Buenos Aires and Beyond for a Beginner
May 30th, 2013, 01:39 AM
#101
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So much so in fact that half the chimney cracks and caves in. So now the chimney’s guts are hanging in the fireplace because Ro doesn’t want me to be cold. I mean you have to love these people. Everything is for your comfort even if it does mean sacrificing the building. Okay so maybe Pancho isn’t going to be pleased with the repair bill before winter but by god, the customer WAS warm, wasn’t she??
May 30th, 2013, 05:54 AM
#102
So, not content with tearing yourself up, now you're wrecking the casa? Lol. These sound like wonderful people. I see your bad review hasn't gone up yet, will be interesting to see how long your forthcoming good review will take to go up (you are writing one, right?).
I learned to treat TA reviews with great care after a very bad experience in Marrakesh. I now don't even consider places with a lot of one-poster reviews on the first page, and pretty much ignore anyone with fewer than five reviews. I always read the bad reviews, but I allow for people with unrealistic expectations (you shouldn't complain about getting a small room in a budget London B&B!).
I learned to treat TA reviews with great care after a very bad experience in Marrakesh. I now don't even consider places with a lot of one-poster reviews on the first page, and pretty much ignore anyone with fewer than five reviews. I always read the bad reviews, but I allow for people with unrealistic expectations (you shouldn't complain about getting a small room in a budget London B&B!).
May 30th, 2013, 06:21 AM
#103
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Hi, thursdaysd!
I'm also wondering what happened to jhubbel's bad review on http://tinyurl.com/nljwsgl penned several days ago.
When she's back home and can spare the time, I plan to give her some pointers on what to do about THAT, if her review is not up yet.
I totally disregard reviews by one-time posters, because I know quite well how most (not all) of them come to be.
Have a great time in our country.
I'm also wondering what happened to jhubbel's bad review on http://tinyurl.com/nljwsgl penned several days ago.
When she's back home and can spare the time, I plan to give her some pointers on what to do about THAT, if her review is not up yet.
I totally disregard reviews by one-time posters, because I know quite well how most (not all) of them come to be.
Have a great time in our country.
May 30th, 2013, 09:27 AM
#104
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So this morning because the chimney broke, the casa was, um, well, chilly. And for some reason the pilot light went out for the hot water so at the moment I am sitting under a tent of a blanket, with my knees against a heater, with every piece of clothing I have layered on me. Veronica just came in to start a fire (I got desperate) and she started up the pilot light (I had no idea where it was) and so here we are. Winter is coming and at the moment it's in this little casa proper. Of course you could argue that if I didn't insist on getting up at 6 am I'd not be faced with chill temperatures but I wanted to see the sunrise. What I got was a toilet seat that was so cold I had to peel myself off the bathroom ceiling. Better than an alarm clock, I grant you but that's a layer of epidermis I'd like back.
However things are warming up and in no time I can shrug off the tent blanket, two sweaters, down jacket, wool hat, gloves, three socks....
Ro and Claudio are working on the fire, and she says that in an hour the water will be hot enough for a good long hot shower. No problem. I love rustic. These things happen. I remember someone in Ecuador, out on the Cuyabeno River in the Amazon forest, being extremely angry for running out of hot water. I was so grateful for a source of fresh water in the first place that I wanted to whack him. This is the Amazon, I reminded the guy. If you want a hotel, go to Disney World (I used to work there). A little inconvenience- or sometimes a great deal of it - is part of the aventura, and why we do this. Or at least to my mind. I find it absolutely hilarious to be in a blanket tent working on my computer for an hour while the casa warms up. For me that is charming. Because if Ro hadn't worked so hard to keep me warm the night before I wouldn't be so cold this morning. All part of the story.
So it's now about 2:10 pm and Ro and I have finished our final ride, and we also finished a final filming. I took my magnificent horse (no name here for a reason, more in a moment) for a couple of hard core, flat out gallops which both Pancho- who does know his own camera and for Ro, who used my camera, got on film for posterity. That's going to be fine for future viewing. But for me it is extremely bittersweet.
Ana asked me a favor concerning these entries and I am going to honor her request concerning my horse, because she and Pancho honored me with the memory of their beloved gaucho San Juan by allowing me to ride this prized horse. Ana made it very clear that this is not an animal for tourists, and beginner riders, his name is not on the list of horses for the tourists to choose. And as she asked me to make clear, this was something that they were incredibly kind to allow me to do, and I have been beside myself with the pleasure of being astride such a tremendous criollo who is all these people have left of their long time gaucho. So in all fairness to Ana and Pancho, to ask for this horse in the future is not likely to get a yes, unless you are seriously vetted and they have an extremely high comfort level with your riding skills. Believe me when I say this, it is most humbling that these wonderful people allowed me to sit on this animal much less actually put it to work. History means much in Argentina, and I have been taking part of it at Dos Hermanos the last few days. There's a bit of Don Juan's memory in my heart now as I took photos of his photos to keep next to my photos of that sorrel, out of respect.
As a parting shot to all, shortly before leaving for Australia in 1983, I found a poem by Amelia Earhardt, one of my long time heroes. I will offer the first few lines here, and acknowledge all you much more experienced travelers than I this thought:
"Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace
The soul that knows it not
Knows no release from little things"
Much more to that when she speaks about wings and loneliness, but all of you can relate as travelers, because it takes courage to get on that plane and not know when security will grab you, when you might lose your papers, when people lose your reservation, and also, when you might find people like the Penas here who work so hard to make you happy (like Veronica who just spent fifteen minutes shining my riding boots) that you absolutely positively must, and will, come back. If you must have the Sheraton, good on you.But I vote Dos Hermanos, and Angie, and Ariane Hellman, where good people are devoted to your pleasure and happiness, and a good night is filled with good company, good food, horse sweat, the smell of leather, and also, good smart talk about the world.
However things are warming up and in no time I can shrug off the tent blanket, two sweaters, down jacket, wool hat, gloves, three socks....
Ro and Claudio are working on the fire, and she says that in an hour the water will be hot enough for a good long hot shower. No problem. I love rustic. These things happen. I remember someone in Ecuador, out on the Cuyabeno River in the Amazon forest, being extremely angry for running out of hot water. I was so grateful for a source of fresh water in the first place that I wanted to whack him. This is the Amazon, I reminded the guy. If you want a hotel, go to Disney World (I used to work there). A little inconvenience- or sometimes a great deal of it - is part of the aventura, and why we do this. Or at least to my mind. I find it absolutely hilarious to be in a blanket tent working on my computer for an hour while the casa warms up. For me that is charming. Because if Ro hadn't worked so hard to keep me warm the night before I wouldn't be so cold this morning. All part of the story.
So it's now about 2:10 pm and Ro and I have finished our final ride, and we also finished a final filming. I took my magnificent horse (no name here for a reason, more in a moment) for a couple of hard core, flat out gallops which both Pancho- who does know his own camera and for Ro, who used my camera, got on film for posterity. That's going to be fine for future viewing. But for me it is extremely bittersweet.
Ana asked me a favor concerning these entries and I am going to honor her request concerning my horse, because she and Pancho honored me with the memory of their beloved gaucho San Juan by allowing me to ride this prized horse. Ana made it very clear that this is not an animal for tourists, and beginner riders, his name is not on the list of horses for the tourists to choose. And as she asked me to make clear, this was something that they were incredibly kind to allow me to do, and I have been beside myself with the pleasure of being astride such a tremendous criollo who is all these people have left of their long time gaucho. So in all fairness to Ana and Pancho, to ask for this horse in the future is not likely to get a yes, unless you are seriously vetted and they have an extremely high comfort level with your riding skills. Believe me when I say this, it is most humbling that these wonderful people allowed me to sit on this animal much less actually put it to work. History means much in Argentina, and I have been taking part of it at Dos Hermanos the last few days. There's a bit of Don Juan's memory in my heart now as I took photos of his photos to keep next to my photos of that sorrel, out of respect.
