Notes on the Rebound

In three weeks, we are going to break up with Argentina and the best way to describe our nearly two years here is that it has been a rebound relationship. Let's face it, we left India while we still loved India. But the timing was not right for us to settle down and stay with India forever. There were other fish in the sea and we believed that it was important for our family to scope out those fish, see what else we might catch. And besides, India was never going to quit smoking.

So then we fell into the arms of Argentina. Upon arrival, we had hopes that this would be a three to five year thing, and we felt ready for that level of commitment. But it was clear within our first few weeks together that this was not going last long term and so admittedly, we were reluctant to give our new host country a fair chance. It is possible that we were simply not capable of anything more - no matter where we had landed - still heartbroken about leaving India. Would we have made it work with Vietnam? Settled down for a longer stay in Morocco? Who knows. For now, with our relationship with Argentina coming to an end, we are mindful about staying focused on this country's wonderful qualities, embracing all that we will miss.


Clean Air.
Big, blue skies and cool breezes year round. Argentina has this over India a million times over. They don't call this city Buenos Aires for nothin'.

Stunning Views.
Patagonia -- enough said.

Seasons.
Walking to school through crunchy leaves covering the sidewalks is delightful. Reminiscent of home yet so, so strange to have fall in May and June. And the 8:00am sunrise throughout the beginning and end of the school year? That messed with our New England hard-wiring - big time. But that's for a different list.

Spanish.
Our kids have had 90 minutes of Spanish instruction every school day plus daily language immersion around school, the neighborhood, throughout our travels, and when translating for their thickheaded parents. This lifelong - and possibly life changing - skill is a true gift.

Carne, helado, y malbec.
Best you'll find anywhere in the world. We will miss the smell of grilled meat wafting through the neighborhood on Sunday afternoons but hope to carry forth rituals associated with the weekly asado.

Passion for Fútbol.
Living in a soccer-obsessed country - which is more interesting and easier to follow than cricket (another point over India) - has made a lasting impression. From the team loyalty (ask anyone who their "equipo" is and there will be an impassioned answer), fervor when watching games (with the windows open we hear cheers throughout the neighborhood when goals are scored), and conversations started by whatever jersey Asa is wearing while out and about - Boca Juniors, Peru, Colombia - this game and its superfans are everywhere.

Public Transportation.
Train, bus, subway - we have taken advantage of it all. Clean, safe, super cheap, and reliable.


So, it's not you Argentina - it's us. You were mostly kind, a bit challenging some of the time and overall, a pretty good distraction for our broken hearts -- all qualities of a proper rebound. We have learned a few things about you that will stay with us always, and even more about ourselves which will give us the needed strength for our onward journey. Gracias para todo.

This song, while not from or about Argentina, will forever remind us of our time here and the title, which translates to "The Heart Hurts", is fitting. And come on, who doesn't need more Enrique in their day?