Miami Art Basel -> sunshine, design, music, good crowd

I am about one year late with this one; however, this may just be the perfect time to put you in the mood for the upcoming Miami Art Basel 2013, which will take place on December 5-8.

Where great art meets sunshine and equally great music, you know you will meet interesting crowd. This venue gathers fun loving art lovers from around World; a more mature crowd with more refined taste and acute sense of design. Yes, there are parties but it is not a party focused venue. A little culture is always good for the soul. Over 250 of the world’s leading galleries exhibit art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries by over 4,000 artists. You can buy a detailed guide to this year's exhibits from Hatje Cantz.

So if you are thinking of visiting this sunny city this year, here are some useful tips:

Burning Man beyond Art, Music, and the mighty Dust

So what is Burning Man? Uffff….this may be one of the most difficult questions to answer.  No matter how many photos you show, how many stories you tell, there is no way of creating an adequate picture in the other person’s even the most creative head. To begin with, how do you explain to someone that a bunch of people (well…68,000 to be exact) go out into a desert each year to build a city, which lasts only a week. They build streets, beautiful art, move around in art cars, create theaters, schools, bars, clubs, even a post office; they all participate. There is no cellphone network, there are sand storms, and they probably don’t shower for at least a few days in a row; it’s radical self-reliance.  So why would they do that?

Feeling sLOVEnia

This post has a special dedication to my dear friend Nina Vodopivec...a woman, a rock star, a friend to keep forever. Thank you Nina for showing me your paradise :)

My visit to Slovenia was quite unexpected I have to admit and formed a part of my 6-month sabatical, which completely changed the way I approach life in general...for better of course. I had a chance to visit this surprisingly beautiful country, the only country that actually has the word "love" in its name and very appropriately so may I add. I mean really, how much breath taking nature and kindness can you fit in a country the size and shape of a chicken? Impressive.

I did have a wonderful guide, my dear friend Nina, a warm hearted and crazy Slovenian rock star (literary). Nina loves nature and is not afraid of the most extreme rafting, canyoning, horse racing, or whatever the day may bring upon you, and she takes you for a ride. So we begin our journey from the chicken's tail and the home to the turquoise waters of the Soča river.

Cusco - Machu Picchu Decoded

Although Cusco and Machu Picchu have been on the top of my travel list for a while, I planned this particular journey very spontaneously and bought the plane ticket two days before my journey. It was the perfect moment for me to do it, as I was on the crossway of my life, both professional and personal.

When I arrived to Cusco, I immediately felt the energy of this place. Located on the altitude of 3,300 meters above the sea level this Andean city is filled with energetic ruins and other historic memoirs of the Incas. It also gathers many healers and shamans from the region and abroad. People come here not only to discover the archeological wonders of the ancient civilizations but also to experience their healing powers and listen to the teachings of Pacha Mama or Mother Earth. We still have a lot to learn from our ancestors.

It is really worth staying around Cusco and the Sacred Valle for days and days but for this itinerary I will assume that you only have one week.

Are you hot? Like to travel? No cash? No problem...

It's the fuzziness factor...beautiful people can now officially travel for free. Not like they didn't do it before, but now it's a little bit more accessible. International hotness democracy one could call it.

Tulum, Mexico

Ahau, Tulum

This year is the year of changes and it seams to me that everyone around me is going through some major life change or enhancement; I am no exception. And to celebrate the balls that I suddenly have to dive into entrepreneurship I started my little project by kicking it off from a little paradise called Tulum, right in the heart of the mystic Mayan world and on the hallucinating Caribbean. I have been to Tulum before; however I did not have a real chance to discover it my way and well oh well here goes the scoop:

The World's Best Airport Restaurants

I recently found this article, which could be a great idea for a new restaurant guide. The list is good but certainly not complete. I know that Singapore has to have some outstanding spots as well. If it can be a shopping paradise it is bound to have good eats as well. Do you know of any great restaurants to add?

