In the City

So I got this post and the last one backwards...oh well. This is the view from my hostel room: I quite literally set down my bags, and then headed out in BUENOS AIRES!!!!!

Of course, I got pretty hungry pretty fast, and this parrilla caught my eye. (thought of you, mom, with it being orange and all)

Wanna see what I had? Enjoy! I just wish you could smell how fantastic it was!

My appetizer:

I wasn't quite sure what I was ordering, but I am pretty sure it did not involve eggs. Especially over my fries, but that seems to be "the way we do it," so I rolled with it! (after I took the pepper off my steak. Yucky peppers, yummy steak!)

I went through the "rough part of town" or so I thought. Graffetti seems to be everywhere, and oftentimes funny.

In stark contrast, the flower shops were everywhere, making for pleasant whiffs as I rounded corners.

The city is so fun!!!!

Back in the city

While in Buenos Aires, my first day of exploring led me to this park. There was a fantastic rose garden which I took my time to (guess what!) stop and smell the roses...





There was a paved road all the way around the road, and I could just imagine how fun it would be to rent skates and roll around.
I sat and relaxed, taking in the lingering warmth, perfume of the roses, and relaxed atmosphere.


After watching couples and young children feed the ducks, we went ambling along and found these fun views:

Truth be told, my feet were killing me, and I really needed to pee. When I came around the corner and saw a gelateria, with a bathroom, well, it didn't take any convincing to stop and enjoy a sweet treat.
Ready for the rest of the walk back home!
And when I got back to the hostel, the satisfied kitty-boss was there to check me back in and wish me good night.

Breakfast 5/21/11

After a refreshing night sleep, I lazily strolled across the path to go have breakfast, which was included in the price of the hotel stay.
I had the place to myself! Granted tea, a few slices of bread and my new favorite medialunas wasn't much, but it sure hit the spot!

Mmmmmm.....

I did learn that "manteca" is kind of like butter, but more like margerine.
Funny little butter, eh? Ok, off to the big city....

Ladybugs seem to mark magical places. This is one such example. After a long drive, unsure if I would be able to find anything remotely spend-the-night-able, I finally found this:
(My room was on the 2nd floor, far left) It was very suprisingly cheap at $20 a night, when I was expecting it to be upper of at least $60!!!

It had a magical view of the lake, which I had driven around the first time, and seen this place, dismissing it as I thought it would be outlandish in terms of cost. It ended up being just about the only place open to boot!
Ladybugs! How sweet!
My view of the grounds...it reminded me of a past Mexico trip. I did not go in the water, as it was very cold, but it looked like it should be warm!
I wandered the modest grounds, tickled pink to have scored such a great place right on the lake!
Of course, I was amused with the key to the room. But the view, Oh! the view!!!
Sweaty old me kicked up my feet and soaked in the last bits of warm sunshine before heading off for my much desired bath.
I think the bathroom was bigger than my living room, and all marble!
After a hot bath, I went out to capture the last bits of light. Overhead I heard the calls of notCanadian geese flying NORTH for the winter!!! Such a backwards concept, being from the northern hemisphere...


As for the playground across the street, well, I am sure somehow it would violate children safety codes in the states, but the horsies sure were cute! (yes, of course I climbed up on the bigger one)
Around the lake, the scenery seemed perfectly posed and the air was so soft I nearly held mine for the magic.


After the dramatic sunset finale, I dragged myself to bed....

...ready for the next days adventure!!! (did I mention how much I love a down comforter? Bliss!!!)

Las Flores, May 19th, 2011

After I left the Estancia, I spent a day driving around, and this is one of the towns I fell in love with: Las Flores!
The chocolate was so good, as were the other sweets.
I wanted to buy one of each of the flowers as they were lovely and tasted perfect.
It was autumn there, and I passed a few hours in the town center of Las Flores, enjoying the cooling air and the beginnings of the color changes.
The streets were nearly empty, and I felt as though I had the entire place to myself.
This window was so colorful that a smile was instantly on my face as soon as I saw it.
More medialunas, and more caffeine!
Driving out of Las Flores, I found this particular estancia sign to be amusing.
There were also random buildings and monuments along the roadside. I am assuming they are religious prayer-stops, but I really have no idea.
The journey continues.....