I may be incapable of caring for animals, but I still like to pretend I can.

I’m still working on awe-inspiring posts, but in the meantime I thought I’d share a day trip I had with Prince Charming.  It all started with meeting during the day. I can’t remember all the details, but it probably involved laughing and talking primarily in English (it helps strengthen my Spanish).

Moving right along, we went for a stroll through the Botanical Gardens.  It appeared as though it was going to be a traditional tourist attraction—full of posed pictures (like the ones shown below), hoards of tourists and lovebird teenagers stealing kisses in the bushes (who am I kidding? Even old people publicly display their French-kissing skills—and we’re not even in France!).

Looking naturally thoughtful, as always.

So happy to be sitting on a fountain.

De repente (‘suddenly’--you will learn Spanish. Ha!), I saw a most glorious vision: a friendly feline strutting my way.  “Hi, Mr. Kitty. Can I come close to you and share with you my affection for your cuddly cuteness?” The cat looked suspicious, but I was not not afraid.  I approached it.

Feral cat.

At first I was shy with the cats. Not sure how they would react to human interaction.

Does he look happy?

But we slowly warmed up to one another.

It looks like I wet my pants...

Considering the ramifications of my actions...

I never should have doubted my charm.

 Such a nice cat. Maybe you would like to sit on my head?

Mr. Kitty on my head.

Charming advised me to focus on the sites. So I sat down for a photo-op in front of what appears to be children suckling a cow. So symbolic, Argentina!

Taking a break from cats. And from smiling normally.

Despite Mr. Charming’s warnings, I continued to harass and manhandle share my love with every cat I came upon.

The key is to approach them as silently as a ninja.

This feral feline is easily tamed by my antics and seeks my attention.

Cat Whisperer? I think so.

I coddled the seemingly benign cat when it struck me with its super sharp claws. Right in the arm! (Picture my reaction looking and sounding something like this).

Moments before the "incident"!

I didn't take a picture of the wound, but this is how I remember it:

Entirely accurate depiction of my wound

I learned a second and third valuable lesson that day(the first being never trust taxi drivers): (1) I should have doubted my charm and (2) I should have brought hand sanitizer.

After washing the wound with some drinking water, we went to see the outside of a planetarium. I’m kidding. We went to see the inside but it just so happened to be closed during daylight hours. I guess it’s because the stars only exist at night. I always forget that.

The planetarium/spaceship/useless during the day place.

But as luck would have it, we came across more cats!  This time they were sequestered behind a solid iron fence.

El Bigote (The Mustache)

It had a gross eye. I threw up a little when he looked at me.

This is the boss cat. (left)












Then I found a miniature cat and tried picking it up. It didn’t work. (right)

Then we went and looked at geese. I didn't touch them because they are dirty and I had already contracted Cat Scratch Fever.

Disease ridden animals (me included)

Overall, I think we had a pretty good time today.  I don't think I’ll make a career out of my cat-whisperer abilities quite yet. I need more time to hone my ninja skills, study what feral vs. domestic means, and develop CSD antibodies.