Back in Mendoza round 2!

VINES OF MENDOZA

VINES OF MENDOZA is an excellent place to know about when you visit Mendoza. Here you can taste and discover over 90 special small production wines by the guided flight, glass and bottle in their tasting rooms. Or, you can reserve a place for their Wednesday evening WINEMAKER NIGHT. For just $7 us from 7pm - 9pm featured winemakers speak to you about what makes their wines special as you sample several and have some cheese and bread. Vines of Mendoza also has Acequia Wine Club to help members have access to the hard to find wines from these small production boutique vineyards. Their online wine shop features 40 of the superlative wines that they have in the Tasting Room. Check out their on line sight by clicking HERE.

Having fun here and there...

Alexia and Austin are just happy to be together hanging out!

Luke and Austin at the Recoletta Arts and Crafts fair located right next to the cemetery every weekend from 10am - 7pm.Dinner at another great restaurant called Sarkis. Written up in the Time Out Magazine, Buenos Aires. Arabian food similar to greek cooking.

The boys checking out a hand made stone statue horse in La Boca.

Lunch break for the girls during our shopping extravaganza!

Resting during the Palermo Soho shopping trip.

During the Leshers visit we did all kinds of things. The girls went shopping in my FAVORITE part of the city, Palermo Soho. Boutiques galore of all high quality stuff elegantly presented in a quaint neighborhood. This is where you will walk until you drop to see it all! Go there, pick up a map in any of the boutiques, and start walking though the neighborhood. The map lists all the boutiques, furniture stores and restaurants.

The men hit the army museum on be half of Luciano's desire to see the weapons. Weapons they did see and lots of them. Thank goodness with out us moms, they also went climbing up a rock wall. I don't think any pictures were taken. Oh well, you can just image the 4 of them climbing! I heard Austin made it up first?

Meat and cheese to admire...

Found this one day along Avenida Corrientes on our way to the subway...

Pierno's Italian Restaurant with a little bit of wine before we dine!

An excellent Italian restaurant conveniently located one block from our apartment called Pierno's is a must do. The owners are just wonderful, the food is excellent, and the atmosphere is perfect. Pierno's is written up in the "Time Out magazine" for Buenos Aires. Want to know where all the great restaurants are in Buenos Aires? Time Out Buenos Aires has a well organized list categorized by neighborhood and then by food type. I have used this source with great luck and have really learned a lot about the food and where the hot spots are in all areas of the city. You can buy the latest issue at most new stands in the tourist areas such as Florida Street or anywhere in central BA. Click here to see whats available for your next trip. They feature over 120 cities worldwide and are growing I'm sure.

Also above is pictured one of our favorite Argentine wines. I took the picture so we can look for it when we return. I hate to think of what it may cost in the states. Here it 18 peso which equates to $6. Oh my, we may have "sticker shock" upon our return to the states! Maybe one of you may look for it next time you head to the state store and let us know.

BOOKSHELF trade

Between our guests arrival and departure, Randall traded some of his expertise and time for a membership to a very excellent club, the South American Explorers. We met Kate who works at the club during an "expat party". She explained they were in dire need of a simple bookshelf!! Of course you know Randall, he can make just about anything!! So, he did. Using a loaned jigsaw, a drill, his leatherman and scrap lumber, he constructed the above bookshelf. Nothing fancy, but it works and serves the purpose.

If you are ever planning a trip to any country in South America especially Peru or Argentina, you will want to explore THIS WEBSITE!! While you will only get a sampling of the information, you will see that it is worth it to become a member to get the rest!

Happy visitors...

I think my dad and Lou enjoyed their visit. I wish I would have taken a picture of all the leather items they purchased. We discovered 2 EXCELLENT custom tailored LEATHER manufactures. The first one Randall stumbled upon on Avenida Cordoba 3573(that is how they label street addresses) which is located only 2 blocks or so from our apartment. What a superb find!! They are the MANUFACTURES of the TOP quality leather goods!! You will find what they make with various labels in retail stores. One of the labels is LOPEZ. So for almost 2 times the price you can buy the leather goods with the LOPEZ label on the SAME item or you can just show up at the manufacturer, buy direct custom made leather goods for 1/2 the retail price. We verified this down town near Avenida Floridia, the walking street, filled with leather retailers! So now you know where to get a customized great deal!

The other GREAT leather store is a one man operation. He designs and makes custom fit leather goods from pants to jackets all available and done in one location. His quality and prices were excellent but I can't share the information until I get my hands on his card. I'm sure with our next visitors in about 1 week, we will be revisiting both locations! The details will follow soon.

Jardin Japonse: huge, green, relaxing...

The Japanese Garden is another gate way for peace from the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside the garden you will find ponds, arched bridges, a garden house filled with bonsai trees, orchids and other items, and a sushi restaurant. For all the details click here, Jardin Japonse. As I saw on their website a visit in the Spring will offer more diversity in colors.

Crafts, Artwork, Musicians, Tango...

EVERY weekend there are street markets near by where one can find an assortment of quality handmade crafts and vibrant artwork while enjoying local musicians, food and sometimes tango dancers!

earthy colors

striking beads and seeds

real live statues?

check out the old piano

passionate singers

#1
Where?
In San Telmo called the Feria de San Telmo,
walk along Defensa between Plaza Dorrego and Parque Lezama all of that area and some beyond

When?
Sundays 10am - 5pm

What?
antiques, jewelry, gaucho items, artwork, vintage clothing, collectibles, silver ware, sidewalk cafes, mimes, music, tango shows free, leather goods, mate gourds...

#2
Where?
In Recoleta called the Feria Artesanal
located right next to the famous Recoleta Cemetery in Plaza Intendente Alvear

When?
Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 7pm

What?
100 's of booths selling leather accessories, jewelry, hats, knives, mate mugs, clothes, woven shawls, tons of various craft items, food vendors...


In my opinion these are the biggies, but stay tuned there are more for more in futures posts!!

Botantical Beauty in the City?

Off of the bustling street of Avenida Santa Fe, we entered the Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays. When you are continually surrounded by cars, buildings, people and buses, a stroll through the Botanical Garden takes you to peace and tranquility. During the heat of the day, you'd never know that this garden houses HUNDREDS of cats. Randall and I had been here at the close of the park one early evening watching 100's of cats roam the grounds, lounge on the steps, roll in the grass. While at the park one sunny afternoon with my dad and his wife Lou, we maybe saw one cat? I guess they hide under the greens for heat relief!