Leaving BA....heading to Iguazu!

I am leaving BA and heading to Iguazu today. It will be sad to leave my little apartment and the excitement of BA, but I am excited to explore a new place!

Yesterday was both very relaxing and very social. Since I had already done most of the "must-sees" in BA, I simply walked around and took in the city one last time. I went to this adorable cafe and had a sandwich before stopping by Freddo for (what else!) Dolce de Leche ice cream. (SIDE NOTE: I need to watch the amount of ice cream I am consuming. I haven't noticed my pants getting tighter just yet, but it is bound to happen if I keep eating and drinking the way I am!) I also did some shopping, which was AWESOME. There is this cute little store here called Rhapsodie -- think Anthropologie back home -- and I picked up the cutest skirt there. It wasn't insanely cheap, but it is not going to break the bank either.

So even though the morning was spent alone, the afternoon was crazy busy meeting up with three people! First, I had a mate (a famous Argentine tea, sort of like Green Tea) with a Mount Holyoke alum (Karina). Then I saw Alexandra again (friend of a friend in Houston who lives in Buenos Aires with her porteno boyfriend) before meeting David, another friend of a friend! Whew! It is so nice to meet new people -- definitely makes traveling alone more fun and exciting!

More pics from my trip are below! Some of these are from my Monday tour.....but they give you a better sense of what the city is like.

Chau Chau for now....

P.S. The image above is from La Boca, a very cool (but VERY dangerous) part of BA. It was originally home to many of city's Italian immigrants, and today it is famous for its football team (Boca Juniors) and multi-colored homes, which were painted with leftover paint from the shipping docks (hence the crazy colors -- they could only use whatever paint was free!)














Some Colonial architecture in BA. This is near the Recoleta Cemetery. In BA, there is very little Colonial architecture for two reasons -- first, it rains a fair amount, so the adobe doesn't last, and second, once Argentina gained independence, they tore down a lot of the "colonial memories." A shame, for sure, since it is beautiful!














Me in front of the tomb of Evita, the most beloved and despised woman in Argentine history. I know, it is sort of disturbing to take a pic in front a dead woman's grave (and smiling no less!). The story about how her body got here is pretty interesting...read about it here. It's also the only tomb in the cemetery that ALWAYS has flowers on it.


















Plaza de Mayo....and me! This was taken on Monday. It was GORGEOUS (but VERY hot!), and I am so glad I was sporting SPF 50! Even with that on I got a little burned... And the shirt I am wearing is not very flattering, I admit....see, you can tell I am getting a little bit of a belly. No more ice cream!!


















Here I am in front of the Casa Rosada, or the "Pink House." This is where the president works. There is a story that it was painted pink to represent the colors of two opposing political parties (one color was red, one was white!) but this isn't true....per my tour guide, pink was simply a fashionable color when the building was erected. I want a pink house too!!!

When Branding Doesn't Work

Short post but important.

I was in Boca, Buenos Aires on Monday. Great little part of town with colorful homes and a very exciting working class culture. Also one of the most dangerous parts of BA (don't worry, I was on a tour during broad daylight!) and home to one of BA's most famous football teams -- Boca Junior. Here is a pic of the stadium:














Notice anything funny? How about the black and white Coca-Cola ad? That's right -- Coca Cola ONLY advertises in Black and White at the Boca Junior stadium. Why? Quite simple -- Boca's main competitor, River Plate, boasts the colors Red and White, and there is NO WAY that the "Bosteros" would allow the colors of "Los Millonarios" in their stadium. So....Coca Cola has to advertise in Black and White. It is the only place in the world where Coca-Cola does not have red and white ads.

Crazy right? Can you imagine Coke making the same advertising sacrifice in the states? But football is such a religion here in Argentina, that they really had no choice. Sometimes you have to go with the flow!

Thoughts on BA, Part 2

Wow, what to say other than I LOVE IT HERE! It is probably a good thing that I don't speak Spanish, because if I did I would seriously consider quitting my job search and moving here permanently.

There are two aspects about BA that appeal to me so much: the culture and the prices. Culturally, BA is like a South American Paris -- gorgeous surroundings, beautiful people, and amazing food and wine....but even though it is one of the vainest countries the world (this coming from natives, NOT me) it doesn't take itself too seriously. Maybe its because the country has been to hell and back about half dozen times in the last 100 years...I don't know. But there is a chillness in attitude that you would never find in ANY European country. Second, and I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but.... the place is insanely cheap. My steak dinner last night was incredible and I paid a mere $23 for it (including 2, count 'em, 2 bottles of wine!!). I don't think I could have MADE it for that cheap. Did I die and go to heaven or what??? (Btw the image above is a random street fair that I ran across in Palermo....I have no idea what they were celebrating, but it was pretty cool!)

