tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121969663097252292024-03-19T05:37:33.259-05:00not all who wander are lostBonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-15929659395790083992009-07-20T16:48:00.002-05:002009-07-20T16:52:02.372-05:00Flying over the Andes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4re9tudRrDvUl7AhGlOm4erHkDAXjBrhDjx5yFF9XMuENpDphcpShg-3Xl-yHCPbQGZvYzub4TW0_6Fnlrp21XW5WlMOQPQdzfkeyWQWTCtFajTagkmNUtA9b0teP_D6yPzMJHQwjuw/s1600-h/DSC08758.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4re9tudRrDvUl7AhGlOm4erHkDAXjBrhDjx5yFF9XMuENpDphcpShg-3Xl-yHCPbQGZvYzub4TW0_6Fnlrp21XW5WlMOQPQdzfkeyWQWTCtFajTagkmNUtA9b0teP_D6yPzMJHQwjuw/s400/DSC08758.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360662692981958354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgdWGE3qi7eTrT0t3Nl1vblcQ4bQbquQge9lDi0gsQN7JX5jJ46wl20BRBNmHuT7wN6Ph-uwgcn7z8J0T6ogZx_CYZWDKH-M76wszz67QIGIiMsL4ssXN-iI8nXMrCUVqxCGsLPGQmCA/s1600-h/DSC08757.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgdWGE3qi7eTrT0t3Nl1vblcQ4bQbquQge9lDi0gsQN7JX5jJ46wl20BRBNmHuT7wN6Ph-uwgcn7z8J0T6ogZx_CYZWDKH-M76wszz67QIGIiMsL4ssXN-iI8nXMrCUVqxCGsLPGQmCA/s400/DSC08757.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360662694266704514" border="0" /></a><br />On the way back home, we flew to Santiago, Chile before going north. Here are a couple of shots from my airplane window seat.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-30086461381776806842009-07-15T14:14:00.002-05:002009-07-15T14:27:50.276-05:00Goodbye Argentina!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny9UXOdkYMcMEzspBU_jP1hkA1ypRWooAuC7_4c0ta7zxxsCZcAeHz3wXZbRuepEjfxlx-NAhr9TmpCQ-GZA7bXXTbCQthfCL_LdDDzNQrBxtDae95AXhd3TdylSGMx1mWOi94MaDU_w/s1600-h/DSC08714.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny9UXOdkYMcMEzspBU_jP1hkA1ypRWooAuC7_4c0ta7zxxsCZcAeHz3wXZbRuepEjfxlx-NAhr9TmpCQ-GZA7bXXTbCQthfCL_LdDDzNQrBxtDae95AXhd3TdylSGMx1mWOi94MaDU_w/s400/DSC08714.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358768136214503906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3FGNkpAZHMfCDVlBO8zg1p8pgMBRawShLdKgGnFqbhlmyYBJssekckFQoeE1VhIn3rixd9Z8qrTTz4gg4Ojk0aoH28z_res8DrDhHLYaOALzsm3sxr7HZq-TYn4TAWYxqADEY6O3Mgw/s1600-h/DSC08707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3FGNkpAZHMfCDVlBO8zg1p8pgMBRawShLdKgGnFqbhlmyYBJssekckFQoeE1VhIn3rixd9Z8qrTTz4gg4Ojk0aoH28z_res8DrDhHLYaOALzsm3sxr7HZq-TYn4TAWYxqADEY6O3Mgw/s400/DSC08707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358768126205653922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBx7NT66pWCJ2NrWcost3A4nYhzPSKVmoc7j1xe_kPJ_UJXySyp8-drGm2UuvGC5o8PEH9Pq3Khap_u1jKt8lEoh43oC3H6mk_r5HHw7tfvPtoea7BZkpPhAV0NUrFmhI7FEY6IL3ds8/s1600-h/DSC08721.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBx7NT66pWCJ2NrWcost3A4nYhzPSKVmoc7j1xe_kPJ_UJXySyp8-drGm2UuvGC5o8PEH9Pq3Khap_u1jKt8lEoh43oC3H6mk_r5HHw7tfvPtoea7BZkpPhAV0NUrFmhI7FEY6IL3ds8/s400/DSC08721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358768121623347394" border="0" /></a><br />After three weeks of exploring the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and after battling the obstacles of swine flu, we decided to change our tickets and come home a little early. This is not a problem for me--I now have some time home with my family and friends.<br /><br />We had a pretty awesome flight over the Andes mountains into Santiago, Chile yesterday. The mountains are amazing and the country looked beautiful from the air. We had a 4 hour layover and headed north, arriving in MSP in the morning.<br /><br />I'm glad for the time we had in South America, and am already planning my next trip there!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-20357635482492118762009-07-11T22:43:00.003-05:002009-07-11T22:57:10.779-05:00Mate (pronounced: mot.tay)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVprKG1DnuW-PpE3AaGYkCKUXa-gA0X2Q3G-Uis7Dcvwxy3bNdeX6WjCbFcbA4crK8xH32k-JZgDcyLu3IiVUErYgAJ5blCCPvY9AQbkyfjE41FxL146o8WONS1R1_FTYB8Qiv8V4Q5V8/s1600-h/DSC08747.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVprKG1DnuW-PpE3AaGYkCKUXa-gA0X2Q3G-Uis7Dcvwxy3bNdeX6WjCbFcbA4crK8xH32k-JZgDcyLu3IiVUErYgAJ5blCCPvY9AQbkyfjE41FxL146o8WONS1R1_FTYB8Qiv8V4Q5V8/s400/DSC08747.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357414330147419938" border="0" /></a><br />Every weekend, there is an artisans market outside the cemetery in Ricoleta, which is right outside our apartment. We have walked through the market a few times, priced things out and made mental notes of what we wanted to bring home as souvenirs.<br /><br />We both picked out a <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> gourd and straw and decided to try some (finally). <span style="font-style: italic;">Mate</span> seems like the national drink, well...that and red wine.