A few words about where we are staying: Hotel Carley. Although it´s a "hotel" it's about half the price of any of the other places here with great charm. "Charm" should be understood as saggy mattresses, little temperature control, minimally stocked kitchens, and great atmosphere. The bathrooms bear mentioning, which have showerheads coming right out of the walls over the toilets. If so inclined, you should pee, shower, and brush your teeth all at once.
If you´re lucky enough to get down here sometime soon, you just might also get to meet Adrien. An artist and a resident here, he meets everyone who comes in the doors and makes sure to introduce anyone worth meeting to each other.
It's located right at the heart of things in San Telmo, so there is almost always something going on outside (the weekly antique fair is happening at this very moment). For New Year's, residents at the hotel had a pot-luck and then headed outside to watch the fireworks. Safety laws be damned, they were shooting them off right above our heads, raining occassional little lead pellets down on the onlookers.
And of course, what is a party without dancing? Bands played in the square well into the night, my favorite being the drummers. The style was a blend of Brazilian and African influence and was so raw with energy everyone had to dance (even Jon!).
We´ll be heading out of here in a couple of days, and I am not looking forward to heading up to the heat, or leaving all the cats. This one that we encountered in the botanical garden was my temporary Lewis replacement for a few minutes. Much like Lewis, he took a swat at me after he was done with my services.
As it turns out, many of the cats that roam the cemetaries and parks are abandoned. It has been an increasing problem, and signs have been posted that the cats are NOT fed by the city. There seems to be a general distaste for neutering animals in South America, and in Buenos Aires, people have been dropping off kittens at the parks assuming that they are being cared for. Even when I ask locals why they don´t just have their animals fixed, I get a shrug for a response.
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Note: The painting below was on a huge wall inside the MALL as part of their permanent decor! ...damn American Puritanical values!
I LOVE reading about your adventures. I will also tell you now that I am SOOO jealous! I love traveling. I could do it forever for a while. I love the pics! I can't wait to see them all! Take lots of pics!! you won't regret it. I have like no pics of new zealand, which I regret horribly. Wasn't Argentina amazing!?! So romantic. so much dancing. so much love.! Speaking of love, I want to get married at Machu Pichu. So, you might get to go there again! I think my procession will be doing a few days on the Inca trail, and then flying the family in on helicopters for the ceremony at dusk or dawn above or in Machu Pichu. not that I've that I've thought about it too much, but then we could all stay at the one hotel right up there...! ahhh. anyhoo, I hope you are having the best time ever!! I also hope you're not getting any parasites or other unwanted ailments or visitors. I love you both dearly. take care kiddos!
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