Stay in Buenos Aires Blog

Amazing diversity is my description of a week discovering Buenos Aires generously hosted by Alejandra Thielen. One of the highlights of this journey was the visit to the La Recoleta Cemetery not only because of the 86 historical monuments but mainly the magical presence of Mr. Osvaldo Iriarte Pueyrredon. This home of the dead became a magical path through Argentina’s history, art, splendor, love, horror, surprise and poetry. A wide mixture of cultures and living legacy can be perceived in the 4.800 tombs decorated with fine sculptures, glass work, and front doors for the last home of the rich and famous who decided to rest in peace in this land. Transcendence is possible when life and dead hold a story, many times told by those who continue their paths and sooner or later will find their place somewhere in paradise, another body or just ashes, according to their believes. I can offer testimonial of a magical experience that touched my heart when Mr. Iriarte shared with us Jorge Luis Borges’ farewell poem to a beloved and remembered us with “Instants” that life is about simple things, such as not trying to be that perfect, relaxing, having more real problems than imaginary, traveling light, playing with children and have an ice-cream once in a while. He will be waiting for us in La Recoleta Cemetery the next time we will dare to visit. I am sure that sooner or later we will meet again and for sure I will make a stop in this surreal place the next time I stayinbuenosaires. Try it! Dania Quirola Suarez, Quito-Ecuador.

Instantes

Si pudiera vivir nuevamente mi vida.
En la próxima trataría de cometer más errores.
No intentaría ser tan perfecto, me relajaría más.
Sería más tonto de lo que he sido, de hecho
tomaría muy pocas cosas con seriedad.
Sería menos higiénico.
Correría más riesgos, haría más viajes, contemplaría
más atardeceres, subiría más montañas, nadaría más ríos.
Iría a más lugares adonde nunca he ido, comería
más helados y menos habas, tendría más problemas
reales y menos imaginarios.
Yo fui una de esas personas que vivió sensata y prolíficamente
cada minuto de su vida; claro que tuve momentos de alegría.
Pero si pudiera volver atrás trataría de tener
solamente buenos momentos.
Por si no lo saben, de eso está hecha la vida, sólo de momentos;
no te pierdas el ahora.
Yo era uno de esos que nunca iban a ninguna parte sin termómetro,
una bolsa de agua caliente, un paraguas y un paracaídas;
Si pudiera volver a vivir, viajaría más liviano.
Si pudiera volver a vivir comenzaría a andar descalzo a principios
de la primavera y seguiría así hasta concluir el otoño.
Daría más vueltas en calesita, contemplaría más amaneceres
y jugaría con más niños, si tuviera otra vez la vida por delante.
Pero ya tengo 85 años y sé que me estoy muriendo.
Jorge Luis Borges

Instants
by Jorge Luis Borges

If I could live again my life,
In the next - I’ll try,
- to make more mistakes,
I won’t try to be so perfect,
I’ll be more relaxed,
I’ll be more full - than I am now,
In fact, I’ll take fewer things seriously,
I’ll be less hygenic,
I’ll take more risks,
I’ll take more trips,
I’ll watch more sunsets,
I’ll climb more mountains,
I’ll swim more rivers,
I’ll go to more places - I’ve never been,
I’ll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans,
I’ll have more real problems - and less imaginary
ones,
I was one of those people who live
prudent and prolific lives -
each minute of his life,
Offcourse that I had moments of joy - but,
if I could go back I’ll try to have only good moments,

If you don’t know - thats what life is made of,
Don’t lose the now!

I was one of those who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer,
without a hot-water bottle,
and without an umberella and without a parachute,

If I could live again - I will travel light,
If I could live again - I’ll try to work bare feet
at the beginning of spring till
the end of autumn,
I’ll ride more carts,
I’ll watch more sunrises and play with more children,
If I have the life to live - but now I am 85,
- and I know that I am dying …