Buenos Aires for Christmas

Leslie and I arrive in Buenos Aires very late on December 21st and have decided to stay for seven days to enjoy Christmas and all the festivities that accompany the holiday in BA. We have rented an apartment in the San Telmo district.



From Wikipedia:

San Telmo ("Saint Pedro González Telmo") is the oldest barrio (neighborhood) of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is a well-preserved area of the Argentine metropolis and is characterized by its colonial buildings. Cafes, tango parlors and antique shops line the cobblestone (adoquines) streets, which are often filled with artists and dancers.
San Telmo's attractions include old churches (e.g. San Pedro Telmo), museums, antique stores and a semi-permanent antique fair (Feria de Antigüedades) in the main public square, Plaza Dorrego. Tango-related activities for both locals and tourists are in the area.

We rented this apartment for the week for the princely sum of $250 for the whole seven days! Anyone want to join us?

Red Deer Lake, Colorado

Last weekend, Leslie and I went for one last camping trip in the Rockies before we leave. It was literally our last opportunity to do so with how packed our schedule is before we leave.

Packing for RTW trip

We watched “A Map for Saturday” last night, which is a documentary about solo travelers. Pretty cool film that really inspires a person to go out and travel the world. We started talking about our packing list. I think we are both glad we are going together, and not solo though! Hopefully be light and nimble, and purchase little things on the road. This will likely change and evolve



Packing list

Backpacks…

Jim just got an Osprey Waypoint 60 which is a versatile bag that works well as luggage or for trekking and is just the right size to hold the below list of gear.

Leslie still needs to purchase this and a backpack bag for planes.

Clothes (Leslie):
Underwear
3-4 pairs socks
Flip-flops
Keen sandals
Walking shoes
2 t-shirts
1 long sleve (non-cotton)
2-3 tank tops
3 skirts
2 shorts
1 pair of khakis
Loki rain jacket
Swimsuit (2)
Hat
Long underwear
lightweight sleeping pants
knit hat

Clothes (Jim):
Underwear
3-4 pairs socks
Flip-flops
River sandals
Trail running shoes
2 t-shirts
1 long sleve (non-cotton)
3 synthetic travel shirts
2 pairs of shorts (one cotton; one synthetic)
2 pairs of long pants (one cotton; one synthetic)

Rain jacket
Swimsuit
Hat
Long underwear
lightweight sleeping pants
knit hat

Toiletries (Leslie):
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Shampoo/conditioner
Small comb
Hair ties
Deodorant
Nail clippers
Tweezers
Small mirror
Small travel towel
Moisturizer

Toiletries (Jim):
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Shampoo
Deodorant

Razor
Small mirror
Small travel towel
Moisturizer

Medicine:
Antibiotics
Pepto/Imodium
Advil
Neosporin
Insect Repellant

Sunscreen
Cough drops

Eye drops
Moleskin for foot blisters
Bandages

Other:
Passport (and copies)
Visa info

Money belts

Water filter

Iodine tablets
Ipods/earphones (essential on loud busses) - Also doubles as Skype phone
Check card
Drivers license
Sunglasses
International health insurance (need to get)
Mosquito net
Camera w/ case
Camera stand
Netbook lightweight laptop

Pacsafe Backpack Protector

Couple of small padlocks
Water bottle
Emergency contact numbers
Outlet converter
Headlamps
Deck of cards
Notebook/Journal
Pens/Pencils

Learning Spanish in Cuenca

Our good friend Ed let us know about this Spanish Immersion program in Cuenca, Ecuador. Leslie speaks a little bit of Spanish, and Jim has a few phrases, but thought this would be the best way to start off our trip so we feel a little more comfortable with Spanish in South America.

Looks like a lot of beautiful colonial buildings, and maybe we will be there for the commemoration of the independence of the city (November 3rd), during which processions, cultural acts and dances are organized.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival