 |
| Here was our Christmas Eve dinner last night, which we’ll repeat tonight, Christmas Day. |
Merry Christmas to all of our readers, family, and friends! May your lives be blessed with good health, contentment, and fulfillment of all your dreams.
OK, let’s get into the details of this peculiar Christmas, like none other we’ve experienced since the onset of our travels. When we arrived in Buenos Aires on December 23rd, we knew we were taking a risk in not making reservations at one of the few open Christmas Eve or Christmas Day restaurants.
With the average cost of US $111 (ARS 2,000) per person for dinner plus beverages and tips, we’d have been looking at spending US $300 (ARS 5,360) for Christmas Eve and again for Christmas Day. The thought of spending this much for two meals didn’t appeal to us, especially when many items on the pre-planned menus didn’t comply with my way of eating.
 |
| Luckily, we purchased enough for both nights, not knowing it would have to be a “repeat. |
When we arrived on the 23rd, we walked the neighborhood, stopping at many restaurants asking if they’d be open on either evening. The only restaurants open were those in this price range. Also, our hotelier Alessandro had spent considerable time researching before we arrived.
However, during our long walk, we stumbled upon “Rave,” which claimed they’d be open Christmas Eve from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am. We were thrilled and decided we’d head there around 6:00 pm for an early dinner.
As for Christmas Day, we were out of luck, and yesterday morning we headed to a local mini-mart to purchase deli meats, canned tuna, and cheese, just in case. Good thing we’d buy those items, or we’d have been without a bite to eat last night and today.
Yesterday, we showered and dressed for Christmas Eve dinner at “Rave,” making the five-block walk only to We headed back to the hotel to start preparing our meager fatty meal of tuna with mayo, deli meat, braunschweiger, ham, and a variety of cheeses.
 |
| This is the restaurant where we’d hoped to dine on Christmas Eve but closed when business was slow. |
Oddly, the only place to eat was in the tiny room in our hotel room with the bathtub, which included a table and chairs for two, facing the street. We’d never eaten in a room with a bathtub. Oh, well. We looked at one another, laughing out loud. It was a small price to pay for the many otherwise beautiful days in our lives of world travel.
 |
| We had Christmas Eve dinner and will have Christmas Day dinner in this little bathtub room. |
We’ll never forget this Christmas as memorable for its unique experience, along with the endless unique experiences we’ve encountered along the way. This is the sixth Christmas since we left Minnesota on Halloween, 2012. Here’s the rundown on where and how we’ve spent the past Christmases:
2012 – Family get-together at a vacation rental in Henderson, Nevada with three of Tom’s sisters and two brothers-in-law; my cousin Phyllis and her two adult daughters; my sister Julie; eldest son Richard; Tom’s nephew John and his daughter. We had a fabulous celebration! (In those days, we didn’t take many photos). See the link here.
 |
| We made five giant Poppy Seed Strudels, rolling the dough with a tall bottle of water. For the recipe, please click here. |
On our way out the door on Christmas Day, we encountered this kudu. Tom said he ordered this for me for my Christmas gift. I couldn’t have been more thrilled! 2013 – We were in Marloth Park, South Africa, for Christmas and went to Jabula Lodge for Christmas dinner, the day we met and dined with new friends Piet and Hettie, whom we’ll soon see once again.
 |
| Our Christmas visitor on Christmas Day, 2013. The kudu’s neck will enlarge during the mating season. From the looks of our visitor, the mating season was imminent. Look at the muscles on this big guy. Males can weigh as much or more than 700 pounds, 318 kg. This one was smaller than many we’ve seen, weighing perhaps in the 500 pounds, 227 kg range. Kudus can quickly scale a 5 foot, 1.5-meter wall. Soon, we’ll see more of these. For more details, please click here. |
2014 – Our family of 12 came to visit us in Pahoa, Big Island, Hawaii, for the holiday season. It was during this period that the lava from Mount Kilauea was flowing toward the town. What an unbelievable experience it was for us and our kids and grandchildren to see lava.
 |
| We spent Christmas Day at the beach with the family. It was a great day, although cloudy and rainy. For more details, please click here. |
2015 – We were in Pacific Harbor, Fiji, and went out to a buffet dinner at the five-star Pearl Resort. After eating this octopus, I began having issues with my gastrointestinal system, which only recently started to resolve.
 |
| Yum, I said at the time, baby octopus. Those heads were a bit tricky to chew. I ate four of these, less one head. Now, as I look at this, it sickens my stomach. Never again! For more details of that Christmas Day, please click here. |
2016 – Last year at Christmas we were in Penguin, Tasmania. The adorable small town had decorated many of its Penguin statues, as shown in the photo below. Although we spent the day alone, we made a fabulous dinner and walked the town’s streets, enjoying the scenery and decorations.
 |
| Penguin’s mascot, this giant penguin, is decorated for Christmas. On Christmas Day, we walked through the charming town, enjoying the scenery. For more details, please click here. |
At the moment, on Christmas morning, we are seated in the lounge/lobby area of our boutique hotel. The meat and cheese breakfast didn’t appeal to me, so I stuck with my mug of tea while Tom ate a few hard-boiled eggs, meat and cheese, and coffee.
Adding to the peculiarity of our Christmas was the fact that we were the only guests in the hotel last night. I mean only guests…not one other guest was staying here! How odd is that? It’s another first for us!
Indeed today, we’ll head out for another walk to take photos and enjoy the sunny day in Palermo, Buenos Aires. Later today, we’ll call and speak to family members on Skype.
May all of you have a spectacular day!
 |
| Our Christmas Day meal. The filet mignon was tender as it could be, the prawns sweet and delicious, and the plate of bacon and sautéed mushrooms, salad, and green beans were added treats. For more details, please click here. |