We just got back from our strangest New Years party ever. It was held right here at the Hotel Panamericano, in one of their ballrooms. Although the food was great, by about 11:40 PM I was thinking that this was the dullest New Years party ever. There was a DJ playing assorted Spanish music, and I was actually appreciative that they weren't blasting it, as Melanie and I were sitting right in front of the speakers. We were able to carry on conversations at our table, which was great, but it sure didn't feel like a New Years party.
I hadn't noticed the band arriving. The only thing I noticed was that the speaker volume went up a few notches with a distinctive driving bass beat. The crowd began to murmur a little and I turned around to see a few guests rhythmically swaying as they stood by their tables. Within probably thirty seconds, the dance floor was full, restaurant wait staff was handing out shakers, noisemakers, all kinds of lighted hats, tiaras, you name it, and it was "game on."
We had heard that the Argentinian crowd was a very late crowd, and now I believe it. Word is that this particular party will go until 5:00 or 6:00 AM... I wouldn't have believed it at 11:40 but I do now... Anyway, we'll be able to check because our transfer leaves for the airport and the next leg of our trip at 3:45 AM... you heard me, 3:45 AM!
Anyway, happy new year to all! It just occurred to me that I have misnamed this blog, since it's 2011 and we have yet to set foot in Antarctica. Perhaps I'll tweak the title a bit... but I won't touch the address... don't want to confuse my faithful readers.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere!
Greetings from Buenos Aires!
We're a a little sleep deprived but enjoyed a city tour today and met up with our tour guide and fellow passengers as well. Today and tomorrow will be a bit of a tease because it's an all too brief taste of Southern Hemisphere summer weather. Today was in the very pleasant 80's.
I have to admit that the Southern Hemisphere throws me off a bit. For starters, getting used to thinking of December through February as "summer months" requires some mental gear-shifting. Also, at home, I always have a sense of general direction. But having the sun crossing the sky in the North and in seemingly the "wrong" direction kind of makes me feel upside-down (which come to think of it is true, if you think of it from a global perspective).
Summer has just begun here and our tour guide told us that New Years is a a bigger celebration here because it generally marks the beginning of summer vacation for many Argentinians. And in the business district, which was one of our stops today, they celebrate the New Year in a a unique way, by throwing some of "last year's" business papers out the window. Despite making a mess of the streets, I have to admit I kind of like the symbolism of it... I'm tempted to duplicate this when I get home... into appropriate paper recycling bins, of course.
Workers Clean Up After Buenas Aires' "Big Cleanout"
There are other differences to get used to as well... of course, the language... I really should have brushed up on my Spanish. To quote one of Steve Martin's old comedy routines, "They've got a different word for EVERYTHING."
And there are different constellations in the southern sky, most notably the one many sailors relied on, the Southern Cross.
But there is one purported difference that many believe about the Southern hemisphere that, alas, isn't true... the toilets do swirl in the same direction. If you've bought into this old wives tale, or are curious about this very real effect, check out http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp
That'll give you something to do 'til my next post :-)
We're a a little sleep deprived but enjoyed a city tour today and met up with our tour guide and fellow passengers as well. Today and tomorrow will be a bit of a tease because it's an all too brief taste of Southern Hemisphere summer weather. Today was in the very pleasant 80's.
I have to admit that the Southern Hemisphere throws me off a bit. For starters, getting used to thinking of December through February as "summer months" requires some mental gear-shifting. Also, at home, I always have a sense of general direction. But having the sun crossing the sky in the North and in seemingly the "wrong" direction kind of makes me feel upside-down (which come to think of it is true, if you think of it from a global perspective).
Summer has just begun here and our tour guide told us that New Years is a a bigger celebration here because it generally marks the beginning of summer vacation for many Argentinians. And in the business district, which was one of our stops today, they celebrate the New Year in a a unique way, by throwing some of "last year's" business papers out the window. Despite making a mess of the streets, I have to admit I kind of like the symbolism of it... I'm tempted to duplicate this when I get home... into appropriate paper recycling bins, of course.
There are other differences to get used to as well... of course, the language... I really should have brushed up on my Spanish. To quote one of Steve Martin's old comedy routines, "They've got a different word for EVERYTHING."
And there are different constellations in the southern sky, most notably the one many sailors relied on, the Southern Cross.
But there is one purported difference that many believe about the Southern hemisphere that, alas, isn't true... the toilets do swirl in the same direction. If you've bought into this old wives tale, or are curious about this very real effect, check out http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp
That'll give you something to do 'til my next post :-)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Escaping the Deep Freeze
Christmas is over. The presents and decorations are put away.
I just came in from shoveling twelve inches of snow off of our 200-foot driveway... well, at least enough to use the car as a plow to make tracks and ease the job considerably.
So it's definitely that time of year when the urge to get out of town becomes overwhelming...that 60's song by the Animals, "We've Gotta Get Out of this Place" is rattling around in my head.
But where can we go to escape this frigid climate? ... I know! Antarctica! Just three plane rides and a couple more days by boat and we can be there...
What could possibly go wrong?
I just came in from shoveling twelve inches of snow off of our 200-foot driveway... well, at least enough to use the car as a plow to make tracks and ease the job considerably.
So it's definitely that time of year when the urge to get out of town becomes overwhelming...that 60's song by the Animals, "We've Gotta Get Out of this Place" is rattling around in my head.
But where can we go to escape this frigid climate? ... I know! Antarctica! Just three plane rides and a couple more days by boat and we can be there...
What could possibly go wrong?
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