I'm liking this city...

Work started on Monday and I've decided that I really like this city. The people at the office are extremely nice and passionate about everything that they do and the review we are doing this week is going extremely well so far. We had a kickoff meeting on Monday, which normally is attended by at the most 3 people and I had a room full (probably 30 or so people) of managers who were excited to have us help them. They have had croissants with honey waiting for us each morning, tea in the afternoon with these awesome cookies filled with dulce de leche and have made sure the taxis are all arranged to pick us up and take us back to the hotel. They aren't giving us the royal treatment, they are just treating us how they would each other.

But the best part, and one of the reasons why I decided I like this city - the men great each other by kissing on the cheek. The only person I know outside of Argentina who kisses other men on the cheek is my dad, and we used to make fun of him. But now I realize it's a sign of genuine respect and friendship and is done by men of all ages. Sorry dad, I apologize for years of making fun. And I apologize for my siblings too, well, some of them. So, I was standing at the elevator the other morning and two young guys in their twenties greeted each other with a smile, kissed on the cheek (always to the left) and carried on a very energetic conversation. It was so refreshing and quite pleasant.

Monday and Tuesday were very busy and the other folks here for the review and I just grabbed dinner near the hotel. I wasn't really impressed with the food. We are in a touristy area so they jack up the prices and the food is mediocre, nothing to rave home about. We did walk to dinner last night and got to see a new part of the city - Retiro. The weather has been really beautiful, about 75 during the day and in the 60's at night.

But tonight, we had a really great time. I found a pizza / empanada place that was recommended in the guide books and also trip advisor that was located in the Centro part of town. We are on a limited budget and since we went over the past two nights, I thought we needed to eat a bit cheaper tonight. And I also heard that we had to try the pizza here.

So we got back to the hotel around 6 from the office and I went for jog along the river. We left for dinner around 8 (that's early, they don't usually eat here til 9:30 or later) and I told the team they were either in for an adventure with me or they were on their own. So, they all hopped in the cab (two cabs actually, there were 7 of us) and we made our way to El Cuartito. It was awesome and the atmosphere was very authentic. We sat at very simple tables and half the restaurant was take out while the other half table service. The majority of people there were locals, which meant it had to be good. We had some empanadas, shared two large pizzas, two bottles of wine, a ton of beer, an awesome flan/dulce de leche dessert and spent all but $10 each. The atmosphere was loud and fun and lively, and my team really bonded. I'm glad they decided to tag along for my adventure and that we got to see other parts of the city.

So, what's next? Well, tomorrow is a long work day, we will be in the office from 8 to 8. We finish up on Friday and I have another closed door restaurant to check out. A coworker, Patty is staying thru Saturday night, so we have reservations at Casa Felix (www.diegofelix.com), which specializes in organic/vegetarian/seafood dinners. We may go to synagogue beforehand at the recommendation of my new friends from my dinner last Sunday night, but we'll see. I don't go to temple in Atlanta, but why not in BA? Supposedly the service is entirely sung and played with traditional music and is very beautiful. Why not check it out? Patty is game, even though she is Methodist. We'll see what works out. More on that to come Friday....