Just ride up this hill, then at the top, keep going up.....

It's dark, pitch black, with the exception of the glow of black lights. Music pulsates from the huge speakers in every corner, and the bass sends vibrations from my toes to the ends of my hair. The music ranges from bad 80's to Celine Dion sped up to an unnatural speed- not sure which is worse. I am meant to like this- even be inspired by it. Everyone else is. There is no clock- I have no idea how much longer this will go on- but I am wishing above all else that I had a watch. The place is packed- enough body heat to melt glaciers. I look left- the ground is wet. A pool of liquid sits on the floor. If the situation were any different, I would have assumed the man next to me had jumped in a pool fully clothed. I look right. I need guidance. I only see a small woman-90 lbs soaking wet-exhausted, trying to keep up with everyone else. I look ahead- nothing. I am in the front row- a punishment I feel for being American. Everyone yells- but in Spanish- and I am lost. Very lost. But I just go with it. I am committed, and there is no getting out of this. Although, even if I could get out of it- I am not sure I would. Part of me is really enjoying this. But- I want water- but water bottles do not exist here. Really. (I have looked- everywhere). Nalgene would kill it if they were here. The only option for a water bottle is a small disposable plastic one- but those are supposed to be toxic. I don't want toxic water. So I go without. It feels like the Bikram Yoga studio- and I am just waiting for a breeze to blow. Looking around does nothing- it's like trying to cheat on a test in school from the kid next to you.... the one that didn't study. And just when I thought it would never end, the lights come on. I finished my first spin class here. The only words I understood were "Mas Intencia". Perhaps it will get easier with time- when I know the word for the opposite of "mas". I was wondering when the downhill would come (those of you not aquainted with spin class- you have fake hill that you go up.... and the resting period after a strenuous up hill is the downhill portion)..... And next time I will also bring a water bottle- toxic or not-


Word of the day: today it is a lesson...... In Buenos Aires, there are laws. However, no one really follow them. There is definitely an attitude of "I do what I want". For instance- a red light means stop and stay until green- unless you are a car, bus, taxi, or other motorized vehicle- and then it means "go if you think you can make it before the other car, buses,etc. coming the opposite direction" (pedestrians beware- esp Colorado peeps- do not assume you can cross when the little white man tells you you can). The exception to the "no rules" rule is the buses- who will not stop for you unless there is a designated stop. Even if you are 20 ft away from the stop. This is the only rule that is strictly followed.

Okay Okay ..... word (ok - phrase) of the day. Cocinando con Tequila- "Cooking with Tequila". This is how one of my friends described her night. Another way to say you were inebriated.