hola Buneos Aires

Buenos Aires I have arrived! 14 ½ hour bus ride later we made it! Before leaving our hostel in Mendoza we finished our bottle of Malbec and had another few glasses with some other people who were staying there. Then we got a taxi to the bus station arrived just in time, a bit tipsy and we were on the road. The bus pretty much drove straight through with a few stops at other stations to pick people up. Any stop they had I made sure to get off and stretch and move around a bit. We got the bus with semi-cama seats, so they reclined almost the whole way back and had little foot rests which made the trip a bit more bearable. I slept probably for 9 hours off and on and read and wrote in my journal the rest of the way.

We just got to our hostel which is so big and looks like so much fun. The staff is so friendly when we arrived and they tried to download “Empire State State of Mind”, by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z but couldn't find it so they will play it for us before we leave, that now being “our song”

They were prepping us for our time here saying that this is an awesome party hostel and Buenos Aires is the party city. People usually go to dinner around 11pm, clubs don't open till 2am and last till about 7am! Then people sleep mostly during the day and do it again!

One thing they said we really should try to do is go to a futbol game. We were planning on leaving Sunday but there is a game Sunday so we have to decide what we are going to do.

Now I gotta go shower, which I'm super excited about and get ready for our first day in Buenos Aires!

Adios

Chile to Mendoza

Our last night in Santiago we went out to this great local restaurant got a meat platter and a pizza that they are known for. We also got the Chilean specialty cocktail pisco sour, pretty interesting drink.

We woke up early this morning to have our last breakfast at our hostel in Santiago and have a quick Spanish lesson with the host of the hostel. I've learned quickly that no one really speaks English here in South America and we are quickly picking up on our Spanish speaking skills. I'm doing pretty well and we are speaking more fluently each day.



We are now in Mendoza, Argentina. The bus ride took 8 and a half hours in total, including 3 hours we had to wait at customs...booooring and cold! The ride to Mendoza was breathtaking. The snow-capped mountains, and rolling hills and rivers were just insane. They were so huge and just unreal looking like nothing I have ever seen.



So we are at our new hostel and we arrived and were welcomed with a glass of red wine. We then went out to a later dinner and got empanadas with meat and beer. To my surprise I feel so safe walking around these cities, I haven't once felt scared or unsafe. The only strange thing is how many stray dogs there are around both cities. They walk around like pigeons, but they don't bother anyone and don’t want or need attention. Now we are back in the hostel and are waking up early to go on a biking wine tour through wineries.

Adios Mendoza

Today we had a pretty busy day. We were planning to stay here another night but decided we want to get to Buenos Aires so we are taking an overnight bus tonight that should be about 13 hours. That being said we had to squeeze everything we wanted to do in Mendoza into one day.

So today we had breakfast in the hostel which was delicious the host made “pancakes” which were more like long apple dumplings... very yummy.



Then we walked around the city a bit, not much to see then we went to lunch and had empanadas and a delicious pizza. Then it was off on a 4 hour wine tour. Most of it was Spanish speaking so we were having some trouble with what was being said. On two of the tours their was someone there to translate for us. We went to 2 different wine vineyards, an olive oil farm and an animal farm. It was all very interesting I was very interested in the vineyards. We got to taste some amazing wines, reds were my favorite of course. We bought a bottle of Malbec which Mendoza is best known for, called Baudron from the Laerado winery... cheers Kristina.



I'm excited to get to Buenos Aires which is supposed to be the “party city”. It's also known to have many people who have plastic surgery there as well... should be interesting... maybe I'll come back with a new or enlarged body part, just kidding mom. I'm also interested to see if the fashion there will be any different, so far I'm not impressed with the dress of the South Americans... step it up here people.

Now that being said, I'm heading to Buenos Aires... “party city,” I may not be online for a bit, so bare with me. I'll write as soon as I can. Adios.

Surprise!

Today we woke up to a beautiful day and view of the Andes mountains. Then we went on a 4 hour walking tour through Santiago, keep in mind we were wearing the same clothes we arrived in and slept in... feeling “so fresh and so clean”... joking. We learned about the history of Santiago, the buildings, the people, culture and food. It was a great way to get to learn the city in a short amount of time. Along the way our brains were ticking with a great business idea that is thriving in Santiago that would be a great idea to have in New York City. I'm sorry my lips are sealed but we are thinking big... stay tuned!

