Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Preparing For Your South American Journey: Chin Chin! Travel Adventure 2012


People often ask how I prepare for my trips abroad. Friends and family wonder how I find those perfect places to stay, meet locals and develop friendships that last, and create unique experiences that make such wonderful stories upon my return. It really comes down to 3 basic principles that reflect my personality in general:

(1) By nature I'm detailed oriented and love to conduct lots of research. The evolution of the Internet over the past decade has helped independent travellers such as myself to explore destinations, book accomodations and create an itinerary on their own. It's an excellent starting point. I take this research one step further by connecting via email or phone with hotel/apartment owners, tour guides and cooking school chefs in the cities I plan to visit. By the time I meet these people in person, I've already made that personal connection that helps enrich the travel experience.

(2) Trip preparation also means opening yourself early to the culture and language of your intended destination. Every since I can remember I've loved learning foreign languages, have listened to music from around the world and have a yearly subscription to the Bytowne movie cinema in Ottawa that presents foreign films regularly. So when I'm bound for a foreign destination, I ferret out pockets of that destination in my home town.

(3) Inject fun into priming yourself for that "trip of a lifetime". To prepare for "Argentina 3.0", I just started a language class to brush up on my Spanish and in about 2 hours I'm heading to a Salsa dance class.  Reconnecting with South American friends and acquaintenaces who live in Ottawa for coffee, brunch and drinks (Malbec wine, of course!) is also helping me create an energetic swirl of anticipation.  Soon, I'll invite a small group of friends and Chin Chin! travel adventurers to my place for an evening of Argentine food, music, wine and fun.

So as you can imagine, when I embarked upon my first trip to Buenos Aires the excitement did not begin the moment the plane landed at Ministro Pistarini (EZE) airport in November 2005. The excitement began building during the four months leading up to that time. This would be my first time in South America and I was determined to enjoy every moment of anticipation. Below I'd like to share with you some of my Argentina "Chin Chin! Before You Go" tips that I've learned along the way:


"Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #1:
Dance to the Rhythm of the City: When a travelling companion suggested we take tango lessons before our 2005 trip (thank you, Mildred Lynn!), I was game. Not only did these weekly dance outings bring us closer to the glorious music of Carlos Gardel, they came in handy during our milonga forays in San Telmo.  The tango, we learned, is the quintessential dance of Argentina that came to be a fundamental expression of Argentine culture and the Golden Age that lasted through the 1940s and 1950s.

"Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #2:
Foreign Country, Foreign Language: To help navigate the city streets, order in restaurants and feel more like a local, I took beginner Spanish lessons at an Ottawa college.  Although I was by no means fluent when I arrived in Buenos Aires, the few phrases and words I learned were more than useful when asking for a different color in that exquisite taffeta wrap I purchased!  In addition, the local people I did get the occasion to speak with were very appreciative that I was making an effort to speak their language.

Note: In Buenos Aires you will find that many people speak English and love to have the chance to practice with native speakers.

"Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #3:
Movies Reflect the Culture of a Nation: Argentina has one of the longest traditions of filmmaking in Latin America, stretching back to the turn of the 20th century. However, after a “golden era” in the 1960s, the national film industry fell into decline during decades of political upheaval and economic turmoil. Over the past 15 years, though, Argentine cinema has been going through a rebirth and continues to reflect an important facet of local culture.  Here are some great movies that will give you a feel for the culture, creativity and life in Argentina.  You may be able to rent some of these from your local library: The Secret in Their Eyes / El Secreto de Sus Oyos (2009 Oscar Winner), The Tango Lesson (directed by Sally Potter); Nine Queens / 9 Reinas; The Motocycle Diaries (early life of Che Guevara); Who Says It's Easy / Quien Dice que Es Facil; Live-In Maid / Cama Adentro.

"Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #4:
Make Local Connections while in your Home Country: Above all, the most important and beneficial action I took was to make connections with wonderful Argentinians before the trip.  I reached out to local apartment owners to find the most central neighbourhoods with lots of amenties close by. One of these apartment owners, Alicia, introduced me by email to local tour guide Cecilia with whom I booked a city tour. So by the time my friends and I landed in Buenos Aires, we knew we would be staying in an apartment in a safe district in the heart of the city, we had a city tour arranged for the day after we arrived and had made the acquaintance of two wonderful local people who graciously showed us 'their Buenos Aires'. 

"Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #5:
Prepare Well Your Travel Wardrobe: Portenos (people from Buenos Aires) are some of the most well-dressed people on the planet. Both men and women take great care in their coiffure, dress and presentation. Sneakers, white socks and t-shirts with logos are not the way to go. If you want to fit in, pack for a cosmopolitan city. Get together with a friend or two and help each other prepare at least 3-4 head to toe outfits. Do this over a nice glass of wine to enhance the experience! Sandals and shoes can be comfortable, but must be chic.  Once there, you will be surrounded with beautiful shops and unique boutiques displaying elegant clothing, leather and precious jewellry and acessories at prices so reasonable they will make your jaw drop. So your remaining outfits will be purchased 'on location'.  Which leads me to "Chin Chin! Before You Go" Tip #6: Bring an empty suitcase, or be prepared to buy one before coming back home!

If you (or a friend) would like more information on our upcoming Chin Chin! Travel Adventure, please send me an email - argentinachinchin@yahoo.com - or leave a comment below. I will be happy to respond.

