Monday, July 19, 2010

HAPPY DAY, FRIENDS


















This freezing weekend, I read this interview to Le Breton (French sociologist and anthropologist) - Le BRETON

Although I don't agree with several points, his swift thoughts on friendship are insightful. If you speak Spanish, I would highly recommend that you read it and I would love to know your opinion.

Among other things, Le Breton implies that once we look closely, we come to realize that we have very few good friends. How true. He also talks about a "bodily experience" and "real encounters" as a vital part of genuine and lasting contact.

This current social networking thing is wonderful but it can sometimes make us think that we have hundreds of friends. Truth is, we all know that good friends are few, and that "when you see the number 300 on your friends list, that's just people" as he puts it. In my opinion, these are all people likely to become friends, why not? with time, conversations, moments... one never knows.

I also caught on TV what may seem like a stupid movie (which I thought was quite good!) called "Marley and I", that talks mostly about a dog, but it does have some interesting points, which I think apply to friendship. At the end of the movie, they mention what makes a dog such a good friend:

He does not care if you are young or old
He does not care if you are rich or poor
He does not care if you are having a good day or bad
He always loves you, no matter what

All these points apply to a person-friend too, right? and the good moments you've shared and will continue to share... and that he or she listens when you need to be heard...

Lastly, some time ago, I saw someone interview a successful entrepreneur from Buenos Aires living in Tokyo:

Q.
"What do you miss most from Argentina?"
A. "My friends. Argentina is the only place in the world where you can call a friend at 4:00am cause you broke up with your girlfriend and want to kill yourself, and he'll come and stop you."

I would have to agree. I've been lucky to live in several countries, and I have yet to find people with such a profound sense of friendship as we do here.

HAPPY DAY, FRIENDS!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Travel & Art

















Hotels all over the world are incorporating Art into the hotel experience, and Argentina is no exception. Some time ago I posted about James Turrell and the Hess family collection at Estancia Colomé, in Argentina's North West. Today, I invite you to see another beautiful property: El Casco Art Hotel in Patagonia. A place where art and nature meet design and comfort creating a unique setting for an extraordinary experience.

From the moment you walk into El Casco, you are inspired and stunned by gorgeous views and magnificent paintings from outstanding, Argentinian artists like Soldi, Quniquela, Campos, etc.

One could say El Casco is a classic. Although little remains from the original building, the hotel has been around since the 70's. It was then that an aristocratic German couple built the lake-side property which soon became the IT spot for well-healed South Americans and international travelers with a special love and interest for the far lands of Patagonia.

The hotel was eventually closed for many years, until Ignacio Gutiérrez Zaldívar - art collector and world promoter of Argentinian art, bought the property and turned it into what is undoubtedly, one of South America's most beautiful art hotels. El Casco Art hotel was reborn in 2006.

Each suite homes art works from a different artist bearing his or her name. Surrounding gardens are decorated with sculptures, and public spaces are filled with splendid paintings and books. Even the restaurant, with it's majestic views serves dishes worth a frame!

For more information, get in touch with one of our luxury travel experts.




Friday, May 7, 2010

Colon Theater to reopen






















Last night, construction workers, arquitects, artisans and other people who
worked in the restoring of the theater, participated in a special function. It
was the first concert there since restoration began. According to the experts,
the superb quality of acoustics of the theater remains as always.

Restoration of the stunning theater began just before 2002. A little over
$25 million USD and almost 8 years later the Colon theater - considered
one of the best five opera houses in the world, is about to officially reopen.

Argentina's Colon Theater, which rivals Old World opera houses in splendor
and sound quality, has hosted international legends such as Maria Callas,
Richard Strauss and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

The 2,487-seat Colon is located in the heart of Buenos Aires and it
is central to Argentina's European cultural identity.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mountain Hideaway



















The Mapuche word "Araucana" in local native language stands for
"woman of the earth". La Araucana lies in the solitude of
Patagonia's rolling hills, next to the sweeping melody of a
stream and amid the silence of the trees, only 7 km away from the
Andean town of San Martín de los Andes.










































































For more information on luxury vacation rentals in Argentina and Uruguay, visit: Curiocity Villas

Friday, April 16, 2010

The weekend



The other day I was reading on wiki that the weekend is something from the past? (like, most people work on weekends nowadays) I wanted to edit that!!
Have a nice and relaxing weekend!!