There are some pics below that illustrate what I have been up to for the last couple of days. All photos will (at some point) be posted online at jenpearsall.shutterfly.com but for now, this will give you a taste of BA from my viewpoint!

Love you all!

XOXO
Jen

PS - Still no word from "THE" job. Will keep you posted...

PPS - Saw some AWESOME Tango today! Check out the videos on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jenpearsall














MALBA, Contemporary Art Museum. The one and only museum I plan on visiting. I am trying to make this a more chill and relaxed vacation where I spend more time in cafes than staring at art work....














Parks of Palermo....green and gorgeous. Oddly enough, none of the trees or flowers that populate BA are natural. BA is naturally pretty treeless, so these were all planted once the city grew.














San Telmo flea market. The girl next to me is Kate, who took my apartment in Beantown when I moved to Houston. Totally weird coincidence that we were in BA at the same time...and we took the same flight down!!














AMAZING steak dinner. YUM!

Thoughts on BA, Part 1

Hey folks,

So here I am, wrapping up my third day in BA. The city is incredible -- the European influence is hard to miss, and you guys know how obsessed I am with Europe.

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind. I've taken a Spanish lesson (although you would never know it...), eaten 2 ice cream cones, bought some gifts at the San Telmo "feria." taken in an art museum (the MALBA), hung out in one of BA's most stylish eateries (Bar 6 in Palmero), drank about 2 bottles of wine, and walked 'til I wanted to collapse (which I promptly did on my apartment's couch!) I have been very fortunate to have some friends of friends in town, so I have been tagging along with various people over the last few days. Although I do travel well alone, it is nice to not have to eat alone EVERY night!

Definite plans for the next couple of days include a traditional steakhouse, a city tour, Recoleta cemetery and coffee with an MHC alum. (When you travel alone, you have to reach out to EVERY connection possible!) Potential plans include a quick trip to Colonia, lots of shopping and a tango show – the shopping and tango show depend on what happens with the job situation (fingers crossed I get it!).

Internet is acting up, but photos will come soon! I promise!

PS – I heard that BA was no longer the discount traveler’s paradise that it used to be. Um, maybe if you compare it so the middle of Africa! I have been THRILLED with the prices thus far. Case in point – a trip to the grocery store today put me back 40 pesos, or about $11.50. What did I get for this? Let’s see – a bottle of NICE wine, cookies, three yogurts, a bunch of fruit, AND a few diet cokes. Dinner last night at a fancy Palermo spot was 60 pesos – or about $17 – for a HUGE meal, bread, bubbly water, and two big glasses of wine. Houston guys and gals (I MISS Y'ALL!!!), can you imagine going to Dolce Vita and walking out of there with a $17 bill??? Um, yeah, I think not.

In Buenos Aires!

I have arrived!

My flight was uneventful -- just what you want when you are 35K feet above the earth. I watched a bit of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (will someone explain to me why Blake Lively is an actress -- she is AWFUL!) and slept some. A friend of mine was on the flight too, so once we landed I was able to hop a ride into town with her and her aunt.

And then things started going downhill....

How?

First, my backpack BROKE. Yeah, like broke. Strap not connected to bag. Are you kidding me? I think a seamstress will be able to fix it, but if not I am screwed.

Second, I had to take another cab with this total asshole driver who had no change. I mean, what cab driver has no change? After a bit of a fight that required a lot of hand waving and sad faces, I did get some change -- but my cab ride was 2x more expensive then it should have been.

Third, the apartment is kind of crummy. I mean, the actual apartment itself is fine, but the furniture and linens and stuff are a bit worn around the edges. And who rents out an apartment with entirely white furniture? Needless to say, it's not sparkling white after a year or so of travelers crashing on it.

Fourth, the internet wasn't working.

I was exhausted and annoyed and just plain frustrated. So I did what any reasonable woman would do -- I took a nap.

The internet is working now (yay!) and I'm feeling more rested, so I'm going to head outside and go for a walk. Descriptions of BA and such will come tomorrow (if the internet is still working) as will photos!

Feeling Lucky?

A friend kindly sent me this email today:

Hey Ladies-

Not sure if any of you wear Lucky Jeans like me but I just received a stack of Friends and Family Coupons in the mail today for 40% off your entire purchase. The online code is 8DFFTS in case any of you are interested in buying online. The offer is valid Dec. 7th-14th.

Merry Christmas Shopping!

I can't hook you up with the coupons, but I hope the online code works for y'all. Lucky Jeans are a bit too baggy for me (I don't own jeans, I own an extra layer of skin, as my dad once kindly put it)... but my boyfriend (hey Christian, love ya!) is a fan. So go stimulate the economy and shop!

