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With half of Estancia Aldea Norteña released and the characters about to head in separate directions, let's take one last look at Mar del Plata, the city by the sea.
Readers will note that the long awaited trip to the aquarium happened in Chapter 17, albeit with a different grouping than originally hinted at. This particular attraction has been around since 1993 and has many indoor and outdoor activities. The following video shows one family's tour of the exhibits and grounds.
Back in Chapter 12, Catalina and the Tilves met at the marina and then strolled around a festive street fair. While I don't know if my description is completely accurate, there is a scenic wharf in Mar del Plata: la Banquina de Pescadores. It's described as a great place for tourists to take pictures. There are also sea lions just like Elena promised. In fact, there's a nature reserve specifically for the sea lion population, and that's accessible via one of the many boat cruises offered to visitors.
Perhaps the street artists observed by the main characters were setup near the Diagonal de los Artesanos, a major craft fair that runs throughout the summer in Mar del Plata. One online source estimated there are up to 200 vendors a day at this outdoor bazaar. Pictures online made me think of my the state fair here in North Carolina, with booths selling handmade jewelry, toys, and clothing. I can imagine Elena would love the unique flair each artisan brings to their craft. She and Catalina probably went to the Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Museum of Ar as well, one of many museums in the city.
Mar del Plata hosted the World Cup in 1978 at its Olympic style stadium; this same facility was upgraded in 1995 for the Pan American Games. Estadio José María Minella is home to local clubs Alvarado (founded in 1928) and Aldosiv (founded 1913). Club Atlético Aldosivi also includes a women's section. The following video gives a sense of the atmosphere enjoyed by the Aguirres and their guests in Chapter 8.
The clinic that Catalina volunteers at is entirely fictional. However, there are several public and private hospitals in the city. According to the Argentine medical professional who let me interview her online, all citizens and visitors are able to utilize public health without cost, attended by doctors on call and specialists available for referral. There are also private institutions like multi-specialty hospitals, clinics, and private offices run by family doctors. According to my source physical therapy services generally are in private offices, although they also operate in outpatient clinics and even public hospitals. Enrique's specialty allows him to work in all of the many facets of the health system, while I picture Catalina's father solely operating in the public health space for his region.
Finally, what about the beach? When the railway line from Buenos Aires traveled to Mar del Plata in 1886, the first hotels opened for business, and soon a resort was formed. In the 1940s and 1950s this coastal hub became a destination for the middle class too. Although other more rarefied spots have became the go to vacation areas, Mar del Plata still draws tourists from all over the country. There's both public and private access, surfing, fishing, and even music and dance parties held on the sand.
Every time I research this city I find even more to discover: there's a January sea food festival and parade, film festivals, fashion shows, water parks, even a medieval-style castle (something Catherine Morland would have loved to explore!) I'm sure there are plenty of local places not found by my online searches that are just as fun and enriching. It's became as full of character to me as any of the locations Austen describes in her own writing, something I hope has carried through to my readers.
All good things come to an end, though, and it's almost time to say adios to this fair city. Look for more information about the titular estancia soon.