#have i told you i love pablo barrios

[pabloneighbourhoods]

user pablo neighborhoods is very happy right now

[french-goodbye]

cuidaré nuestra historia la novela de los dos felices

summary: you have a novela kinda of love. you're not even a little bit mad about that.

pairing: argyle x reader

notes: i may have watched maria del barrio solely so i could mention it in one phrase in passing. but that was like, you know, for research purposes only. 10/10 would recommend tho. also motivated by me being a latina and loving argyle with all my heart. title from the song la novela by boy pablo and cuco.

every friday night since you began dating argyle six months ago ends the same way, to you driving to his house after work to have dinner with him and his family and spend the night at his place. on saturday you'll spend the day together before going to your place so you can have dinner with your parents, just so they can't complain about you never being home.

when you get to his front porch, the front door's unlocked so you can let yourself in, he does this even though you know his mom will yell at him for it later, claiming he should get up to welcome you in and he'll answer that you basically live there already.

you smile softly as you toe off your shoes in the entrance, seeing all the other shoes lined up neatly against the wall and your boyfriend's sneakers thrown around.

when you walk in, you can see the top of argyle's head in an armchair, his back towards the door, and his abuela in the couch. they're watching one of her telenovelas and speaking a rapid spanish back and forth. before you can go to him, his mother sees you and approaches you from the kitchen.

"hola, querida" she says enveloping you in a hug. you place a kiss on each of her chees.

"hi, ms garcia" you say as you let her guide you to the kitchen island. she ushers you to rest your bag there and sit down on the stool. you can smell the strong scent of cooking garlic in the air.

"those two are still watching their telenovela... they do this everynight." she playfully rolls her eyes as she goes back to chopping onions on a cutting board on the counter.

"really?" you question as you lean on the kitchen island, watching your boyfriend and his grandma together, now watching the tv eagerly as a woman hits another one in a wheelchair. huh.

"oh yes, they're insufferable" she replies cleaning her knife with her finger and starting to chop tomatoes.

"can i help with anything?" you offer even though you'll know she'll say no.

"oh no no, querida, don't worry about it." she waves her hands in your direction.

"he really watches that stuff? he never told me about it" you ask as she offers you a taste of the food that's simmering in a pot on the stove. you try it before giving her a thumbs up.

"hmm... that's really good" she gives you a proud smile before stirring again and answering your previous question.

"sí, i'm telling you. you usually get here after they're done but when he doesn't get to watch it, she tells him about it the next day" she shakes her head fondly, looking back at them.

the episode is now over and the credits are running, so argyle gets up, still talking to his abuela and stretches his back.

"go, you should say hello." she tells you, patting your shoulder gently and going back to her chopping.

you stand up but before you can walk to him, he finally turns around and spots you, his eyes immediately lighting up and his lips opening up in a huge smile.

"mi amor!" he practically runs to you and engulfs you in a hug. his arms wrap in a tight vice around your shoulders and you'd be embarrassed by the display in front of his family if you weren't used to your boyfriend's affection by now.

you laugh into his chest. "hey babe" you fold your arms around his torso, enjoying the closeness and breathing him in, the familiar smell of weed and the cologne he applied that morning.

"why didn't you say hi?" he says sinking his face into your hair and taking a whiff.

"i just got here, was just talking to your mom" you say as he finally pulls away, his arms around your shoulders still keeping you close.

"i'm almost done" his mom says still focused on the food in front of her. "now get out of my kitchen" she shoos you both.

argyle grabs your bag with one hand and interlocks his free one with yours to pull you towards his room. you wave quickly to his abuela as you walk past her, her attention already focused on the next show on the tv and she barely moves her eyes away from the screen as she waves back.

when you finally get to his room he softly closes his door behind you and abandons your bag on the floor. he crowds against you, holding your face with both of his hands.

"hey" he smiles at you.

"hi" you answer smiling, letting both of your hands rest on his hips. he guides your face to his and softly presses his lips against yours.

"i missed you" he tells you, his lips moving against yours.

"you saw me this morning" you laugh into his mouth.

"still missed you." he laughs back, hiding his face in your neck.

"i missed you too"

he walks backwards into his room, still wrapped around you. he guides you to his bed and when the back of his knees hit the mattress he lets himself fall backwards and takes you with him. you squeal as you fall into him.

you settle more comfortably on top of him and his arms move to your waist to pull you closer. you watch the way his hair fans behind him on the bed spread and the smile he gives you.