Read up The World's Best Airport Restaurants.

By the way, the Independent Traveller website is great for all you vagabundos out there. You can learn quite a bit and may save you some hassle and cents or pesos or whatever currency you may be using.

Buenos Aires: Sunday

Sunday is a busy day. Today you should definitely visit La Boca and San Telmo. I left these two for Sunday because the antique market in San Telmo is on Sunday and it is certainly one of the main attractions here.

First visit San Telmo. This is the one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, which has preserved the colonial feeling and bohemian charm. The main attraction here is the antique market located right on Plaza Dorrego. The whole neighborhood is full of cafes, antique shops, and tango places. The best way to feel is to just relax, walk around the market and the small streets, and have a coffee in one of the street cafes and people watch. There are a lot of artists singing and dancing on the streets so you will be well entertained. 

Buenos Aires: Saturday

Ok guys, I have been doing this itinerary and I know for a fact that you are not waking up before noon today.

Buenos Aires: Friday

I think it’s time to visit Tigre and the delta of the Plata river. You can get to Tigre by the picturesque Tren de la Costa with eleven stations on the way each offering a variety of tourist attractions including history, art displays, shopping, site seeing and more. The end station is the Delta, where you will also find access to Parque de la Costa, Casino, Handicraft Market, and access to various water sports. Here are some useful facts:

Buenos Aires: Thursday

One of the great advantages of Buenos Aires is that it is a very walkable and bikeable city. All along Libertador Avenue there is a long stretch of parks and lakes where you can run, rollerblade and bike. Also, this year the government of Buenos Aires followed the green movement of the larger neighboring cities such as Bogota and Mexico and invested in the development of official protected bike routes through the program called “Mejor en Bici”. You can’t use these bikes as they serve as an eco mode of transportation for the residents of Buenos Aires but you can certainly rent your own bike and explore the city in a safe manner using the official bike paths. Here is the link to the latest Map of bike designated routes.

Buenos Aires: Wednesday

Palermo, and to be more specific Palermo Soho, is by far my favorite neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is always full of life. Monday through Sunday the local artesans spread their hand made goods all along the stone streets of Palermo Soho and are perfectly complemented with the wide array of boutique shops where the local designers make a name for themselves. You can find anything from random Pop Art to fancy Polo shops and street markets. You can easily spend hours shopping around and stopping for break at the coffee shops with balconies overlooking the streets and plenty of tables right on the street. Plaza Armenia is the best place for people watching and taking a break.

Buenos Aires: Tuesday (Polo with Fernando)

Argentina is famous for its numerous “Estancias” (Ranches), “Asado” (BBQ), and Polo (and the Polo players for you ladies ;). So when you are here and it’s the Polo season, you have to go and see a match. The Polo season is very short from end September till December so if you are here outside of these dates you should still take a Polo lesson, which is so much fun. Fine print note…prepare for major butt pain but it’s all well worth it.

I recommend my lovely teacher and Polo player himself, Fernando Nieto. Fer, will take you for a full day experience with his eight beautiful horses, each named after a Tango song. It is a truly remarkable experience to visit the farm with Fer as his love and affection for these eight lucky horses will make you feel at home and fall in love with mother nature and her children. Let me tell you that it is not easy to hit a little ball the size of a billiard ball with a long skinny stick while sitting up in the air on top of a horse…but it is not impossible. At the end of the day you will even play a little match or what will resemble a parody of a match but still…we are here to have fun and learn something new right?

Buenos Aires: Monday

Buenos Aires in English means “Good Airs” and it certainly lives up to its name. It is by far one of my favorite cities in Latin America. First and for most, it is a very walkable city, a rare quality of a large metropolis in this part of the World. It is also a city that never sleeps and I really mean it. Sometimes it seems that the concept of week days and weekends does not exist or matter at all, which can be pretty dangerous for an office rat like me.

