The days of the $10 Fillet Mignon are coming to a end. It has been a great trip and great experience to live in another country. Learning how others do things and live is quite an experience. I now understand why so many people what to travel to the US. Though far from perfect it has it's advantages.
Some of the lessons that we learned:
You don't need as much stuff
You don't need a car
Speaking to cab drivers in another language is fun
You can use public transit,
A 100yr old subway train works as good as a new one and more fun
Remember that 2 ton cars aways have the right of way, same goes for 300 lbs scooter
You can get by anywhere
You don't need a 3000 ft house 600 ft is fine
People are just people
You can make friend anywhere if you want to
Washing dishes by hand is just as easy and time saving as a dishwasher and you save electricity
Quite is a luxury in many places
It is great to shop for your food everyday
Getting drinking water from a tap is a luxury
Only take 1/2 of what you want to. you don't need the rest
Slow down the rest of the world is not in a hurry like we are (excluding bus drivers)
You don't need a TV, a huge brain and time drain
Reading is a great option
Bidets are great
plastic bags work as well as glad wrap without the cost
Feeling at home in another country is really great
You can get a lot of work done in a foreign country
Have fun, do it all life is short, just go
Jeff and Marie 08/2009
Buenos Aires
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11th in Buenos Aires
It's Saturday, July 11th, and we're in BA. The sun is shining but it's in the 40's, maybe low 50's by afternoon. We headed out about 11am to do some exploring. First coffee and to decide where we want to go. We walk along the Av. Del Libertador Ave, it's 9 lanes of traffic going each way and it's our favorite place to walk because the highway of traffic is so wide you can get sun on the sidewalk. There is also a huge park that runs most of the length of this highway between the two directions of traffic. It is so wide in many cases , and sometimes with buildings in between, that at times you can't see the traffic going in the opposite direction. So we wound up in the Recoleta neighborhood and did some shopping at our favorite mall (didn't buy anything). We had lunch at a the restaurant San Juanito. The servers are a lot of fun here and the food is excellent. We walked from 11am until about 4pm today, with a break for coffee and lunch. Took a nap this afternoon in anticipation of going out for jazz this evening. The event starts at 10pm.
We decide to go out on another night due to how we're feeling ( not so good). We made chili yesterday and it's really ready to eat today, so we had a delicious dinner. Last night we talked with Jan, Jeff, and Michael on Skype, we feel so lucky that we can be so in touch with our family while we are here. Today I sent Chuck, Becky and family an email in hopes that they can get on skype and we will also talk while we are visiting in BA. Our internet speeds are good enough to carry on a good conversation. Hope to talk with the Wheelers tomorrow evening! All is well. Tomorrow's excursion should be to San Telmo where hope to see some street tango. Hasta Luego!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Arrived Buenos Aires
Hello All,
We are back in the big city and we have our new apartment. It is very nice on the 11 floor. We had a bit of mix up with the keys to get in. We had to wait in the lobby for 2 hrs. We almost left to get hotel but it worked out and all is good. We meet our new Spanish teacher and I think she will be good. We have been working a lot so we haven't ventured out much, just coffee and food.
I will will write again when something exciting happens. This is our eighth stay in BA so it is not as exciting as the first few trips.
Jeff
We are back in the big city and we have our new apartment. It is very nice on the 11 floor. We had a bit of mix up with the keys to get in. We had to wait in the lobby for 2 hrs. We almost left to get hotel but it worked out and all is good. We meet our new Spanish teacher and I think she will be good. We have been working a lot so we haven't ventured out much, just coffee and food.
I will will write again when something exciting happens. This is our eighth stay in BA so it is not as exciting as the first few trips.
Jeff
Sunday, July 5, 2009
An Evening to Remember
A dinner to remember.
Marie and I were invited to Armando's house for dinner on Saturday night and Leando our other new friend and landlord was also invited and decided to joined us. Armando is our friendly doorman at the new high end Villa Carrera Apartments. Argentines eat late compared to US standards and for that, the rest of the world. But on Saturday Nights they tend to eat even later. Leandro volunteer to drive us in his new red VW Golf. We were invited to arrive around 9:30 so we rang the door bell at Armando's home in Mendoza around 10:00 as expected. Armando's introduced us to his wife Rachel which she quickly told us that she spoke no english, nada. We had been informed of this earlier by Armando who himself spoke only broke english or what he calls, “Sanglish”. Leando's english is pretty good, our Spanish is not so great, but getting better so we were adventuring on a very interesting and somewhat apprehensive evening of conversation. Armando started the parrilla (grill) shortly after we arrived. This consists of starting a fire with small pieces of wood that are purchased at the local store for 4 peso (1.25 USD) a bundle, about 1.5 sq ft and burning it till it has the heat and cooking properties of charcoal that is well lit. They do not use charcoal because they say, which I believe, does not have the flavor of wood. They then push the hot coals under the grill that holds the meat. Who knows how long the meat has been out but it was about 38 deg F outside so you don't have to worry about the meat going bad. Their meats is also very fresh, the markets have real butcher and the meat is fresh everyday.
