Really?! How do you know?! Do I have a sunburn?? Thanks for pointing that out, I hadn’t noticed!
Why do people say this to you when they see that you have a bad sunburn? Do they think you haven’t spotted it as you were getting showered and dressed for the day? Do they think you wouldn’t see the very distinct “farmer’s tan” on your arms leaving no doubt as to where your shirt ended on the day of the burn? Do they think that you don’t feel a little warmer than you did yesterday?
I’m guessing these observant folks are just trying to be helpful. Sorry to say it, but here’s a newsflash for all of you helpful and concerned people. It’s really not that helpful. It’s just a painful reminder that serves no purpose and actually intensifies the awareness.
I am fair skinned and, as I mentioned in my last post, walking my feet into “bloody stumps” in the very direct summer sun in Buenos Aires sans (without) sunscreen. So, at the end of the second day in sunny Buenos Aires, I realized that I had acquired what I would call “the mother of all sunburns” on my chest, neck and arms. It doesn’t hurt all that much, but it must be quite “shocking” for people to see, because they all feel compelled to point it out. Thanks much!
Believe it or not, I planned very carefully for this trip by bringing with me some 30+ strength sunscreen and my packable sun hat so that I could avoid this situation all together. But, the weather here is warm……..not overwhelming…… So, I haven’t felt particularly uncomfortable at any one time. It just never crossed my mind that I might get a sunburn under these conditions. I wish it had. Oh well, this too, shall pass…..Luckily, I also brought a lot of Aloe with me and I did remember to get that out!
Despite the sunburn, we did manage to press on and have a few more fun days in Buenos Aires. In our last days, we visited “Tigre”, a waterside town near the city that had a wide variety of activities. We took a train there for about $1.00 US. Such a deal!
One could ride on a boat or a ferris wheel or take a ride of another kind at the gambling tables at the very industrial looking Casino. After that, you could walk up the street and spend all of the money you just won at the large open-air market. I didn’t think it was possible, but there were more things to buy there than I saw at the largest of the markets in France. We were literally overwhelmed by the volume of goods being sold and the crowds there.
We also had some interesting evening events. We did manage to see a Tango show, which, sadly, we did not find to be very interesting. However, the taxi ride to the show more than made up for our disappointment. Those taxi drivers in Buenos Aires have no fear…..biggest white-knuckle ride of my life so far! YIKES!
The most interesting evening event, though, was a dinner at one of the “closed door” restaurants that are popular in Buenos Aires. It was quite an event. Lee and I, along with 6 other people from different parts of the world had a five-course meal with wine pairing around the dining room table in the home of a local chef. We had to take an “entrance exam” in order to get in that included a small essay on who we are and why we found the “family style” concept of eating so appealing. Funny! The food and wine were spectacular and the company was even more so. There were several people who were doing even more extensive travel than I have been doing in the last months and will do in the next ones. It was fascinating to talk with them about where they had been and where they were going and their reasons for being on the road. At the end of the dinner, we collected email information from everyone and will, hopefully, continue the dialogue. I can’t say that I have had a more interesting evening in quite a long time.
So, we are now on the ship having an adventure of a different kind. We are on the second of three sea days before we get to our first stop in Ushaia, Argentina. The ship is heading to the Antarctic and will be cruising around there for several days before we head back to Buenos Aires. We expect to see a very different landscape than we are used to and some unusual and interesting sea and land animals. Yesterday, I saw three schools of dolphins jumping in the water. It was fascinating!
So far, we have experienced a dramatic change in temperature. Yesterday I sat on deck (in the shade, of course…..sunburn, remember?) in my shorts and t-shirt. Today, I am bundled up in my long pants and sweat shirt inside the ship. Tomorrow, I am guessing I will need mucklucks! Crazy!
I’ll tell you about my next adventures as I can. I understand that when we get to the Antarctic, we will not have any internet service. The ship is very clear about that as you are making your choices for the purchase of internet packages. So, we’ll see what happens.
In the meantime you can think about Lee and I trying to stay warm as we move into progressively colder temperatures. I have all of the sweaters, outerwear and warm socks that I brought with me poised and ready……. I’m guessing I will need them!
Travel With Betsy 
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