Things to Be Thankful For

Since I couldn’t go home for Thanksgiving, I was lucky enough to have my family come to me! It was a wonderful week with a mix of relaxation and nonstop movement. We spent the first half of the week in Punta del Este, Uruguay for some beach time and then I got to show them around Buenos Aires for the rest of the week!

Throwback to last Sunday, I woke up to run the Caballito Marathon, which was a 7km run against gender violence around my neighborhood!

we finished!!

Knowing my family would be there soon after I finished was good motivation! They got a tour of my apartment and met my host mom who prepared some coffee and cake for us! Thanks to my mom, I was also reunited with Breadsmith pumpkin bread! It had been too long. It seems like my host mom really enjoyed it too because it is nowhere to be found. Turns out being the translator between her and my family wasn’t as difficult as I was expecting. It was a hot one as I showed them around my neighborhood and nearby parks. We had a quick lunch and were off again- destination: Uruguay. There was a little bump in the road when I decided not to bring my student visa, but needed it to get out of the country. Good thing I was already in the system! I started to think the 4-step process and $400 pesos to obtain it would have been for nothing. Once we arrived, all a little bit exhausted (although I wasn’t the one who had been on a plane the previous night), we decided to stay at our beautiful hotel for a peaceful dinner. It was actually weird how quiet everything seemed! Definitely nice to get out of the city every once in a while, especially with my favorite peeps!

The next day we were ready to get our tan on. Although it was kind of a cloudy day, that didn’t stop us. We spent the morning on the beach, reading and relaxing while Katie built sandcastles. We then went to a cute spot overlooking the beach for lunch, and took advantage of the seafood options! Nothing like seafood and beer at the beach. That afternoon, we checked out some of the nearby towns and hung out at the hotel until a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. We were also joined by a chorus of echoing frogs that could have been mistaken as cat’s meowing. They did not want to shut up. After a yummy meal, I had to show the fam our version of a McFlurry. Pulling up to the drive through in our HUGE rental van only added to the absurdity of struggling to order our dulce de leche helado. 

my gals

our hot ride H-1

The next day, we didn’t get so lucky with the weather. It was much cooler and rainy. We tried to do some shopping, but for some reason most of the shops were closed. It was very obvious that it was off-season in Punta. The lack of shopping ended up being a blessing in disguise as we decided to drive to nearby town, Juan Ignacio- a very chic beach town where we found an awesome spot for lunch. After some time driving around and admiring the architecture of the cool houses, we headed back to the hotel for a nap. The beach life can be so exhausting! That night with the intention of going to Moby Dick’s for dinner, we got a little lost (my bad), so decided after 45 minutes to just try somewhere else. Well, of course, we drive by while finding parking, but soon realize we weren’t really in the mood for being the only costumers at the bar.

Monumento al Ahogado

Juan Ignacio

The next morning, after a leisurely, delicious buffet breakfast, we were headed back to the busy city to begin the action-packed part of our trip. We arrived in Buenos Aires to rain and Katie and I headed back to my place so I could repack. After being ripped off by the cab driver from the airport, I was being stubborn and insisted that we would just take the bus to the hotel. Of course, it took forever, or at least felt like it when you have no way to communicate with the people waiting on the other side. I realized quickly that traveling with five people in this city can be very complicated. If only one cab could take us all… 

On my first of many tours of this city, we walked around the parks and area by our hotel, and of course stopped for ice cream. You can never pass up on ice cream, especially here. For dinner we met up with the Schoenings, and my dad finally got the steak he has eagerly been asking for! After a filling, delicious meal, the kids went for another round of ice cream while the parents stayed back at the hotel for drinks. By chance our hotels were only a block away, how convenient! After one of many late nights to come, I slept like a rock in the very comfortable hotel bed. A luxurious change from my paper-thin pillows!