We then took the Vinicular to the top of a mountain that was overlooking all of Santiago with a beautiful view of the Andes mountains and we tried a well known drink in Santiago called, “mote con huesillos.” It was like a honey flavored juice with barley and peach. It was very interesting, not sure if I'd be able to drink a whole drink but it was good to try.


After a long day of walking and site seeing we got our bus tickets for tomorrow morning to leave for Mendoza(which is supposed to be an absolutely amazing bus ride) and headed back to the hostel. Along the way we got another well known food, more of a fast food which believe it or not, is a hot dog with avocado, tomatoes, mayo, mustard and ketchup (minus the mayo for me) and it was soooo yummy.


Then we got back to the hostel and.... our luggage arrived! We were so excited! Everything was there, everything was safe and we are all so happy, I can't wait to put on makeup and deodorant!

Tonight we are going out for dinner and drinks on the town and tomorrow we are off to Argentina!

Lost luggage

We flew into Santiago from Mexico City which took about 7 hours... we slept the whole way so it wasn't bad. Then we had to wait in this hour long line at the airport and pay a $140 entrance fee which was a surprise to us... but what could we do? So after paying that we went to go get our checked bags and they weren't there. I got really nervous thinking since we were in line so long maybe someone had stolen them. So we talked to information and apparently they never got transferred over in Mexico City so all of our luggage is still there and should arrive by tomorrow at our hostel.

So in the mean time we took a cab to our hostel which is super cute. Went and got dinner and met a couple people in our hostel including the owner of the hostel who was talking to us about possibly opening and owning a hostel in NYC which got us super excited. It sounds like something that would be super fun and something that I would be interested in. So keeping that in the back of my mind we are getting ready for bed in the only clothes we have, taking a tour in the clothes we came in and keeping our fingers crossed that our bags arrive before we depart for Mendoza on Tuesday morning. Night.

Layover

Flight from JFK went well, waiting in Mexico City with the layover to fly into Santiago, Chile. I hate layovers, its only about 2 hours but still. Just feeling tired right now and want to get there...times a wastin. I have a craving for french toast with butter and lots of syrup. I always do this when I go away, I get a craving for something that is usually hard to find in another country. We'll see how that goes.

Final Preparations for a 3 week trip

Doing some final packing before meeting up with the girls and heading to the airport. It still really hasn't hit me yet. I think it will when I put my pack on with the clothing I'll be wearing for the next three weeks and actually start heading to the airport.

Talk to ya in South America!

Packing to leave tomorrow!

Finally, its almost here. I'm leaving for South America tomorrow! Just finishing up on packing so I can have Saturday funday with the roomie all day before I leave! Leaving for the airport tomorrow around 9:30pm.

Hope I can sleep tonight

Final goodbyes

Worked yesterday then met up with Adrienne and Silver, my travel buddies to go over the last bit of info and alter some things in our itinerary while sipping on a Blockheads frozen margarita. Then we met up with Silver's parents at Arriba, Arriba in Hells Kitchen for one of our last dinners and to talk to them about our plans for the trip. I must say I am so thankful to have met such wonderful friends and have them in my life and I'm so grateful that they like to travel and explore the world as much as I do. I couldn't ask for better friends.

On a side note, I'd like to send out an apology to my bestie Adrienne for the “misunderstanding” a few posts ago ; ) you know what I mean Adrienne. Love you! Thanks for always being there for me and not letting me slip up.

Home sweet home

I had to go home, home being Lancaster County, "amish country" Pennsylvania to get some things for my South America trip and to hang with my mom and sister before leaving. My mom and I decided it was such a beautiful day to take a little "field trip" out to the country and take some pics. Enjoy the beauty of my hometown.

3 girls, 3 weeks, 1 continent

Itinerary for our 3 week 2 day journey through South America, wow this continent is huge!

JFK, New York City Sunday September 26, 12:25 am depart
Santiago, Chile arrive
Santiago-- Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza--Buenos Aires, Argentina
B.A-- Posadas, Argentina
Posadas-- San Ignacio de Mini, Argentina (final desitination Puerto Iguazu-- Iguazu Falls)
Puerto Iguazu-- Salta, Argentina
Salta-- San Pedro De Atacama, Chile
San Pedro-- Arica, Chile
Arica-- Tacna, Peru
Tacna-- Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa-- Cusco, Peru
Cusco-- Lima, Peru
Depart October 19th, Lima-- JFK, New York City

Prepping for South America

I can’t believe we are leaving for South America next Saturday for 3 weeks! This week I have 3 restaurant shifts and 2 shifts with the online fashion magazine, I've been waiting for the day I could count my shifts on one hand! I need to get a packing list together, pack and then I’m gone! I cannot wait I’m so excited. Check out my new backpack I got, it’s a Gregory Baltoro, it’s huge right! I filled it up with a mock 3 weeks’ worth of stuff and it didn’t feel too heavy, but then again I did only have it on for about 5 minutes, oh well it’s worth it.

