Mar de Plata, part 1

That's right, the weather left much to be desired during mom's visit. Then again, there was nothing out-of-ordinary in that. This year, mom brought the bad weather with her wherever she went: San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Mar de Plata, Boston, all same pattern: 70+ F (25+ Celsius) before mom's arrival, high 40s after. When she went to Boston, late March, it snowed the morning after. In Mar de Plata, while walking from the bus station to home, even an old man in a bicycle spit out the truth at 6am: "you visitors brought the bad weather"!

Despite the weather, mom liked Mar de Plata a lot. It was great to see the sea again, and even though it's still the Atlantic (people from the Mediterranean don't hold the Atlantic in high esteem) it was better than the NJ shore so mom was happy. One thing she hadn't seen before was the beach tents arranged like a Roman army outside Asterix's village (and if you don't get the reference, I only have pity for you). 

The only time mom had seen something like that was in some daunting scenes of the movie Death in Venice. This was definitely a happier (and healthier) sight.

Mar de Plata still has some beautiful historical houses left.  Unfortunately no one knows how long they'll be around since they are so difficult and expensive to maintain.  For now, though, the combination of the modern and historical elements offers a surreal feel to the city:

next: buses, seals and mate!