"you're cute" you whisper as you move to press a kiss on his nose. his body shakes when he laughs underneath you.

"you're cuter" he says as you plant kisses all over his face. his forehead. his brow. his cheek. his chin. his jaw. the corner of his mouth. he giggles.

"nuh-uh"

"uh-huh"

"nuh-uh"

you kiss his lips before he can continue to argue. he's okay with losing this time if it means you'll kiss him like this.

[argspapor]

Arrival into BA from Auckland is trouble-free and the holding pattern gave us a great view of the miles and miles of patchwork cattle-raising plains “las pampas” surrounding BA. Ah ha, this is the fertile land that feeds the world the famous Argentinian beef from which their renowned asado (bbq) derives. Kath and Andrew (Boze/Boz flew in from Santiago, Chile and reported fabulous views of the Andes that seemed to go on forever. We meet and emerge from the airport into the same heat we left in Australia and Manuel (who else) takes us into our apartment in the city centre barrio of Recoleta. First impressions are as we were led to believe - a faded Paris of the south. The same wide boulevards, Avenidas, lined with magnificent jacarandas (which must be a sight to behold in flower) and another tree we are yet to name. The same Hausmann style apartment buildings with wrought-iron juliet balconies, red or black awnings and magnificent entry doors. Obviously, a once giant economic power and centre of trade, commerce and culture, particularly in the 1950’s, suffered at the hands of Peron’s cohorts (the husband ie) and so began a steady decline of fortunes. I hesitate to use words like shabby or seedy as every city has its corner/s and its wrong to label it so. First impressions don’t always count.

Our apartment is in the building which houses the El Ataneo Grand Splendid, a restored theatre now multi-floored book store and apparently a must-see so it will be handy at least and its cafe also a drawcard (though the Avenida Santa Fe is not short on these). Tomas greets and introduces us to a spacious three-bed and bathroom apartment on the sixth floor, reached by yes, a Parisian style caged elevator. Thank goodness, airconditioned, but wait, what’s this? just inside the front door is a glass-fronted room from which a very large TV is showing….rugby! It’s a pity the you-beaut fridge doesn’t produce a couple of chilled cervezas (beer) or the boys’ eyes would be doing the tango we’ve been told is on the cards at the wedding on Saturday!! I suspect the formal lounge won’t get much use this week.

The boys pop out to remedy the drinks shortage from the nearby (yes, I did say Paris didn’t I?) Carrefour and a quick shower and unpack has us soon clinking glasses, cin cin, salud and “let the fun begin”!

Which it does shortly after when we stroll to a restaurant nearby and Pablo (stereotype? what?) our waiter chuckles through our order in what is a jumble of Spanish, Italian, French and I think there was even a word or two of Japanese thrown in for good measure. In any case, we got what we thought we’d ordered, just about, with the help of my Translate app and tumbled into comfy beds. Buenos noches amigos.

Day Two Civil Ceremony

Nacho (Ignacio) and Sofi have kindly invited us to the civil ceremony that either precedes or accompanies the church wedding service. It is usually an intimate gathering of family and close friends at the registry office but given that Nacho is one of seven siblings, from a close, loving and boisterous family, ‘intimate’ it was never going to be. The registry office is in the Recoleta mall, opposite the famous cemetery (more on that later) and only a 10 min walk for us. Now anyone who knows Andrew well will know that the words “Andrew” and “wedding” are synonymous with “hot” and “sweat” and lots of both for it would seem that he doesn’t get invited to weddings in other than extreme heat from which his internal shower can leak through shirts, suits, socks and skin like a plumber’s dream. And so the legend continues and by the time we arrive into the airconditioned mall to be greeted by Sofi’s cool-as-cucumber family, Glenn has joined him in sweating (for the word perspiring will not suffice) for Australia! Sofi is looking more beautiful than ever in a crisp white two-piece, orange heels and coordinating earrings and posy. Supremely calm whilst waiting for Nacho, whose whole family has arrived before him. We warn her, welcome to your future for they are all obviously indulgent of him and his ways, beloved and cosseted by his four adoring sisters and a source of bemused pride to his three brothers and parents.

