Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 15:56:50
In reply to Re: Passport arrives 9 months after application, posted by Meri-Tuuli on January 16, 2007, at 13:03:50
> Hey!
>
> > I think Latvia would be really exciting. Maybe you can spend some time in Helsinki or other Baltic cities too. The only Baltic cities I've been to is Lübeck (on the German Baltic coast).
>
> Hehehehe, I live on the Baltic coast! Actually I'm maybe 10km from the actual coast line itself.
>
> I've been to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. And, of course, I live in Finland, so have been to Helsinki many times...if you need a guide!
>
> But I've never been in the Southern Hemisphere, sadly. I take it you've just been there Lurpsie?
>
I was thinking about you Meri-T when I wrote this... "hmm, I wonder if Meri-T lives near the coast of Finland...?"I just got back from the S. Hemisphere about a week ago. We were in Argentina and Uruguay. From my impressions, Argentina is more cosmopolitan and commercialized than Uruguay, but the culture seems to be very similar. We spent our time in the Buenos Aires and Entre Rios Provinces. The different things we did on our trip include
1) Eating fine food in B. Aires. Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian influence. Very relaxing and high quality wines, cheese and meats. Save room for dessert.
2) Afternoon on the beach at Pinamar. Not as nice a beach resort as those in Phuket Thailand (my last beach vacation) Fairly developed, though.
3) Stays at 2 different Estancias (arranged through an equestrian travel agency in the USA) Very reasonable price for full room and board and all inclusive activities and wine at meals. Extremely relaxing and scenic. Picturesque landscapes of the pampa and lots of fantastic horseriding on gorgeous horses. And gauchos- you can see how the cowboy culture is different between the N. American "wild west" and the S. American Pampas. yee haw.
4. Naps. Lots of nice long naps.
5. Shopping for beautiful handicrafts (woolen shawls and such, silverware, silver and gemstone jewelery, fine leather, yerba mate accoutrements)
6. Anything that you would expect to find in a big city you can find in B. Aires, like shopping malls, movie theaters (in Eng. with Sp. subtitles), oreo cookies, diet coke, mineral water, internet cafes, EXCEPT: NO STARBUCKS. yes, folks. This culture, addicted to an espresso culture has zero starbucks, from what we observed in 16 days. Decaf? forgeddaboudit.
bon voyage
poster:Llurpsie_Noodle
thread:722817
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070112/msgs/722929.html