Archive for June, 2011

There was absolute silence in the taxi as Lucas and I made our way to the airport to pick up my family.  I kept telling myself that there was nothing to worry about, that my Mom had made it onto the plane.  Lucas sympathetically held my hand.  Once we arrived, we made our way to the arrivals area and while we anxiously waited, Lucas realized that he had left his phone in the taxi.  Not the best timing in the world to lose our lifeline!  Now none of the wedding vendors or guests could get in touch with us.  We decided to deal with that crisis later and turned our attention to finding my family.  An hour passed by their scheduled arrival time and yet there was no sign of them.  Just as panic began to set in I heard a familiar voice exclaim, “Sis!”  I turned around and saw my brother running towards me, with both of my parents following behind him.  Their flight had come into a different terminal than what we had been told.  My excitement to see them was brief, once I discovered that 1) their luggage (with all of the wedding stuff) was lost in transit and 2) they were quite sick with laryngitis.  I come from a family of eternal optimists though and we decided to focus on the positives: we were all safe and sound in Buenos Aires and soon we would be celebrating the marriage of Lucas and I.  From the airport we went straight to our home away from home for the next week, which was an apartment in Recoleta.

Our apartment's balcony from the street.

Since their was nothing to unpack, I decided that my family’s first experience in Buenos Aires should be something extra special.  Just 3 blocks away from the apartment happened to be one of my favorite places in the city, La Recoleta Cemetery.  It is the city’s oldest and most celebrated cemetery, housing the tombs of many of the leading figures of Argentinean history, including the famed Eva Perón (Evita).  The architecture that is found there will astonish and I highly suggest spending several hours getting lost amongst the maze of stone and marble tombs while taking in the historical significance.  It is a calm, peaceful spot amidst an incredibly hectic city.  This is certainly one of the jewels of Buenos Aires.

Thus, come stroll along on a photographic journey with me through this resting place of the dead and make sure to take a moment to reflect on your own life and appreciate all of freedoms and pleasures that being alive brings. . .

And in case you are looking for a future burial spot, the grave next to Evita's is currently up for sale!

After a long day of exploration we were all ready for our first sleep in the apartment.  Yes, the wedding stress was continuing to amass, but I was the happiest woman in the world to have my most treasured loved ones around me in such an important time in my life.

Usually when people say that they are ‘crossing the pond,’ they are referring to the bright lights of the U.S.A.  However, on my most recent excursion, I was crossing that extensive pond to the island of Puerto Rico, also known as “The Island of Enchantment.”

The first thing any budgeting traveler needs to know about Puerto Rico is that hostels do not really exist outside the main cities.  This leaves you with the budget busting option of forking out around $50-$100/night on a hotel.  Not ideal, I know.  Never fear!  For there is a cheaper alternative: accommodation known as paradores, similar to B&B’s, are found all over the island.  Best to research this before you set off, lest you spend your entire budget on a bed.

If you are an avid surfer, then Puerto Rico is your mother-ship (or board!).  During a trip into Rincon, I discovered Domes Beach, located along the Sunset Coast.  The waves on this particular beach easily hit around 25ft.  As you might imagine, I grabbed my board and readily hit the water.  In addition, the beaches are gorgeous — shining white sands, glistening blue ocean — what more could you want?  A word to the wise: this particular beach was incredibly busy, thus it is not worth visiting if you want peace and quiet.  In addition, the sea is not particularly great for swimming due to the amount of rocks and sea urchins dotted about.

Despite what it seems, I did not want to spend the entire duration of my trip on the beach.  A particular highlight of my Puerto Rican explorations was Old San Juan.  This area has a mixture of residential and commercial districts, all located within the many narrow streets.  It has 6 main plazas, my personal favorite being Plaza de Armas, which contains 100 year old statues representing the 4 seasons.

Restaurants in Puerto Rico have an amazing array of dishes promised to tantalize any tourist’s taste buds.  For guaranteed satisfaction get yourself to St. Germain Bistro & Café in San Juan.  Sadly, this restaurant is rather expensive. However, if you go on a Sunday from 10am -3pm for $17.25, you get a drink plus a 2-course meal.  I highly recommend a local meal called mofongo.  It is a Creole dish made from fried green plantain in a broth with pork crackling, garlic, and olive oil.