As a parting shot to all, shortly before leaving for Australia in 1983, I found a poem by Amelia Earhardt, one of my long time heroes. I will offer the first few lines here, and acknowledge all you much more experienced travelers than I this thought:
"Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace
The soul that knows it not
Knows no release from little things"
Much more to that when she speaks about wings and loneliness, but all of you can relate as travelers, because it takes courage to get on that plane and not know when security will grab you, when you might lose your papers, when people lose your reservation, and also, when you might find people like the Penas here who work so hard to make you happy (like Veronica who just spent fifteen minutes shining my riding boots) that you absolutely positively must, and will, come back. If you must have the Sheraton, good on you.But I vote Dos Hermanos, and Angie, and Ariane Hellman, where good people are devoted to your pleasure and happiness, and a good night is filled with good company, good food, horse sweat, the smell of leather, and also, good smart talk about the world.
May 30th, 2013, 01:40 PM
#106
What a great 'parting shot' JHubbel.
You have contributed a lot to this Forum during your travels in Argentina; many will benefit and many will just enjoy and appreciate the nicely written tales of your adventure. Gracias.
You have contributed a lot to this Forum during your travels in Argentina; many will benefit and many will just enjoy and appreciate the nicely written tales of your adventure. Gracias.
Jun 1st, 2013, 07:40 AM
#108
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AVRooster, I will here, I am just getting up now and finding my feet. The early summer sun is amazing, it's in the high sixties here on the high plains, and I am just washing the last of Dos Hermanos out of my breeches. Last funny story, well two.
Ro and Veronica had kept me well stocked with freshly cracked walnuts from a tree on the premises, so right before I left Ro wrapped up a fat bag full of them which I crammed into my carryon. I knew full well they wouldn't be allowed into the States so I planned to chomp on them while traveling. And forgot I had them, one of those senior moments I never have, of course. So when I approach customs, I have no clue that I have contraband. We're all standing in line, and this one lone officer is managing all of us, and just before I am called to go through a lone person goes the wrong way down the line and he angrily calls the man over and demands to know how the H--- did you get over there, where did you come from, yada yada...and now it's my turn. Here I am terrified about my nutria vest, totally unaware that I have about half a pound of fresh walnuts from the farm right under his nose.
I make a joke about escapees, he cracks up, doesn't even look at my papers and waves me through, walnuts and all. I find the walnuts when I unpack here on the dining room table last night. YUM, YUM,YUM.
So AVRooster has kindly set it up for Ana Pena to exchange the last of my pesos into dollars, and I am preparing all the money and tips and am rushing around making sure everyone gets paid for all their good and wonderful service. I roll up about 160 pesos into a place where of course I will be sure to remember it later, and of course I don't, so it's the last thing I "lose." Ana is sitting across from me at lunch my last day and she takes out her US dollars and says here it is, and I say No no no, I don't have any left which of course I DO, I just am having my last official senior moment, and she puts it back and now AVRooster is stuck with trying to help me fix that problem. He is one very patient man.
I thank any and all who have done me the courtesy of bothering to read my ramblings, had a good chuckle at my gringo idiocy and have gained some insight from what I have found to be a most wonderful country. I have tucked away my guides for the next trip back. I want to report, as AVRooster sent to me this morning, that my review on TA about Caballos A la Par did get posted, finally. As did the one on Los Pingos in Mendoza.
Thank you also to those of you who have kindly offered me tips. It has always been the guidance of those better traveled than I whose experiences have sent me to new countries, and their advice has inevitably turned out to be accurate. Finding these Forums has been great and I'm pleased to be able to pen something worthwhile to a few. I realize that my specific preferences may not be for the majority but along the way some observations may be valuable.
