Changes in Latitude!

It only seemed fitting that this vacation should be bracketed by snow storms! Argentina feels like a distant memory now, shades of last summer. I feel so fortunate to have gone on such a wonderful trip and would recommend it as a destination to anyone. Great sightseeing, shopping, a cosmopolitan city, and so many great restaurants featuring delicious foods at low prices! Argentina is also know for its cattle industry, which means delicious beef and leather goods.

All unpacked and settled in. Time to strap on the skis and embrace winter. Brrr, when did it get so cold?

Thanks for joining my adventure. It was so fun to share events and hear back from you, either via comments or emails. Wishing everyone a joyous and adventure-filled new year surrounded by the ones you love!

Love,
Kath xo

San Telmo and High Tea

My last day in Buenos Aires was a Sunday steamer - hot and humid. It was also a day of contrasts! We started in San Telmo and wandered through crowds enjoying street perfromers, tango dancers, vendors and antique stalls.

We ended the day with the ultimate experience in luxury - High Tea at Hotel Alvear. It was an exquisite ending to a phenomenal trip! A few hours later I leave for the airport and three flights home.

San Telmo and High Tea Album

Morning Rain Canceled Kayak Tour

Morning rain canceled our trip north for our kayak and bike tour, but that didn't slow us down. We headed to Florida Street and plenty of shopping, then on to lunch at Cafe Tortoni, Bueanos Aires' version of Harry's Bar in Venice. Cafe Tortoni was the gathering spot for writers and artists at the turn of the last century, today it is a must see tourist spot.




We left the cafe to find the sun shining bright and hot! On to the Reserva Ecologica, an everglades conservation area filled with exotic birds, plants and trails. We rented bikes and surprise - managed to cover every trail in the reserve! Trail Map (green trail) It was beautiful and make me think of the ocean, the Cape Cod bike trail, the Jones River and marsh lands of the cape all at the same time. Man was it hot! Water never tasted so good!

Dinner With Matt Damon

Tonight we went to Lola's Restaurant for a delicious, romantic dinner, under the swaying leaves and twinkling lights in the garden. Once seated, Karen discovered Matt Damon and his family were directly behind me. My considerate daughter wouldn't let me turn around - dare snap a photo! Just my luck to pick that seat!!! Once Matt, his wife and the kids left, she allowed Adam to snap a shot of his parents, who are directly over my shoulder. So fun to hear Bostonian accents being bantered around after listening to Spanish for several days. BTW dinner was superb!

Tomorrow on to a bike and kayak tour then tango dancing at the Four Seasons. Ole!

Trendy Palermo

Trail Map

Like any cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires has very distinct neighborhoods, or barrios, and they're not as simple as "China Town" or "North End." El Microcentro is the downtown/economic hub of the city. Retiro is adjacent to Microcentro and filled with focused professionals who want easy access to work. Puerto Madero is the super ritzy section along the water and is monopolized by new money from Brazil and Europeans.

San Telmo has loads of character with its colonial style buildings and cobbled stoned streets. It's a little run down and will likely be gorgeous in about 5 years, but its full size houses make it really attractive to middle class families.

Then there's Recoleta, where older, wealthy people live - very traditional. Palermo is next and in a nutshell it's "trendy." It's full of boutiques, international cafes and sushi restaurants, modern design stores, and beautiful people. The buildings are renovated, many still in the midst of renovations. It's not unique for someone to live in an old grain factory that now looks like a designer show room.

Palermo was our focus today. The neighborhood itself is divided into several sections - including Palermo, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho, Palermo Nuevo, and Palermo Hollywood. We actually started our day in "Barrio Chino" (China Town), where Karen had a business meeting. We then had lunch in Plamero Soho, close to Plaza Serrano and wandered around window shopping.

Christmas Day

We had one of our favorite summer dishes for Christmas dinner, tomato herb cheese bread. Beefsteak tomatoes are in season - truly a taste of heaven.

Karen and I went on a glorious evening walk but unfortunately forgot the camera! So many beautiful things, unrecorded. When Karen says, "Mom, it will only take about an hour." I should know better, 2 hours later... though we did have a minor distraction at the design center in Recoleta. See a Trail Map (red trail). We started near the Recoleta cemetery and then passed El Museo de Bellas Artes (like the mfa). From there explored Palermo Chico, where a lot of movie stars live and where many embassies are located. We admired gorgeous mansions with never ending, intriguing gardens and gateways. After passing the Malba (modern art museum), we continued on to El Parque de Palermo, which was packed with families with strollers and dogs, kids playing soccer, rollberbladers, rowers or rather paddle boaters, and runners. Oh and the rose garden - just gorgeous! Then we went up to Plaza Italia (half way point) and walked back along Libertador, where we passed the zoo and the botanical garden.

We finished off the day will a stroll (couldn't really walk anymore) to the ice cream store. Ice cream is a big deal here. At 10 pm the stores are packed with people. Perfect ending!

Christmas Eve

Turns out Christmas Eve is more like New Year's Eve in Argentina! Who knew? We headed out at 10:30 pm for a gourmet dinner only to discover the place went crazy when the clock stuck twelve! Take a look at all the fun! Feliz Navidad!

Christmas Eve