Argentina Schedule

Here is all the info ya need!

[IMPORTANT ADDITION -- YOU MUST DIAL 011 BEFORE ALL NUMBERS LISTED BELOW!]

4 Dec, 2008: Fly from Houston to Buenos Aires (Continental Flight 51, leave at 9:00 pm)

5 Dec, 2008: Arrive in BA at 11:20 AM. Staying at a rented apartment here:
Paraguay 4419, 1st Floor Apartment A, Palermo Viejo
Phone number is (+54-11) 4833-3765

10 Dec, 2008: Fly from BA to Iguazu (LAN flight 4026, leave at 1:20 pm and get in around 3 pm). Staying here:

Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa
Parque Nacional Iguazú, Iguazú 3370 Argentina
Phone: (54) (3757) 491800

12 Dec, 2008: Fly from Iguazu to Mendoza w/ connection in BA (LAN flights 4025 and 4228, leave at 1:50 and arrive at 6:30 -- assuming no delays when I connect!)

Staying here in Mendoza:

B&B Plaza Italia
www.plazaitalia.net

14 Dec, 2008: Overnight bus from Mendoza to Bariloche. Details TBD, but I look to leave at about 9 pm and arrive in Bariloche at around 1 on the 15th

Staying here in Bariloche:

www.hosterialasmarianas.com.ar

18 Dec, 2008: Flight from Bariloche to El Calafate. Aerolineas flight 2694. Leave at 1:20 and arrive shortly after 3.

Plans are to go to Chalten that evening either via bus or rental car. Rental car may be the preferred method given that the flight to El Calafate is almost always delayed and I don't want to miss the bus!

Staying in Chalten from the 18-21 here:

Senderos Hosteria
www.senderoshosteria.com.ar

21 Dec, 2008: Drive back to El Calafate. Fly back to BA on Aerolineas flight 2899 (leave at 7:30 and arrive at 11:30 pm)

22 Dec, 2008: Go home :( Fly from BA to Houston (Continental Flight 50, leave at 11:50 pm)

23 Dec, 2008: Back in Houston around 6 AM

Plans on getting home are TBD...but it will probably be on miles since I am so late to book anything!

Miller High Life

So my interviewer asked me today -- "what is a campaign or marketing initiative out right now that you think is really great?" Um, where to start? There are so many! But one came to mind right away...Miller High Life. Random, I know, especially since I am NOT the target audience. You'll see why when you check out a commercial here:



(To be honest, the radio spots are better, but I couldn't find one online. Ok, not entirely true, but I am too lazy to figure out how to post it.)

So why do I like this campaign? Well, the writing is brilliant, the main character is absolutely hilarious and...

The timing is ABSOLUTELY perfect.

The entire campaign is built around the idea of "Living Well By Living Smart." In other words, screw the flat screen TVs and the label-heavy clothing and the fancy new clubs. Miller High Life is about enjoying the little things in life -- like a nice cold beer -- and not spending a fortune doing it. Um, I don't know who Miller's fortune teller is, but she's a freaking genius. Given that everyone and their uncle has gone from riches to rags in less than two months, the entire premise of the campaign is spot on. It is totally in tune with today's disastrous economy.

So it's funny, entertaining AND relevant? That's advertising perfection.

Oh yeah, and one more thing: the ads work. EDUCATED, INTELLIGENT, AND EMPLOYED GUYS ARE DRINKING IT. Seriously. I've been to two parties in the last month and BOTH were stocked with Miller High Life. Are you kidding me? You mean the cheap, watery beer people used to chug at underage frat bashes is now being served at sophisticated house parties? I kept waiting for the Miller High Life Delivery man to storm in and take the beer away, but he never came. Maybe next time....

Texas Merry Xmas!

You guys need to check this out! Merry Christmas!

Argentina countdown

A few days ago I said Argentina was a definite, but I lied. You see, I was offered a contract position with an ad agency here in H-town. It was a cool opportunity but something wasn't right -- it didn't feel like a place where I would be happy. So 30 minutes ago I turned it down, which means up until that point, my trip to Argentina was (potentially) on the chopping block.

Some people suggested I take the position and postpone or cancel the trip. And I seriously considered this option. But at the end of the day, if I don't want to work somewhere, I shouldn't. It is not fair to the company or myself. If my heart is not in something 100% then I won't produce work that I am proud of, and I can't live with that.

I am fortunate that I have some money saved up, as well as some freelance work coming in. I am not desperate for the first position that comes my way. But it was really hard to convince myself that this was the right decision. It is difficult to take a step back and say "I can do better for myself" especially with all the scary recession headlines...

Anyway, I cease my ramblings here.

Btw, today is World AIDS Day. Consider making a donation here:



And read this editorial. What do you think?