Happy New Year

It's that time of year in Buenos Aires - yes, you guessed it, it's Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year.

What, pray tell, does that mean down here in the Paris of the South? 

Well, among many things:

The local confiteria (pastry shop) was absolutely llena (full) with Bubbes today, all scrambling and pushing to buy round challahs. Good news - I was able to elbow my way in and conseguir a few. Of course, here in BA they call them "jalas" (the "j" in Spanish makes a "ch" sound) and because the Argentinians seem to absolutely love their sweets, the jalas are glazed and decorated with rainbow-colored jimmies. 

Almost all the local grocerias - owned nearly always by Koreans and Chinese - have hauled out impressive displays of kosher food. Unfortunately, most of the food is for Passover (errr, which happens in March or April), but hey, it's the thought that counts. Who knows when we will get a hankering for matzah.

The floristas - flourists - found on every city block have put up signs wishing all their Jewish neighbors "Un L'Shanah Tova." And local groups have posted signs advertising Rosh Hashanah block parties.

Such is the loveliness of living in such a cultural mashup of a city. The Koreans here speak Spanish, the Argentines speak Yiddish (yes, I saw an ad for a Yiddish tango concert, whatever that is) and the Chinese make sushi. The kioskos (snack kiosks) sell Israeli junk food and classes in "danza arabe" seem to be all the rage. Que barbaro. (I think that means "cool" in Argentine Spanish, but I'm sure I'm using it wrong).

A sweet new year to all!

Chau,

Julie