Finding Balance

Photographed: Raquel Sosa (dance teacher)

Have you ever tried doing the splits, a complex move on a balance beam, skating or any other sport that requires you to find your balance?

Doing the splits requires a series of achievements: the desire to do it, the willingness to take the challenge, an understanding of the mechanics of it, and a series of prior achievements: training, posture, stretching, etc. Once you are down there, with your legs straight, your weight balanced and your arms harmoniously placed, you must smile. Sometimes, you manage it all, except for the smile. The pain of the effort is such that you find smiling too hard, so you may not smile. There are times where you just simply manage it all, get used to the pain and smile. If you let go, it stops hurting and you smile because of what you just managed to do.

I once read an interview of Paloma Herrera, NYC Ballet's first ballerina. She was asked what it took to be in such a role. She replied it involved not only loving what you do and being good technically but also being able to display your smile gracefully; to know all your parts and also to let your soul show through.

I like to use the splits as a metaphor for finding balance in life. I know a lot of people that say they haven't found balance in their life cause although they have achieved many things they wanted, they are not so happy. Many say they have gone through all of what they assumed was expected of them only to realize they are missing a large piece of the puzzle. They have invested too much time doing something they didn't really like, trying to achieve their ideals (often others' ideals) trying to play the "perfect" part in a script, trying to please, sometimes forgetting or leaving aside what they really want. But, are ideals so good when they're not your own? was that part meant to be for them? and, what is "perfect", anyways?

Three of my favorite concepts in Psychology are balance, ideals and perfection because I find they are some of the most intriguing of the human mind: the more you pursue them, the more demanding you become with yourself, sometimes leaving little room for amusement or pleasure.

When searching for balance, remember that balance is relative. Figure out what you really want and follow your dreams. It's not to late, you can start now. Whatever it is that you like, you will do that with passion and it will make you and those around you happy. By stepping out of your comfort zone you will grow as a person and you will inspire others. You will make mistakes. If you let them into your life, they will enrich and soften your own self. If you don't, you will begin to stiffen. Learn from your mistakes. Laugh at them. Learn from success too, there is much to learn from things done right.

In the process of mastering what you set yourself after in life, remember that there are various aspects to it: the intellectual, the physical skills, the drive, the mechanics of it and, above all, the desire. Be flexible in uderstanding that balance is relative, and start doing what you really want today. It's only up to you to find yourself doing the splits with a smile on your face!

Post by : Valeria Mendez Cañas

best of both worlds

Photos by Susette Kok


Las Piedras Villas & Hotel Fasano, is Punta del Este's newest development.

Within minutes from exquisite restaurants, hip nightclubs and the beautiful
beaches that make the areas of La Barra and José Ignacio so desirable, you will
find yourself in a sublimely luxurious heaven.

Understated and warm. A place that invites us to experience beach life
and parties with the possibility of coming back to quiet comfort and the
slow pace of countryside living.

Spread throughout 480 hectares, the property has twenty-two bungalows with gorgeous views of the landscapes, a magnificent spa, two miles of riverside, a swimming pool carved into rocks and possibly one of Punta's best restaurants. But that's not all. Soon there will also be thirty- eight villas meticulously designed to blend in with the environment, a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, tennis courts, and a polo course.

It's no secret that Punta del Este, Uruguay, is one of the world's most beautiful spots. This explains why it is the first destination outside of Brazil where the Fasanos chose to open a hotel. "I fell in love with the place, it's magical and romantic" said Rogelio Fasano.

Palacio Barolo - once the tallest building in South America,
on a clear fall day.

Easter in the City

At this time of the year, I usually like to recommend
Easter travel ideas - nice destinations for a long weekend.
But what about those who stay in BA?

In Lasse Hallström's movie "Chocolat", Juliette Binoche arrives in a
small French countryside town to establish a chocolate shop.
The town's life is centered on the mandates of a rigid and severe
catholic priest. It is Lent, the priest is fasting. There is a very
beautiful and in my opinion, well achieved scene in the movie where
the priest senses the smell of chocolate while he is having a very
simple breakfast and is forced to focus on his work in order to avoid
temptation.

