Lost In Translation

Travel Transit: Buenos Aires

The domestic airport in Buenos Aires, Jorge Newbery, is in a beautiful location (this picture doesn't do it justice) near the ocean and several green spaces. I had eight hours between flights Buneos Aires to Atlanta after arriving from mar del Plata, so I decided to head into town to Palaza Serrano, my Buenos Aires hangout of the last week.

This is my loyal wiater and new friend, Ishamel-a Colombian student studying fashion design in Buenos Aires, at Santa Eva, a restaurant/bar, that operates as a flea market on weekends.

Plaza Serrano.

My last meal in Buenos Aires, a Lomo (sirloin steak) sandwich, recommended by Ishamel-it was awesome, I'm gonna miss that beef.

Mar Del Plata: Day Two

The continental breakfast as the El Aleph.

Some of the great houses in the neighborhood of the hotel.

The beach further south from my hotel.

This is a mural outside the public university, the taxi driver brought me to the wrong university for the conference, but it was my fault for not making sure he knew where he was going. Another result of my pathetic Spanish-10% comprehension maybe...

Public universities in Argentina, like those in Japan, are more prestigious and harder to get into than private universities. However, it looks like the lack funding like those in Japan.

Universidad CAECE, the location of the 2013 ARTESOL Confernce.

Fountain at night at Plaza Colon.

Mar Del Plata: Day One

This is the cafe three blocks from the bed and breakfast where I got my sunburn and where I expect to chill at some point again tomorrow before the 2013 ARTESOL Conference, the purpose of this trip. In many way I found last year's trip to Peru more interesting, but the conference was held in Chiclayo, which didn't hold much interest for me. But Mar Del Plata is a beautiful seaside town. I have been blessed with exceptionally sunny and warm weather during this trip during Argentina's fall.

 

Mar Del Plata: Hotel El Aleph

I am staying at El Aleph, a boutique bed and breakfast extremely close ot the beach. It seems the name is from a Jorge Luis Borges short story The Aleph. No one here speaks English and my Spanish is pathetic, but we've managed to sort it out. Although, I arrived at 10 am wanting to drop my things off and was told that I needed to check in at 2 pm. So I dropped my stuff off and explored the city, but forgot my camera was in the other bag...D'Oh! I spent most of my time at a lovely seaside cafe getting sun burnt in the toasty autumn sun. It is a lovely house as you can see.

MALBA

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires is an impressive space and had some interesting exhibits this month and in their permanent collection. Wednesdays are half price admission as well.

 

Olsen

Olsen is a Scandinavian restaurant in Palermo Hollywood, so at first I thought I wouldn't go even though it was  a "Top Choice" in the Lonely Planet guide, but this Time Out guide entry convinced me to try it. Furthermore, it was just a short walk form my hotel.

It is an amazing space complete with its own courtyard set back from the street.

The modern interior is also quite stylish.

My tasteful and interesting lunch set included a pumpkin soup with chopped apples in it, pork shoulder with a red fruit sauce mashed potatoes, and a green salad with a glass of wine.

 

Campobravo

Campobravo was a recommended steakhouse by the staff at my hotel and it was very close to the hotel and had a nice atmosphere, so I decided to give it a try.



It was high quality meat as usual, but one half was overcooked so I guess I'll order it medium rare at the next steak house instead of just medium to avoid this next time. The sides here are always massive and I can never finish them.

Plazoleta Julio F. Cortazar

I was at a cafe near Serrano Plaza reading Julio Cortazar's intriguing novel Hopscotch, when I crossed the plaza only to notice that the playground there was named after the very Argentine author I was just reading.

El Sanjuanino

El Sanjuanino in Recoleta is known for its prices and quality empanadas and stews. I wasn't hungry enough to order a stew though.

Pollo (chicken) empanada with onion and bell pepper.

The Napolitana empanada with tomatoe, oregano, ham and cheese.

Paseo del Rosedal

I walked by the Bosques de Palermo known for expansive lawns, glistening lakes and winding paths. But I missed one of the most manicured, colorful areas of this massive park is the Paseo del Rosedal, or the Rose Garden Walk.