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 |    My random thoughts and reactions to my everyday life. The voices like a forum. |
| I do not know quite what happened or when , but my hubby and I now qualify for seniors' discounts at some venues. This creates a quandary; in order to save money, but not face, we have to admit to our age. HMMMM..... We definitely do not consider ourselves to be old. In this day and age ,when people as a whole are living longer and healthier lives why are 'young seniors', those in their fifties, like moi, considered 'old'?? It's so true that age is just a perception! "Maturity" is very objective/subjective, and I object! Whew, a few years have skittered by since I composed this biography block. Those "fifties" are in the rear view mirror and they are distant, fond memories. Oh, I do not plan to stop writing any time soon. |
| August 12th https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g312741-d11446059-Small_Grou... Dust off your cowboy boots for a day on an authentic estancia (ranch) and see Argentina’s legendary gauchos (cowboys) demonstrate their unique horsemanship and wrangling skills. This small-group full-day tour takes you to San Antonio de Areco, where you can saddle up for a horseback ride or carriage ride, enjoy a traditional folklore show and tuck into a typical Argentinian barbeque (included). ust off your cowboy boots for a day on an authentic estancia (ranch) and see Argentina’s legendary gauchos (cowboys) demonstrate their unique horsemanship and wrangling skills. This small-group full-day tour takes you to San Antonio de Areco, where you can saddle up for a horseback ride or carriage ride, enjoy a traditional folklore show and tuck into a typical Argentinian barbeque (included). Your tour begins with hotel pickup from your centrally located hotel in Buenos Aires. Board the vehicle and drive to San Antonio de Areco. On the way there, you can enjoy the views of the pampas and receive some explanation from your guide. Hit the showers because we’re off to see a Tango Show. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g312741-d11452421-La_Ventana... Hope you’ve got an appetite. Enjoy a memorable night out in Buenos Aires and experience the passion of the Argentine tango at an evening La Ventana tango show. With live tango and folk bands, a gaucho demonstration and a moving tribute to Eva Perón, this is one of the city’s most unique tango performances. For the full experience, kick off the night with a delicious 3-course dinner. Overview Enjoy a memorable night out in Buenos Aires and experience the passion of the Argentine tango at an evening La Ventana tango show. With live tango and folk bands, a gaucho demonstration and a moving tribute to Eva Perón, this is one of the city’s most unique tango performances. For the full experience, kick off the night with a delicious 3-course dinner. What to Expect After hotel pickup, head to the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, the birthplace of tango and the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires. Arrive at a conventillo, a historic tenement restored and now used as a restaurant-theater, where La Ventana takes place. As you stroll through the theater’s preserved architectural interior, travel back in time to the tango grandeur of the early 1900s. If you’ve opted for dinner, arrive 90 minutes before showtime and dig into a three-course meal featuring a wide array of Argentine and international dishes, accompanied by Argentine wines. See below for a sample menu. Or, if you chose the show-only option, slip into your seat in time for the performance, and enjoy provided wine or soft drinks. Two tango orchestras and an Argentine folk music group provide live accompaniment to the five smartly costumed couples on stage, who grace the stage with sensuality and breathtaking precision. Listen to both Spanish and indigenous styles of music from the bands as well as vocalists. Get a glimpse of the gaucho culture, or Argentina’s version of cowboys, through a demonstration of boleadoras, used to wrangle livestock. After the show closes with a moving tribute to Eva Perón, our driver takes us back to our hotel. Day 12....Lovin' Argentina More wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.... Today, we travelled to an authentic "estancia", or ranch in San Antonio de Areco. Our trip showcased breath taking scenery. We were treated to a show by "gauchos", or cowboys. It was like participating in a western movie, or a wild west show. The men proudly displayed their skills with the horses. They made everything appear to be so easy, and effortless. I was offered another caballo to ride, but I declined. My posterior is protesting in what I presume to be an attack of "saddle soreness". Walking is slow and careful today. I opted for a carriage ride instead. I almost wished I was attired in a hoop skirt, and brandishing a parasol. The evening's entertainment was spectacular. We visited a barrio to view La Ventana Tango Show. The Argentine Tango is so seductive, sexy, passionate, and dramatic. The only thing missing was a long-stemmed red rose clenched between my teeth. This dance left me gasping, and fanning my burning skin. I envy these dancers their fluid movements. My cheeks were blushing, and I certainly felt the heat, but then again, I did drink freely of the proffered wine... Buenos Aires is intoxicating! |
