Mar del Plata

There was a bit of break in the monotony of closeted discussions that were held in borderline claustrophobia-inducing conference rooms when it was decided we should get out for some sun. Hallelujah. I'm really quite an outdoorsy girl. If not for these time-outs, I would have died from pure cabin fever. We stopped by Mar del Plata, the hip and happening city by the beach facing the azure waters of the Atlantic. Most of the residences in the city were shuttered, and they would come alive in summer.

I'm not sure how the city sustains employment when most of the economic development is dependent on the conferences, conventions and sporting events that the city hosts. I saw the huge casino complex built in 1938 that used to be the largest in the world till Vegas overshone it. The complex still stands. The casino is in operation, but not exactly with splendor and pomp. It's now rundown and looks a little neglected and sad.

I was very happy to stroll around the rather quiet town with its current population of nearly 700,000. It has so much space to let the summer crowd swell to 2 million and still feels spacious. This is certainly a beautiful city with plenty to offer in terms of partying, restaurants, hotels and whatnots. Quite a cool vacation spot. Many locals have bought second homes here. That panorama across the ocean is stunning. I stood for minutes just taking in all that endless horizon and sparkling waters. The surf was up. While the temperature was quite cool, in the sun, it was still blistering. It was a little mind-boggling to see so many people jogging and skating along the pavement at 3.30pm under the blazing sun.