Today I set out this morning to the neighborhood of Once. I knew it as a working class neighborhood, and also with a big jewish population. I needed to score a menorah, tonight is the first night of chanukkah.

I loved this neighborhood as it has a flavor in comon with the lower east side in new york before the more recent gentrification. I went from one part to the next, with shops selling fabric, clothing, and christmas articles. Extra weird because it feels like summer. I didn`t yet know but tomorrow is a big holiday in Argentina for the virgin. And it is also the day when everyone trims (armar arbol) their trees.

Well, I asked “hay cendelabro de januca” everywhere with no luck. I did find a hebrew store that sold a couple crappy ones for 30 pesos. I didn`t mind the idea of spending 30 pesos for a menorah, but not for one I didn`t feel anything for.

I had a delicious milanesita at a restaurant called prosciuto, then made a call from a locutorio to Bruno in Lomas. After that I went to one shop and bought 4 dozen small velas (candles) and headed back to my apartment since I had to call into work. It had sliped my mind about all the labor unrest lately, so when I apporached the Subte (subway) I was surprised that it was closed due to a paro (work stoppage). It was impossible to get a taxi and I didn`t know which bus went back to my neighborhood.

Yes, I am finally getting to the point!

I did make it back and worked for several hours. Then I took Clyde to Las Heras so he could have some play time. There I found the perfect piece of wood. It was a beat up scrap with all different colors of paint in it. Once we returned to the apartment, I carved a few notches in it and lit the candles.

It now feels like Chanukkah. Happy Chanukkah!