Operation Shot and Awe

No trip is complete without a personal assessment of the local health care system.

To celebrate the purchase on my new Tango-inspired dress, my partner-in-shopping and good friend Laura and I feasted on tasty delights at an oudoor cafe in the main plaza. As we were paying the bill, I felt like someone shot me in the foot. It was a Vespa. (Not the popular Italian scooter, but the "non-European" hornet).

How do you know if you´re allergic to a Vespa? You writhe in dibillitating pain as your foot starts to double in size and the redness quickly creeps up your leg.

The pharmacist cursed at the site of my foot, pushing all the other customers aside and selling me the shot solution, which I carried across the street to the clinic for immediate injection. The minute Laura and I entered the clinic, we were instantly seen, my butt was injected, and I felt miraculously better.

(Shot solution:$6, butt injection: $1, not having to spend countless hours in the ER, fill out endless forms, and waste the entire day...priceless).

But I digress.

The primary reason for Argentine travels is not to conduct research for the sequel to Sicko, but to celebrate Scott & Natalia´s wedding.

Natalia´s father owns a 1,500 acre working ranch called Estancia Vista Alegre, complete with 100 horses, 35 workers, and a house that looks like a Spanish Style Four Seasons. For two days we experienced it in all its glory.

Friday night´s festivities started with an hour long horse-show, a traditional Asado, and dancing till 2am.

We were a little nervous the wedding celebration couldn´t measure up, until the wedding happened.

Where is InStyle weddings when you need it? We celebrated in awe: ceremony for 200 guests in the candle-lit courtyard, followed by dinner set in the patio that can only be compared to Sevilla´s Alcazar, two incredible multi-course meals (first at 8pm and second at 2:30 am), flowing liquer, 18 dessert trays, and continuing dancing till 4 am (complete with a personal dance lesson for me!).

The 11 hour wedding extravaganza flew by, and luckily neither the Vespa nor the injured knee held me back.

Searching in Salta

When travelling to a socialite destination wedding in a remote province of Argentina, it´s important to...bring a dress. Or you could forget the perfect dress (intended to blow the minds of the Atherton elite) at home and find one there. Naturally, I opted for the latter.


After exploring Salta´s charming shopping district, I have two clear options: dress as an Incan peasant (some flattering choices there) or pose as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. In other words, cover myself in a traditional poncho garb or glow in glitter. Either way, I´m slightly horrified.


And speaking of horror...after my unproductive shopping excursion, I set out to explore the gem of Salta: Museo de Arquelogia de Alta Montaña, the premier museum of Northern Argentina. The centerpiece of the display is a mummified body of a 15-year old girl, one of three children discovered on a mountain peak in 1999. She is perfectly preserved with her intricately plaited hair, unmarked skin, clothing, and jewelry. It is shocking but you can´t look away. Confused by her facial expression, I couldn´t help but wonder: was it a peaceful passing? a tortured death?


Incans used to offer the lives of high-born children to please (or appease) the gods. After a proper celebration, the children were well-fed and drugged, then brought to the highest mountain peak and left to die. It was considered a priviledge and performed in order to ensure continued fertility of their people and land.


As I relish the delicious tastes of Argentine food and wine from the amazing welcome party last night, I try not to judge and instead focus on feeling immensely grateful to experience Argentina in all its glory...now if only I could just find a dress!