Entering 2012.....on a jetplane

I am about to board an airplane and celebrate the new year. A first time even for me.  I was really looking forward to this NY, even had everything planned, an amazing party in Rio de Janeiro, with bunch of friends. After so many horrible new year parties in the past 10 years, this was going to be a special one. BUT of course it isn't, and it is even worse this time, because I am all by myself---it could be different if I could be with someone, at least we could have fun---in an airplane. This is just gonna be a horrible night and I have to live with it. I heard that there is only 8 of us on board (on a second thought, this could mean more champagne for us, no? )

Yet another warm christmas.....

This is going to be my 10^th Christmas below the Ecuador line. I thought it would get easier over time. But I am still not used to the idea of decorating a palm tree instead of a pine. Call me old fashioned. I really don't care. For the infidels like me 24th of December is a celebration of good times, with good friends and it is a winter thing. I  guess you can this Turk out of the Northern hemisphere but can’t take the homey feeling of a real cold December out of her!

My home for the last 5 years, Paris of South America (a.k.a Buenos Aires), prepares for Christmas around November, as most cities do. Yet, for me, a lonely expat/agnostic international party girl,  aside from Jesus and Immaculate Conception scenes decorated here and there (not that I mind seeing them so much when it is contained in the house of God, but have issues with it in shopping malls and even inside public buses) it feels more like a pseudo-religious ceremony while getting ready for summer season. 

Comes November to this part of the continent, with the first sight of the sunlight, people flock to one among 100s of  parks around town to get a tan,  kids skip school, newly acquired pair of breasts (approx 20 thousand women get fake tits a year in this town) eagerly demonstrated in skimpy tank tops, yuppy narcisistic portenos hit the gym to built last minute six packs, etc. But by far the worst part of being an outsider witness to this hype,  those who have neither a family or enough money to escape Baires’ excruciating heat at this period,  is to see that most businesses around town start placing “we will be closed from December 24^th to January 15^th” signs on their front door.

 

The backdrop of celebrating Christmas in Buenos Aires, aside from not being able to eat good food, drink and be merry with friends and family, is having to be stuck in a city that totally shuts down as soon as the clock hits 12 pm on 24^{th ---} and does not come back to life until approximately end of February.  

I was lucky enough to escape this torture for the first couple of years in this country (I did not have a regular job, and I went to Uruguay). But since I do have professional obligations for the last 2 years, after starving during 2010, this year, in order to survive the week after the 25^th, I decided to stock up on groceries as I’d do before a hurricane, download as many movies I can (internet and electricity is not at all reliable during this period of time), and hope I will be invited to a house far enough from the city (and I can go with my dog Vinicius) or that the Christmas will go away fast!

Playlist# ? (Happy Morning Songs)

Weezer: Island in the Sun
Feist : 1234
The Doors: People are Strange
The Cure: Love cats
Audio BullysL: I'm In Love
The Avalanches: Since I Left You
Aretha Franklin: I Say A Little Prayer For You
Barry Louis Polisar (Juno Soundtrack) : All I Want Is You
The Vampire Weekend: Everywhere
Softcell: Tainted Love (Full mix)
Prince: Raspberry Beret
George Michael:  Flawless
Nil Karaibrahimgil: Hakkinda her seyi bilmek istiyorum (sekerli versiyon)