Oct-2015

 

Sally and Steve, old friends of Amber’s, arrived this morning.  They came out of the Ezeiza arrivals hall, and were immediately collared by a taxi driver, who took them off.  After a couple of miles he pretended to have problems with his car, and they were transferred to another car.   That driver dropped them off a block away from the flat, and grabbed Steve’s wallet in some confusion about the fare, and apparently, as discovered later, took out about US$500.  Steve was pretty upset, and cross with himself for letting it happen.  We have heard about such scams, but must say we have had nothing but good and kind behavior from taxis in BA.   Sally is here for a conference (about conferences, apparently), and then they go to Chile for a wine tour etc.  Back here after 3 weeks.

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We have the hots (temporarily, anyway) for a new flat with easier access for my wheelchair.  If there was an accessible lift, I could nip out for a bottle of milk, or go out on my own because I felt like it, or even be somehow capable of being on my own if Amber was away overnight for whatever reason.  We like San Telmo, it is fun and interesting.  But it is in the “casco historico” area with restrictive building laws.  An old pace would have character, but would likely be dark, and require maintenance.  The flat we have now is really remarkable for its great light and airiness, and super position.  A flat in even a 20-year-old building would not be much good, such have been the advances in floor to ceiling sliding doors, wiring, elevators etc.. So we are thinking about a new flat.  We have seen one, on the 12th floor of Peru and Cochabamba, with 2 bedrooms and a view over the city.  The problem is it has a view over the motorway as well, so it is a bit noisy.  The flats advertised are 50% 1 room, 40% 2 room, and only 10% with 2 or more bedrooms.  We shall continue looking.

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Astra and Finn have booked to come here from Beijing from the 4th of February for 3-4 weeks.  We plan to go with them to Jujuy (where we have been before, beautiful scenery with amazing rock colours) from 11-18 Feb.

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It has been cold the last few days, jumper+coat weather.  I read that in UK it has been the hottest November day on record.  Never mind, we will soon be toasty warm.

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We went out to dinner last night at a small restaurant round the corner that does Peruvian/Mexican food.  On manouvering out (backwards) I bumped my buggy into the door and shattered the large glass pane, though none fell out.  I was mortified, but they were very nice about it.  Fortunately nearly every shop front has metal shutters, so they would have been able to shut up for the night.  Went round this morning, and they had already replaced it.  I naturally offered to pay, but they would hear none of it.  The owner wasn’t there, so I will go again and insist.  If I can’t pay, I shall tell him, either we won’t go again out of shame, which will be a pity, or we will have to leave stupid large tips in lieu.

Nice day today, went to the tennis club to pay dues for November, then sat outside in their pretty grounds and had lunch (bife, chips, spatch-cocked chicken, salad, 2 large glasses of wine, 2 coffees, £10)