Retrato de la mujer extrana

by Saskia van Kampen (Netherlands)

Making a local connection Argentina

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Last summer I was searching through websites that offer cheap flights. I wanted to fly to Argentina, a dear friend of mine lives in Buenos Aires and I wanted to visit him. Now I'm chilling in Holland again looking at a drawing of myself in a golden frame and every time I look at it I get this big warm feeling in my heart, it reminds me that magic is out there in the world, for those who believe in it. HOLLANDAAAA. I remember me turning around and running towards him and giving the biggest hug. Him, that is, the painter that I met by chance in Puerto Madryn and who changed my view on the world. I booked the ticket on a warm evening on the rooftop terrace of my house in Utrecht. Chilling with my housemate, enjoying the summer with red wine and good stories. I booked a return ticket and called my friend to let him know I was coming. Luckally he was home that month. Fast Forward. I'm in Buenos Aires, sharing Mate, going to a local theatre show, knowing the right gods to worship like River Plate one of the soccer teams of Buenos Aires and singing along with Soda Stereo and giving tips like I'm on a Bill Gates budget. Somewhere in between of being in aww of all the street art, icecream, bookshops and kind hearts I thought about nature.Seven world wonders, Patagonia, Argentina is known for its wild and large landscapes. There is a little village called Puerto Madryn where in October the whale mums chill with their babies and it is a national treasure. The whales are so important to Argentina they are even presented on their currenyl and every person in the city of Buenos Aires knows somebody who once went to see them, like my cabdriver and Nanne who I visited in Chascomus. I decided, I'm going to Puerto Madryn, to see the whales. I was there during the weekend of presidential elections so on my first day I decide to grab some cash at Western Union. On my way there I see this person with his dog sitting across the local supermarket. He is offering sketches. We talk for a bit about art, but I need to go to get my cash, so I tell him I will drop by after. The point where there was supposed to be a western union, is a demoliton site, I can't find the location and have to walk back. I pass by again and we start talking, against all advice of tourist information on the internet, I tell him I was looking for western union and I can't find it, he offers to walk me there and I know from all things I could be doing on holiday, letting somebody who has the appearance of a homeless person guide me to a western union building, is probably one of the worst ideas, but I trust him. He drops me off and waits outside. In my mind I'm still thinking, can I trust him? As I'm wandering, he dissappears. I didn't even get to thank him, for showing me the way and I feel bad. The next day I go see the whales, it is amazing, they are everything that I imagined but I miss my friend. On the day of the elections I walk around Puerto Madryn and chill with the ocean. On my last day an hour before I catch my bus to go back to Buenos Aires as I'm painting the coastline I here this voice shouting HOLANDA. I can't believe it, it is the guy with the dog. We run towards each other and I'm so gratefull that I found him before the end of my trip. He brings me to his friends at the beach, local artists. And we draw each other a gift. He draws my portrait and I draw a colored intuition painting. A lady walks by and she want to buy my art. I say no, this one is for me friend.