Michael Clapp:
Claire enjoys the view from her window seat on flight to Dallas. Travel tip: if you're flying on an MD S80 don't book row 32.
Michael Clapp:
My girls back together in Santiago. Amazingly we managed to meet Sahalie at the airport.
Michael Clapp:
I think I would understand as well if they wrote it in Spanish. Or Dutch, or Russian, or Korean.
Michael Clapp:
Have I ever told you how much I hate it when I'm in the Central Market in some distant city admiring all the cuts of meat, sorts of spices and variety of vegetables we never see at our grocery, and The Simpsons comes on the television? I really hate it I'
Michael Clapp:
Settling in at the corner on 9 de Julio and Sarmiento to write Christmas cards in the heat of a Mendoza afternoon. They might be a little late this year.
Michael Clapp:
Perhaps in my next life I will love shoes and be born in Mendoza.
Michael Clapp:
Something tells me she would rather be at the candy store.
Michael Clapp:
Nelle and Jan working on our first Buenos Aires dinner. We have a gas stove but the building has no gas. It's salad and bread and cheese esta noche. But we have three bottles of organic Malbec from the Familia Cecchin winery we visited yesterday so we sh
Michael Clapp:
And after the Eva Peron Museum death march our fearless leader was treated to a caprese salad and a big beer while the others in the group wandered the market booths or listened to a choir in the church nearby. All survived. No one remembers anything abo
Michael Clapp:
Claire has a quick bowl of "Choco Zucaritas" before we're off to explore San Telmo.
Michael Clapp:
Sahalie and Claire, playing with my phone again.
Michael Clapp:
I don't even care if I can't understand it. I just like a newspaper with my morning coffee. #newspapers
Michael Clapp:
A quick trip through the Cementario de la Recoleta before Jan's flight home. Found Eva's spot.
Michael Clapp:
The waiter had to check twice. "Una agua con gas, una cerveza, et uno café double?" Si, what's so strange about that? The beer was for Jan. Hope her flight got away today.
Michael Clapp:
And today's morning espresso is not so pretty, but it's a quick stop while waiting for the city tour bus. Yes I'm tired of walking. The girls are off shopping. Sahalie is taking her oral history exam. Think good thoughts.
Michael Clapp:
Yes, as a matter of fact I did order a dish of cheese melted over cheese for lunch today. It just happens sometimes when you can't read the menu. #boca
Michael Clapp:
Today's coffee is not a pretty picture. I had resort to bad espresso in a styrofoam cup leaving BA on the ferry to Colonia Uraguay.
Michael Clapp:
Oh Jan Nix! Sorry you missed this one. Lemon orchard, swimming pool, 5 dogs, a house Pablo Neruda could have lived in, a the best dinner we've had so far. But we've agreed not mention any of that to you.
Michael Clapp:
Yes, today's morning coffee has improved greatly. Now it's off to explore the old town of Colonia while the girls go to the beach for a swim.
Michael Clapp:
I'm not complaining about the heat, but at lunch the butter melted in the shade.
Michael Clapp:
Sahalie does her best budding tree pose (I made that name up) next to a vine on the sidewalk in Colonia. I wanted her to do the vine pose but she isn't up to that yet.
Michael Clapp:
A day such a day such a very long day. It began in Colonia with a continental breakfast in a country where they still know what that means. A wander about town, my only souvenir purchase of the trip, lunch at a place called El Drugstore, trouble with secu
Michael Clapp:
No coffee this morning but I did need a haircut. My Spanish skills don't extend restaurants, grocery stores, bars and taxis. I said "arriba" and pointed to the top of my ear and he went to work. The timelapse video will be up soon.
Michael Clapp:
Through fireworks, humid heat and torrential, Santa made it to Buenos Aires with stocking goodies for good children.
Michael Clapp:
Carol and I are having coffee and drink the waiter recommended (lo siento no pisco sour) on our Christmas Day stroll. With no cell service this is the best way to get a message back to those in the apartment. We'll back soon.
Michael Clapp:
We have a problem. Jan left, but we kept buying beer as if she were still here. We're a little overstocked. Perhaps we'll leave a liter for the next guests or drop one by for the building guy. He's been very nice.
Michael Clapp:
"And this shall be a sign unto you..." The girls are watching Charlie Brown after a fab Xmas dinner with Sahalie's friend Danella , who is here for the whole year and had no family around for Christmas. She paid us the ultimate compliment during our Chris
Michael Clapp:
Packed in time to have a cup of coffee and put together the Kindersurprise toys Jan got us in Mendoza.
Michael Clapp:
My picture is up all over this town. It's a little embarrassing. Remind me to check with my agent about this Chanel deal. I don't remember signing off on that one.