You people are going to scare away Santa Claus!

We just got back from a wonderful Xmas at the beach. We rented a car and just headed south down the coast, stopping at every town to have a look. It was a bit like Goldilocks and the 3 bears- "This town is too small, this town is too big, ahh this one is just right...", only with no wild animals rousting us out of bed in the morning. We stayed in a town called Villa Gesell. It is located about 4 hours south of BA and is about half the size of Hilton Head. Our hotel,Hotel Merimar, was right on the beach, it had a pool, and breakfast was included with the room all for about US$60 a night! The owners and staff knew a bit of english, and we knew enough hand gestures to get us through check in. Our room was huge and had the biggest balcony overlooking the ocean. Literally we could have had 15 people over for cocktails.
On our first night we walked into town and ran across an outdoor ampitheather where they had a choral Christmas concert going on. We found a great restraunt within listening distance called La Delfina and Brent did a fantasic job using his spanish to communicate some pretty difficult concepts, such as how the music was nice and could he have a toothpick. Overall a great night had by all.
Christmas Eve began with a shopping excursion to buy a cooler and some beach mats. Originally we were going for chairs, but even the most rickety uncomfortable chairs ran about US$40- are you kidding me? You could, however, purchace one on layaway for about $3.50 a month. Who does that?!? Next we were off for a day at the beach, where even with #15 sunblock I was fried. Still it was great and very crowded.
Right as we began to think about Xmas eve dinner, it began to rain. Since we were walking, we ran into the first restraunt we came to- mistake. The food was easily outshined by the ambiance; and the ambiance consisted of plastic chairs, florescent lights, and kids from the only other occupied table running around and screaming. Needless to say we ate as fast as possible and then bee-lined it to an icecream shop so we could feel good about humanity again.
When we returned to our room around 11:30, the rain had stopped and the fireworks were begining. Everyone down here shoots off fireworks, from 3 year olds with Roman candles to 80 year old guys with m80's. Its crazy. I have never heard so many explosions in my life. This went on until 3am. It got to the point where you were like ok, I know its really pretty and sounds pretty cool but enough already!
On Xmas day we went to a cafe for lunch and to mess with the internet. Then we went to Mar Del Plata to go see the port and the wild sea lions who live there. Let me tell you, those guys stink! Still they were cool to see, and Mar Del Plata was pretty huge. I was not expecting a Miami type town down here.
Ok, final thought, I know this ran a bit long. One of the best things about going to the beach here in the Summer is that because it is south of BA, it is cooler. It is great to get out of the hot city and go to the shore and not feel like you jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.
Later!

Solo Espanol hoy, por favor!

From the moment Fran and I woke up this morning we only spoke spanish to each other and anyone else we ran into. Consequently, as we strolled to look at a few apartments, we spoke quite a bit less to one another. We both agree that it is a fine thing to do and we may increase our mandatory spanish only days to two per week after we get through this first one.

Since we have no car here, we are putting some serious miles on our shoes. I would guess we walked 6 miles today so far round trip. Tomorrow we will see at least four more apartments. At least our first appointment has two apartments to show us and has offered to take us by car to the second one, which is very close to our third one. We would like to have this wrapped up by days end tomorrow. If not, we will have to abandon the search and go directly to the beach! We will rent a car for a few days and just drive down the coast until we find suitable housing for a few days. To be honest, we will probably do that anyway once we throw our bags in the new apartment.

I have also found at least two people that have offered to play golf with me asap. If I can wrap things up early Friday, I have been invited to join a threesome at 2:30. I really want to do that!! But fear not my friends, I expect to complete 18 in Buenos Aires very soon. Done for now, more on the way, perhaps some pics of the new apartment, or maybe the beach, who knows at this point.