Here for a conference so limited in ability to really wander the streets and get to feel the place. Old walled part is gorgeous on the eyes-dazzled by the colour of the walls, cobbled streets, bourgainvillea cascading from the balconies, and gentility of the place.
I stayed 2 km furtehr south in Boca Grande at the famed El Caribe, more dubiously and recently known for the CIA prossie scandal. Grand old dame of a hotel that was clearly ahead of its time in the 50-60s, but dated today. Still, it had character and I am glad I chose this hotel over the Hilton's and other modern 'resort' hotels on the beaches and further north in the Crespo hood where the Hotel Las Americas convention center hosted the LATAM event and where there is no neighborhood to walk around in.
El Caribe is also on the beach and there were many a kiosk selling beer to enjoy in plastic chairs on the white sandy beach. Met Jesus and Richard Ali here-two intemperate souls (of many) who innocently talked yo you about all sorts. Ali was a character regaling us with tales of his being scared of heights and fainting in an elevator on the 23rd floor under a pile of pool toys he was carrying for a hotel guest where he worked, needing to be dragged out by his ankles. Bless.
Nearby streets of Cra 1,2, 3 had loads of life, bars, restaurants, buzzing with locals.
Eats/drinks
Kiosks right across El Caribe and the just further north run by two spicy women.
El Pietro: fab pizza and amazing pickled eggplant appetizer.
I stayed 2 km furtehr south in Boca Grande at the famed El Caribe, more dubiously and recently known for the CIA prossie scandal. Grand old dame of a hotel that was clearly ahead of its time in the 50-60s, but dated today. Still, it had character and I am glad I chose this hotel over the Hilton's and other modern 'resort' hotels on the beaches and further north in the Crespo hood where the Hotel Las Americas convention center hosted the LATAM event and where there is no neighborhood to walk around in.
El Caribe is also on the beach and there were many a kiosk selling beer to enjoy in plastic chairs on the white sandy beach. Met Jesus and Richard Ali here-two intemperate souls (of many) who innocently talked yo you about all sorts. Ali was a character regaling us with tales of his being scared of heights and fainting in an elevator on the 23rd floor under a pile of pool toys he was carrying for a hotel guest where he worked, needing to be dragged out by his ankles. Bless.
Nearby streets of Cra 1,2, 3 had loads of life, bars, restaurants, buzzing with locals.
Eats/drinks
Kiosks right across El Caribe and the just further north run by two spicy women.
El Pietro: fab pizza and amazing pickled eggplant appetizer.
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