Puerto Rico sure lived up to its name.  It enchanted my mind, body, and soul.  Although luckily it did not manage to enchant my budget into the red.

Jade Eva is an English Literature student who has read books based in all the corners of the world. But now she wants to see it for herself. From Verona to Vegas, Peru to Portugal, Jade will see it all!

In a land where red-headed lasses and mythical creatures roam green countryside, castles provide an intimate glance into Medieval life.  Royalty and other government officials have used Irish castles as peaceful vacation getaways for numerous years.

Ireland is the 3rd largest island in Europe.  Literature, science, and education have been strongly influenced by Irish culture.   3 National Heritage Sites are located in Ireland: Bru na Boinne, Skellig Michael, and the Giant’s Causeway.

Castles are described as residential structures built throughout Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages to protect noble persons and their property.  Early versions were found in China and Egypt.  Castles constructed during the 9-11th Centuries consisted of basic designs made from timber, earth, and stone.  After gunpowder became popular in the late 12 Century, stone became the preferred building material.  Additionally, towers were added to the design to provide more gun stations.

One of the most well known castle’s located in the Irish countryside is Ashford Castle.  The location previously hosted Prince of Wales George V and President Regan.  Kissing a stone located within the ruins of Blarney Castle gives the gift of eloquence.  Find examples of Irish craftsmanship along Killarney Lake with a visit to Ross Castle. Visit ruins of the largest Anglo-Norman castle in the country, Trim Castle.  In 1753, Lismore Castle was designated the official residence of the Duke of Devonshire.

The 5th largest city in Ireland, Galway, has been dubbed the cultural center of the country.  On Shop Street, visit Lynch’s Castle.  Residents refer to the building as Ireland’s finest example of a Medieval town house design.  Local attractions include: the Irish Language theater and The Galway City Museum.

Galway Hotels cater to every budget type and offer a variety of amenities.  Enjoy large beds, spa treatments, and drinks in the bar/lounge area.  Hotel business centers are equipped with internet access, fax, and copy machines.  Before booking a room, be sure to ask essential questions,such as how far the hotel is located from the city center.  Since buses and trains are primary modes of transportation for the city, dress comfortably for all excursions.

Find great hotel deals in Ireland by conducting an online search.  Travel engines offer deals and discounts on accommodations.  If you have a specific establishment in mind, contact the location directly to inquire about unpublished deals.  Book a package deal that combines transportation and accommodations to save money when visiting the castles of Ireland.

A visit to Ireland is recommended by Sergio, author of this post.  Sergio writes about travel and has reviewed many destinations around the world.

I love being surprised!  And surprised I was when I ventured to the top floor of Hotel Moreno for breakfast.  I had no idea that it would open up to a rooftop with sweeping views of the city (it also had some inviting sunbeds that I took advantage of post-breakfast so that my food could digest properly).

Then it was time to conquer our endless to-do list.  As with most weddings, problems were arising left and right, causing the stress to quickly build.  I had yet to meet the florist that my wedding planner, Julie, had chosen to work with.  Thus, we felt it important that I stop by for an introduction and to go over the final plans one last time.  Several people had recommended La Mejor Flor to Julie and in all of her dealings with them she had been impressed.

Lucas and I arrived earlier than Julie and waited for her outside of the store.  Once we discovered that she was running behind schedule, we decided to go inside and since I was determined to document everything, I asked if there were any problems with me taking photos and was told no.  However, after taking a couple of photos, a woman who had been in the back of the store appeared and in a very impolite way told me to put down the camera.  We explained that we had been given the authority to take photos and that they were in fact our wedding vendor and yet I was still treated with utter disrespect.  Thankfully, in that moment Julie arrived and took control of the situation, as I was very close to firing them.  I did not leave our meeting feeling confident, though I had no other choice than to trust in their reputation.

We still had much more to do, but the 3 of us decided that we needed to regroup and the best way to do that was over drinks.  We headed to our favorite nearby watering hole, Mott, where we were confident that we could find our calm amidst the chaos.

Lucas and I's last picture together as fiances.

I wonder who had the beer and who had the mojito?

