SANTA & BUENOS AIRES

Looks like Santa will have to find our chimney in Buenos Aires. 
We are still waiting to get the vehicle cleared out of the port and into our hands. Due to a series of unfortunate mistakes (none our doing) , a process that is meant to take about 1 week, is going to take 3 weeks, delayed further due to the Christmas break.
We are very lucky that our friend Marco was able to make a few calls and we now have some extra assistance in navigating the challenging system.
We are definately not in Kansas anymore.
On the positive side (the one we are trying to focus on) we are getting to know the city very well; I will be able to shop and buy myself some platform shoes (the rage here right now); Keira got to sit on the knee of a very morose Santa and we got to visit another town near here called Tigre.
Tigre is a town built on a river delta. It is a tourist town to which Argentinians flock on weekends for river sports like kayaking, boating, jetskiing and chilling out at nice restaurants and coffee shops.
We did a river cruise there which took us past small communities that have made their lives on the river, establishing schools and other services. The only access is via boat.
We are now staying at the Recoleta Hostel in a nice area of town. The hostel is great, has a kitchen, a courtyard and rooftop garden. Keira and I have decorated the room with a small tree and tinsel for Christmas. 
In Argentina they celebrate Christmas on a much smaller scale and to be honest it is nice to be removed from the commercialism. We have read that Christmas Eve is when their main celebrations take place, with family BBQ's or potluck type dinners, fireworks, present giving at around 1 am and partying beginning at 2 am. Christmas Day is more low key and a recovery day. The kids here get an extra bonus, as on January 5th they get another round of presents as they celebrate the day when the wise men arrived in Bethlehem. Keira has already tried to cash in on that one!
This will probably be our last blog before Christmas, so Feliz Navidad, have a safe and happy holiday season. 
We are hoping Santa brings us a well equipt Landcruiser for Christmas!!! 
Lots of Love,  Mike, Keira and Riss.

ABOVE : Tigre Delta
RIGHT: Maria's apartment building, tallest building 42nd floor; Keira playing in the park.
BELOW: Keira with Santa; who needs toys, our homemade princesses in their castle with sharks below.

Sunset over Buenos Aires, taken from Maria's apartment.