I see stars . . . in Argentina?

We are now back in Brasil after 5 amazing days in Argentina. We spent the first couple of days at the Falls which Felipao already wrote about, then we went to an absolutely marvelous ranch. It was our planned splurge. Estancia La Mercedes is a 1920s ranch owned by Anglo Argentines. It was like something from Out of Africa-- high tea daily, very fine Argentina wines served at lunch and dinner, and Edi the 65 year old matron of the ranch regaled us with family lore. We canoed one afternoon and rode horses another afternoon followed by swimming and looking through their 1920s library.
(Edi, our host. The spitting image of Madeleine L'Engle).

The only bummer, and it was a big one, but all is well now, is that on the second horse ride, Tracy fell off her galloping horse (by the sheer grace of God Maddie stayed on!). She came back to the ranch not knowing where she was. When we told her that she was in Argentina, she smiled like "you gotta be kidding me." I guess that would be surreal! After a few hours of being sick and memory not returning, Felipao, Hans and Edi took her to a hospital. She got medications and an IV for $4. It took another day for her to recover but she is back in fine form.

I would definately recommend Argentina as a tourist paradise-- great exchange rate, nice people, beautiful. And those wines ($1.50 per bottle!).

Claire and Maddie were playing Marco Polo with Claire effortlessly shouting "Marco" with a perfect accent, including the trilled r.

After a 15 hour bus ride, we are now in Florianopolis at the beach with every other Brasilian, Argentinian, and Uruguayian. Our accomodations are very simple and the weather is beautiful.

All for now.