Buenos Aires & Sao Paulo June 09

My first memory of this trip is being required to wear a mask as we debarked the plane from Newark to Buenos Aires. Argentina required all passengers from planes originating from the US to wear masks due to swine flu. I’ve never worn one before—it was thick and heavy and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe because I was laughing so hard with this ridiculous mask on. We walked passed what looked like a camera------which really took our temperature and was the “pass” or “fail” to enter the country. Just as we walked through this checkpoint, a passenger behind me sneezed and I laughed out loud because I wondered if they’d let him in.

On our first night, we went to dinner at the restaurant my friend Irving had been telling me to go to the first time I was in Argentina---La Brigada. Boy was it great, but not as good as I thought it would be. We had grilled provolone cheese (provelleta) and all types of calf intestines, blood sausage, and entrada (skirt stake). Not to mention Malbec which Cecilia always chooses with care. I guess I thought I had rib eye in my mind and everything is tough compared to that.
Our Digital event went very well with lots of interest and outcomes. Boy what a great group. The lunch---EMPANADAS!!! All kinds- chicken, beef, cheese, and 1 other, all great. The Buenos Aires version of pizza for a group lunch. After a great day we went to another grill---------this time near the Recoletta which I love. Again, we had a huge grill and were joined by our friend from Yahoo. 5 of 7 of us were Aquarianss—born in February. What fun.

On Friday we met in the office all morning, then walked to buy wine. I wanted so desperately to buy some, but knew I couldn’t carry it on. I walked high and low in search of gloves, but couldn’t find any. Instead I saw a beautiful short pair of black boots I wanted—with white and black snakeskin trim. For the first time in my life I exercised self control—even though they were only $125 US. I walked in to the historic bookstore—the second most beautiful bookstore in the world. Imagine a huge Barnes and Nobles in a theater. High ceilings, boxes, stage, four historic stories—all full of books with a café on stage. Gorgeous.

I found a great leather store and couldn’t resist coming home with 5 pairs of gloves (1 for Margie and Goo Ma ofcourse, but they happen to be in my size). The unique ones are red with white side finger strips, hard to describe but unique. So unique I had to get them in both green and red. They weren’t cheap either—about $35 but the thinnest most exquisite leather you’ve ever seen. Now I know what the expression “fits like a glove” means, because believe you me, they are tight. I’ve never had such a fine pair, unlined, pure leather.

Friday night I had dinner with my great friend Bernadatte who coincidentally was on vacation in BA with her daughter. Who could imagine. We went to a great tapa’s bar where I had a lamb hamburger (I’ve never heard of a lamb hamburger) so trying something different was fun. We walked back along Florida Street which was beginning the hustle and bustle of night vendors. Luckily, my hotel was only 7 blocks from the restaurant and walking felt good in the nice air. Everyone there was wearing a huge winter coat----and it was only 50”s – 60’s Nice!

Don’t recall what day but I went to the Recoletta, the beautiful cemetery where Evita is buried. Pretty empty thank God, beautiful art work. I love the stained glass windows and angel statues. I had to contain my laughter as I walked by a mausoleum and heard the biggest farts I’ve ever heard in my life. As I walked passed two college kids --they burst out laughing knowing that I heard.

Saturday
Ser Spa
Cervino 3626
Buenos Aires, Argentina
between Sealabrini Ortiz & Ugarteche
5411 4807-4688

Co-workers recommended Ser Spa in the Soho Palermo district. I got directions on taking a cab to the center of Soho, then walking through this trendy neighborhood to the spa. What a great way to spend the day….Only thing I didn’t count on was rain. Rain, Rain, Rain. I bought an umbrella on Florida street and mis-heard when I thought the lady told me the umbrella was $25 –it was $5. Never mind, needed it.

I walked to the city center, the pink government houses where Evita once held court. It was deserted in the rain. Really, me and this other woman were the only ones in the square. Get outta here, jumped in a cab, and the driver refused to take my cash because they were ripped at the edges. The old man wanted me to take my cash out of my wallet and let him choose the bills I’d give him. Are you nuts?????????? Silly old man, I shook his hand anyway. Took a cab to Plaza Serrano & stayed in a coffee house for over an hour trying to avoid the rain. Well prepared with map----------only walked the wrong way for 15 minutes before I realized. I had no idea where I was --- some neighborhood walking away from Soho Palermo. A man told me I had to take an auto to the Zoo-my point of reference for the Spa. Ok, jump in a cab, luckily I did, would have never made it. Never saw or shopped in Soho Palermo either…..oh well, saved myself some dough.

Have no idea why I thought I wanted to sit in the Jacuzzi…………They gave me a spare bathing suit with holes on the side. The steam room was co-ed and the man in the steam room thought I was crazy sitting there with holes in the side of my bathing suit. Enough………sat in the relax room which was weird as they had actual beds there for men and women together . I sat I a chair, thank you very much.

Loved my facial and massage, my massage guy was Hugo who worked out the tension between my shoulder blades. That night I asked the concierge if there was a meat restaurant I could walk too………yes, wonderful. Only the 3 block walk was deserted and it was creepy. Imagine being on Wall St late at night with no one around. I had a great salad and steak—ojo de bife……….Rib eye steak. I can die a happy woman.

Sao Paulo
I was really tired and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the hotel at 9pm for a Samba show. Luckily I went—a memorable great experience……. We saw a Samba legend—Leci Brandao. After never seeing Samba—to see a great legend was the best experience I could have had! In Sao Paulo, we work, work, work. Luckily, we had local Sao Paulo person who chose the Brahma Bar. We had local food (fish cakes, grill) wine. Everyone danced, young and old, I loved it!