Apologies for a long silence. On Dec. 2, we handed over a pile of cash (US $100 bills) and received the keys to our new home. Pictured is the most important room, la terraza (translation: sunroof, on top of our squat two-story building). The furniture et al pictured belonged to the former owners. So far, we've managed to acquire (in order of importance): a lemon tree, an olive tree, a giant umbrella, a few chairs, a large ficus and a few other plants and odds and ends. On Thursday, our big brick parrilla is to be installed. Ian can't wait to perfect his meat grilling techniques... Downstairs from the terraza lurk a million tasks to do. Painting, cementing, stove hook-ups, electrical rewiring... I feel guilty sitting here typing. Relatives arrive in a matter of days and we have a half-painted apartment (high ceilings are lovely until you start spending all your time on a ladder) and no furniture. More updates soon...

Phew! Thank god the Obelisco on 9 de Julio is wearing a condom--a bright red one, even--for its planned sexual encounter with the Grand Canyon. Really, we don't know where she's been.

But, seriously, the Obelisco is all done up in his crimson jimmy-hat in solidarity with World AIDS Day. And he looks faaaaabulous. [Photo stolen from Clarín]