I've taken a trip to California for pure pleasure visiting family and friends. What a pace......slamming into a fast and furious ride. I had a great time especially cooking for the babies back home. I really didn't even mind the mounds and mounds and mounds of laundry. Returning home was especially great with Mary coming with me.
Mary and I had another fast and furious week. Mary saved me from total disarray. She pushed me into every ugly fix it item on my list. Can you believe we (she) even changed out the inside of the toilet. It was running constantly, I can now save $100,000.00 from my next water bill. We did all the man work that I'd been dragging my feet on. We were able to finish everything. before she left. I can't thank her enough. We even had some fun. Donella had a couple of friends from CA down for the weekend Regina and Eva. We all hit it off great. We had breakfast at Donella's Saturday morning and headed up to Cave Creek and Carefree. We had a great tour of all the beautiful homes around the area. We shopped all the way down the highway. Bingo was the evenings entertainment. No one won but.......we had a great time.
Mary and Bill are heading down here in October for a quick weekend to go to Sonny Barger's birthday party. YES, you heard me right. I don't know what it is when the two of us get together but the cosmos just go nuts. Here we were just minding our own business and a lovely lady Suzanne commented on the books we happen to be looking at in a salsa store. She mentioned the books were signed by Sonny. Mary told her that her brother Bill idolized Sonny and would love the books (of course she was going to buy them). I told her Bill was a big Harley guy and had to sell his bike after his stroke. Suzanne told us Sonny's birthday was coming up and if we could get Bill down here she would talk to Sonny and arrange a meeting and an invite to his party. HUA??????? OK............by this time Mary and I are in freak mode. Are you kidding??? Suzanne said she was going to call Sonny and set it up to call her next week. OOOOOOooooooMY GOODNESS. We exchanged numbers and Mary would call next week. We could not stop talking about it. We didn't really want to say anything about it in case something happened. BUT we just had to start planning just in case. Soooooooo we just happened to visit the nearest Harley store to buy our outfits. Leather pants. trashy t-shirts and biker boots. We bought t-shirts, we needed to think about our complete outfits before we bought leather pants. We did decide on our names for the event though. Mary is MARGO and I'm ROCHELLE. Well...........................Mary did call Suzanne and she remembered us and told us she spoke with Sonny and yes we're invited to the party and Suzanne will escort us with a private meeting with Sonny..................She even sent an invitation to Bill directly. He could not believe it. He was so surprised. Mary is making the arrangements now. Can't wait! Lots of pictures to follow................
A JOURNEY TO ARGENTINA
I've always wanted to go to Argentina. My dream is to Tango in Argentina and Salsa in Peru. I contacted Debbie my travel gal to check on prices and flight availability. She would get back to me. Her Latin American travel specialist eXito Travel offered some of the cheapest fares and it wasn't more than 15 minutes when she called back with everything I needed. She mentioned her great aunt had a home there and once in a while would rent it out to family and friends. If I was interested she would speak to her aunt. My first thought was no way. The cost would be out of my budget and how would I survive in a house on my own.
Debbie spoke with the senora, the home was available. The amount of money I would save staying there would afford me to spend an extra 4 weeks. Not only was this totally affordable but a live in maid/cook as well as a chauffeur/gardener were included. This was a done deal.
Packing was easy. Just what I needed and buy the rest when I arrive as necessary. I flew out April 9th on United from Phoenix with a two hour lay over in Miami, finally arriving in Buenos Aires. The seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere's. I arrived in their fall season. The leaves put on an epic display, temperatures were comfortable and the crowds were sparse. I can not believe I'm actually in Argentina. Argentina is a magnificent country wine growing regions everywhere. I'm writing every detail down in my journal. I'm not going to forget a single moment of this once in a lifetime trip.
Miguel met me at the airport and guided me though the maze of people. He arranged for luggage to be taken to the car as I obtained a free tourist card, good for 90 days and renewable for 90 more. In practice, immigration officials issue these only at major border crossings, such as airports and on the ferries and hydrofoils between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. However, I never know where I might end up or with whom.
Arriving in Buenos Aires is like jumping aboard a moving train. Outside the window, a blurred mosaic of drab apartment blocks and haphazard architecture whizzes by as we shot along the freeway toward the center of town. As we drove though the city the many cafes, the purple jacaranda flowers draping over the sidewalks, so amazing. The city is made up of distinct neighborhoods, each with character, in many ways it reminded me of San Francisco.
Argentina has a tumultuous history, one tainted by periods of absolute rule, corruption and hard times. But it's also an illustrious history, a story of a country that was once one of the world's economic powerhouses, a country that gave birth to the tango, to international icons like Evita Peron and Che Guevara and to some of the world's most important inventions. Miguel spoke excellent English and gave me a wonderful run down of history old and new.The city of Buenos Aires has installed signs at notable landmarks with a map of your location in the neighborhood on one side and a diagram of the particular landmark you are at on the other. Both sides have translations in three languages including English as well s a 5 digit number you can call on your cell phone for presumably an audio description to be read to you. As we pasted San Telmo I noticed the city has a Mediterranean flair with cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and a central plaza.
The further we drove from the city the more rural the country became. Passing the small barrios with people sitting out and children stopping the vendors for fruit on sticks enjoying each other and playing soccer in the fields. Seeing it is such a contradictions from the big city. While driving I asked Miguel to tell me about La Senora. He told me her husband bought the hacienda for her as a wedding gift. They lived there for 50 years until he passed. She no longer could stay in the home and only visits occasionally. She mostly has friends and family stay to keep it occupied. Maria and he stay on as caretakers and take care of it as their own. They both grew up on the property along side the children of La Senora. Miguel's father was the groundskeeper and Maria's mother the cook. They cared for the family until Miguel and Maria married, They then moved to Bolivia to be closer to their aging parents.