<br /><br />After filling the gourd with <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> and hot water, the <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> host should drink the first cupfull through the filtered straw because the first drink is the most bitter. Next, he/she should refill it with hot water and pass it to the next person, and keep doing this until it has lost flavor before starting again.<br /><br />I've noticed people with their <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> gourds and thermoses of hot water sipping <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> all day every day. Kara read that it is believed that when you share a <span style="font-style: italic;">mate</span> with your friend, you share your dreams. :)Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-34863644681286532372009-07-11T22:36:00.002-05:002009-07-11T22:43:02.387-05:00Cafe Tortoni<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Q7oVnfPE-eGy1D4bnCI5KdUg6KM0T0lmSW_J35u2CrfrZ1QWflShvf6n4Sd8B2zvZM-93O0uWSzPToXl4cnf1juYv8E4GrmGn1UBFwNokAasrCMBel4ua-2M9KeBhxu8aErySP86kc/s1600-h/DSC08700.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Q7oVnfPE-eGy1D4bnCI5KdUg6KM0T0lmSW_J35u2CrfrZ1QWflShvf6n4Sd8B2zvZM-93O0uWSzPToXl4cnf1juYv8E4GrmGn1UBFwNokAasrCMBel4ua-2M9KeBhxu8aErySP86kc/s400/DSC08700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357412812629531826" border="0" /></a><br />Today was tango day! We finally bought tickets to a show at the city's oldest cafe: Cafe Tortoni. It was established in 1858 (I read that on the mug). We stopped in earlier this afternoon for a coffee and some churros, and while we were there we picked up tickets which turned out to be a good idea. We got better seats for purchasing them early.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3APzVF1BngoT79KbiH9RfQInOLmAHGdC55D5nY0l-wBAfW1YvftL4NpgfYwFGLqBDBVRfkulaEe6L-TWktZEVM0BOF5St6QCu3CbTws4cPLhpp9Z-wiDAnD-YbJAibwWFA48q9486_I/s1600-h/DSC08705.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3APzVF1BngoT79KbiH9RfQInOLmAHGdC55D5nY0l-wBAfW1YvftL4NpgfYwFGLqBDBVRfkulaEe6L-TWktZEVM0BOF5St6QCu3CbTws4cPLhpp9Z-wiDAnD-YbJAibwWFA48q9486_I/s400/DSC08705.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357412802736557650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2cI3dEGr5ZonwzkgkKGBgQdJdcZ2p-zQtBy5R-a5fGQvFZv3XaFK-SkjgpXQJWbLN-D5GUkXkg7ZkD-R_UY-IKscZk8Fw5KnEIaItV__somt6v9mq40jgMibKqQAz0eqn_mmor2DMUE/s1600-h/DSC08736.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2cI3dEGr5ZonwzkgkKGBgQdJdcZ2p-zQtBy5R-a5fGQvFZv3XaFK-SkjgpXQJWbLN-D5GUkXkg7ZkD-R_UY-IKscZk8Fw5KnEIaItV__somt6v9mq40jgMibKqQAz0eqn_mmor2DMUE/s400/DSC08736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357412798346554610" border="0" /></a><br />The show was almost two hours long and really great! There were four musicians including a guy playing the accordian. There was a male singer who was able to get everyone to sing "por una cabeza" with gusto, as well as another song which he quickly told us the words before we had to sing them (I think I got at least 40%). Finally, my favorite part was watching the tango dancers. It really makes me want to take dance lessons when I get back to the States! So beautiful!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-20190032519909262922009-07-10T17:56:00.003-05:002009-07-10T18:06:03.602-05:00Ghosts in the graveyard...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO4zeeeZQfeqlbZJ1m8tc_bdOR_jyCRuxBeLG2BhMWi0wNNX5pltcL4D24bqW3dg3oYPJ-5XtJ97xfjWKFRIB3lNxsz05hyphenhyphenm_5A5kfvPogZwf8pmzqxYNrI_SM3fjmjiOC0FMjcbaMJU/s1600-h/DSC08668.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO4zeeeZQfeqlbZJ1m8tc_bdOR_jyCRuxBeLG2BhMWi0wNNX5pltcL4D24bqW3dg3oYPJ-5XtJ97xfjWKFRIB3lNxsz05hyphenhyphenm_5A5kfvPogZwf8pmzqxYNrI_SM3fjmjiOC0FMjcbaMJU/s400/DSC08668.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356969976204967330" border="0" /></a><br />As posted previously, our Buenos Aires apartment is across the street from a really creepy awesome graveyard. After mysterious visits from the unmentionables in the middle of the night (ha ha...reference to Pride and Predjudice and Zombies, which Kara so thoughtfully lent me this week), we made a return visit to hunt down the burial site of Eva Peron (a.k.a. 'Evita').<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfHDTRLknUrvYvdFCdX1uNyFLRy7gsmffJ_NDmWiDlZFW7T6qymf8ZFG7RhjWFKy0bpfxUdszNHCrRU4QgaXz4ELKNUMxOslW-3HpIgNhTiiPtJQN9bEqfdF3RL3kF_sXwBCfv1g9YhQ/s1600-h/DSC08670.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfHDTRLknUrvYvdFCdX1uNyFLRy7gsmffJ_NDmWiDlZFW7T6qymf8ZFG7RhjWFKy0bpfxUdszNHCrRU4QgaXz4ELKNUMxOslW-3HpIgNhTiiPtJQN9bEqfdF3RL3kF_sXwBCfv1g9YhQ/s400/DSC08670.