My family was arriving the next day and this was definitely a large part of the stress I was experiencing.  My Mom is deathly afraid to fly and there was a strong possibility that she might not even get onto the plane.  Thankfully, my Dad and brother were with her and they promised me that she would make it to Buenos Aires.  It is astonishing that someone like me, who feels the most comfortable when on a plane, can share the same genetics with a woman whose greatest fear in life is flying.  The last thing my Mom said to me before I walked through security just days before were, “When our plane crashes, you must promise me you will still get married.”  Not quite the words of wisdom this bride-to-be was looking for!  That night I went to bed knowing that in the morning I would be surprised yet again, though this time it would not be regarding the hotel, rather it would be whether or not I would see my Mom at the airport?

Lucas and I slept splendidly in our California king bed and to further indulge ourselves we took advantage of our private butler at Algodon Mansion by requesting room service.  Is there anything more glamorous than breakfast in bed with your loved one?

Then it was time to check out of our little oasis in Recoleta and head to another barrio for our next hotel adventure.  For the following 2 days we would be staying at Hotel Moreno, located in the bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo.  Of all of the barrios, San Telmo is the one that I have spent the least amount of time in.  Surprisingly, in the 6 years that I have been visiting Buenos Aires, I have stepped foot in San Telmo once and that was on my last trip in October and it was only for dinner.  Thus, I was excited to become more intimate with the popular barrio.

Hotel Moreno might lack certain luxuries of other boutique hotels, however for the price you pay you will be absolutely amazed with what you receive.  See the gigantic room with a king size bed (kitchen not shown) pictured below?  The rate for that room was $90/night!  Also included in that price was a buffet breakfast.

After Lucas and I dropped off our stuff in the room, we decided to get lost in San Telmo.  In my opinion, that is the best way to really get acquainted with a new place (well, new for me, not for Lucas).  One of the things that I love most about Buenos Aires is that it offers photographic opportunities in every direction you look.  And during our walk I encountered one after another after another. . .

While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in San Telmo, I do not think it will become my favorite barrio any time soon.  I still have such a soft spot for both Recoleta and Palermo Soho.  What is your favorite barrio in Buenos Aires?

We girls are screwed.  When we are kids, everyone fills our heads with stories of Prince Charming; that one day a man who is a superior entity, as well as rich, handsome, and noble, will emerge from his castle and rescue us on his white horse.  He is just waiting for us to grow up before saving us from our misery.  We rapidly realize this is a joke, and moreover, that we actually do not want to be saved, but by then it is too late!

So, then we start to look for something more realistic.  Instead of a Prince, we look for the perfect man.  The man who does not doubt himself.  The man who loves helping your mother in the kitchen.  The man who does not snore.  The man who is always willing to surprise you, “Prepare your luggage, sweetheart, we are going to spend the weekend at one of my apartments in Venice!”  The man who speaks Japanese and knows about philosophy (though he is not annoyingly pedantic about it).  The charming man who can play the piano and likes to draw, and, more importantly, wishes to draw you.  The man who makes the world seem a little brighter with his smile.

But what is the matter now?  Well, there are 2 problems with the perfect man.  The first one is that you are not the only one who has noticed this man; all of those she-devils that wander around have also noticed him.  Girls hate competition and one cannot argue with the perfect man, and women like arguing, at least once a month.  The second problem is just a little minor detail: this man does not exist.

When reality finally strikes hard by slapping us in the face we accept that this fairytale never really fancied us to begin with.  And, relieved, we accept that the best bet is looking for our better half.  The man who, despite all the bad, is still quite good.  The man whose defects you can stand.  The man you do not mind if he sees you in your pajamas with messy hair.  The man you can cry with and almost wet your pants laughing with.  He may not have 3 apartments in Venice, but he has the best shoulder for you to lean your head on.

Thus, ladies let us live in the land of truth — love cannot be found with impossible goals — usually it is simply right next to you.  You just have to look carefully!

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Faced with high medical costs at home, many Americans consider the less costly option of traveling abroad for medical treatment.  The health care industry calls this ‘medical tourism’ and expects significant growth over the next decade.  Although there is no comprehensive data on medical travel currently available, early indications suggest that between 100,000-1 million Americans travel each year for oversees medical care.

Countless countries provide medical tourism services, however most Americans choose Mexico because of its close proximity to the United States.  Other countries favored by Americans include: Thailand, Costa Rica, and India.  Some foreign markets specifically target Americans, promoting their services with flashy brochures, promising luxurious rooms, spa-like care, and vacation packages within the price of the trip.

