Argentina, Uruguay, and Argentina again!

Hola!

We wanted to send a picture update since Brazil. We crossed to the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls on November 9th (we think) and enjoyed a day at the falls before bussing it (20 hours) to Cordoba.

Close up of Devil's Throat from Argentine side

We were able to stay with our new friend, Nikki, who we met in Buzios, Brazil. She's from Orange County and has been working in Cordoba for the past year and a half for an architecture/design firm. We enjoyed Cordoba - reminded us a lot of Sevilla and Spain...general "university" feel.

Kate and the Santa Catalina Cathedral in Cordoba

Kate and Pig in the Market in Cordoba - they had everything

Tim and our friend Nikki and the jacaranda trees

Cordoba Fine Arts Museum - very fine indeed

Next, we headed to Mendoza by another overnight bus (a mere 10 hours) for a few days of relazing and wine tasting. We went on an amazing Wine Tour through the Lujan de Cuyo region and truly immersed ourselves in our wine education.

Tim in the Alta Vista Winery on our Mendoza Wine Tour

Our VIP tasting room at the Alta Vista Winery!

a pour of "unfinsished" wine straight from the tank

Outside the fancy malipel restaurant where we had a 5 course meal....note the teeth turning that lovely red

a "constructed v. deconstructed" empanada appetizer...it was very tasty!

Playing pool in old school pool hall in Mendoza

Next, we headed to Buenos Aires for 5 days to explore the amazing city. It definitely has a very European feel with French colonial buildings and 18th century palaces converted into offices and apartment buildings. It's a fantastic city and one that we could easily visit again...mostly for the food!

LUNCH!!! Awesome at a hole in the wall parrilla. Choripan is the greatest!

Kate in Plaza LaValle across from Supreme Court building

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo marching as they do every Thursday in remembrance of those who disappeared (were killed) by the military government between '76 and ´82

Tango in La Boca

Torre de Las Ingleses in Plaza San Martin

View of Plaza San Martin from our hotel

Kate celebrating passing the bar!

Tim celebrating Kate passing the bar!!!!!

My brother, Matt, arrived the night of the 21st and the next morning we took the ferry (very nice one) to Uruguay! We spent a day in the cute cobblestoned town of Colonia del Sacramento.

Matt and Tim having a "mate" preparation and drinking tutorial by a nice shopkeeper...Matt has really taken to mate...I think it tastes like bitter grass

the "gentilhombres" indeed

What kind of Dinosaur is this, Alex???

Then we drove through Montevideo (not so nice) on our way to Punta del Este - "the playground of the rich an beautiful South American elite." We are sure it gets crazy there in December, January, and February, but for now the hundreds of high-end high-rise condos were completely vacant. We did enjoy the sun and surf (Matt braved the cold waters) and the amazing sunsets (best we have seen!)! Matt and Tim also got to try their hand at the parilla bbq. Tim managed to set up a nice log configuration for maximizing charcoal production.

Why does everyone always spell our name wrong?!?!?

Matt getting the Parrilla coals/logs burning

Tim hard at work

Family dinner followed by cards

Brother and sister and the Jose de Ignacio lighthouse

Man, mate, and open road

Our delicious dinner at Lo de Charlie

La Barra-Punta Sunset...the best in South America!

Dorks crossing

Cool hand sculpture

Action shot! Kate attempting to scale the thumb...

Mate Amigo..truly Matt's friend. Along with his Mate Listo Thermos

Finally, we returned to Buenos Aires to join my parents who arrived on Thanksgiving! Since their arrival we have had great steak dinners, an amazing set meal in a private home (casa feliz), wandered the city, shopped, enjoyed a Polo match, and caught up on family time. Tonight we are headed to dinner at the home of Patricia and Eduardo - a couple from Buenos Aires my parents met on the plane from Miami. My mom has a way of just meeting someone and getting invited over for dinner. Should be a nice evening!

Thanksgiving dinner. Steak at Don Julio's

Mom fell asleep at Thanksgiving dinner...granted it had been 30 hours of travel for them!

Matt sharing his mate in Plaza San Martin

Dinner at Casa Felix - excellent and innovative meal

Polo! It was really fun to watch and the horses were beautiful

Touring the Recoleta Cemetary...Evita and many other prominent figures are buried here in very ornate mausoleum things.

It's been great having them here and we all head to El Calafate in Patagonia tomorrow...so expect more pictures in a few days!

Love to all!
Kate and Tim