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356969426962538962" border="0" /></a><br />This cat, the one in the corner of the picture above, seriously followed us through the many narrow walkways of the cemetery. It followed us past Evita's grave, and down the next few rows of tombs. It stubbornly refused to pose for a picture, so I snuck up from behind. There were so many stray cats in the cemetery. Mangy, dirty cats everywhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHOgnbnq-gV80cbT6vlRa3v866wswCZRQuJqhHEr5OLFOMcpLInbk7R3eq6PiWbeBLURpYKSfnTHOspncNm6KEFtowtmtN-PsHm81Hr04iRkaFYokA0J1yKpRMY9s6VJIGE20evMy1Yc/s1600-h/DSC08673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHOgnbnq-gV80cbT6vlRa3v866wswCZRQuJqhHEr5OLFOMcpLInbk7R3eq6PiWbeBLURpYKSfnTHOspncNm6KEFtowtmtN-PsHm81Hr04iRkaFYokA0J1yKpRMY9s6VJIGE20evMy1Yc/s400/DSC08673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356969415560904482" border="0" /></a><br />We found Evita. Mostly because she was the only recognizable name for us to search for! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr9T7oUOOpJ5Ce-tN7ff_-UQz9D1ZrvJq7Vj3i-P6NEVD1V8dtVy109S9SjMHjA3I0yDdSrITxXAe9q18cRnue0LVKC74ZX_6b1jfZeizxnY1X7ZEgP-O4DC2rMbjnZeqFUGbgTFJp0Y/s1600-h/DSC08669.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr9T7oUOOpJ5Ce-tN7ff_-UQz9D1ZrvJq7Vj3i-P6NEVD1V8dtVy109S9SjMHjA3I0yDdSrITxXAe9q18cRnue0LVKC74ZX_6b1jfZeizxnY1X7ZEgP-O4DC2rMbjnZeqFUGbgTFJp0Y/s400/DSC08669.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356969413836389586" border="0" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-71464161949546669522009-07-10T17:43:00.002-05:002009-07-10T17:55:43.353-05:00A day in Uruguay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5WQ3jmA6nrydlgG91q-_JY4pMXU7Q79ZDGDTWABLSbxaWHpnW_IOxazyZ5S604ZLHSWXbB3e2QouSTEJtwLuf1B_cA2EqZTXedxyPn1GKG4abp0Q7GecU9ybDWOYcI0ptRuHEPEj-ZM/s1600-h/DSC08688.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5WQ3jmA6nrydlgG91q-_JY4pMXU7Q79ZDGDTWABLSbxaWHpnW_IOxazyZ5S604ZLHSWXbB3e2QouSTEJtwLuf1B_cA2EqZTXedxyPn1GKG4abp0Q7GecU9ybDWOYcI0ptRuHEPEj-ZM/s400/DSC08688.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966379689580130" border="0" /></a><br />Today, Kara and I woke up really early and boarded a boat for Uruguay. It was freezing cold this morning when we left, despite my four layers of clothing! When we got to Colonia, we found maps and started walking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMSqtuYoJ1U2JkI4fkbgTP45KSKWNL1aGSQin69Ia5wXSkdraiCkzhaZMEVYhFYfDAilAR7QL8wOGizN4Xy8FQlCjCjo_bfEzr1Hz8uyyxahe4Q_7uWR4-U27jLdu4uENJVfYN8nU4G8/s1600-h/DSC08684.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMSqtuYoJ1U2JkI4fkbgTP45KSKWNL1aGSQin69Ia5wXSkdraiCkzhaZMEVYhFYfDAilAR7QL8wOGizN4Xy8FQlCjCjo_bfEzr1Hz8uyyxahe4Q_7uWR4-U27jLdu4uENJVfYN8nU4G8/s400/DSC08684.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966370614937602" border="0" /></a><br />Colonia is a UNESCO heritage site, showcasing many buildings dating back from the 1600's! We took it easy all day, wandered the streets and stopped in for a Cappuccino Italiana and some sweets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgKg-Om3_0UR8LSXsXXhQyHnkCcwp-ZZlviLkZbOm8p9IsyFrP465Z7_JiZraUzhwa8W7WSyIqiceiCnVCCiszg5P9QFjOR6jLSmn3aisbD5umQAif8x0vMTj5QEr25a7I8EMBzIsUok/s1600-h/DSC08691.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgKg-Om3_0UR8LSXsXXhQyHnkCcwp-ZZlviLkZbOm8p9IsyFrP465Z7_JiZraUzhwa8W7WSyIqiceiCnVCCiszg5P9QFjOR6jLSmn3aisbD5umQAif8x0vMTj5QEr25a7I8EMBzIsUok/s400/DSC08691.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966360362745250" border="0" /></a><br />After coffee, we walked and walked and walked. Thankfully, it warmed up and we weren't blocks of ice anymore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtTSS084KOd-zqxM-yq_1h6z_sX8U74TF3owFOwLIU5v6BRY-IdAIfu1M_3_d6t1uYX5v8Vsh5svO2TBJXlSdKYdQCG4hFjBvxowWRdP5IFFHAWUdGIX_XnsWLPYg5iwwxm7EXNOEPUc/s1600-h/DSC08681.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtTSS084KOd-zqxM-yq_1h6z_sX8U74TF3owFOwLIU5v6BRY-IdAIfu1M_3_d6t1uYX5v8Vsh5svO2TBJXlSdKYdQCG4hFjBvxowWRdP5IFFHAWUdGIX_XnsWLPYg5iwwxm7EXNOEPUc/s400/DSC08681.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966355464895026" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, before boarding the boat back to Buenos Aires, we stopped at a local parilla to eat a chivito, an Uruguayan steak sandwich with ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg. It was so good!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mJQ6Cy0JPaNbyBIiKHrvdqurVOySd71pRJkGTutXC8rm10NBTRVPJvmnZkhaREEWXk4en90qXbY-P2UTRcfmSaFdLNbZTff7ZT8yQoK99BzjRIafvsEWttL-jiEnRunQA5ZkZWL2qmw/s1600-h/DSC08676.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mJQ6Cy0JPaNbyBIiKHrvdqurVOySd71pRJkGTutXC8rm10NBTRVPJvmnZkhaREEWXk4en90qXbY-P2UTRcfmSaFdLNbZTff7ZT8yQoK99BzjRIafvsEWttL-jiEnRunQA5ZkZWL2qmw/s400/DSC08676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356966350892049970" border="0" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-88957669676917593892009-07-08T19:24:00.002-05:002009-07-08T19:26:48.622-05:00What is it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1OB7iCu74g5A89L-stOKy0qFw4qpLdcp2_IVwViGJoV0EYoiXCW3sLe2sSSy-96NQgN2WBQbM-nVn1vAU10OWZrcIHm1pq9P2MfV8vSQx0HtAuh0NBkSW0tWHkQojfyNBFJogXWpAms/s1600-h/DSC08655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1OB7iCu74g5A89L-stOKy0qFw4qpLdcp2_IVwViGJoV0EYoiXCW3sLe2sSSy-96NQgN2WBQbM-nVn1vAU10OWZrcIHm1pq9P2MfV8vSQx0HtAuh0NBkSW0tWHkQojfyNBFJogXWpAms/s400/DSC08655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356249786152841890" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday, in the park, I saw this bird. It looks like a turkey/pheasant/chicken mix with pants on! Does anyone know what it is?Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-52791160044432757532009-07-08T13:36:00.002-05:002009-07-08T13:43:54.878-05:00Buenos Aires, Week 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp-j1rLt9T974K-mJMFt9J4Q69qzqzRrYg5Djru9UY1890bvGlxyxlYn49-iQiEHiZkTxfjpCK74zJDYJChcXuLgxZ23uPf7jc4X5GOJFe-k0MGqhwZhvE2XysYa5WHv5wIG1u6V_JOw/s1600-h/DSC08666.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp-j1rLt9T974K-mJMFt9J4Q69qzqzRrYg5Djru9UY1890bvGlxyxlYn49-iQiEHiZkTxfjpCK74zJDYJChcXuLgxZ23uPf7jc4X5GOJFe-k0MGqhwZhvE2XysYa5WHv5wIG1u6V_JOw/s400/DSC08666.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356160493737557730" border="0" /></a><br />Just got back from the MALBA (museum of Latin American art)... Very cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Icuz3ZO6oaj0Sbf0H5LVJOsgCrIKwqydkIla_UZ-h8v74cEi24oior5UyqzhdiiI7DoiKVLtmp8_Y4jzmpu_CRP4RjvMnzWKqgMLKSmQ02S3q5nEsITRtVRkY5RB8-7HMUXlHP-_SbI/s1600-h/DSC08657.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Icuz3ZO6oaj0Sbf0H5LVJOsgCrIKwqydkIla_UZ-h8v74cEi24oior5UyqzhdiiI7DoiKVLtmp8_Y4jzmpu_CRP4RjvMnzWKqgMLKSmQ02S3q5nEsITRtVRkY5RB8-7HMUXlHP-_SbI/s400/DSC08657.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356160491832685634" border="0" /></a><br />Taken from the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio, possibly the widest avenue in the world. It takes several stoplights to cross the whole thing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0drz3pC917UFjYrJCPfEPfZhUHC648TvwlWsva-2K7Moh3xonobMIA7aGC0U2gwU2dlbyZs0oCqf6d8Y4BurVgkLhaia3NXMUItNMmDRkP9Dvuc5vqZtdHqs4Jlbb-wlpVeow8Oy40x4/s1600-h/DSC08656.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0drz3pC917UFjYrJCPfEPfZhUHC648TvwlWsva-2K7Moh3xonobMIA7aGC0U2gwU2dlbyZs0oCqf6d8Y4BurVgkLhaia3NXMUItNMmDRkP9Dvuc5vqZtdHqs4Jlbb-wlpVeow8Oy40x4/s400/DSC08656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356160482104815954" border="0" /></a><br />Sculpture park near our apartment in Ricoleta.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrup8kxO0HpDtGPoiSwrBCelY4_omQaWdIYe82cKWgARpBQzMBW-W7bGQktql4djV8Zzjt6_x3YCXvdd_ate8bKFnyBd7f1zIymv5buok_SIY-9OmLHYZ-mra09dBHEJ-05IxdPRz8K0/s1600-h/DSC08662.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrup8kxO0HpDtGPoiSwrBCelY4_omQaWdIYe82cKWgARpBQzMBW-W7bGQktql4djV8Zzjt6_x3YCXvdd_ate8bKFnyBd7f1zIymv5buok_SIY-9OmLHYZ-mra09dBHEJ-05IxdPRz8K0/s400/DSC08662.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356160473625142578" border="0" /></a><br />We stumbled upon this architectural gem on Avenida de Mayo while looking for the Tango theater.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ97Bv6xlRiMRULV9l4MyrEKln9poplIPtjuX7P8YyMMhMn5Vz1gJjwloCvXWvJlqmI_NcnYRwIcLW66RJ7r6PKaf_-u5T_-l5fJ0Au_meCWRO2BSQL0t0ekKmd_4MK8oWtL6D1TUsSaI/s1600-h/DSC08658.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ97Bv6xlRiMRULV9l4MyrEKln9poplIPtjuX7P8YyMMhMn5Vz1gJjwloCvXWvJlqmI_NcnYRwIcLW66RJ7r6PKaf_-u5T_-l5fJ0Au_meCWRO2BSQL0t0ekKmd_4MK8oWtL6D1TUsSaI/s400/DSC08658.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356160473599544914" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, our trip wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without this: la Gripe A, known to the North Americans as "Swine Flu." More on that in another post...Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-17937981053295903082009-07-01T17:19:00.002-05:002009-07-01T17:30:08.097-05:00La Biela<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5C9OskNfvK3CF90lV8-bLPBm0WZnxOP4cw01eX4Yk7spDDUoSmAvAMxAEiphij4wr0lanGc94YX8R874UiLUatrEjF-RX3CBtaN3q5w6eKrBblw1X5WVC9q8-3ioOVIKJjwVFy18WJd8/s1600-h/DSC08618.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5C9OskNfvK3CF90lV8-bLPBm0WZnxOP4cw01eX4Yk7spDDUoSmAvAMxAEiphij4wr0lanGc94YX8R874UiLUatrEjF-RX3CBtaN3q5w6eKrBblw1X5WVC9q8-3ioOVIKJjwVFy18WJd8/s400/DSC08618.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353620349375735746" border="0" /></a><br />La Biela is an Argentine institution, "the best in all of Buenos Aires," according to our elderly neighbors. It is a place where locals come for an afternoon coffee, beer or dessert. A group of men gathered at one table this afternoon while we were there, wearing their old fashioned suits and bow ties, sipping their espressos and having a jolly conversation with one another.