What’s another Year


Who remembers me being a Pariah in Argentina? Who remembers that? It is a year ago. One year.

One year ago we were stuck in Argentina, one year ago our flight was canceled 9 times, and one year ago we were repatriated through an Air France flight, long after the airport of EZE was closed. One year.

Circle of life, Recoleta Cementerio, March 2020

One year ago, a bit more, was the last time I hugged someone else then my husband and kids. Lupe, Gustavo, Patricia, Gabriel,…to name but a few. More than once. And very close. Do people in Argentina still hug? Do they still share mate? I wouldn’t know, because…

One year ago was the last time we flew an airplane. Without face mask. We knew we probably should have, but they were not available, not in Argentina, not in Belgium.

All the things that did and didn’t happen in that one year, the things we did and didn’t do, it is too much to count.
Things that were unthinkable then, are normal now. And what we took for granted then, makes us crave for and embrace now.

We are supposed to see light at the end of the tunnel, or so they say. I don’t know.

Chacarita cementerio, Buenos Aires, March 2020

We are supposed to be able to travel again soon. But where to? While we are going towards summer and opening up, the southern hemisphere is going towards winter and closing down the borders again. While the north is going to take a short summer break, the south will go through yet another storm. Vaccination doesn’t catch up with the virus, not in Europe and not in Argentina.

But well, what’s another year.

Whats another year, Johnny Logan, Eurovision song contest winner 1987, my favourite song at that time. Probably secretly in love with him.

What’s another year, Argentina…. Wait for me. I’m coming as soon as it is possible. With or without hugging, with or without sharing mate.

What’s another year.

Retiro trainstation

2 responses to “What’s another Year”

  1. Hi Katty I don´t know if you remember me. I liked your pictures a lot.
    I left Argentina in July on a special Aerolineas Argentinas flight, I went aback in early December, to finish some retirement paper work. I was there for a week. The Argentina we once knew, doesn’t exist anymore. Hugs are no longer available, the sparkling bright of Avenida Corrientes is all gone.
    And the politic atmosphere is getting rarer by the hours.
    I don’t miss Argentina at all. The cultured country that formed and educated me is gone a long ago.

    • Julio, of course I remember you. Your news pains me. It can not be that the sparks are gone! It is all so sad…. I hope you are well, wherever you are now. Spain I guess? And that Argentina will return to its old self. One day.

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