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During our time in Baires, we want to learn how to play polo! Okay, I’m just kidding. Actually, Tom and I have a much simpler equine goal: learn how to trot.

Yes, that’s right. We are incapable of trotting in a Western saddle without bouncing all over the place. (I have learned the trick of riding on a Tennessee Walker–you feel like you’re trotting, but it’s much smoother!) So one of our goals is to leave Argentina with some very basic equestrian skills under our belts, like knowing how to trot properly.

(“La Vida Argentina” posts will be a multi-part series of posts discussing what we hope to do and see while in Argentina.)

Good news. The minivan is repaired. Apparently the fuel filter (and fuel line where it goes through the filter) failed and that caused the gushing gas/car stopping problem! $88 dollars later, Andy had us on the road. (I think that is the cheapest auto repair we have ever had with the minivan!)

Since we are selling both cars before leaving on our trip, we were a little worried when the car broke down. Bad timing to have a major problem. Whew!

When I lived in Taipei, London, and Madrid I didn’t own a car and was able to use a combination of taxis, public transportation, and my feet to do everything that I needed. That will be the plan while in Buenos Aires.

Avoiding car ownership is one of the reasons that we really want to make sure that we scope out neighborhoods and schools very thoroughly before committing to a long-term rental. We want reasonable access to school, a market, a gym and, of course, some good restaurants. (Do we ask too much?)