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-MSial7kOhI9yQOxyJsZnIFdcF-6QmR2LgQ4hAuBO_oCyANNLi2zsIAgb67Ir0D4lHw1isGsJtA_lykqp7ssDAtSayLR8EgcE0fkBjipZChz84Kypkxe0tGSD8U2bWhXUA-gJD5cCX4/s1600-h/DSC08624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-MSial7kOhI9yQOxyJsZnIFdcF-6QmR2LgQ4hAuBO_oCyANNLi2zsIAgb67Ir0D4lHw1isGsJtA_lykqp7ssDAtSayLR8EgcE0fkBjipZChz84Kypkxe0tGSD8U2bWhXUA-gJD5cCX4/s400/DSC08624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353620345679997346" border="0" /></a><br />This cafe is such a great place, partly because of the food and drinks and partly because of its location. Just outside this restaurant is a huge, 200-year-old rubber tree. There are several benches situated around the tree, and lots of people milling about selling things or playing music.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9W1AYtNp9icWqZ2fHJ_TCQsw3G9tZvpGvzlcNFC_kz4cTkGbesG1qZv7KLHOcNniGRajKajdCCGvShr07qKPu0Q2P6dRXnCeiXIjz3qTvTnEVqwRAsgMviWOZZYVSqAccL50Euc6Da0/s1600-h/DSC08619.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9W1AYtNp9icWqZ2fHJ_TCQsw3G9tZvpGvzlcNFC_kz4cTkGbesG1qZv7KLHOcNniGRajKajdCCGvShr07qKPu0Q2P6dRXnCeiXIjz3qTvTnEVqwRAsgMviWOZZYVSqAccL50Euc6Da0/s400/DSC08619.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353620337103510722" border="0" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-37811264463382925992009-07-01T17:09:00.002-05:002009-07-01T17:19:06.572-05:00Floralis Generica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhX6I1040_UdizieJEPyq2Mqo1cFUrpy72YccKX3dNApUYooodrkqT1IdrxlEOfAThgotRZxFM3foXEXsaHuDtLJqrutv8TlWdM_ttX8Bdajn1cnaYGbR-eS7jB3vKXeeVzXFxq70-08/s1600-h/DSC08636.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhX6I1040_UdizieJEPyq2Mqo1cFUrpy72YccKX3dNApUYooodrkqT1IdrxlEOfAThgotRZxFM3foXEXsaHuDtLJqrutv8TlWdM_ttX8Bdajn1cnaYGbR-eS7jB3vKXeeVzXFxq70-08/s400/DSC08636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353617636800124786" border="0" /></a><br />To tell you the truth, Kara and I have been laying low today because of the threat of Swine Flu. These pictures are from this afternoon when we finally got out and around town a little. We decided to go for a coffee in a little cafe around the corner before getting some groceries and heading home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mIt0nqn217D_wRobI5qLFTbACHa43Nh9m5p0ddmFfoGbmsN5NXnN-1w3FW3ZgHb_ZKaRL2Yiv74cPzhUstGlUkPzGfcp30fHRiyqYt_KSO7DR7Qtr38znf1mPpERGr_aqzeAcJ2bXdY/s1600-h/DSC08643.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mIt0nqn217D_wRobI5qLFTbACHa43Nh9m5p0ddmFfoGbmsN5NXnN-1w3FW3ZgHb_ZKaRL2Yiv74cPzhUstGlUkPzGfcp30fHRiyqYt_KSO7DR7Qtr38znf1mPpERGr_aqzeAcJ2bXdY/s400/DSC08643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353617632398605874" border="0" /></a><br />We decided that it was much too nice of a day to sit indoors, so we took off down an undiscovered street. We found this statue. This giant steal space flower is located in the middle of a park. One interesting thing I learned about it is that it closes each night and opens again in the morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHpVv_BfmN9SxzBYXAHTcDte7How431Olh7VGIQZnPan1pQac9Fblqu8TCqO7nNkCb0PZzUkJlnFFi0WpZxral-OpzLEG_rUVeMRBX8nbMSRI2ODngV6zVEfT_Ao7rpWwXDZ_CTtyJtw/s1600-h/DSC08645.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHpVv_BfmN9SxzBYXAHTcDte7How431Olh7VGIQZnPan1pQac9Fblqu8TCqO7nNkCb0PZzUkJlnFFi0WpZxral-OpzLEG_rUVeMRBX8nbMSRI2ODngV6zVEfT_Ao7rpWwXDZ_CTtyJtw/s400/DSC08645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353617630151690338" border="0" /></a><br />We are still enjoying our time in Argentina, but are keeping a close eye on the H1N1 stuff. Some local schools were closed today because of recent outbreaks, but it doesn't seem to be too bad yet.<br /><br />Tomorrow's schedule: take the 11AM English tour around the neighborhood cemetery, then check out the area known as Palermo Hollywood.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-92012788674330341362009-06-29T20:35:00.001-05:002009-06-29T20:38:58.927-05:00Japanese Gardens, Buenos Aires<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDugBoO9WfMXtj2UNJsx3R8Y_Xg_7Z5JbY-0RmPeetruSHA_Flk6nKwr8tQUFFaqxXKiNzOsSkP8P6I0gymNPkEr7GWTmRyNhCd6P0TC5CNYWOzbwW1414q1JTiQ0aUxmo9C9ZC8BJFI/s1600-h/DSC08606.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDugBoO9WfMXtj2UNJsx3R8Y_Xg_7Z5JbY-0RmPeetruSHA_Flk6nKwr8tQUFFaqxXKiNzOsSkP8P6I0gymNPkEr7GWTmRyNhCd6P0TC5CNYWOzbwW1414q1JTiQ0aUxmo9C9ZC8BJFI/s400/DSC08606.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352928533237774226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQNpL1a06p4BPph_TZ_BefUzDQaji2Ij5zFIYr_ZyTdMZRI83Vq8EzDR0NgXKjCCT1ApukeHSclA_b4Rt_M327ZzjKRBawMN5V9cE8SieIOllM4vxsCIBcDqnPrXYo2P-pc4Dnbf8jGk/s1600-h/DSC08601.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQNpL1a06p4BPph_TZ_BefUzDQaji2Ij5zFIYr_ZyTdMZRI83Vq8EzDR0NgXKjCCT1ApukeHSclA_b4Rt_M327ZzjKRBawMN5V9cE8SieIOllM4vxsCIBcDqnPrXYo2P-pc4Dnbf8jGk/s400/DSC08601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352928529545867762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys8FFJj7ggaoZV_I2elr4tXzphksaKPcKfgd8xxeK4QrhlAaR-iFBk3FLU2tOM3oyBl77GoUc9FfaBSXGHNfnSmQYYof_7Lr2vXACD_2z2YbeIG4OaaAUP_lqVKbd7ZJyo0GQX_ML9_s/s1600-h/DSC08607.