And I thought I was way off the beaten track, deep in the middle of nowhere! But celebrities - and their paparazzi- keep coming to this random, little-known nation at the bottom of the hemisphere.

I was told that the US interviewer Ms. B. Walters is in Buenos Aires and Iguazu now on her first vacation in decades. (Please someone introduce her to Argentina’s terrible talk-show queen she can show Susana Gimenez a thing or two while she’s in-country).

Director Francis Ford Coppola’s been busy in BsAs lately filming his upcoming project. It looks like the shoot is a wrap, as Coppola’s homebase in Palermo is now open as a lovely, tasteful boutique inn.

Now, the AFP is reporting that John Travolta is hoping some time amongst the portenos will help him stay alive and well - he’s reportedly shopping for real estate. He was spotted at the Four Seasons and shopping at Patio Bullrich. I wonder if he’ll tango? Danny Zuko’s gotta love the vintage cars.

Over in Mendoza, the number of private vineyard estate projects keeps growing. These are massive properties where foreigners can purchase small piece of land (on which they can build lovely country homes) and they also get their own share of the vines produced in their backyard -which later turn into wine that they can either keep for themselves or bottle, label, market and sell around the world.

Apparently Duchess Sarah Ferguson has already signed up, and Tommy Lee Jones has his fingers in the pie as well. There are at least a dozen now competing for foreigners who want to live the equivalent of a golf-course lifestyle on a vineyard. Low stress, good views, great wine that you can call ‘yours’ even if you don’t do a thing - what’s not to love?

I told you already about Robert Duvall up in Salta, didn’t I? If not, I’ll save that story for another time.

Down in Patagonia, real estate continue to be the first words that come out of just about every gringo’s mouth when they catch their first glimpse of this paradise.

Within moments, before they’ve dipped their toes in the lake or had their first bife de lomo, they want to know how much land is worth here. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they’d love to just pack up and move here. And how many have asked me question after question about land prices (by the way, it’s still cheap but it is complicated to buy land here…..).

A peaceful and quiet corner of the world, with beautiful scenery, great recreation at your doorstep, superb food and wine, again, what’s not to love?

There is a real estate conference at the Llao Llao Hotel today where realtors have gathered. I’m sure they are nervous and anxious about the days ahead. But while speculators are keeping their fingers crossed that the boom won’t bust, many local groups are using it as an opportunity to protest and push for the bust. It’s caused quite a stir, especially the Governor’s decision to attend.

Today, a group of Bariloche people concerned about human dignity will meet in front of the Llao Llao to make their point - while folks with loads of, well, everything can pile up the properties wherever they choose, there are still many, many people in this town without sufficient shelter over their heads.

So while the gringos (as well as wealthy South Americans) continue to see paradise and potential, so many people who actually live in Patagonia are struggling to find dignity and put a roof over the heads. There was a woman on the local news a while back begging for any scrap pieces of wood anyone had to donate, so she can close the gaps in her walls in time for winter.

This is, in fact, not paradise for all. In fact, most people are excluded, and more and more are feeling offended and frustrated.

My life is here because of love. I didn’t go out of my way to choose this place on the planet. But it was an easy-sell, I’ll admit. And so I can’t put down others for finding it appealing. But I lament that Patagonia is not longer so off-the-radar and trend-free. Oh the good ol’ days…..