Driving past the fields of Moreno and La Reja I was amazed at the cows. Field and field of brown cows, white cows, black cows, gray cows, black and white cows. Of course Argentina is known for their melt-in-your-mouth beef, one of the best in the world. We continued along and drove into a delightful little town Puente Cascallares. We drove down the main street past a small cerrita which had mail service, pharmacy, as well as food and a beautiful assortment of fruits and vegetables. Many small Parisian style cafes line the alleyways, heaven for coffee lovers. Lots of milonga or social dancing is performed nightly on the wooden dance floors. I was surprised to see several chic clothing boutiques with beautiful dresses and accessories. The town has an European feel with cobblestone streets and many outdoor restaurants. To my left I spotted a small museum with a sign in the window advertising Tango lessons. Miguel told me the museum originally was a tango hall run by one of the founders of this small town. The museum is still owned by the family and exhibits some of the most famous paintings, sculptures and crafts displayed in the country. Tango lessons are given private or in groups. I will have to check that out. I inquired about improving my Spanish and was told there are excellent places to sharpen the language. Individual tutoring offer the best opportunities for improving language skills and are affordable right here in town.
We drove just a bit out of town and stopped in front of a large salmon colored wall that extended around the block. Miguel stopped the car, watching him I noticed him reaching for a bell adjacent to the huge gnarly wooden doors. The bell announced our arrival. A woman opened the door and spoke to him briefly. Miguel opened the car door and guided me into the courtyard to where the woman was standing with a big smile on her face. This was Maria, her English not quite as good as Miguel's but understandable. The colonial-style home with a Spanish influence had a beautiful fountain sitting in the center of the patio. The outer edge of the fountain was filled with beautiful plants and potted ferns. The patio was so peaceful and inviting. Asked if I'd like something to drink we sat in the courtyard sipping a delicious icy glass of horchata a sweet milky drink made from rice and homemade empanadas. Knowing the water is generally not safe to drink I questioned Maria thoroughly. She explained vigorous boiling of water was the most effective means of water purification. However, a state of the art infiltration system with reverse osmosis filters were installed when several renovations were made three years before.
After resting a bit she took me through the courtyard entering the living area, with white stucco walls, long white sheer curtains hung from black rod iron rods covering the french doors. The furniture was heavy, dark and beautiful. Sofa's covered in rich colored leather arranged for perfect conversation areas. Accent chairs appeared sparsely about, covered in lavish brocade. I'm sure it had been this way forever. Paintings graced entire walls, mementos from La Senoras travels were abundant throughout. Maria took me to my room which was lovely and very inviting. A patio just outside the french doors was lushly covered with potted bougainvillea and hibiscus plants, an excellent view of the gardens which were perfectly manicured lie just beyond. A table with chairs as well as a lounge was placed to view the landscape. A large poster bed enveloped with white mosquito netting, actually used against Dengue fever. It is a viral infection found throughout South America. Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which prefer to bite during the daytime and are usually found close to human habitations, often indoors. The bed sat against the eastern wall with a inspiring view of the sunrise. Covered with a silk duvet and lots of satin pillows adorn the bed. A sitting area arranged in the corner next to the fireplace with two big overstuffed chairs and a gorgeous Tiffany lamp would be perfect for winding down after a long day. I noticed an antique vanity with a satin covered stool across the room in which Maria had laid my personal items upon. Pass the bed an open door lead into a spacious bathroom/dressing room. The bathroom was completely tiled, ceiling to floor with a drain in the center of the room. A large claw foot tub sat in the corner. A modern shower without doors hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room. This was found to be the most thorough and easiest way of showering and cleaning. Connecting the bath area was an enormous dressing area. The back wall was the only area used. Trunks, hat boxes stacked high, garment bags enclosed the beautiful gowns and riding apparel. Many boxes of shoes and boots stood beside the clothing almost waiting to be worn.
Miguel brought my luggage in and Maria helped me unpack. Not taking any time at all I was ready for the rest of the tour. Entering the hallway to the right were large arches connected with white pillars every few feet. Through the archways a view of the front courtyard and living area were in view. Towards the end of the walkway a door to the left lead me to the library. Panels and shelves made of dark mahogany filled with books covering every wall. Several small sitting areas were arranged where a view of the garden could be seen. Two large glass french doors exposing a large casual sitting area just outside with stunning hanging plants everywhere. A boxwood hedge hiding a pool just beyond was a wonderful surprise. To the far right of the room an antique desk and chair sat in the corner. Pictures of a young handsome couple posed in a garden, climbing on a mountain, shopping in a quaint outdoor market and on an ocean liner. You could see the happiness and joy in their faces.
Walking towards what I thought was the end of the hallway a right turn lead me past a laundry room, bathroom and sewing room. An extensive patio extended the living area where many birthday, anniversary and weddings were celebrated. Passing through the living and dining room a large kitchen was positioned center arena to all entertaining areas. With colored tiled walls brick oven and every amenities necessary this was the perfect kitchen and one of the first renovations done many years ago so I was told. A prep kitchen with canning facilities as well as pantry area connected where I'm sure the servants originally spent most of their time. Off the pantry servants quarters set back with separate entries where Maria and Miguel lived. The completed "U" shaped living area, housed four guest rooms with connecting bathrooms know as the cuarto de huespedes. Maria prepared lunch, I decided to finish looking around outside later in the afternoon after perhaps a siesta by the pool.
After a light lunch and a snooze by the pool a cool shower was very refreshing. I decided to walk down to the stables Miguel had mentioned managed by his son Alejandro. TO BE CONTINUED...................