Again as I am new to this Forum and do not know the names of the contributors but AVRooster does, and he indicates you are prominent members, then let me tip my now THREE sombreros to you for your kind comments on my commentary, and for taking the time to look it over. I've had a wonderful time. In November I'm taking on Tanzania, the Selous, Ruaha and a horse safari at the base of Kili. AVRooster will be pleased to know that I am planning a return to ARG in November 2014. Not soon enough for him, but that's the plan. I'm starting the file now.
With much respect for my fellow intrepid travelers, I am heading out this morning to get back to my exercise routine. My beloved sports chiro put my back into place yesterday afternoon (the very first thing I did, before a shower, before the grocery store) and all is right with the world. Time to sweat, and start prepping for that next big adventure. Happy travels all.
Ro and Veronica had kept me well stocked with freshly cracked walnuts from a tree on the premises, so right before I left Ro wrapped up a fat bag full of them which I crammed into my carryon. I knew full well they wouldn't be allowed into the States so I planned to chomp on them while traveling. And forgot I had them, one of those senior moments I never have, of course. So when I approach customs, I have no clue that I have contraband. We're all standing in line, and this one lone officer is managing all of us, and just before I am called to go through a lone person goes the wrong way down the line and he angrily calls the man over and demands to know how the H--- did you get over there, where did you come from, yada yada...and now it's my turn. Here I am terrified about my nutria vest, totally unaware that I have about half a pound of fresh walnuts from the farm right under his nose.
I make a joke about escapees, he cracks up, doesn't even look at my papers and waves me through, walnuts and all. I find the walnuts when I unpack here on the dining room table last night. YUM, YUM,YUM.
So AVRooster has kindly set it up for Ana Pena to exchange the last of my pesos into dollars, and I am preparing all the money and tips and am rushing around making sure everyone gets paid for all their good and wonderful service. I roll up about 160 pesos into a place where of course I will be sure to remember it later, and of course I don't, so it's the last thing I "lose." Ana is sitting across from me at lunch my last day and she takes out her US dollars and says here it is, and I say No no no, I don't have any left which of course I DO, I just am having my last official senior moment, and she puts it back and now AVRooster is stuck with trying to help me fix that problem. He is one very patient man.
I thank any and all who have done me the courtesy of bothering to read my ramblings, had a good chuckle at my gringo idiocy and have gained some insight from what I have found to be a most wonderful country. I have tucked away my guides for the next trip back. I want to report, as AVRooster sent to me this morning, that my review on TA about Caballos A la Par did get posted, finally. As did the one on Los Pingos in Mendoza.
Thank you also to those of you who have kindly offered me tips. It has always been the guidance of those better traveled than I whose experiences have sent me to new countries, and their advice has inevitably turned out to be accurate. Finding these Forums has been great and I'm pleased to be able to pen something worthwhile to a few. I realize that my specific preferences may not be for the majority but along the way some observations may be valuable.
Again as I am new to this Forum and do not know the names of the contributors but AVRooster does, and he indicates you are prominent members, then let me tip my now THREE sombreros to you for your kind comments on my commentary, and for taking the time to look it over. I've had a wonderful time. In November I'm taking on Tanzania, the Selous, Ruaha and a horse safari at the base of Kili. AVRooster will be pleased to know that I am planning a return to ARG in November 2014. Not soon enough for him, but that's the plan. I'm starting the file now.
With much respect for my fellow intrepid travelers, I am heading out this morning to get back to my exercise routine. My beloved sports chiro put my back into place yesterday afternoon (the very first thing I did, before a shower, before the grocery store) and all is right with the world. Time to sweat, and start prepping for that next big adventure. Happy travels all.
Jun 1st, 2013, 08:12 AM
#109
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jhubbel:
Great and quite concise report! LOL!!!
I'm taking the liberty of including it in my:
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm
so it doesn't sink out of sight.