Perhaps Easter is not just a chance to get away and enjoy a long
weekend vacation or a moment to give the people we love Easter eggs.
Why not think of it as a time of renewal?
A time to forgive, a time to cherish. It is about being re born,
about giving yourself the opportunity to refresh your faith in
your dreams.

Whatever the strength of your faith, if you are taking some time to
connect with yourself and your life, as the priest in "Chocolat", you
deserve to reward yourself on Easter Sunday.

If you're staying in the city, I suggest Hotel Alvear's Easter Brunch
- which includes a great variety of exquisite local products, the most delicious deserts, and a fascinating wine list. Simply the best in town.
Call the Alvear in advance for reservations.

Another option is to keep it symbolic, have a nice meal at your home,
hotel or flat and give out Easter eggs from El viejo Oso (trufaselviejooso.com.ar) or Vasalissa, (vasalissa.com)
two of my favorite artisan chocolatiers in the city.

Enjoy your Easter!


co-post: Vale & Mich

Teatro Colón

If you have been to Buenos Aires, you must have noticed the incapacity
some Argentinians have when it comes to following rules. If you speak a little Spanish and have ever tried to understand the lyrics of at least, one tango song, you might have understood that the main character in the song has either gotten away with something or has beaten his opponent.He has done this by disrespecting rules, sometimes rules of honor, by cheating.

Tango songs and bad driving are typical of our culture. Take one second,
stand in any avenue corner, preferably by a policeman and observe how drivers
run yellow and red lights, drive on biking paths, or speed up when a pedestrian
is trying to cross the street.
Take note of the policeman, probably too busy texting messages on his cell phone or smoking a cigarette to catch drivers breaking the law.

While driving around town looking at the beautiful European architecture
the city is famed for, you will be intrigued by the magnificence of a
building that stands on Av. Cerrito and Viamonte: Teatro Colon, a jewel, not
only for its architecture but also for the art that is produced inside. The
theater reopened on 2010 after years of restoration work.

Unfortunately, it's not working at its fullest capacity because, just as
anything Argentinian, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, that operates it, and a great number of members of its orchestra (grouped as a union) cannot
reach an agreement regarding working conditions. As a result, the opera that
was to open the theater's season: György Ligetis "Le Grand Macabre" was
put on stage under the direction of Baldur Bröinniman in a non orchestral version consisting of two pianos and percussion.

If you have stayed long enough in Buenos Aires, you must have realized another
thing about us: the ability to get by with what's available. You must
have heard a very popular phrase: "Es lo que hay" meaning: "This is what there is." So for example, although Plácido Domingo was recently scheduled to perform at the Colón, due to a series of events, he was unable to do so, and performed at the Obelisk instead. It was still a wonderful experience enjoyed by everyone and people were extremely happy, and he was too. It was a most memorable event.

There are some issues with the theater, yes, but next time you visit Buenos Aires (or if you're here now), do try to go to the Teatro Colón. It's an experience you don't want to miss. There are many ways to get a good feel for it. I suggest that you try them all:
1) book a guided tour: this will give you a good feel of all the details that must come together to put on a performance. You will walk by rehearsal rooms, you will see the way costumes are made for every show, etc.
2) buy tickets to a performance, the best ones are on a program called
"Abono del Bicentenario" (it only occurs once a month).
3) buy seats on higher floors.

If you book ahead of time, you will get good seats that will combine the possibility of seeing and hearing the performance, otherwise you will be missing the view.

The acoustics, the architecture, and the art you will encounter will make you walk out of there having had a very nice time. If something goes wrong, as it did with Ligeti's opera, you still will have had an experience in itself. After all, this is Argentina (and there is what there is).

For performances and guided tours visit www.teatrocolon.org.ar


Guest post by Valeria Mendez Cañas.