A vacation day

So it is about 430 and I am sitting under the umbrella on the deck eating some mixed nuts and enjoying a glass of Rose Syrah. (I am also teaching myself to type with my thumbs - more on that later) The can has Arabic writing on it and I realize that they are from Beirut - which means they are probably the most expensive snack I have ever eaten.

[how awesome is the iPhone? I have done everything with it so far - blogging, itinerary, google maps, translation, research and email and it hasn't cost me a dime using free wifi. Forget American Express - don't leave home without it]

After my so-so massage and steam yesterday I went on a wonder down to the Palermo neighborhood. Many of the guidebooks find it to be the place to be but I found it a little "meh". Loads of cafes and high-end dining and shops but a little too gentrified for my taste. From the apartment I am within walking distance of a dozen embassies - sure everyone has had at least one international incident - but I'm looking at one a day!

Anyway the longer the walk home took, the less likelihood there was I was going out for din-din. So I did my own version of a progressive dinner and stopped at little stores all along the way for empanadas (meatpies but not as good as NZ) a fresh tomato, and little flaky cannolli-esque pastry filled with Dulce de leche. Added to the bread, cheese, fruit and wine I already had and it was a feast!

So after a very relaxing morning in the sun, I set off to find the ticket office for the ferry to Uruguay tomorrow. It gets great reviews so I have booked a small hotel for the night (I was having trouble getting an answer by email so I finally called and kind of booked with a guest who's English was better than the receptionist)

Tonight I am headed to a parrilla which is Argentine BBQ.

For Mom and Dad, I had dinner Monday night at a place called la Olla de Felix (or Felix's Pot) a tiny little place just outside my door - he cooks just a few items that he wants to share and you pick and choose. (sound familiar) and then ambles around the little dining room sitting down to chat (I didn't see his wine glass but it was there somewhere) if you haven't guessed it was the Argentine version of Terry Ford. The food wasn't great (veal awash in mustard sauce) but it was a pleasant enough experience.