On Thursday, we walked around and did some shopping. It definitely didn’t feel like Thanksgiving hanging out in the 80-degree weather. We definitely lucked out on the sol for the rest of the trip. To cut some of the walking out, I took my fam on public transportation! The guy standing next to me on the crowded colectivo seemed to think it was a good opportunity to try and pickpocket me, but luckily I noticed before he could take anything. Don't worry, I made sure he had a black eye. We then made our way to Palermo Soho (one of my favorite areas) to eat a yummy lunch and shop around. Of course, I also had to share my newly discovered ice cream-filled cupcake with the family. After a long day with a lot of walking, it was time to go to the tango show! Our coach (party) bus picked us up at the Schoening’s hotel (of course, 30 minutes late), and we were on our way. Nothing says Thanksgiving like empanadas, steak, and unlimited wine! The meal was better than expected, and the tango show was spectacular, although, it may have lasted a bit too long. By 11:30, half of our table was passing out. Being in Argentina with my family and the Schoenings definitely gave me a lot to be thankful for.

the whole gang!

On Friday, we explored Puerto Madero and got a delicious lunch at Central Market. It was yet another gorgeous day that we were able to enjoy outside. My sisters were all about getting rid of their angelic “glow.” Unfortunately, that led to some tomato-faces. We then did a tour of Teatro Colon and headed back to the hotel to swim and rest our feet. Coincidentally, Ryan Seacrest and his current girlfriend had the same idea in mind. We spotted them leaving the spa area, and my speculations were confirmed when I saw him wearing his RSP branded hat… After Katie did her research on him, it turned out he went to the same restaurant as us in Juan Ignacio as well! He was totally stalking us.

Puerto Madero

Teatro Colon

After our first celeb sighting, we headed to Caballito for dinner with my host mom! We picked a spot only a block away from where we live. While the food wasn’t exceptional, we had some good conversations and she had a good time quizzing my family on their Spanish skills. After a long dinner being the translator, I was ready for drink! I brought my parents and sisters to The Oldest to show them our local hangout. 

Elvira and I! 

Saturday, we once again randomly ran into the Schoenings and made our way to the market in Recoleta and then to the cemetery. For an authentic Argentine meal, we headed (in the wrong direction) to Cumana. Once we made it, we found out there was no air conditioning. Luckily, the food made up for the warm, dining experience. The ice cream after lunch was sure to cool us off. After some downtime at the hotel, we got drinks at Milion. Since we couldn’t have real mate, the Gaucho Frozen would have to do. For our last dinner, we headed to La Cabrera. For being ranked 17 in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, it definitely was up there. Of course, we all ordered steak which was served with an infinite amount sides. No one went hungry that night. I can also officially say that I am “steaked-out.”

Recoleta Cemetery

On our last day together, we went to the San Telmo Market, to find some good gift items, Argentina fútbol jerseys, and 40 peso ray-bans! Much more of a success than the previous day. After a few HOT hours, roaming the cobble stone streets, it was time for a detox lunch. The orphan, Alex, joined us at Tea Connection for salads and teas. We couldn’t resist the cupcake shop on the way home though. When we got back to the hotel to enjoy them, Will Smith happened to be leaving. What a week of celebrity sightings! Between here and Vail, I now have quite a list of celeb spotting’s. Our remaining time was spent lounging on the patio, devouring our cupcakes and drinking beer. I was starting to get too comfortable at that hotel! After a memorable week, it was time to say goodbye. Too soon it was back to just Alex and I, and things seemed too quiet and peaceful.

"the picture of Argentina"- Alexander the Great Ware

Now back to reality in Caballito. Today was definitely the hottest day yet; good thing my family escaped when they did. You couldn’t go anywhere without sweating. Alex and I met up for lunch, tanning, and wine in the park. These are the kinds of moments I will definitely miss. Tomorrow I am off to Salta until Friday to explore the Northwest region of Argentina! Because our flight has already been delayed, I’m hoping the rest of our travels go smoothly. I can’t believe that I am already counting down the DAYS until I leave. How is that possible?

PS- sorry for this EXTREMELY long post. Thanks for sticking it out!!