Ride In A Horse Drawn Carriage

I know horse drawn carriage rides are supposed to be "romantic" but I did meet someone on my carriage ride.   This is the story of the man that got away. 

When I visited an estancia in Argentina they gave their guests 2 options, either go horseback riding, or ride in a horse drawn carriage.  I chose riding in a horse drawn carriage cause 1) I had never done it before, 2) I knew it was on my life list...and how awesome to knock something off your list unexpectedly, and 3) because it was too soon for me to hop back onto a horse after my experience horseback riding in Peru.

I climbed a rinky dink old ladder and took a seat in the front.  It was a pleasant ride around the estancia, but the carriage was simply moments from collapsing and breaking into a million pieces. 

Next to me in the carriage was a nice man from Texas who was traveling through Argentina.  His name was Erik. We talked the entire ride, and when we got off we decided to hang out for the rest of our time on the estancia.  We had lunch (and met an awesome South African couple during the process), went to the rodeo, and got drunk on Mendoza wine together.  

On the ride back to Buenos Aires we sat together along with the South African couple.  I was planning on meeting with friends on Florida Street, so I knew exactly where I needed to get off the bus, Erik on the otherhand had no idea where he wanted to stop as he had no additional plans for the rest of the day.

When we reached my stop, I said goodbye to Erik and the South African couple, as I was exiting I heard Erik behind me, "I think I'll check out the street too if you don't mind."  So we hung out for a few more hours, and talked, laughed and walked along the street while doing so.  He was awesome.

We found out that our planes left only an hour from each other so we planned to meet at the airport while we waited for our flights.  His flight was an hour after mine.  I told him my flight was a United flight headed to Houston.

I found a phone and was able to finally reach my friends that were staying on Florida Street.  They were about to head off to dinner so I needed to make a mad dash to their hotel.  I told Erik goodbye, but that I would see him at the airport.

Once I got to the airport, I immediately searched for his flight.  He had gotten the info wrong and he was actually leaving an hour and a half earlier than he thought!   Then my flight didn't say it was going to Houston, but it said it was going to Newark!  Oh no!  Why didn't I get his contact info!?

His gate was right next to mine, but he was nowhere in sight, totally discouraged I approached my gate to board.  I was one of the last ones to board, and his flight had almost finished boarding.

I handed my ticket,  took a few steps, turned around, and saw him RUNNING to his gate!   We made eye contact and he smiled.  I waved at him, and then was barked by security to keep walking.  I sadly had to turn around and walk towards my plane to board.  From my window I could see his plane, and I muttered to myself, "So close, yet so far!"

Perhaps one day my horse drawn carriage ride will have a happily ever after.

Date Accomplished:  October 26th, 2009

Drink Mendoza Wine In Argentina

I love wine, and in Argentina the best wine comes from a province called Mendoza.  Mendoza produces 2/3 of the country's wine.  Even though I didn't make it to Mendoza, I still made it a point to drink it while in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The first night I drank it was during a Tango Show.  It was complimentary with my dinner, and perfectly chilled and crisp.

A few days later I visited an estancia that provided free bottles of red and white Mendoza wine from Lavaque winery.  I was in love, and it went down smooth like water.   Did I mention it was unlimited?  I hope to make it to Mendoza one of these days to make some serious damage at the wineries!

Date Accomplished:  October 24th, 2009

See The Gravesite Of Eva Peron (Evita)

Don't Cry for me Argentina!!!!!!!    Anytime someone mentions Argentina that is the song that immediately enters my head. 

Eva Peron was the first lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952 at the age of 33 from cancer.  She was like the Princess Diana of Argentina and was very loved by Argentinians.

In 1978 a musical named Evita, based on the life of Eva Peron made its debut in London.  In 1996, a movie based on the musical was released, with Madonna playing Eva Peron.

Nowadays, Eva Peron is laid to rest at the famous La Recoleta Cemetery.  It was actually quite easy to find her tomb.  Just look for the large group of people, and overflowing flowers resting at the door of the family tomb. 

After paying my respects to the famous Evita, I decided to walk around the impressive cemetery.   La Recoleta is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.  Despite Eva Peron, it is the final resting place for actors, several past Argentinian presidents, nobel prize winners, and even relatives of Napoleon.  There is always something eerie walking around a cemetery despite how fancy it may seem.  I didn't stick around too long to let my imagination run free with scary thoughts! Jeepers Creepers!

Date Accomplished:  October 27th, 2009

Have Empanadas In Argentina

I grew up eating several varieties of empanadas.  Empanadas are pastries filled with an assortment of vegetables, meats, fruits, and cheeses.  My favorite are the beef empanadas.  Empanadas are not only found in Argentina, but other places in the world have their own versions, such as in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, parts of Europe, Central America and of course South America.

I had heard the Argentine empanadas were amazing.  They were of appetizer size, unlike the ones we found in Chile...

You'll shoot your eye out with the Chilean empanada

The Argentine Empanadas come in two popular styles, the Salta-style (baked), and the Tucuman style (fried).  While watching a Tango show in Buenos Aires I was served Salta-style beef empanadas.  They were delicious and the meat was savory having been marinated in spices.

The one thing I hated was being served only two pieces. 

Date Accomplished:  October 24th, 2009

Take Dance Lessons

The Class.  Our instructor is on the right.

I will be the first to admit that I have two left feet.  I've always wanted to take part in some sort of dance class.  So when the owner of my bed and breakfast suggested I take a Tango Class I knew I had to do it, afterall Buenos Aires is home to the Tango.  I took a taxi and was dropped off at Complejo Tango, and I sat patiently waiting as other students came in for the one hour class.

Some of the students in my class dancing. This is when we started dancing with our partners. It got only more complicated...

We were brought into a dance studio, and we were split up by sex.  We each learned our moves, and after we got those moves down, then we danced together.  The ratio between male and female was a bit one sided, so the women had to patiently wait to get to dance with the men.

 Me with my certificate of completion

It was HARD, and it didn't take long to learn that I lacked major coordination!  I would like to announce that I will forever be retiring from Tango, solely for the sake of every person that would have to witness me attempting it. 

Date Accomplished:  October 24th, 2009