Wednesday

On Wednesday, we went to the Mexican Embassy, which was quite a different experience from the American one. Whereas the American one was huge and full of people, the Mexican one is in an elegant old mansion and is quieter and more intimate. Surely this is because there are fewer Mexicans living and traveling in Argentina. Also no doubt because there aren't many Argentines applying for visas to visit Mexico these days, no doubt due to the Argentine press blaming the swine flu on Mexico (for a few months during the first outbreak of the flu, no flights originating in Mexico were allowed into Argentina).

While the visit to the Mexican Embassy was "pleasant," and the American was "efficient," neither was "posh" or "spa" or "exclusive," which are the words I would like to use to describe an embassy. I think I am missing the point entirely.

I have also visited the Russian Embassy in Buenos Aires. But that's another story. I would descibe it as "undercover" with enough "surreal" to push it into sort of an "old-school posh."

Wednesday was also Pia's birthday. Pia is now seven! Sadly, Merritt did not get to attend her birthday party, which Pia herself described as "the best party in the world!"

Thursday

On Thursday we went to the Faena Hotel + Universe. Definitely posh. There are swan-necked, sliverate faucets in the marble countertops of the women's restroom. The long-halled foyer is Shogun-style drama. Merritt napped on the leather club sofas in the Library Bar (exactly what it sounds like, but without so many books).

That evening we ate at the Gran Bar Danzon, a luxurious and tasty dinner. The most interesting thing was when we entered the ground floor, we were greeted by an unusual, floral/spicy scent (camphor?) that shifted as we climbed the stairs (eucalyptus?) and settled as we entered the main room of the restaurant (lavender?). If this was purposeful, I think it is a very interesting idea to use smells to clear the patron's nasal tract before beginning the meal so as to start off fresh for the culinary experience.

Friday

Friday was Secretary's Day in Argentina, and people were taking their assistants to tea at the Alvear Palace Hotel (among other places, no doubt). Reagan and Merritt and I went and shared a tea spread, which focused mainly on sugar and some awesome Earl Grey (and I am a sucker for dainty, precisely-cut sugarcubes). Merritt pooped in the Alvear Palace. Don't worry; this is not as inappropriate as it seems since he was wearing a diaper, was fully dressed, and is a small baby. But it is cute to watch his face flush red then blanche white like a wee octopus. A lady taking her daughters to tea at the next table congratulated me on the birth of my baby.

I think that evening we turned in early, lounged around at the apartment and carried in onion soup from Croque Madame, a restaurant across the street. This is seriously good onion soup; it is basically like onions cooked in butter until they dissolve into onion mush, then with some more softened onions added. It is sweet and salty and lemony, too. I think it has some of those Maillard effects kicking because it has so many layers of flavor.