un día lindísimo

Sunday was a day I think my parents and I will remember for a long time!

We spent the day with a lovely Argentine family discussing the intricacies of life, music, politics, nature, culture and history through two languages and many points of view over red wine, mint tea and a long long lunch.
Mom, Dad, my friend Lucio (okay, screw it...he's technically my boyfriend...), his friend Fede and I headed to Lucio's home in the country all day. Lucio's parents hosted us all afternoon/evening at their old, beautiful country house. We had a large, long lunch with Marcelo and Mónica, (Lucio's parents) his grandfather, his two brothers (Marcelito and Charly), and friend Martín. Qué lindo!

Monica, Mom and Marcelo

My parents and Lucio's parents got along so well. Now, I know what you're thinking: this sounds pretty serious, meeting the parents and all! But Argentines are so warm and welcoming, and Scelsos are the most interesting and nicest people ever, so it was just great to meet one another. Lucio's family, I swear, is related somehow to every other prominent Argentine in the country's history. Famous military generals, governors, artists, pilots...every time we pass a statue or a monument Mom teases Lucio by asking him if he's related to that guy, too. Usually he is.

Marcelo, Lucio's dad, has the most interesting past...if you know anything about Argentine politics in the 1970s, then you'll be blown away to know that he was tortured under the Argentine dictatorship and exiled to Amsterdam for 8 years. Furthermore, his brother was a desaparecido--someone who was kidnapped by the dictatorship and never heard from again; presumed to have been killed. Marcelo is currently writing a book about this period of his life and he gave me an advance manuscript which I can't wait to crack open. He and Dad share the same passion for nature, literature, and all around intellect. I swear, they are the same person. Mom and Mónica also got along so well, even though they don't share the same native lanaguge. (Mónica speaks great English, though, and they even exchanged a couple of French phrases).

Mom and Dad on the shores of Rio Segundo, which runs through the Scelso's farm

Marcelo also gave us insightful palm readings (below)

We listened to Fede and Lucio play music (below)

An Argentine family and an American family---it was the coming together of two very different, but yet so similar, people. I hope we all can be together again someday!