What I Did in Argentina

Remember when I told you I was going to Argentina before my friend even knew whether or not she would be going? Pretty typical. But I think much to Rachel's (and if I'm being honest, my own) surprise, I made it to Argentina and spent a whopping 8 days exploring Buenos Aires, Misiones & Iguazu Falls National Park. Below is a list version of the things we did in no particular order, but there were so many other things we did!

1. San Telmo Market -- probably ~2 miles of street blocks that turn into a huge market every Sunday afternoon. They sell mate cups, scarves, clothes, jewelry, belts, chocolate, dulce de leche, art, and everything else you could possibly imagine. We spent nearly 3 hours walking up and down the cobblestone streets exploring.

2. La Casa Rosada

3. Iguazu Falls -- one of the most amazing things in nature I have ever seen.

4. A little bit of partying

5. Recoleta Cemetery -- probably my favorite thing we did the whole time I was in Buenos Aires, which sounds so depressing, but this cemetery is incredible. The plots are deeded, and they aren't just graves or tombs, they are almost small houses, large enough for 10, 12, 15 caskets, many with private quarters downstairs.

6. Wild animal sightings -- can you spot the crocodile & the toucans?

(it's called a "Coitus" which just made me giggle)

7. Ate a lot.

Argentinian steak

I <3 meat

Dulce de Leche ice cream, YUM

My trip was phenomenal. First of all, I got to visit one of my best friends that I hadn't seen since July, who lives across the country from me most of the year. Second of all, I spent more than 6 hours in South America, thus officially checking it off of the list of continents I need to visit (the only thing on my bucket list is to visit all 7 - 2 more to go!) Third of all, Argentina is pretty freaking awesome. Overall, the people are nice. In Buenos Aires, they kind of just ignored us except for when they were blatantly staring at the 2 blondes. We kind of stood out like sore thumbs. In Misiones (where the Iguazu Falls were), we had the best night of my trip, but you can read more about that on Rach's blog.

I think the further removed I get from the experience, the more memorable it becomes. I came home feeling a little bit underwhelmed, but as the week passed, and I got more and more situated back into my routine, I found myself remembering things we did, or thinking things in Spanish and then giggling to myself, wishing I was still in Argentina. Those are all signs of a successful trip, right?

Don't you worry South America, I'll be back. The lacking time change alone is worth it!  

Rach - thanks for having me! I can't wait for your triumphant return to the northern hemisphere. In the meantime, we'll always have Lady Gaga.