I am here now but it’s long time I left after living the demon times of 77 being terrified of uniforms. And listen to mother’s then coming around. The world has change a lot and find BA extremely different and ghetto style. For sure we survived those times….🌻😉🦋
Sorry… maybe I was going to write a letter!! How terrible times tge coup thst seemed never ending but how wonderful your parents dancing tango to make a continuity of the “others” with it! Beautiful writing touches deep!
Oh Rene, I want to know more! Do you still have your parents? Did they end up in the states with you? How did all that come about? I imagine you have written about this somewhere… on Substack?Such a lovely photo of them … I am assuming it’s them … more please.❤️
It's hard to describe the moments as everything changed from day to day. It was indeed a mixture of excitement, terror, and paranoia for the adults. As a child, I observed my surroundings and lived with the vibes. I eventually packed a backpack and left for the world. My parents stayed behind when the political situation turn back to the much missed democratic government. They're still dancing in their old age. 🗽
Thank you! I knew this comment was coming. Made the same correlation. Let's hope that won't be our case here since that's the last thing the country needs.
Rene, I'm so glad that I read, "Argentina, Tango, Sorrow & Wine." I'm reading a book about the Nazi movement in Germany and its impact on one young girl and it's so similar to what you experienced in Argentina. The main difference was that the focus in Argentina was on political descenters and in Germany it was on religious descrimination and elimination.
Your writing is excellent. The whole opening focused on your parents dancing, becomes a powerful metaphor for escape from the dangerous world around you all. Excellent!! Thank you.
I spent some time in Salta 20 some years ago and was happy to see live Tango dancing there. Enjoy your writing René. Where’s your home these days? Saludos.
There is so much here, in this short story that speaks in tomes — in the darkness, in the mesmerizing sultry light of Tango, in the loneliness and the togetherness, in the underpinnings of fear, in the gripping unspoken terror of disappearing and the escape to be seen, in the joy and exhilaration of being in the present.
It is cautionary, it is historical, it is ominous and prescient. The parallels must not be overlooked in any country as freedoms become prisons, as the brilliance of creativity turns dull and grey, as youthful exuberance becomes hunched and crippled.
Yet still, there is resistance, intolerance of oppression, uprising, and victory — fueled by humanity’s undying fire of hope.
Sy! Renė! I thought you were pure Italian and discovered that you were a porteño kid growing up
It sure had its advantages. Buenos Aires is not for the weak of heart. ;)
I am here now but it’s long time I left after living the demon times of 77 being terrified of uniforms. And listen to mother’s then coming around. The world has change a lot and find BA extremely different and ghetto style. For sure we survived those times….🌻😉🦋
Don't know where here is, but I assume you mean the US? But yeah, those days were not wine and roses, that's for sure. Glad you survived too!✌️
Sorry… maybe I was going to write a letter!! How terrible times tge coup thst seemed never ending but how wonderful your parents dancing tango to make a continuity of the “others” with it! Beautiful writing touches deep!
Glad you like it, Marcia. Yes, I grew up in Buenos Aires.
I love Argentina & tango too!
In that case, that makes two of us! ☝️🤠
René, went to Parque de la Memoria when in Buenos Aires area. Oh so very sad. Not only the large number of dead, but the young ages. Very moving.
We have more in common than we know. Thank you for a thoughtful comment, Jeanine. 🌹
Oh Rene, I want to know more! Do you still have your parents? Did they end up in the states with you? How did all that come about? I imagine you have written about this somewhere… on Substack?Such a lovely photo of them … I am assuming it’s them … more please.❤️
It's hard to describe the moments as everything changed from day to day. It was indeed a mixture of excitement, terror, and paranoia for the adults. As a child, I observed my surroundings and lived with the vibes. I eventually packed a backpack and left for the world. My parents stayed behind when the political situation turn back to the much missed democratic government. They're still dancing in their old age. 🗽
Thank you for this poignant reminisce. Will this be our story in the US?
Thank you! I knew this comment was coming. Made the same correlation. Let's hope that won't be our case here since that's the last thing the country needs.
Iove this piece, so wonderful and tragic and 'happy' all at once .
Funny you would say that; those were the emotions as I recall them at the time. Thank you!
Great snippet of personal and societal history. 🩵
That's a great description, Grace. Thank you!
Rene, I'm so glad that I read, "Argentina, Tango, Sorrow & Wine." I'm reading a book about the Nazi movement in Germany and its impact on one young girl and it's so similar to what you experienced in Argentina. The main difference was that the focus in Argentina was on political descenters and in Germany it was on religious descrimination and elimination.
Your writing is excellent. The whole opening focused on your parents dancing, becomes a powerful metaphor for escape from the dangerous world around you all. Excellent!! Thank you.
Much obliged! Thank you for your profound insights. Have you been to Bariloche? It's an absolute dream. 🏂
Rene, I haven't been there,but perhaps my wife and I can make a trip there. Thank you for making it a place to aim for.
Love the story! Was familiar with some of the history but well done Rene!!!
Much obliged, Tonya. Thanks again!
I would have loved seeing your parents doing the tango! ❤️
Some memories are fresh like it happened yesterday. That usually happens when one makes postcards in the mind. Thank you, Tonya! 🌹
Well said my friend! You are very welcome!! 💖
I spent some time in Salta 20 some years ago and was happy to see live Tango dancing there. Enjoy your writing René. Where’s your home these days? Saludos.
Oh wow. Salta is amazing! Did you see any UFOs there? I heard they're all over. I'm in Lyon rn.
Didn’t see any UFOs. Love Lyon, my wife is Swiss, so we have spent some time in France over the years. We like Chamonix a lot.
Too pricey for me, lol. But gorgeous scenery.
Thanks, Ren’e you have a wonderful Mother’s Day as well✝️🕊️❤️
God bless ✝️🕊️❤️
René:
There is so much here, in this short story that speaks in tomes — in the darkness, in the mesmerizing sultry light of Tango, in the loneliness and the togetherness, in the underpinnings of fear, in the gripping unspoken terror of disappearing and the escape to be seen, in the joy and exhilaration of being in the present.
It is cautionary, it is historical, it is ominous and prescient. The parallels must not be overlooked in any country as freedoms become prisons, as the brilliance of creativity turns dull and grey, as youthful exuberance becomes hunched and crippled.
Yet still, there is resistance, intolerance of oppression, uprising, and victory — fueled by humanity’s undying fire of hope.
Oh wow! That's an all-you-can-eat buffet of a comment if I've ever read one. I'm glad you enjoy reading my lil story. Thank you! 🙌