Foooootooooooos

These are old at this point, but still great!

On Tuesday, April 14th, Mom and I headed to Colonia, Uruguay via the Buquebus boat.  As we were heading out of the port, the GreenPeace ship was coming in.  

One of the many dogs that befriended us in South America.  This friendly guy, on a beach in Uruguay almost went home in Mom's suitcase. 

Colonia is GORGEOUS.

Mom found the perfect car for her!!  It's about half the size of a Mini.

Looking out from the lighthouse, toward BsAs...Mom's even in the photo (tiiiiiiiny white spec over my right shoulder).

Before we left on Wednesday evening, we decided to spend an hour or two having coffee and reading.  It was idyllic.

Until this bird joined us...

And did this to Mom's book...

On the way back to Argentina.  We had a fantastic time, thanks Uruguay.

Thursday, the 16th, Mom and I took a city tour of BsAs in the morning.  Nothing is more typically BsAs than dog walkers!

And La Casa Rosada (Pink House).  Here's where La Presidenta works.

Then Thursday afternoon we went to the zooooooooo.  This bear was CLEARLY all about entertaining the tourists.  He was chillin'.

Chillaxin' seemed to be the theme for the day.  Her Lioness is enjoying the sun.

Tio warned me about getting to close to the monkey cage..."Cuidado Sari a las jaulas de los monos.  Cuidado!"

It was perfect weather for a stroll around the zoo.  Unfortunately, the animals don't seem to be well cared for.  There is nearly never enough water for them and their enclosures are tiny.  With the exception of the rodents that wander around the whole zoo, of course.

Friday morning we wandered through the newly renovated Rose Garden.

Then lunch was noquis at Abuela's casa.  MMMMMMMM!!

Then tea at the Salemme's (Sil's in-law's) gorgeous apartment in BsAs.

Friday night, Hubster and I took the Moms out to a tango show and dinner at Cafe Tortoni, the oldest cafe in BsAs.  Apparently it's famous as the place where all the politicos and academics would go to have coffee and talk about brilliant things.

Us, at the tango show.

Saturday, April 18th, before lunch we drove past the Obelisque in the center of the city.  Hubster is quite the artisto.

Y, finalmente, El Puente de las Mujeres in Puerto Madero (the bridge of the women), right near where Momma had her last Argentina lunch.  Steak, of course.

That's all folks!  At least for now.  I'm sorry I'm not adding better stories, but I wanted to be sure to get pics up.  There are more on the way and stories too!  But mainly I'll be working on enjoying my last 12 days in Argentina and plotting ways to get "stuck" here.  ;)  Just kidding Mom.  Ciao!

Just a Glimpse...

...of our adventures today and what we'll be heading back to do tomorrow:

Iguazu, Argentina

Don't Forget Where You Are

...we're in Argentina.  For the good and the bad.

Sunday, March 12 - Feliz Pascuas!

Good: Easter morning after church and on our way to "brunch" where we had (gasp!) fruit!

Good: The park Sunday afternoon (still Easter).  Sharing some mate and loving the weather.

Good: Some sort of heron.  Beautiful!  

Good: Animals are friends.

Good: So are we!  Here we're paddle boating on the "lake" at the park.

Bad: The Cordoba bus station, my arch-nemesis.  I have never seen more people in one place.  Add to that the fact that Mom and I were tired and sweaty.  It was way less than fun.  No pictures of my arch-nemesis but I'll take a picture when Hubster and I head back.

Monday, April 13

Good: The cemetery in Recoleta, close to Tios' house.  Evita is buried here.  

And so is Alfonsin, the ex-president who died the first week we were in Argentina.

Loud Noises!!

From Wed 4/22/09

This morning as I walked to the laundry to drop off clothes, I heard a few random explosions.  It did not concern me as no one else on the street seemed to even hear it.  Maybe I should have been more concerned.

Now, about 20 minutes later, I’m sitting outside at a café and it seems there are a few groups protesting.  One of the staff at the hotelapart said it had something to do with the government, like always.  Every few minutes, another shot rings out.  My teeth rattle in my head and my eyes feel like they might pop out.  I’m sure it does not help that I’m still recovering from what I will always fondly refer to as “The Dengue.” 

 

ASIDE:  Please note, I DO NOT have dengue fever.  Though there is a dengue epidemic here in Argentina - it’s one of the many things Tia was worried about - I've just had a little upper respiratory junk for the last day or two.

Anyway...

I never thought of Washington DC as a quiet city, but after being in Argentina for awhile, I think I will relish in the quiet of our nation’s capital.  I told Diego yesterday that I’m not sure that I could live in Argentina for an extended period of time because of SAT (standard Argentine time) and the lack of respect for personal space.  I may add to that the noise.  So, if we were to live in a smaller town – Cordoba is the second largest city, behind BsAs – I think I could deal a lot better.  I could handle one out of the three, maybe even two, but I’d have to live in a padded room if I had to deal with all of this all the time. 

 

I don't want it to sounds like I’m unhappy here.  I really do love this country.  I love the culture, the food, the people.  I love all that the cities have to offer and all the peace and tranquility of the countryside.  I love how laid-back everyone is.  I love that the dollar is so strong in comparison to the peso.  I love that smoking is no longer permitted in public buildings, like restaurants.  I love the architecture. Did I mention that I love the food?  And the coffee!

Here comes another group.  Aumento de Salarios, Partido Obrero.  They have drums and flags and a loudhorn.  They even have police with them.  Oh please, please do not have bomb/gun/smoke/noise machines.  Whew.  No.  And I thought I’d have a peaceful café con leche this morning.  Ha!