We talked or communicated for quite a while when Armando knowing that I was of German decent told me that he worked for a German mining company for 14 years before Argentina put the kibosh on open pit mines. He proudly handed me a pre WW2 German book of small hand painted pictures that were on some type of small cards pasted to the pages of the book with a thin onion shin like paper separating the pages. The book also contain an authentic German Nazi solder cap with adorning swastikas which was laying between the pages. I must say that I was a bit surprised when I saw the swastikas without any preamble or warning. He then proceeded to show me two German Metal on which I knew was a Iron-cross and other which I was unable to identify even with the German description. Armando was very proud of his possessions that he received while working for the German company. We told me that they were not for sale at any price.
The time is now around 11:30 and the dinner is still on the grill. Asado cooking is very purposely slow. Armando informed us that he had an old friend from the mining company coming later to join us with his girl friend. Kristina and Randy join us a around 11:50 and the conversation moved a bit faster because Randy and Kristina spoke english. For “economy of effort”, Tamara our pretty Spanish teacher called being lazy, I will move the story forward a bit faster. Randy is a geologist for the mining company that Armando worked for but was working in Chile where they still allow open pit mining for Copper and Gold. At 12:10 they announced that dinner was to be served. I know the time because I had been looking at my watch quite a bit. The dinner consisted of the normal Asado, chicken, sausage, short ribs... It was very good.
Leandro told be that he was ready to leave anytime that we were, I gazed at the clock on the wall and to my amazement it was 3:10 AM. We said our good byes to our new Argentine friends and headed home to our apartment. It was a great experience that I will not forget. You can communicate with anyone if you want to. This is the best part of traveling that you can experience, dive in and enjoy.
Jeff
Marie and I were invited to Armando's house for dinner on Saturday night and Leando our other new friend and landlord was also invited and decided to joined us. Armando is our friendly doorman at the new high end Villa Carrera Apartments. Argentines eat late compared to US standards and for that, the rest of the world. But on Saturday Nights they tend to eat even later. Leandro volunteer to drive us in his new red VW Golf. We were invited to arrive around 9:30 so we rang the door bell at Armando's home in Mendoza around 10:00 as expected. Armando's introduced us to his wife Rachel which she quickly told us that she spoke no english, nada. We had been informed of this earlier by Armando who himself spoke only broke english or what he calls, “Sanglish”. Leando's english is pretty good, our Spanish is not so great, but getting better so we were adventuring on a very interesting and somewhat apprehensive evening of conversation. Armando started the parrilla (grill) shortly after we arrived. This consists of starting a fire with small pieces of wood that are purchased at the local store for 4 peso (1.25 USD) a bundle, about 1.5 sq ft and burning it till it has the heat and cooking properties of charcoal that is well lit. They do not use charcoal because they say, which I believe, does not have the flavor of wood. They then push the hot coals under the grill that holds the meat. Who knows how long the meat has been out but it was about 38 deg F outside so you don't have to worry about the meat going bad. Their meats is also very fresh, the markets have real butcher and the meat is fresh everyday.
We talked or communicated for quite a while when Armando knowing that I was of German decent told me that he worked for a German mining company for 14 years before Argentina put the kibosh on open pit mines. He proudly handed me a pre WW2 German book of small hand painted pictures that were on some type of small cards pasted to the pages of the book with a thin onion shin like paper separating the pages. The book also contain an authentic German Nazi solder cap with adorning swastikas which was laying between the pages. I must say that I was a bit surprised when I saw the swastikas without any preamble or warning. He then proceeded to show me two German Metal on which I knew was a Iron-cross and other which I was unable to identify even with the German description. Armando was very proud of his possessions that he received while working for the German company. We told me that they were not for sale at any price.
The time is now around 11:30 and the dinner is still on the grill. Asado cooking is very purposely slow. Armando informed us that he had an old friend from the mining company coming later to join us with his girl friend. Kristina and Randy join us a around 11:50 and the conversation moved a bit faster because Randy and Kristina spoke english. For “economy of effort”, Tamara our pretty Spanish teacher called being lazy, I will move the story forward a bit faster. Randy is a geologist for the mining company that Armando worked for but was working in Chile where they still allow open pit mining for Copper and Gold. At 12:10 they announced that dinner was to be served. I know the time because I had been looking at my watch quite a bit. The dinner consisted of the normal Asado, chicken, sausage, short ribs... It was very good.
Leandro told be that he was ready to leave anytime that we were, I gazed at the clock on the wall and to my amazement it was 3:10 AM. We said our good byes to our new Argentine friends and headed home to our apartment. It was a great experience that I will not forget. You can communicate with anyone if you want to. This is the best part of traveling that you can experience, dive in and enjoy.