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys8FFJj7ggaoZV_I2elr4tXzphksaKPcKfgd8xxeK4QrhlAaR-iFBk3FLU2tOM3oyBl77GoUc9FfaBSXGHNfnSmQYYof_7Lr2vXACD_2z2YbeIG4OaaAUP_lqVKbd7ZJyo0GQX_ML9_s/s400/DSC08607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352928522296152034" border="0" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-8165287325576751552009-06-28T16:50:00.002-05:002009-06-28T17:02:24.032-05:00El Caminito de La Boca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PeLac-x6wfFVb58XQPlIAWleB88TBo-SLs6B4odf7CW9Sbren95Av15HmBmrIVaL4c4KQznrUPuk-7hogviyLSwagSkPK3ymaE6hH7iD9manFyXmaH1mB5EpLag717LIDbkVFEiRdr8/s1600-h/DSC08596.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PeLac-x6wfFVb58XQPlIAWleB88TBo-SLs6B4odf7CW9Sbren95Av15HmBmrIVaL4c4KQznrUPuk-7hogviyLSwagSkPK3ymaE6hH7iD9manFyXmaH1mB5EpLag717LIDbkVFEiRdr8/s400/DSC08596.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352499452929944210" border="0" /></a><br />Just a short taxi ride through town led us to El Caminito in an area called La Boca. This street is probably the most photographed street in BsAs and is the image gracing the front of many postcards and souvenir books.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKAR-CMsxLhXmxUWlFQs_D3dGtVFAJW1EdkCAdoHSGfJ_WwXmFLFCryTAAPt73_lvEPWA1_ZqEgk-0TZBcLWtuznaT7x1k0UcYBvFovzcogy_xafxFw5-g_TypuN-tpCn5MuV0ak0STY/s1600-h/DSC08590.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKAR-CMsxLhXmxUWlFQs_D3dGtVFAJW1EdkCAdoHSGfJ_WwXmFLFCryTAAPt73_lvEPWA1_ZqEgk-0TZBcLWtuznaT7x1k0UcYBvFovzcogy_xafxFw5-g_TypuN-tpCn5MuV0ak0STY/s400/DSC08590.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352499449913144882" border="0" /></a><br />La Boca is well known as the home of Tango. There were several dancing couples who braved the crisp air to entertain the tourists and lure us into their cafes and restaurants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY0837Xl1-KGwmLtDEcXVoCJKiVaXE20cCDchS12qnpjwU9JqwDgqBUxxeFHPq125wOLmT8faEev6NUNNk-muucNGJcU_KCM5Js8mu-AIuVXzy1O40k17Sv4OW98LtouBIaSwLS_udLk/s1600-h/DSC08579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY0837Xl1-KGwmLtDEcXVoCJKiVaXE20cCDchS12qnpjwU9JqwDgqBUxxeFHPq125wOLmT8faEev6NUNNk-muucNGJcU_KCM5Js8mu-AIuVXzy1O40k17Sv4OW98LtouBIaSwLS_udLk/s400/DSC08579.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352499445961659506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruYUtfPeoQeNKspvQcjAHOZLIvpQlbqHmjZY5VBAzeqD9lPTq76OCsDN2JLIztR6S67Lkayjh_Kl2rbDuuOQsAlvMZiM8JhMyZ0a7dXCedVHL_orKCtgwMma6zlKyQePgEnDi7Y9T3FM/s1600-h/DSC08587.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruYUtfPeoQeNKspvQcjAHOZLIvpQlbqHmjZY5VBAzeqD9lPTq76OCsDN2JLIztR6S67Lkayjh_Kl2rbDuuOQsAlvMZiM8JhMyZ0a7dXCedVHL_orKCtgwMma6zlKyQePgEnDi7Y9T3FM/s400/DSC08587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352499446949736594" border="0" /></a><br />We were on a mission for warmth today. Our apartment wasn't equipped with lots of extra blankets, and I somehow underestimated the temperature of Argentina's winter and forgot to pack for the cooler climate. <br /><br />I found and purchased 6 pairs of socks, a fleece blanket and four long-sleeved black undershirts. That should help. I guess I was just so preoccupied with other things while I was packing that I forgot to think about these things!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-29679362465605526562009-06-27T16:36:00.006-05:002009-06-27T17:13:08.365-05:00Cementerio de la Recoleta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdQaqHS-yzsJzZdducY2w9OKyJzf7rgKk9_EGyW745gkQtMbP_GkpfCnuSEIeXBrqqAexMMOR_j0DFYse_PQXFbaldG9w1R2eYCj-b_z5GyctIKkFea6oM_dEBrx8JU5GdacWEKj61k/s1600-h/DSC08573.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdQaqHS-yzsJzZdducY2w9OKyJzf7rgKk9_EGyW745gkQtMbP_GkpfCnuSEIeXBrqqAexMMOR_j0DFYse_PQXFbaldG9w1R2eYCj-b_z5GyctIKkFea6oM_dEBrx8JU5GdacWEKj61k/s400/DSC08573.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352126590542362530" border="0" /></a><br />It would be easy to get lost in this city of the dead. This labyrinth of mausoleums has a way of drawing you in. I don't know if it is the stone angels watching over the place from above, or the eerie atmosphere of the resting bodies entombed deep inside. Either way, I slowed my pace when I entered and suddenly didn't have anything to say as I stepped through the quiet streets of the cemetery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTF-w_M9bDSWB4ThqEe2lnr5iv2NJtaynrrVPMGCWAj8q55Xmp4J3YiFVfbbsziNIlAFKvlEPS_uw-BgK98T6z1PeXLJIg6bHPivVwmUGEuObccx2jkSnMgOrhf3f5QMlQc1qiOa8BYY/s1600-h/DSC08560.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTF-w_M9bDSWB4ThqEe2lnr5iv2NJtaynrrVPMGCWAj8q55Xmp4J3YiFVfbbsziNIlAFKvlEPS_uw-BgK98T6z1PeXLJIg6bHPivVwmUGEuObccx2jkSnMgOrhf3f5QMlQc1qiOa8BYY/s400/DSC08560.