We crowd into the small, all-white room where the ‘judge’ conducts what is obviously an unexpectedly, heartfelt, warm and funny ceremony. We weren’t sure because we couldn’t understand a single word, nup, we had nuttin’ but judging by the tears, laughter, hand-holding and sighs that was going on all around, that’s what we thought. The witnesses were asked to speak and they too offered obviously beautiful thoughts and more tears ensued. We added a few tears of our own, waved our Australian and Wanderers flags so to speak and cheers, clapping and kisses followed after which we trooped over to the park outside for rice-throwing and photos before walking to Yia-yia’s (yes several versions of Nonna apply) stately apartment for celebration lunch. What a yia-yia she is, a tiny, slight, graceful and charming 86yr old with a sparkle in her eyes and a warm countenance. Beautiful and important art works line the walls alongside tapestries and gorgeous rugs and stuffed armchairs and lounges look out to a lush green walled courtyard - a peek into the fading Latin American ruling class. We are welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality and warmth, beautiful food (beef carved onto mini rolls with selection of condiments, amazing cheeses oozing on platters, melba toasts with tuna and liver pates, finishing with a dessert table that would have all you sweet-tooths swoon!ing!) Marcello, Nachos' father, is a hoot, his English is very good and has a very Australiann sense of humour - he has us all 'encantado' - so like Nacho. Sofi and Nacho had wanted us here for this ceremony and celebration so that we would get to know their family and close friends before the wedding so as to feel a part of the family and it certainly achieved that aim. We bid gracias and adios and set off for the short walk home as rain threatens. Rain? the heavens opened! Kath and Boze took shelter/coffee stop at a cafe a little way ahead of us and we did the same at another. Telepathy between we women had us both suggesting to set off again as the rain lightened. A few steps along and that bucket spilled once again. We gave it up and giggled and splashed our way home, literally drenched. Up to the apartment and darkness, nothing. Nope, no power. Remember we're dripping wet, can't see, phones need charging. Landline to apartment owner who sends a rep with torches and candles and the advice that it may take a few hours. De nada, we'll dry off and go for a late supper. Back again to .... no power. Ok, let's go to bed and hope by morning...nope, nada. Right, cold showers, we're off to Iguazu Falls today so by the time we get back, surely. i'll leave it there for now, as lots has happened in the interim and it's now Friday back in BA and will post an update when time permits. Photos will be all over the place as I'll insert the others' pics as and when I can.

[blogamaya]

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/recognize/

Medellin, Colombia is a city with a past. A dangerous past. A city of people with great pride, they call themselves Paisas.  Paisas feel they are different from the rest of the Colombians, because of their history that is intertwined  with Medellin. They have seen the worst and now they have seen the best. They have lived with the horror of Pablo Escobar,  the FARC, barrio warlords, gang leaders, unimaginable violence. They have a  past that lies dormant in their memories of what Medellin used to be like, something we Americans can never understand. After moving here I saw a different world view, one I hold inside my heart. But now they have stability while the tourism industry has grown 260% since 2002. They are very proud to live in Medellin, but they are still getting used to having foreign people come to visit this once very uncontrollable city.  They have those horrible memories that will never leave them.

Poorest barrios before transformation

Before and after transformation

Transformation

Sergio Farjado mayor of Medellin from 2003 to 2007 started the talks about improving Medellin beginning with the poorest areas. A bottom up strategy that has worked. I had two wonderful tour guides while visiting Medellin and both were from the poorest areas, they had many stories to tell. Most importantly, they both were not old, Manny was in his mid-thirties and Camillo was around 23 or 24 years old. They both used what was offered by the government to improve their lives. Both are successful and proudly independent, not wanting to take anything more from the government. They are truly proud Paisas.

My first guide Manny was from a barrio that has been transformed with escalators to allow the poorest to reach public transportation easily. To be able to get to work without the steep climb up and down the mountains. He told stories of the area we visited. Manny remembered the army had to use helicopters to begin projects in these areas as they were so dangerous. He spoke of dead bodies being placed outside the homes planted with grenades so the police and military could not enter to help the populations of these poverty-stricken areas. They couldn’t even remove the bodies to bury them. It was quite sad to hear this from someone who actually witnessed such brutality. But with persistence the truly needy and their homes have been reinvented. Manny said many innocent lives were lost. However, now the violence is replaced with libraries throughout these areas, programs for the poor to send them to school, to give them loans to start businesses. Every public park in Medellin has free WiFi. Colombia and especially Medellin has shown you can take the people from the most needy areas and give them a reason to break the chain of violence and drugs.  The above photos show the images posted in an office at the top of the barrio I visited, before and after transformations. Here is a video I took of the ascent to the top. You will see the street art which is used all over Colombia as a way of expression to show the past and the new future. This street art is a favorite part of my love of Colombia. I love to see color, a lot of color. I also love light, not darkness. The homes are so bright and cheery in these under privileged areas.

