Just to clarify, we are no longer in South America. We were in Buenos Aires from November 16 through December 17. I was hoping to be further along in updating the blog, but I still prefer to post chronologically. All sorts of issues get in the way of posting regularly....time, internet connection, homeschooling, travel days, etc. I will try to add a side note to the blog that lets you all know where we are at the moment. I usually post a picture on the main page of our site (currently Lisbon, Portugal) that is either a flag or some sort of identifier of the country or city. Onto the post....

During our month in Buenos Aires we took several walks through neighborhoods and visited the Japanese gardens, the Bellas Artes Museum and the famous Recoleta Cemetery (more details on that coming in Michael's blog). Throughout our walks, we constantly marveled at the old trees throughout the city. Many of the roots were above the ground and created a long, twisting downhill path into the earth. Throw in a dark night and some fog and you have the perfect setting for a scary movie...I suppose you'd have to include a pretty coed traveling solo to make the scene complete.

At this point, everyone in Buenos Aires was preparing for Christmas. This was weird for us because it was over 80˚ every day and that made it difficult to get into the holiday spirit. It was also strange to see store windows displaying summer clothes with Christmas wishes above.

Maeve and Liam at the park with holiday activities all around (BA-Buenos Aires)

On one of the 80+˚ days, we walked to the Palermo neighborhood to see the Japanese gardens. Everyone was spent by the time we got there, but I thought it was a nice place to walk around. Needless to say, we took a cab back....and yes, he took the long way.

Of course, Liam finds the stray cat far more fascinating than anything else in Buenos Aires

The Bellas Artes Museum was also walking distance from our apartment. Even better was that admission is free! It has quite the collection for a relatively small museum. I was thrilled to see many of my favorite artists, Degas, Van Gough, Renoir, Monet, Toulouse Lautrec, Gaugin, and even Rembrandt. Maeve took a strong interest in many of the paintings and drawings as a budding artist, and the boys did have a good look, but I felt a little rushed through the musuem, so I just had to return another day.

The museum allowed pictures to be taken without a flash. Thrilled again, I went throughout the museum snapping away. I have lots more but I won't include them all. It was just exciting to see these in person. I had learned so much about art from two great teachers in a high school Humanities class. Prior to that, I pretty much went to school without complaint just to see my friends. Humanities class was the first time I really enjoyed going to a class. I do, however, recall one moment when I irritated the two teachers. We were learning about Toulouse Lautrec and after seeing a real photo of him and his short stature, I commented, "Was he named Toulouse because his pants were 'too loose'?" That almost got me a trip to the principal. I guess I needed some work on reading my audience.

The boys enjoying a moment with Degas' ballerinas

Just a few days before we left Buenos Aires, I cashed in my birthday present from Michael. He had arranged a 'spa day' for me at a hotel spa in a different neighborhood. I gladly took the subway there and navigated my way to the hotel. I enjoyed feeling like a local. It is rare to have alone time. We've been gone five months and we don't get any time to ourselves. Oftentimes, we are all in the same room all day and night. I imagine many families would be at each other's throats if they spent all day, every day with each other for five straight months. I enjoy my family. I enjoy spending this quality time all day, every day with them.

It's not always easy. Admittedly, I now know way too much about them, their bodies, their habits, etc. We can end up using this knowledge against each other in heated arguments. Apparently even our clothes can become irritating to other family members. We have worn the same outfits for five months. I don't mind at all and no one else has complained. One day Michael said to me (referring to my shirt), "One day you'll find that shirt missing." I burst out laughing. I guess he just didn't fancy the shirt and the unusual sleeves.

Lunch was included in my spa day. I had a lovely quiche.

My view and then got to swim after lunch

So we bid farewell to Buenos Aires and South America. It was a fascinating segment to our adventure and we've learned so much. There is such cultural diversity in South America. I think I speak for my family when I say Argentina was our least favorite country. There are undoubtedly beautiful areas to this country (especially wine country), but the scenery doesn't make a country (although the wine might help). People are the spirit of a country and when they spend too much energy trying to cheat you as opposed to welcoming you, then I just don't care to be there. There are these people in all countries, good and bad. Unfortunately in our experience, the bad and cold, outweighed the good and welcoming. I will take that with me as a life lesson as we continue to travel. I know Americans don't always have a good reputation abroad. We'll do our best to give a good impression regardless of what or who we face.