Departing to the north

My umbrella collapsed due to the wind’s force and the rain’s intensity. It was time to depart from Buenos Aires for a milder climate.

Leaving Argentina

Usually, in mid-April, starting in 2022, we leave Argentina. This is our pattern. The southern hemisphere begins its autumn season, filling the once-blue sky with clouds and rain, bringing the chill winds of the south.

This year, we are leaving at the end of the month, as I am hopeful the northern hemisphere will be a bit warmer by then.

I looked at the weather app on my phone and saw that temperatures were in the low 70s during the day but dropped to the high 50s at night. Sunshine, lots of sun.

I hate being cold. I remember when my dad said the same sentence, and I chuckled, thinking of that memory of him.

Memories

I remember the joy of downhill skiing on freshly groomed corduroy snow slopes on a twenty-five-degree morning on a sunny day. The crisp air made the day feel all sparkly. The run was relatively empty, and skiing down the hill made me feel a sense of joy inside as I named this feeling, the white out of my soul. No thinking, just doing and just being in the moment.

Now, that’s how I feel when I dance tango. The bliss from dancing tango, in my soul, is just happiness and connection.

Ironically, I still need specialized clothes and shoes, but I no longer get cold. Instead, I need to remember to bring a shawl, as social clubs are usually kept a bit chilly.

Ironically, I still need specialized clothes and shoes, but I no longer get cold. Instead, I need to remember to bring a shawl, as social clubs are usually kept a bit chilly.

Packing it up!

Luckily, these clothes are easy to roll into packing cubes, but the shoes are a bit trickier. I will travel with only four pairs of tango shoes; as a traveler, I’m trying to practice the art of ‘less is more’. [Doing with less; if anything is needed, we can shop.]

Less clothing, less weight. Less poundage for my partner to carry. My job is to pack the suitcases, and his is to carry them.

Looking around this apartment, I reflect on the sweet times we have enjoyed here. We’ve cooked dinner for friends, practiced a few new tango steps, and I have listened to the strains of the bandoneon as my partner practiced. The five months of living here have passed by so quickly. It was wonderful.

As I looked out the window to check if it was raining, I thought. I’m ready to depart from Buenos Aires, knowing we’ll return in December. 

It’s time for new adventures.

Gallery of goodbyes