If you are unhappy with that, you can complain to Fodor's.
If you don't know how to go about doing that, I'll explain. ROTFLMAO!
Have a great time in our country, like jhubbel did!
Great and quite concise report! LOL!!!
I'm taking the liberty of including it in my:
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm
so it doesn't sink out of sight.
If you are unhappy with that, you can complain to Fodor's.
If you don't know how to go about doing that, I'll explain. ROTFLMAO!
Have a great time in our country, like jhubbel did!
Jun 2nd, 2013, 07:36 AM
#111
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MacTours, same to you and we will see each other again in 14. I already have a file going. I've set up all the sombreros in a place of honor on my door to the bedroom and am already setting up my local riding here in Colorado!
Jun 2nd, 2013, 08:27 AM
#112
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In my post of May 28 at 9.04 AM, I brought up the matter of the credibility of reviews by one-time posters in general and in the case of http://tinyurl.com/nljwsgl in particular.
The dean of Argentina forum posters, none other than the famous drdawggy, seemed to agree with me on the subject, which is quite extraordinary, because we often "agree to disagree". LOL!!!
jhubbel posted an extremely negative review on the link mentioned in the first paragraph.
It took quite a while to come up and lasted only a few hours, before being deleted, without any explanation, as far as I know.
I suggest forum members follow drdawggy's great advice to "Be wary of any business with lots of reviews by first time posters....."
Have a great time in our country.
The dean of Argentina forum posters, none other than the famous drdawggy, seemed to agree with me on the subject, which is quite extraordinary, because we often "agree to disagree". LOL!!!
jhubbel posted an extremely negative review on the link mentioned in the first paragraph.
It took quite a while to come up and lasted only a few hours, before being deleted, without any explanation, as far as I know.
I suggest forum members follow drdawggy's great advice to "Be wary of any business with lots of reviews by first time posters....."
Have a great time in our country.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 08:46 AM
#113
jhubbel - If the review has been taken down I would suggest contacting TA to ask why and to protest. TA once pulled one of my reviews, sending me an email saying that the hotel owner claimed that it was for a different property. I replied to TA explaining why the owner was wrong, and two weeks later they put the review back.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 02:34 PM
#114
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Hi, thursdaysd!
Do you think you could e-mail me the address you used to reply to TA?
I told jhubbel she could start by using this link http://tinyurl.com/6dqw8yb but you may have a better way to go about this.
Thank you.
Do you think you could e-mail me the address you used to reply to TA?
I told jhubbel she could start by using this link http://tinyurl.com/6dqw8yb but you may have a better way to go about this.
Thank you.
Jun 2nd, 2013, 02:44 PM
#115
Hi avrooster,
Sorry, but the address was included in the email that told me that the review was being pulled, and I didn't keep copies. Looks like this is the link to contact them: http://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReviewSupport
Sorry, but the address was included in the email that told me that the review was being pulled, and I didn't keep copies. Looks like this is the link to contact them: http://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReviewSupport
Jun 2nd, 2013, 03:10 PM
#116
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Yes, thursdaysd, that's the link I suggested.
We'll have to wait for jhubbel to tell us whether or not she got an e-mail telling her the review was being pulled and the motive for such an action.
We'll have to wait for jhubbel to tell us whether or not she got an e-mail telling her the review was being pulled and the motive for such an action.
Jun 4th, 2013, 03:56 AM
#117
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Jun 8th, 2013, 02:30 PM
#119
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My guess, thursdaysd and Avrooster, is that the review got challenged by the concession. I supposed it's their right to take issue with what I said. However the facts are the facts and in my review I was most careful to separate out the quality of the services they give as a concession from how I was treated on the telephone which is what I was condemning, and those facts stand. We can all be unhappy with negative feedback. No one likes to be pointed out as imperfect in such a public way. But facts are immovable things. For my part I am simply happy to say wonderful things about Dos Hermanos and give them the leg up they deserve.