Love this photo from Takkai - José Ignacio, Uruguay

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Futuristas in La Boca






















Fundación Proa presents the Futurist Universe. 1909 - 1936, a historic exhibition with more than 240 works from the Modern Art Museum of Trento and Rovereto (MART) curated by MART'S Director, Gabriella Belli.

The exhibition reveals the creative passion of the futurism movement that originated in Italy in the early twentieth century. A movement that was founded by the poet Fillippo Tommaso Marinetti in 1909. A new vision of the world which serves novelty, ignores the past and admires technology, speed and industrial cities.

- What? Music, Photography, Paintings, Fashion, Objects, etc. from this revolutionary movement.
- Where? Fundacion PROA - Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929. La Boca, Caminito
- When? April - July 2010

See more: Fundacion Proa
Photos borrowed from Proa.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Getaway

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city. With it's mad traffic, crowded streets, loudness, French-style cafés, parks filled with Jacarandá trees, exciting nightlife, art scene, architecture, grand avenues, city polo fields... there is everything to love about it.
What I also love is how easy it is to get away and enjoy some slow time. I usually go to Punta del Este or Patagonia, where I am a completely happy person. But, there are also beautiful hideaways within a close distance from the city that are ideal to go unwind, play polo and enjoy nature. Estancia El Rocio, owned by a friend is an example.






Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Together, but not!

















During my short Easter break I was talking to a friend about moving in with the person you love, something that she has decided not to do, regardless of the fact that she's been with her boyfriend for almost 4 years. I've had this same conversation with several other people lately, including another friend who told me "oh, we moved together, but I still have my own place, that's what keeps me happy in this relationship".

So, I was thinking: for some people relationships have changed... I mean, first, it was falling in love, getting engaged, then married and living together. I want to highlight the fact that the "traditional" way did/ does provide the engagement part which is previous to marriage and so still if things don't work out, the couple can re think. Well thought from a logical perspective. Then, it was moving together before getting married, or maybe just moving together, having a family and not getting married. Being in love and sharing a common project does seem like enough to make the commitment to live with and share our lives with "the chosen one", don't you think? but there is also another option which is to fall in love, spend time with your sweetheart, enjoy each others' company and share experiences, but not a home!

Perhaps there are those who choose this way of "outdoor relationship" because they are divorced and have already lived with someone and that did not work well for them,  so they fear making the same mistakes? or they simply choose to live alone cause they appreciate their independence and individual space; there are also those who have children and prefer to dedicate their time to them; and those who are just young and not ready to commit. Either way, these are all valid choices among couples although sometimes it seems hard to decide. 

Photo by: decorablog

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Fuerza Bruta


















Fuerzabruta, an original production from the Argentinian creators of the hit De La Guarda, is back in Buenos Aires!
Breaking free from the convention of spoken language in theater, Fuerzabruta is an event where physical performances - some of which take place in waterly worlds just above us, speak a universal language. The language of emotions!!
A trip of exciting images and sounds.
Where? Centro Cultural Recoleta SALA VILLA VILLA - Junín 1930
When? April. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9:00pm.

Photo from La Nacion

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Black & Gold


















































From top to bottom: Josefina Ferroni Shoes; Jazmín Chebar; Evangelina Bomparola - got this last photo from Mass.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Say "HI" to Chile!

TORRES DEL PAINE









































































EASTER ISLAND













































































We’ve all been worried and sad about the earthquake that recently devastated many parts of Chile. When something like this happens, the first thing we do is think about the people we may know in the place where this is happening. In my case, many! including good friends and family.

Argentina (and the world) have showed amazing signs of solidarity, and although there is still much left to be done in disaster areas, there are good news as well! Chile’s main destinations such as Patagonia, Easter Island and the Atacama desert, among others were not affected by the earthquake. It is safe to say that it is safe to travel to Chile!