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352126584558748994" border="0" /></a><br />The most famous resident of this cemetery is 'Evita' Peron, Argentina's memorable First Lady. We didn't have time to seek out her grave, but will make sure to do that when we come back for a more detailed tour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FTDk6K6ROhWbbTwmuqnJVE7q9k_sTxhISWzb3Ho92YZrUKkOxkmEs-xGPdQFnK4zS1790QdkVWQdGnDox0mg8N8B4d1s431FYQWMOpFFEzSmWnoDgsEFiINvv1Lz5ghgl-8zoRYSGI8/s1600-h/DSC08565.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FTDk6K6ROhWbbTwmuqnJVE7q9k_sTxhISWzb3Ho92YZrUKkOxkmEs-xGPdQFnK4zS1790QdkVWQdGnDox0mg8N8B4d1s431FYQWMOpFFEzSmWnoDgsEFiINvv1Lz5ghgl-8zoRYSGI8/s400/DSC08565.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352126580609396402" border="0" /></a><br />One thing I should mention is that this cementario is less than a block from our front door--actually, just across the street. I am glad we have quiet neighbors, but I hope they stay within the confines of their 'city'--I don't need any ghost stories to tell around a campfire or anything...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep7IQtAsHtw2w44FDeBoIQyFoRcMcHm5pzNHo5-RPKthFkI9P_NgA1ZzdMZx1H9ADjflS7UnxZ44WDUlnRgk7KoejH1hRZzxG6GSLZLERqbNPjn5SUxZfHAHC1WMiCd90gxm8o3tHUA4/s1600-h/DSC08576.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep7IQtAsHtw2w44FDeBoIQyFoRcMcHm5pzNHo5-RPKthFkI9P_NgA1ZzdMZx1H9ADjflS7UnxZ44WDUlnRgk7KoejH1hRZzxG6GSLZLERqbNPjn5SUxZfHAHC1WMiCd90gxm8o3tHUA4/s400/DSC08576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352133794889989042" border="0" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-10593039698725114082009-06-26T16:25:00.003-05:002009-06-26T16:35:27.775-05:00Wine and SteakToday was a great day. We moved across town--to a great area. We explored our new area, Ricoleta, on foot looking for some supplies for our apartment. We decided to pull over for an early dinner and settled into our chairs for what turned out to be way too much food!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2urQWbOA5WkdrkUor2C_bjSHhuGWyh2bf0T6DFdYjZgOZ572cqWsXzR8LXIs9ngmZ8FxNi2wd3yWIKpnSa7GJZStkJQ48yMoto7jfm7NuFnjyxCPNTipauwtcnFKUqThTACYuP_fVd0/s1600-h/DSC08556.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2urQWbOA5WkdrkUor2C_bjSHhuGWyh2bf0T6DFdYjZgOZ572cqWsXzR8LXIs9ngmZ8FxNi2wd3yWIKpnSa7GJZStkJQ48yMoto7jfm7NuFnjyxCPNTipauwtcnFKUqThTACYuP_fVd0/s400/DSC08556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351750753006557986" border="0" /></a><br />What you see above is Proveletta--a baked/grilled provalone cheese with a little ham and tomato on the top. YUM! This was our appetizer. (We also got some empenadas, which I don't remember ordering...maybe we did by accident.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidweNkmOV_lFTBugo0-gyn2Wh0xWzBl23FueG_JlJpSN6ii6U4PXEJGbdNcBuvFEZoIqorXM5OkaciUtyCNRJ03VN2xETwCySmaej_0jk29tXYtYiWvkdIbjJMJnJnXa4M0ywSNXCTnaY/s1600-h/DSC08559.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidweNkmOV_lFTBugo0-gyn2Wh0xWzBl23FueG_JlJpSN6ii6U4PXEJGbdNcBuvFEZoIqorXM5OkaciUtyCNRJ03VN2xETwCySmaej_0jk29tXYtYiWvkdIbjJMJnJnXa4M0ywSNXCTnaY/s400/DSC08559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351750884937460018" border="0" /></a><br />And this is my steak (under all the mushroom sauce). No, those aren't corn pops on the left--they are a kind of potato ball french fry. The steak was juicy and tender and delicious, the sauce was good, but not necessary (next time, skip the sauce, skip the potatoes and get another glass of wine). <br /><br />Our bill was very small for the amount of food we got--about $30 each. For steak. And wine. And appetizers. Awesome!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-90314343677173772232009-06-26T16:19:00.003-05:002009-06-26T16:25:37.500-05:00Our Apartment in Ricoleta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Rcf65QzHnO8I_ZpUohAPqAMcu6zvQinwX12f-7ucPhwebxV3LBHe2QTQiVV28GNAVU4amDrCpcwkbQd-BaMzyhbDAY4nZFwynO4OjBX46tlPk9CEWEik_zde6OEKct4l6Kn4kdYo8Lw/s1600-h/DSC08551.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Rcf65QzHnO8I_ZpUohAPqAMcu6zvQinwX12f-7ucPhwebxV3LBHe2QTQiVV28GNAVU4amDrCpcwkbQd-BaMzyhbDAY4nZFwynO4OjBX46tlPk9CEWEik_zde6OEKct4l6Kn4kdYo8Lw/s400/DSC08551.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351749233460599858" border="0" /></a><br />We moved into our new apartment this afternoon. I have to say it doesn't look like it did in the picture, but it will be a great place to call home for a few weeks. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhnyheftRWzDqEp8mDhoixkJiSO4eiCH3MO9Qsc092Ih_Fq5K68Ji8nEBiQ0TR4-O8z-a3sfSkVnMtYDWZ2XjNn1VtgSsKAOifSOZyHYOT44qKE6ISX59R0RE5-T0AtT92xltfyNizno/s1600-h/DSC08552.