Argentine aristocracy

It's a Saturday evening, we didnt have plans so we decided to go across the street to the Alvear Palace hotel to have an early dinner in the lobby lounge and 'people watch'.
The Alvear Palace is a grand old hotel. The lobby lounge is marble columns, chandeliers and the largest bouquet of fresh flowers we have ever seen.
True, the beer is expensive relative to many other places in town but they do a healthy pour of wine and the people watching is 'o so interesting.

Last night was one of the best - things were slow until 8 pm (that's when the crowd of folks staying in the hotel agree to meet for a pre-dinner drink and then an hour later, the place is practically empty as they all leave to make their 9 o'clock dinner reservations).

We often end up in conversations with several of them because many speak english and are travelling from all over the world. We share with them that we live here, they tell us stories of where they have been and where they are going.

Last night, and older couple came in for a glass of champagne. They were speaking English. We figured them for being on a cruise and were spending a couple of days in BA. He had struck up a conversation with two ladies at another table (should have been my first clue). Mimi was on her way to the washroom and mentioned something to them and within 30 seconds, they were engaged in a full conversation. I get waved over and before you know it, the four of us are having champagne together and sharing stories....and theirs was quite a story.

Turns out, he is 92 and she is 86. They are dating. They have 26 grandchildren between the two of them. They were both born here, as were their parents. They are of British descent. The British had come to Argentina to build the country's infrastructure (railroads etc). They both have substantial landholdings (I think substantial would be an understatement) including estancias (ranches). Her farm produces wheat, soy and corn. I am betting its a realllly big farm!
He still plays tennis. They are off to Punta del Este today for summer holidays with their children and they wanted us to join them for a few days. I said I had to work (damn!).

What I didnt learn until later was that old Ricardo (but you can call me Dick) was hitting on Mimi the whole time. I was chatting with Helen and he is saying 'I could kiss you all over' to Mimi.

She lives just up the street from us and his home is in San Isidro.
What a great couple. We hope that our paths cross again.

I will sit BETWEEN Ricardo and Mimi next time.

B.