| Aug 11th breakfast at the hotel .. Paraqvaria has the mission of conquering its customers through the senses, combining the best blend of aromas, flavors, colors and music. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. a.m. 7 days a week and has a staff of chefs, waitstaff, baristas and harpers who ensure that that sitting at the table becomes a feast for your senses . We’re taking a mid-day flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312741-d877688-Reviews-Urban_Suites_Re... Breakfast is included and I’m told the coffee is amazing but not today. Change into casual clothes because we’re going horse back riding https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g312741-d11455406-Polo_Lesso... Experience the thrill and speed of an Argentine polo game as you learn to play polo with professionals on a private half-day tour from Buenos Aires. Learn the rules of the game, then saddle up for two 45-minute lessons and master the basics of horse riding and hitting the ball. Best of all, there’s no experience necessary, so the whole family can take part. You will depart from a central meeting point in Buenos Aires, then to the countryside where professional, bilingual instructors will welcome you to start the lesson. Depending on the group, there will be a theoretical explanation about riding techniques and then it’s off to ride the horses. Once everyone has been secured and is ready, instructors will show how to hit the ball as well as many other necessary skills. They will also talk about the rules of the sport and finally, once everyone is ready, we will play a polo game. The normal plan is to play on horseback up to two sessions lasting about 45 minutes each. Here, you will truly experience what it is to be a polo player and how fun the sport is. Instructors will be with you at all times, helping you and offering insight on the culture of polo in Argentina. After a fun game of polo, you can relax and enjoy time in the Argentinian countryside, before heading back to Buenos Aires. Showers and we’ll meet up in the lobby. I don’t know about you I’m ready for a good old fashion burger joint. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312741-d4170372-Reviews-The_Burge... Very good price , good atmosphere , and most importantly flavorful burgers . We decided to get the combo which included a draft beer , burger and fries . Two combos came to 400 pesos which is $23 US . Very fair price for a good meal for two in Palermo SOHO district . And we’re off to a bit of nightlife https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312741-d1427242-Reviews-JA_Lo_de_... The best way to describe our night with JA! is that by the end of our tasting, the language gap between our party and the staff.Thank you to all the kind people of JA! who made this night incredible (including all of those outside of our tasting who simply wanted to make us feel like we were at home). I will be back and bringing new first-timers soon! Woohoo! Day 11 of our South American Adventure....It has been espoused that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this morning's breakie was quite the repast. The brochure claimed that it would be a feast for the senses, and it lived up to this hyperbole. I'm not normally a fruit eater, yet I could not resist the amazing, fresh offerings. They tasted, smelled, and looked so appealing. I confess, I stuffed myself. Thank goodness, I could just lounge on the flight to Buenos Aires, relax, and digest my over-indulgence. I'd been forewarned about this afternoon's strenuous activities. Hey, no visits to gorgeous beaches today. Here in Argentina, the game of polo is akin to the Canadian obsession with hockey. So, while in the neighbourhood.... Yes, we were shepherded to a polo ranch. I was a gringo, and a green horn rolled into one. I was in open-mouthed awe at my first sight of the horses. They are magnificent, and large. I was not the picture of agility, or grace as I struggled to mount my steed. He was so patient, and accepting of my clumsiness. I don't believe I could've managed a snobby, condescending horse who snickered at me. I don't know about sitting tall in the saddle, but I sat, and squirmed. I definitely did not have a "great seat". The instructor was probably a typical Spanish flatterer. I must admit that it was exhilarating to remain in my saddle. I now know to say "mi caballo", or my horse. I briefly considered adopting him, but my luggage is not that roomy. I even managed to hang on, okay, clutch/grasp desperately, as we galloped, or "gallopando". I attempted to play polo. I was hesitant to strike at the ball. I feared whacking my mount, or the other horses. There was lots of laughter, and dare I say, high spirits. Huh, supper was burgers at The Burger Joint. This seemed to be an American restaurant name .They were tasty, and they satisfied my hunger. I liked the graffiti on the walls. What to do after a day spent running around outdoors? Why visit Ja!, and sip on wines. The vintages were spectacular as was the company. It was the perfect way to enjoy the moment, and cap off a fantastic day. The camaraderie lifted my spirits, and encouraged a mellowness. Some may call it drunkenness.... |
| Day 10 PARAGUAY Another day in paradise.... This time, we are lucky enough to visit this landlocked South American country known as Corazon de Sudamerica, or Heart of South America. It's yet another area colonized by the Spanish. The sun shines with intensity here. I'm still not accustomed, or acclimated to the constant heavy humidity. Unfortunately, mosquitoes I do know, and they are relentless and insatiable like those at home. The local birds are so colourful and exotic. A flash of yellow is identified as a kiskadee, a large, aggressive blue jay type bird. A robinesque bird without the red breast is called the hornero. This is because its nest resembles the Paraguayan oven, or "horno". During our tour of the capital city, Asuncion, I notice street vendors offering a unique lace based upon a spider's web. The locals refer to it as "Nanduti". I couldn't resist, and I purchased some. I also saw people sharing a drink through a communal straw. Our guide explained that this drink is "terere", a mixture of yerba and cold water. To share this is considered a social activity. It must save on the washing of dishes. Supper consisted of barbecued meats cooked over a "parilla", or open fire. The smells were tantalizing. My tastebuds were watering in anticipation. This was a long, but fascinating day. |
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Happy June! May was so fun!
