In June Chris and Melissa traveled for a week while Everett stayed with Gabby and Grandaddy. \u00c2\u00a0This is by far the longest we have ever been away from him. \u00c2\u00a0Before this trip both of us had been away for a night once or twice, and Chris has been on business trips for a few days here and there, but for this trip both of us were gone for about eight days, and Chris won’t see Everett for about two weeks because of back to back conferences.\u00c2\u00a0 At the beginning of this trip, Melissa drove to Cincinnati to drop E off, then flew to Atlanta and then to Buenos Aires. \u00c2\u00a0Chris flew from Milwaukee to Atlanta so that he and Melissa could be on the same flight to Argentina. \u00c2\u00a0Chris’ flight into Atlanta was an hour late and he had only a 50 minute layover, but fortunately the connecting flight was two or three hours late so it worked out fine. \u00c2\u00a0On the plane we overheard a conversation between an Argentine man and an American woman, during which he was saying emphatically that it is “Cold, cold, cold!” in Buenos Aires right now. \u00c2\u00a0Needless to say, this was not our experience. \u00c2\u00a0The temperature was in the mid 60’s during the day and just a bit cooler at night.\u00c2\u00a0 The locals were wearing winter parkas, hats, gloves and scarves; even the dogs were dressed in sweaters. \u00c2\u00a0We have read that regardless of temperature Argentinians rarely wear shorts, except when exercising, and don’t show their feet, except perhaps when wearing tango shoes. \u00c2\u00a0During our stay Melissa and I each tried dressing comfortably but never did so again in public because the locals looked gravely concerned by our lack of winter gear. \u00c2\u00a0Fortunately, we eventually figured out how to turn the heat off in our apartment, but even this was not as straightforward as it sounds (we turned off each radiator, only to discover that the radiators must be on or no hot water will be available for the shower). \u00c2\u00a0Otherwise our apartment in Recoletta was fantastic. \u00c2\u00a0From the history of Argentina we get the impression that tourism is relatively new here, perhaps in the last ten years or so. \u00c2\u00a0The city is gritty and edgy. \u00c2\u00a0The neighborhood where we are staying is not touristy at all, and is apparently one of the nicer areas in Buenos. \u00c2\u00a0One good sign: the nearby restaurants did not have English menus, nor did the wait staff speak it, which enhanced our culinary adventures as we tried to identify the meats on our plates. \u00c2\u00a0With regard to restaurants:\u00c2\u00a0we heard a lot about how great the steak is when we came, and after trying several types at several restaurants we can report that it really is that good.<\/p>\n
Portenos are late night people. \u00c2\u00a0We used to be as well before having Everett, but these days we are accustomed to going to bed a bit earlier and rising when E awakens. \u00c2\u00a0So it took us a couple days to adjust to the dining schedule: few restaurants open before 8pm, and most locals don’t arrive for dinner until 9 or 10pm. \u00c2\u00a0We also heard that most clubs don’t open until midnight, most people arrive after 2am, and getting home before 4am is embarrassingly early. \u00c2\u00a0We would love to hear a description of their typical work hours.<\/p>\n
Chris was in Buenos Aires for a conference. \u00c2\u00a0On most days Melissa explored the city alone and we met up in the evenings. \u00c2\u00a0The ache that we felt from not seeing Everett everyday subsided a bit after a while, though we still talked about him constantly. A few highlights of the trip: seeing Argentina win two world cup games, and getting a chance to join the crowd at a giant screen in a downtown park; dinner and tango show; seeing La Recoleta<\/a>.<\/p>\n One thing I have never understood while traveling in Europe is the scarcity of drinking water and bathrooms. \u00c2\u00a0Argentina seems to have the same problem. \u00c2\u00a0These two things probably go together, but it does make you wonder if the inhabitants are chronically dehydrated. \u00c2\u00a0Maybe their metabolism has adjusted, or maybe we just don’t understand the system for how to find water and where to get rid of it: drinking fountains are almost unheard of; only bottled water seems to be available at restaurants (no tap water) and it costs about the same as the wine, most of which is quite good, so maybe you learn to live without it? \u00c2\u00a0Lastly, a note to self for future travel to Buenos Aires: the checkin process at Ezeiza airport is extraordinary, unlike anything I have ever seen. \u00c2\u00a0It took us two hours to get from the airport entrance to our gate, and we were one of the first to arrive for checkin. \u00c2\u00a0This length of time was partly because the Delta gate agents took a loooong break between each passenger for a heartwarming chat with their coworkers, and partly because of the number of steps necessary to get to the gate. \u00c2\u00a0But you really have to arrive three hours early here.<\/p>\n Buenos Aires was a place that I liked but did not love as I have with other international destinations. \u00c2\u00a0Maybe the city just isn’t its normal self in the middle of winter, or maybe I need to get used to South America.\u00c2\u00a0 However, it was quite an experience for us to be away from E for that long and everyone involved seemed to enjoy it, which we are thankful for in many ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In June Chris and Melissa traveled for a week while Everett stayed with Gabby and Grandaddy. \u00c2\u00a0This is by far the longest we have ever been away from him. \u00c2\u00a0Before this trip both of us had been away for a … Continue reading