Of course the real reason for medical tourism is financial.  Most patients considering this option are either uninsured or under-insured, and are looking for cost savings.  Cosmetic surgery patients, particularly those seeking liposuction, find the offers attractive because their treatments are rarely covered by insurance.  According to the American Medical Association, procedures preformed abroad can cost up to 80% less than if they were done in the United States.  Facial liposuction cost, which can seem prohibitive to some patients, can look seductively affordable when offered by a clinic in a foreign country.

The real question is whether cost is the best way to choose medical care?

Are there risks associated with medical tourism?  The industry claims that consumers can expect the same quality of care that is offered in the United States, however there is no comprehensive data to support this claim.  In fact, both the American Medical Association and Joint Commission International (which accredits international hospitals) caution the consumer to be careful.  Although many consumers return to the United States satisfied with their treatment, others return with complaints and complications.  This is partly due to problems identifying qualified surgeons.  Because there is no way to adequately research and interview an oversees physician, patients often choose a doctor from a word-of-mouth (or internet) referral.  Unfortunately for these patients, whether they get a competent surgeon can sometimes be attributable to luck alone.

Done properly, liposuction is a relatively safe treatment intervention.  Like all surgeries though, complications can arise.  The greatest risk is that of infection, but patients can also suffer from poor wound healing, hypostatic pneumonia, and other iatrogenic problems.  While rare, a poorly performed surgery can even result in death.

Cosmetic surgery patients need to be particularly attentive the skill of the surgeon, since the outcome will affect the way that they look.  For this reason, facial liposuction can be a particularly sensitive intervention.  If the surgery is not performed skillfully, the patient could be left with noticeable facial flaws, including asymmetry, lumpiness, and/or mottling (reddish blemishes that may or may not fade over time).  In some cases, liposuction patients report numbness that may be permanent.

For any patient, these results would be disturbing, however for the medical tourist, they can be costly.  Oversees doctors may not feel obligated to correct these problems, leaving patients saddled with additional medical expenses.  When post operative issues arise after the patient has returned home, they find that American doctors are reluctant to provide follow up treatment because of liability issues.

Thus, what should the consumer do?  Follow the American Medical Association’s advice: be cautious.  Fancy fliers and brochures do not ensure safety.  Look carefully at your options, research, and make sure that you have covered as many bases as possible.  Never make assumptions as a medical tourist.  It could be a costly mistake.

Casey Scott is a freelance writer who became interested in health and fitness recently, thinking that opting for a healthy lifestyle is probably one of the best decisions should could make.  Traveling is becoming a hobby as well, as she wants to experience new places and culture just as much.

Our special evening was a dinner date at Algodon Mansion’s award winning Argentine and French fusion restaurant Chez Nous.  Month’s prior, I had read an article in Vogue about how spectacular the restaurant was, thus I was quite excited to experience the culinary treat for myself.  First, however, we met Julie, my best friend/wedding planner extraordinaire for a welcome cocktail in the restaurant’s adjoining bar.

As the three of us caught up on wedding plans, it really hit me that I was indeed in Buenos Aires and getting married.  It was the first of many surreal moments over the upcoming week.  One cocktail turned into three and thankfully the restaurant let us push our reservation back an hour.  It was Argentina after all and dining at 11PM was completely acceptable, if not preferred.  The elegant ambiance was definitely an indication of what the cuisine would be like.

Lucas' Entree: L'agnau Un Petit Air Nord African (lamb tenderloin with pistaccio and mint croûte)

My Entree: Le Risotto Au Parfums Du Marche (the weekly rissoto according to market and chef´s inspiration)

Lucas' Dessert: Declinaison De Cheesecakes (trio of cheesecakes including:dulce de leche, vanilla, and white chocolate)

My Dessert: Tour Au Chocolat (Belgian chocolate sampling)

The food was sensational and for once the perfect portions!  Argentina is notorious for its super-sized portions and I needed to fit into my wedding dress.  Something else that I noticed on the menu was the “dulce de leche tasting.”  When I return to the restaurant in the future, I will make certain to save room for it, as dulce de leche is about as close to gastronomic bliss as one can get.

After dinner, we returned to our room to find a note from the hotel that succinctly described the night we had.

