We had a really lovely, if not low key, weekend here at Basavilbaso. I've been on a design kick lately and have been itching to make some serious changes to our apartment. Jose's been living here for more than 10 years and I just feel like it needs a little update! At least to mix it up and keep things feeling fresh. Living on the 14th floor of an apartment building (with tiny Argentine elevators) makes it difficult to move in/out big pieces of furniture, but you just have to be a little more creative.
A friend of mine who just moved here about 6 months ago passed on an amazing contact that has me too excited for my own good. She and her fiance stumbled upon this carpenter's collective/workshop in the Chacarita neighborhood - It's this space full of rescued and found wood, with lots of men buzzing about and working like mad. They can make pretty much anything you want (anything!), totally custom, or you can pick about and find something they already have. You can also bring in an old piece of furniture and they will restore or update it for you. Pretty cool. We're about to order a huge table for our terrace - the one we've got is old, rickety and probably rotten - so we can start enjoying summer nights up there a little more easily. Next step will be seating, and I'm dreaming of an old park bench, so we'll have to see where things go from here ...
Yesterday we ventured over to the Rose Garden in Palermo after having lunch with Raquel and Lele. An NGO that I really feel close to -
Proyecto 4 Patas - was having a dog adoption and awareness day. Of course we were going to check it out! I can't say no to things like that. It was so amazing to be surrounded by loving puppies and older dogs who are just looking for loving homes. The people who run it do it out of the goodness of their hearts, taking in dogs that are literally left for dead on the side of the highway, neglected by abusive owners, or just found roaming the streets. Many suffer from medical issues and require extreme intervention by a vet. Once they are healed and treated, they are put up for adoption. Dog rescue isn't as big of a "thing" in Argentina as it is in the States, at least from what my experience shows. Most people will just get a puppy because it's cute, often from a breeder who isn't reputable, and that's that. (Of course there are exceptions to this). What I love about Proyecto 4 Patas is that they promote awareness about not only adoption but also about spaying/neutering animals as the only humane way to control the population. No one neuters their dog here - something I have never managed to understand - and that leads to lots of unplanned street puppies.
José and I are most likely going be like "foster parents" for a dog that is recovering from medical treatment while waiting to be adopted. It's a perfect option for us because it's not a "forever" commitment, but it allows us to help out (aka have my heart explode with love) and also test-drive what it will be like for us to have a dog in the apartment. They are just so grateful that anyone will open their doors to the animals, so there is no minimum time commitment. Right now I'm waiting to hear about a job interview and (hopefully!) offer so it would not be reasonable to get a puppy! Taking in an older dog who just needs love and attention is a perfect way to make a difference and have some canine companionship!
I also spent a lot of the weekend watching September 11th coverage on tv. I have never felt so far away from home. Ten years. I was able to look at the events through different eyes now that I'm much older than I was that incredibly beautiful day in 2001. It was moving, heart-wrenching, and cathartic to watch it all again.
Ok, time for Pilates ... More life updates, with pictures! coming soon.
