why we work -- journal

Friday, October 24, 2008

I'm still in the process of going through the 1200+ images from Argentina (and I'm under a bit of a deadline with the other long-awaited vacation rapidly approaching) but I thought I would post this one in the mean time.

If you were following the blog entries, we took a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay. After exploring for a bit on foot, and once the champagne from the ferry wore off, we decided to rent a vehicle. Most places rented scooters, but Andy and I on a scooter conjured up images or Lloyd and Harry going to Aspen in Dumb and Dumber, so we continued to search for more suitable transportation.

We saw a shop advertising golf carts, but when we inquired within all that was left was "go karts" (which looked a lot like dune buggies, but the proprietor was quite clear that they were not to be driven off-road). Note the scale :)

We were quite a sight zooming through town in the gokart, especially because the engine noise vaguely resembled a large lawn mower. Unfortunately I didn't know how to say "they were out of golf carts" in Spanish so I just tried to shoosh people out of the way as we wooshed on by.

On the way back from the beack I snapped this self-portrait in the side view mirror. I'm not sure if the picture is worth a thousand word, but at least several: Uruguay seaside street, dune buggy, windblown, boot-clad denim skirt local lady, red-ponchoed man on a horse :)

Monday, October 20, 2008

Sunday Sunset

Friday, October 17, 2008

In case you're headed to Buenos Aires, Uru Recoleta is where we quenched our thirst for made-to-order leather jackets.

It was a bit overwhelming when we walked in, but the helpful saleswomen (hint: they all wear the same color shirt) guided us through making our selection. The combinations are nearly infinite (I say nearly because they did NOT have animal print fabric for lining). After trying on WAY TOO MANY, I ordered a knee-length somewhat fitted black leather coat with slash pockets and a light pink lining (the style was a combination of about 4 coats that I tried on and the specific leather was from a mens coat). It was ready the next day and fits perfectly.

Uru is located near the famous Recoleta cemetary.

And if you find yourself overwhelmed, a few doors down is Romario where we had a yummy lunch of empenadas.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Sunrise this morning, only colorful for the brief moment when the sun rose above the horizon before it went into the clouds.

It's also a near-full moon, so this evening we perched on the terrace waiting for the moon to align with the Hancock.

Unfortunately some light clouds moved in JUST as the moon moved into place so all I got was this kind of interesting black and white image. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Sunrise is getting later and later. Still in the 70's though so can't complain.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Another picture from Iguazu while killing time at the Miami airport...

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Greetings from Iguazu, Argentina.

We spent yesterday touring the falls, which is done via a series of elevated steel walkways. Some of the paths go along the top of the falls, some traverse the bottom, and some cross out over the river to put you right up close with Garganta del Diablo.

We loitered by the pool most of the afternoon, which explains our redness. Around dusk we went for a walk, one of the main benefits of staying at the only hotel that is inside the park.

And just like in Costa Rica, just as the sun sank below the horizon, dozens and dozens of coatis descended from the trees.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Two more pictures before the internet gets revoked here :) Both are HDR images from the Recoleta cemetary.

We've just finished packing and are off for some touristry before checking out later this afternoon.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

This morning we caught the 11:30am ferry for Colonia, Uruguay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an hour across the Rio de la Plata by fast ferry. We lucked out and the weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We wandered the historic district which is lined with colonial era buildings and antique cars, climbed the lighthouse, and rented a vehicle to explore beyond where our legs would take us. Unfortunately, the place we selected was out of golf carts, so we wound up with essentially a dune buggy (however they were quite clear that it was not to be driven offroad). Yes, we were quite a sight.

Tomorrow we're going to visit the infamous San Telmo market in the morning before levaing Buenos Aires in the late afternoon headed for Iguazu Falls.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Buenos noches. It's 11pm and we're just back from dinner. We read about a restaurant that is somewhat nearby the hotel, and the concierge looked mortified when he called and was only able to get us a reservation at 8:30pm. We were not the early birds though, and the meal was outstanding. It began with this complimentary assortment of goodies and ended with limoncello and grappa, and inbetween there was an obscene amount of Argentinian beef. Seriously, every piece of meat we have seen is about five times a recommended serving.

(and in case you thought I was joking about the "house specialties" last night, here's a camera phone shot of the menu)

Today we visited La Boca, Buenos Aires' "oldest, most colorful, and most authentic neighborhood." It was indeed colorful, and there were lots of tango dancers (sadly none were dancing instead were paid to pose for pictures with tourists).

After wandering for a bit, we headed back to the Recolets where we had a tasty lunch of empenedas.

While eating we spotted several dog walkers, quite a sight with at least ten hounds walking down the street.

Then we picked up our new leather coats (which turned out awesome!), and walked around the Presidential Palace (the giant pink building) which is within walkin distance from the hotel.

If the weather is nice tomorrow, we're headed to Uruguay...

Greetings from Buenos Aires! Arrived yesterday at 6am and luckily scored an early checkin so we were able to rest a bit before heading out for some touristing. Yesterday's agenda included some shopping (ordered some custom leather coats which we will pick up today) and a visit to the Recoleta Cemetary, which features elaborate mausoleums of some of the most influential and important Argentinians.

Here's Eva Peron's

And here I am being goofy and inappropriate.

We just returned from the (rapido) mandatory business breakfast and are now headed out for some more touristry.