I emerged from Galway Airport feeling surprisingly lively, considering I had just been on a flight.  Accustomed to entering the dark steel belly of a plane only to emerge 20 hours later looking like a dirty, half-sane hermit; visiting a neighboring country was something I was already feeling the perks of.  This positive note set the tone for the rest of my historical trip through Ireland.

My original plan was to find cultural hotspots and historical cities besides Cork and Dublin.  Arriving in ‘The City of Tribes’, Galway was definitely a good start.  A colorful and multicultural city, Galway has a history going back to the 15^th Century and has the attractions to prove it.  I was blown away by the excavated ruins of the medieval banqueting hall and the Spanish Arch, an ancient city defense.  The Galway City Museum wrapped up my historical expedition perfectly, giving me a completely free overview of the whole city’s history.  After quenching my thirst for history, I decided to satisfy my hunger for food.  True to its Irish location, Galway has a wealth of pubs to choose from and finding some good, well-priced food is not difficult.  I went to The Crane Bar, which has live music playing every night.  Hotels in Ireland are not the cheapest, so I opted to stay in a hostel called the Barnacles Quay Street House, which was ideally located on a street full of pubs and restaurants.

From Galway I went southwards to the city of Kilkenny, a truly medieval city known as ‘Marble City’.  Though the city is not actually made of marble, walking through its streets is no less impressive than if it had been.  The traditional architecture is stunning and no trip to Kilkenny is complete without a trip to Kilkenny Castle.  Amazed I had managed to spend my whole stay without making a single bad ‘South Park’ joke, I continued traveling down all the way to Waterford.

Culturally rich, Waterford not only had an ancient and fascinating history, but a lively arts scene.  Theaters and galleries seemed omnipresent in this town.  However, continuing on my history binge I devoured my way through Waterford’s historical museums: The Waterford Treasures Museum, Reginald’s Tower, and the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre.  Reginald’s Tower stood out in particular to me, being the oldest structure I has seen thus far.  It is not every day you see something built in the 13^th Century.

I flew back to England from the nearby Waterford Airport and relaxed my throbbing brain filled to burst with facts I would probably forget within the month.  Do I regret not doing anything else but visit historical sites?  Not really, as Ireland is so close I return and do something else next year!

Louis Jobin is an undergraduate studying English and Japanese Studies.  His passions are European literature, Asian cuisine, and Scandinavian music.

Before I begin this tale of love, I must preface that it was both the most extraordinary, as well as the most challenging journey I have ever undertaken.  While I experienced unforgettable moments of bliss, I was tested in ways that I never imagined being tested.  Of course, all adventures, big or small, leave us changed forever.  By the time I reach the end of this story, however, you will see that I am not only a changed person, but that I am a better person and most importantly dreams really do come true.

As I boarded my plane to South America, I took note that a flight I was intimately familiar with felt quite strange to me.  I suppose it might be because it was the last time I would be taking a flight as a single woman?  It was an interesting experience carrying a wedding dress through an airport and onto a plane; the special attention was something I could easily get used to.  After the plane took off, a flight attendant came over to me, put her hand on my shoulder, and said, “I watched your face closely as we ascended into air and I realized your life is about to change in such a huge way.”  She could not have been more right!

Unfortunately, at the last minute, the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina in which my flight was scheduled to land at was switched.  Thus, there would not be enough time for my fiance, Lucas, to meet me at the new airport.  I had been dreaming of our “airport reunion” for 7 months and was definitely disappointed that after I walked through customs he would not be there waiting for me.  Although, he was now waiting for me at our hotel, Algedon Mansion, with 2 glasses of champagne.

In all of my travels, I have never seen a hotel room as gorgeous as the one we stayed at in Algodon Mansion.

I have been to hotels with to-die-for views and stayed in rooms that thoroughly impressed me, but this room, well it took Lucas and I’s breath away.  It was the size of a small apartment and it just oozed luxury.

Oh, and did I mention that the room came with our own private butler?  We were also gifted a bottle of Malbec from Algodon’s vineyard in Mendoza as a wedding present!

I should not have expected anything less than perfection from a mansion in the heart of the glamorous barrio of Recoleta.  I truly felt like I was in a fairytale being in the arms of the man I loved in such beautiful surroundings with our wedding now just days away!  Before we could get too settled, we had to get ready for the special evening that we had planned.  .  .