More Exciting Details: Argentina Chin Chin! Travel Adventure 2012


Since the Firefly Willows L*I*V*E* Internet radio interview this past Sunday I've received some emails from interested travelers about the upcoming Argentina Chin Chin! Travel Adventure this fall. So to whet your appetite for a "trip of a lifetime", I thought you'd be interested in getting a peak at what you will experience:

Feel the Excitement of "Paris of the South": Your adventure starts with a half-day city tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. You will see first hand where European immigrants built their homes and walk in the same streets they did. You will explore the city’s beginning in La Boca (home of the infamous Argentina soccer team), the Spanish and French architecture of San Telmo, and the more upscale and elegant Recoleta with its infamous above-ground cemetery. The nostalgia of days gone by will embrace you and the potential of the decades ahead inspire you.

The Tumultuous Tango: Time to awaken your flirtatious side! With fun, personalized lessons, along with an energetic and soulful tango show and your own "milonga" (dance hall) debut, you will be introduced to one of the most mysterious and seductive dances ever created.

Self-Indulgence 101: Treat yourself to a spa day, new hair style, manicure or facial at a top-notch "peluqueria" (salon). Shop until you absolutely drop in the unique boutiques that abound in fashion-conscious Buenos Aires. You deserve it!

Gorgeous Gastronomy and Wicked Wines: Indulge in delicious Argentine beef, homemade pastas, irresistible pastries and some of the most exquisite wines on the planet from Argentina's own wine valley Mendoza. We will arm you with a list of the most wonderful restaurants, cafes and gelato shops that Buenos Aires has to offer.

Romancing the Ranch: Discover the traditional Argentine country-side in San Antonio de Areco. Feast on regional dishes, get to know the artists in the many artesenal shops and take a journey through this historical town in a horse-drawn carriage. In November, Argentina celebrates the “Dia de la Tradicion” and San Antonio de Areco comes alive with gaucho games, horse showing, music and folkloric dancing.

Sound enticing? This is just the beginning! You have been put on our magical Chin Chin! mailing list for further Argentina Chin Chin! Adventure updates. So stay tuned for more exciting details.

Until next time, let's Chin Chin!

Chin Chin! Tip: Why not rent an Argentine film this week to get a feel for exotic Buenos Aires? Recommendation: The Tango Lesson with Sally Potter (available in the foreign film section in a video store nearest you).

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Argentina Mind, Body and Spirit - Radio Interview


A good friend of mine, Mildred Lynn MacDonald (San Francisco, CA) has just launched an Internet radio show called Firefly Willows L*I*V*E!

As part of the broadcast on Sun, April 15th (10:30-11:30am PST), Mildred Lynn is airing an interview with me about my Argentina adventure of a couple years ago. If you are unable to listen in on Sunday, it's ok! The shows are recorded and you are able to listen at your leisure right after it airs on Sunday.
Here is the link to the radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireflywillowslive/2012/04/15/firefly-willows-live--mildred-lynn-hosts

Hope you can listen in!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Argentina Chin Chin! Travel Adventure 2012

Hello/Hola!

For over 20 years I have been an avid and passionate traveler, having studied, lived and travelled in Europe, Asia, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, and USA. In September 2006 I made the life-altering decision to move to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the "Paris of the South". For a year I lived like a local, learned Spanish, developed beautiful friendships and enjoyed delicious cuisine. To put it simply, I had the best social life of my life.

After 5 years being back in Canada and continuing to travel the world (Ireland, America, Asia and my home province of Newfoundland), Argentina beckons once again. In late 2012 I will be returning to Buenos Aires to share my love of this beautiful part of the world with other like-minded travelers. If you’re an exotic traveler by heart, or you naturally seek out fun and exciting activities that can be classified as “something different”, then this adventure is for you.

To share my experiences and knowledge of Argentina with you, I’m planning a fun-filled travel adventure for a small group of Canadian woman in November 2012. The experience includes a 12-day escorted and personalized tour starting in bustling Buenos Aires where you’ll get swept up in tango and other Latin American dances, pamper yourself at a local spa/salon, shop until you absolutely drop and indulge in delicious foods and famous Argentine wines. Then you'll travel to a traditional town in the Argentine pampas where you can unwind with nature.

As a free-spirited traveler, I enjoy my own special time to explore a city. So, we’ll make sure that you will have pockets of time to make your own personal discoveries. Your stay will be in comfortable, central accommodations close to many restaurants, cafes and shops.

Here are some articles that sing the praises of both Buenos Aires and the Argentina countryside. Feel free to explore them:

1. NY Times Travel Guide to Buenos Aires

2. Shopping in Buenos Aires

3. San Antonio de Areco: A Visit to Rural Argentina

Traveler Alert: As of April 2012, one Canadian dollar = 4 Argentine pesos. That's four times the value for your money!

If you (or a friend) would like more information, please send me an email - argentinachinchin@yahoo.com - or leave a comment below. I will be happy to respond.

Remember - Argentina awaits. Let´s Chin Chin!

Note: Chin Chin! is an expression used in Argentina when toasting with friends, family and new acquaintances. It conveys a feeling of warmth, happiness and fun of just being "in the moment" and the enjoyment of savouring that first sip of wine.