Jeff
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Another Sunday Morning in Mendoza
Sunday mornings are one of my favorite times no matter where I am and they haven't disappointed me at all here in Mendoza. This Sunday is Father's Day and Jeff and I called Jay, Jeff's dad to see what he was up to. He said, it's been an exciting kitty day with B&J. Yesterday was nap day. Jay and June have been "baby sitting" the kitties since we left for our trip. We thank them!
The sun is out and the weather is supposed to hit the low 50's today so we are headed for the big park at the University of Mendoza. Jeff and I get our exercise and practice our Spanish while we walk. Without a Spanish book with us, we sometimes have to improvise with what we are trying to say. We decided that was probably okay... at least we understand each other. Hmmm.... well, that's one strategy to learn a new language, it working out so far. Our profesora has her work cut out for her.
Last night we ate at a restaurant called Azafran's and had a great dinner. The restaurant is either a working store during the day where they sell cheese's, deli meats and bulk spices or perhaps that is all for show. On their menu they have numerous starter plates which take advantage of their deli products. The atmosphere was very quaint and comfortable, food exceptional and service excellent.
My waistline is unfortunately responding to all of the great food experiences we have had over the last few weeks. Smaller portions and more exercise. Although we walk almost everywhere we go, we still have this problem...Eating seems to be our favorite entertainment.
Missing our high speed internet, but we are thankful to have a computer and any Internet. Our apartment doesn't have cable connected, so we read, watch movies or blog in the evening. I'm out of reading/ books in English and we've watched out last movie, so we bought a movie on-line and downloaded it overnight. It worked! For a stereo, we also use the computer, although streaming music doesn't work, we have a lot of music available on the harddisk. Watching youTube video's also don't work at this speed. The Internet connection issue looks like it will cause us to go back to Buenos Aires (BA) for our last month here. The issue can eventually be resolved, but apparently not quickly... That's okay.
The sun is out and the weather is supposed to hit the low 50's today so we are headed for the big park at the University of Mendoza. Jeff and I get our exercise and practice our Spanish while we walk. Without a Spanish book with us, we sometimes have to improvise with what we are trying to say. We decided that was probably okay... at least we understand each other. Hmmm.... well, that's one strategy to learn a new language, it working out so far. Our profesora has her work cut out for her.
Last night we ate at a restaurant called Azafran's and had a great dinner. The restaurant is either a working store during the day where they sell cheese's, deli meats and bulk spices or perhaps that is all for show. On their menu they have numerous starter plates which take advantage of their deli products. The atmosphere was very quaint and comfortable, food exceptional and service excellent.
My waistline is unfortunately responding to all of the great food experiences we have had over the last few weeks. Smaller portions and more exercise. Although we walk almost everywhere we go, we still have this problem...Eating seems to be our favorite entertainment.
Missing our high speed internet, but we are thankful to have a computer and any Internet. Our apartment doesn't have cable connected, so we read, watch movies or blog in the evening. I'm out of reading/ books in English and we've watched out last movie, so we bought a movie on-line and downloaded it overnight. It worked! For a stereo, we also use the computer, although streaming music doesn't work, we have a lot of music available on the harddisk. Watching youTube video's also don't work at this speed. The Internet connection issue looks like it will cause us to go back to Buenos Aires (BA) for our last month here. The issue can eventually be resolved, but apparently not quickly... That's okay.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Viento sorta - strange wind
There is a strange wind that hits Mendoza this time of year it is called viento sorta. The temp went up to 84F and the hot wind was blowing hard. The old timers in town are afraid of the wind, so I've heard. Our landlord told us that we should not go out in it. It was nice and warm and we were not going to miss this. Well it is over and now it is raining and snowing in the Andes which we can not see now. We have been trying to get back to the taco stand that we found a week ago and finally made it today. We got the "Full meal Deal" for 59 pesos ($15.86 USD) 1/2 kilo of beef, to home made sauces, an herb quesasilla, beans, Guacamole, totillas, and liter of beer. We have leftovers.
The picture is of us in the Winery resturant
We also went shopping at the market today, half of beefs hanging fresh everywhere. The food is yummy.
I have gained a bit of weight but someone told me it is the Argentina way.
We are off to one of the best resturants in town aZufran (saffron)
adios
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Mexico in Argentina
Today by chance we stumbled across a Taqueria a few block from our house. The place is just like a taqueria in Mexico. Most of the food is take out with only 4 seats inside and 4 outside. The food was very good because the lady that runs it is from Mexico. Homemade everything and fresh herbs that were growing in the pots. the address is Paso De Los Andes 1284 y cross street is Avellanado.
Eating through Argentina.
Eating through Argentina.
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