A few days ago, I received an e-mail from one of one of our Luxury Travel Experts there. It was a beautiful note and I want to share part of it with you.

It said:

“Por otra parte, para suerte de nuestro sector turistico, no resultaron afectadas las zonas de turismo y el sismo fue lejos de los iconos de Chile.- Ahora estamos en plan de promover y demostrar que estamos preparados para atender a quienes nos visiten, pues la mejor forma de ayudar es promover Chile.- “

In English:

“On another note, luckily for our tourism sector, Chile’s main vacation destinations were not affected, as the earthquake occurred far from these areas. We should now plan to continue with the promotion of our country and to demonstrate that we are ready to assist travelers who visit us. We think that the best way to help Chile is to promote Chile."

I recently mentioned Atacama on a post called Easter travel ideas now, I wanted to share with you also the magic of these two other spectacular destinations in Chile - Torres del Paine and Easter Island. ENJOY!

Photos by: Explora

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Friends




















Saw this photo in a mag and it made me think of my close friends and I, so I drew it - making some changes, and adding one more to the group!! Guess which one I am?

Argentina helps Chile with a charity concert





















This afternoon, some of the greatest Argentinian artists - including Gustavo Cerati, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Andres Calamaro, Luis Alberto Spinetta, etc. will offer a charity concert (ARGENTINA HUGS CHILE), to assist the victims of the earthquake in our neighbor country.
The concert is free, so everyone is asked to contribute with clothes, mineral water, UHT milk, and medicines, etc. Products will later be delivered to the victims, by Red Solidaria.

Where: at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta y La Pampa
When: from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cause beauty is a state of mind

















The other day I was watching someone interview a famous make-up artist here in Buenos Aires. She provided some really great advice regarding all the new trends in make-up and skin care. I was very interested in listening to everything she had to say, as I'm pretty bad with make-up. In fact, I hardly ever wear anything except lip gloss and sometimes, eyeliner. Ok, maybe some concealer too.

But what I really liked is that when she was asked about the best tips she could provide in a few words for great looking make-up, Regina K. said something like "no matter how much make-up we put on, or how well the colors we use match our skin, the only way to look truly beautiful is to feel good!" pretty obvious, don't you think? to be well with ourselves, happy, healthy. She said: "no make-up can cover-up your state of mind". I loved this! cause I often think about those ladies that look like a cake with so much stuff on their faces, or women who go out and get Botox like there's no tomorrow!! studies have found that it can become an addiction. Same with operations. And, you know what? some of them look great, but not the ones that do it as a remedy for sadness, emptiness, or lack of affection, whatever. The ones that look fabulous, I think, are women who feel great!! women who eat well, do sports, drink water, have good skin care habits, it reflects like crazy, it's a special light one has, that makes us look beautiful.

To feel good is to look good! So maybe next time we plaster make-up on our faces, or think about getting yet another shot of Botox (something I still haven't done) notice how I said still!!? maybe think about it... do I really need this?

No one said that getting Botox and operations is a bad thing, on the contrary, thanks scientists and surgeons for helping us look gorgeous!! as long as we don't forget that true beauty comes from within.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Easter travel ideas

















































The Atacama desert in Chile (the driest desert in the world) is one of the most amazing places I've ever been in. It's not only the dramatic landscapes composed of sand dunes, caves, and salt flats, the beautiful towns and people, or the sky full of stars and sunsets which make it so special, but the energy there is truly hard to describe!! To stay: Tierra (photos) and Awasi. In Santiago, the W hotel.


















































The far-flung, romantic Lake District, has some of most stunning views of lakes, mountains and forests in the world!! it's also a paradise for people who love combining good rest and that special contact with nature: rafting, horseback riding, biking, sailing, etc. My favorite thing is to stay in place like Arroyo Verde, on the countryside and enjoy the beauty of nature and home comfort. Here's my second pick for Easter: Patagonia!! I love you!!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Turn off our lights - world climate change























Fundacion Vida Silvestre in Argentina and the World Wildlife Fund, ask that we join a symbolic action against world climate change by turning-off our lights on March 27 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Sunday, March 7, 2010