“Los Porteños” or otherwise the Argentines leaving in Buenos Aires (make no mistake mixing them with the provinces) looove to talk and will talk your ears out on literary any topic you may raise so be careful what you ask for. I once went into Freddo, a popular ice cream place, and couldn’t leave the place for 20 minutes as I was listening to the history of the Polish kings and the Prussian invasion…I really only wanted an ice cream. Though I do recommend getting into at a few lively conversations as it can be very entertaining.

There are a few interesting touristic sites in the city; however, Buenos Aires is a place you have to feel. It’s an experience rather than a mere check list of monuments and museums. Here goes your one-week adjustable itinerary. I am providing a Mon-Sun schedule as some places and attractions are best on specific days of the week.

Moving to Argentina

Yes, the "Good-Bye Chicken" was no joke. I have moved to the land of mighty cow proudly served on every corner, in every form, and in very generous portions. Interestingly enough, just as I moved to the big juicy steak paradise, I realized that I am not that into meat anymore. I mean I still appreciate a good bloody steak but I am on a mission to discover the hidden fish and seafood scenery of this protein rich country. My mission for now will be to discover the hidden land of ceviches. I will not abandon meat completely and I will only mention the noteworthy meat & pasta places.

I will aslo add other international travel and culinary adventures. It only makes sense as I have been riding my luggage to pieces this year. I managed to turn my Samsonite hard cover suitecase into what remindes me of a piece of Swiss cheese. Let the journey begin... 

Meet DF

CD. DE MÉXICO, video documental from EARRANGOIZ on Vimeo.

Mexico in all your senses

Cantina Hopping in Centro Historico

I love cantinas because they take you back in time.  Moreover, in a cantina you can see the real local flair and customs. In a cantina you will see smiles and tears, you will hear songs about love, romance, history and patriotism. In a cantina you will taste the most traditional mexican cuisine and you can taste a rich variaty of tequilas, mezcales, and beer. In many cases the decoration and ambiance remained unchanged from the eighteen and nineteen hundreds or at least this is how it feels. Make no mistake, these are not your posh and polished trendy spots.

Some of the best cantinas in Mexico City are located in the historical center of the city so if you like bar hopping I invite you to hop some of Mexico's oldest and most reknown cantinas. Here comes your drinking itinerary.....

Pulque - the nectar of the Gods

The history of Pulque dates back into the Mesoamerican period, during which it was considered a sacred drink and was offered only to the higher classes.  Apparently, it was drunk by priests and sacrificial victims, to increase the priests’ enthusiasm and to ease the suffering of the victim. Thank you, I will pass. Interestingly, among the common people it was given only to the elderly and pregnant women, I assume that it was due to its nutritious values. Don't get me wrong though...it is alcohol.

Pulque is a milk-colored fermented sap of maguey (agave plant) and there are six types of maguey that can be used to make it. It forms a foam on top and literally tastes like a fermented plant. Perhaps that is the reason why it lost its glory after we discovered the new golden nectar...beer. The interesting side on Pulque today is that it really is unique to Mexico and even here we are making great efforts to maintain its survival.

Read on to see where you can try to be the ancient God for just a while.

Aromas y Sabores de Mexico: new gastronomic route of Mexico

Aromas y Sabores de Mexico is a new gastronomic route of Mexico promoted as a joint project of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) and the National Chamber of Restaurants and Food Industry (CANIRAC).

From August 14th to September 1st, 2010, chefs and journalists from Mexico, USA, and Europe will venture on a culinary journey of Mexico's flavors and aromas. This journey will be like a full body massage and definitely with a happy ending. No, in fact it will be much better than that, it will be a continuous tickling of all their senses throughout their journey discovering the magical history, culture, cuisine, and views of Mexico. This gastronomic route covers the Central and Southern part of Mexico, which is characterized by its gastronomy, indigenous cultures, archeological richness, and abundant nature. This new route is probably the best culinary adventure of Mexico today.  Just look at the Itinerary of Aromas y Sabores de Mexico and you tell me if you wouldn't hop on this train as well.