. There were guests from New York and San Diego. The sun was bright for that day and the party lasted well into the evening and there were even some leftovers. We did not have the requisite football games to watch but no matter, it was a festive event. I will certainly miss my friends here in Buenos Aires when I return to the USA .

Tracking down a Turkey

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Buenos Aires has loads of Americans here who also want to celebrate it. This year, I took the leap and decided to host Thanksgiving at my home. This is no small task, you do as Hilary Clinton said "need a village." First, I am vegetarian so I had to put the meat issue aside. Second, I live in Argentina where cow rules and alas turkeys are uncommon. Yes, you can get turkey (pavo) at Jumbo supermercado but its difficult to find a bird for 15 people.

Unlike my hometown of New York City, there are no indications whatsoever this fabulous holiday is approaching. Alas, why would there be? There were no Pilgrims landing in Puerto Madero. I put ou the word about "project turkey" to mis amigos and was amazed at the response. One friend had definatley spotted and eaten pavo at a Tenedor Libre in Almagro. Another friend, he owns a restaurant here, Club 647 offered to track down a bird. In theory, he has the best connections to getting one. It looks like he was able to procure it but confirmation will be needed.
In the meantime, I have seen no turkeys in Disco supermarket, or other food shops.
TO BE CONTINUED.