Time to Relax; Hamptons style

After a crazy, busy week with New York fashion week and working at the restaurant I needed some time to chill. What better place to get fresh air and some sun than the Hamptons. The beach is my happy place, I am at peace by the ocean and water and always have an enjoyable time. Time to sit and think, time to appreciate what I have and time to just do nothing at all.

Argentina Designers at NYC Fashion week

Last fashion show for NYC fashion week at Lincoln Center for me was a crazy coincidence. I didn't realize the show that I was going to was all designers from Argentina, until I sat down and got my gift bag. I was so happy when I saw that my gift bag was all about traveling in Argentina!

In this show there were 6 different designers from Argentina. All of them had unique and different styles, especially the colonial style line by Pablo Ramirez. Throughout the show I was very drawn to the romantic and sexy music, I can't wait to dance the nights away in Argentina.

I was lovin the bright makeup and unusual hairstyles, along with the flowing and sexy dresses. My favorite designer of the show was La Dolifina, mostly for the amazing line with the riding gear of brown leathers, but I also may be swayed by the gorgeous Argentinian male models walking in his collection... “Argentina here I come!”

Zang Toi fashion show

Zang Toi was the most crowded show that I've been to all of Fashion Week, and rightfully so. His “storyline” of the cowboy turned prince, along with the collection was stunning. I was lovin the stars, stripes, horses and bull horns. I could have done without the New York housewives attending buuuut the shirtless cowboy model opening to “Save a horse ride a cowboy” got my mind quickly off the housewives. I loved the pink puffy princess dress at the end and the white suite worn by the “cowboy” model and by Zang Toi in closing, looking good Zang!

Was crazy about this guys black sunglasses attending the show as well... very shady.

South America 1.5 week(s) away... yah!

I've been so busy with fashion week that I haven't gotten a chance to talk about my trip. I'm going to South America (Chile, Peru and Argentina) for 3 weeks leaving next Saturday and I'm super excited! I will be backpacking with 2 other friends, staying in hostels and living on the cheap while trying to do and see as much as possible. The only things we really have planned are Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and we really want to go to a soccer game in Argentina. Any other ideas, advice etc?

Nolcha, TIBI and Parties, "Oh My"

My favorite show that I've been to so far at Lincoln Center is, TIBI. Loved the bright colors, purple, and hot orange/red pieces. The back lines on the dresses were beautiful and feminine. Her line had gorgeous very wearable spring looks.

Yesterday was a day of “star spotting” Olivia Palermo of the MTV show "The City" was at the TIBI show and she was wearing an outstanding Aztec print dress and had a cute little hair cut to go along with it. I also passed Claire Danes, going to the Narciso Rodriguez show(lucky) and she had a hot little mint green dress on, looking very stylish. Crazy thing is, I was just watching “My so called life” re-runs... what a coincidence.

Wrapping up the night at an after party at the Hudson Terrace, I ran into Richie Rich and his friend where we partied the night away.

I went to a few shows at Nolcha Fashion week, which featured emerging fashion talent from all over the world, and was amazed by this skirt by designer Lee Wishart, it is made out of shoelaces... very creative!

Look at this lil cutie owning the floor at Nolcha Fashion Week... cute dress!

William Tempest fashion preview

Adored Williams Tempest's line at fashion week. Loved the light, soft, flowing fabrics he used, and loved the colorful makeup by Napoleon Perdis. Well done.

Trias Fashion Show

Went to Trias today at Lincoln Center, not a huge fan, looks weren't as out there as I'm used to seeing on the runway but they were very wearable, chic designs. Loved the thin belt used in a lot of the looks and the teased hair was a plus. Almost ranking higher than the looks in the show were the guests. Guest #1, red heart hat(lady pictured below), hot leggings (pictured below) and hot boots and stilettos in the front rows. Looking good.