Color is important

The barrios are so clean

Looking out at the view

The Street Art is Colombia

Colombia is spending millions on infrastructure to improve all the big cities. Cali, Colombia which is closest to Villa Migelita , my Bed and Breakfast, is transforming areas also. What is really fantastic is that all the walking areas throughout the large cities in Colombia, have a strip in the middle of the sidewalk for the blind to guide them. Wonderful, thoughtful ideas are being implemented! Unlike the USA, Colombia is not using the tired line of trickle down economics of the rich vs the poor. Colombia is showing the world that improving and giving to the poor is a way to get the whole economy thriving and raising people up to achieve great things! Medellin alone went from 40,000 tourists in the year 2010 to over 4 million visitors in 2016.  I arrived in Colombia to live in 2011. It is not difficult to get a Visa to live here. The only thing that needs to be emphasized is that Colombians are super polite people. They do not want to offend anyone, but they are noticing the bad behavior of some tourists. Check out this photo. I had some guests recently at my Villa who could really learn from this simple lesson. Please, thank you and a nice greeting in Spanish really impresses all Colombians. Another amazing part of Medellin is the super fast metro system built during very turbulent times in Medellin, also the cable car system  is phenomenal. While in the city I used this metro and cable car system more than taxis! Wonderfully clean, because no one will destroy what they are so proud of! If disabled, older, or pregnant, a seat is offered immediately by all who are nearby. I watched and observed the behavior of everyone. I am so proud to live in this country  as an expat.

The cable cars of Medellin

A tip to those visiting Medellin. Use the free walking tour offered by Real City Tours. My guide Camillo was fantastic. He was informed and educated. He is from the poor barrios, but has a degree in bio-medical engineering. He is bi-lingual, he is charming, and he is making money taking these tours around his city of Medellin. He is what we should strive to be in this chaotic world. I cannot say enough about his intelligence, drive and knowledge. He rose from poverty to become a part of sharing the history of Colombia’s success, and also his success. I often say to those who make fun of other’s accents, “Do you speak another language?” “Can you rise from a past that had you living in violence to having a college degree?” “Are you successful?” I think success is based on what you accomplish, not just money. I told Camillo, you must make your family so proud. He was so modest, so polite, and so intelligent.

  Botero Plaza in Medellin

Group photo

Camillo would make any mother proud and I told him so. He was delightful,                             smart and fluent in English because the Colombian government gave him a chance to become all that he could be! I was so impressed with his stories and the walking tour. It is free, and a tip is your price.  Again I emphasize, be kind, be generous, and enjoy the culture of Colombia. Don’t be cheap because you can be. I had that happen with recent guests. They ignored my lovely and hard-working maid after 33 days of being cared for by her. I was more angry than she was. I will never allow that to happen again, it was the first time and it will be the last time that happens. Please remember to give thanks to those that give you good service here in Colombia. We don’t tip like in the USA. However, tips are to be given to those that become part of your stay, part of your journey.

The last part of our walking tour was at a park for concerts in Medellin. This square also features the art of the artist Fernando Botero. In these last photos I will show there was a lesson present. A bomb blew up his sculpture of The Bird in the 1990’s. This bomb killed a little girl and more than thirty people. The perpetrator was never found. The Colombian government wanted the sculpture immediately removed. But the President of Colombia received an important phone call from Botero himself. He said “leave it there to remind all to fight against this terrorism” So they did. It is a reminder to all who live in Medellin of their past. Onethey need to remember as the future unfolds with the prosperity and growth of Medellin. Colombia is now a thriving and innovative country. A country of proud people with a past they would like to forget, but never will. We are the future. People like me, an American who lives here in Colombia and is showing the world that a terrible past can evolve to a wonderful future. Maybe that is why I feel so at home in Colombia. I know the past does not define who you are.

Camillo in front of the bombed bird

The new Bird and a new Colombia

          I Will Always Recognize Achievment Medellin, Colombia is a city with a past. A dangerous past. A city of people with great pride, they call themselves Paisas.