It´s Christmas Time in the City

 Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Summer.  Christmas.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  I guess this is a quazi-Christmas card!  Wow, being in a big city in the middle of a hot and balmy summer is quite a change for Christmas.  Nonetheless, Dave and I are having a great time exploring around the city and have recently checked ourselves into a pretty awesome apartment in Sam Telmo, Buenos Aires.  The website AIRBNB.com has worked well for us again and we are really happy with our spot...though the nights are a bit toasty.  Last night we had a huge electric storm which sent the massive doors and windows in the apartment slamming around while we were cooking some dinner.  It lasted for a good 2 or 3 hours...fun!  I love electric storms and heavy rain when I´m indoors...unlike the Ecuadorian experience that I wrote about in September...

Before the apartment, we stayed closer toward the center of town for three nights in this man´s house...which was a hostel, I guess.  It´s been fun to stay in places that are not packed with tourists so that you get a better feel of the city and what it´s like to live in an apartment here.  The owner Mario loved to speak Spanish to Dave, which was funny.  He spoke so fast that neither of us could really understand very well.  We both threw in the courtesy laugh when we could and always smiled.  There are a few options for us to attend International English Speaking Christian church services.  We will either go on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

Feria de San Telmo.  Antiques and Handicrafts. (Above Pictures Also...)

In Argentina, the traditions around the Christmas holiday are a bit different.  Apparently, everything happens on Christmas Eve.  Everything closes down for the day.  People eat and hang out until midnight, when all the presents are opened and festivities take place.  After presents are done, the drinking and fireworks begin.  It´s crazy out on the streets and loud until very late.  Into the wee hours of the morning people are partying.  Christmas day is full of sleeping and eating leftovers.  I think that things start partially stirring outside at around 5:00 pm or so.  Dave and I are planning to cook a big meal and celebrate the holiday in our apartment.  There will be some other people staying there too, we just haven´t me them yet. 

 I can´t believe that we only have two more stops after this before landing down in Los Angeles.  On the 26th of December, we will take the ferry across the Rio de la Plata to Uruguay and head to Colonia del Sacramento for a night and then on to Montevideo.  Both of us can hardly believe how fast everything went and that we will be in winter soon.  Brrr.  We are so thankful of the opportunities that we had to travel and the time spent together during the last 4-ish months.  I´m getting anxious for my job...but feel ready at the same time.  The mountain is calling to Dave...

Feria de los Mataderos...dedicated to the Gaucho culture of Argentina.  Fun and Folkloric!

Best wishes to everybody during Christmas and New Years.  We will be in LA during the 31st to the 4th, and in SFO from the 4th until the 8th.  Catch us if you can, it will be a whirlwind of visiting! 

MUCH LOVE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ELISABETH AND DAVE

 More modern business-y sector of Buenos Aires.  Microcentro.

Beautiful tree-lined streets of Ricoleta

 Our lunch spot today.  Fantastic!