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhnyheftRWzDqEp8mDhoixkJiSO4eiCH3MO9Qsc092Ih_Fq5K68Ji8nEBiQ0TR4-O8z-a3sfSkVnMtYDWZ2XjNn1VtgSsKAOifSOZyHYOT44qKE6ISX59R0RE5-T0AtT92xltfyNizno/s400/DSC08552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351749227110163218" border="0" /></a><br />See the orange chair in the corner? That doubles as a bed. One of us will probably use that, while the other will sleep in the full sized bed in the center of the room. You saw the mini kitchen near the door? Well, the fridge is already full with three bananas and four units of yogurt. The greatest thing about this apartment is the location. More about that later (it is really awesome--it is like my Korean apartment: small, but great location).Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-75981330387504065252009-06-25T15:38:00.003-05:002009-06-25T16:10:53.071-05:00A little exploration...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL9lJtCJnzLPZPH4g6gx81YvGelaEnRkOwQkWKJKrBxm8HkSbvo5B9wxzePLtqmhIao0AixnKYxb6Vq4ziauj3U1j_nOKQtMTuc63ONNTu9wH0lmqHmsK3Av7mMYvFu5uMneTIx89zw4/s1600-h/DSC08539.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL9lJtCJnzLPZPH4g6gx81YvGelaEnRkOwQkWKJKrBxm8HkSbvo5B9wxzePLtqmhIao0AixnKYxb6Vq4ziauj3U1j_nOKQtMTuc63ONNTu9wH0lmqHmsK3Av7mMYvFu5uMneTIx89zw4/s400/DSC08539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351371734151899922" border="0" /></a><br />Today started around 10AM. I love vacation! It is the only time when I feel it is OK to sleep in so late. We got ready for the day, layered on everything warm and set out with our map and cameras.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdE2jsfKAQYYGkeShY5omDHdKIB_2TlcekR2rcQf_wxkvfjv93kW60gMUP7MC35CPYDhcjpGNW057I0gSkonyn5Mu5KxrlnuQzJ5ECurgeC0_jK5sgwOC4wsxvqvOTLU_XEjPFRKYAcE/s1600-h/DSC08532.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdE2jsfKAQYYGkeShY5omDHdKIB_2TlcekR2rcQf_wxkvfjv93kW60gMUP7MC35CPYDhcjpGNW057I0gSkonyn5Mu5KxrlnuQzJ5ECurgeC0_jK5sgwOC4wsxvqvOTLU_XEjPFRKYAcE/s400/DSC08532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351371728837796610" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to explore the Centro area between our hostel and where we are going to move to tomorrow. We checked out a couple of plazas and found a great avenue called "Av. Florida" where there is lots of shopping and a little street tango.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihOfN5CLCJ7EFfLe3J8-Fxsaij-gFmGoy7poTgJ9rO7tGxie7YHB7a1Y8VPAd49GXSEmX7dF3GIhdMEJYn8q9ARp80H4IduxCjvpyCEktGeRaaH1tAgbjpZfMB0yxp35Uh5pO6cTTJvY/s1600-h/DSC08533.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihOfN5CLCJ7EFfLe3J8-Fxsaij-gFmGoy7poTgJ9rO7tGxie7YHB7a1Y8VPAd49GXSEmX7dF3GIhdMEJYn8q9ARp80H4IduxCjvpyCEktGeRaaH1tAgbjpZfMB0yxp35Uh5pO6cTTJvY/s400/DSC08533.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351371537780053106" border="0" /></a><br />One of the few things I knew about Argentina before getting here was mate (pronounced: mott-eh). It is the national tea that I have yet to taste. The containers that you see in the picture above are used to drink this special tea. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG11DCmWq6iQvTb-hGDtItdmHfqVgRSZjsTz1tQewsfRp62zRZIoC4hwkklROYXP1INzl5xoCQ1YvWB41wVPIq0x8ENU-g_R5kGmsP-g4qsX1vAPJYaHnZ_4hkDG71TMuz0Ei3Pkx4Jc4/s1600-h/DSC08528.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG11DCmWq6iQvTb-hGDtItdmHfqVgRSZjsTz1tQewsfRp62zRZIoC4hwkklROYXP1INzl5xoCQ1YvWB41wVPIq0x8ENU-g_R5kGmsP-g4qsX1vAPJYaHnZ_4hkDG71TMuz0Ei3Pkx4Jc4/s400/DSC08528.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351371531076678418" border="0" /></a><br />We walked for almost 6 hours today, and I feel tired, but excited! I like being able to explore by foot--it looks like most places we will go will be accessable by foot. <br /><br />We don't have much planned for this trip--lots of exploring, lots of Spanish learning. I am excited to take small trips out of the city (especially to take a ship to Uruguay for a long weekend), and know I will really enjoy all the rest. Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of moving and getting settled into a more permanent place.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-45977065841630000432009-06-24T14:45:00.004-05:002009-06-24T15:06:07.226-05:00Day 1 in Buenos AiresWe landed safe and sound in Buenos Aires this morning after a 9 hour flight from Dallas. The flight was pretty good--no free upgrades for me this time, but at least my video screen worked. I watched three movies on the way here--two of which were a mistake. That's what happens when you have unlimited hours ahead of you and you can't fall asleep.<br /><br />After arriving here in the tundra (OK, it's not really that bad, but going from 95 to 50 overnight is somewhat shocking), we promptly snuggled into our beds and slept! When we finally decided to join the world again, we showered, got dressed, and started wandering the streets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYruxfToAXc1FCocbfq7_xdDfZeGLdtq-kQjEzT3XatOPTlP-bCgcX3e5kUhfPv7pBa_Uu2OPk0Pj8AmIIMVb5xXbl2lpwbOimUd2vtbrmdj_HfJp1-oAKaWmpOJktpb8V1hj4S7Y3Qk/s1600-h/DSC08521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYruxfToAXc1FCocbfq7_xdDfZeGLdtq-kQjEzT3XatOPTlP-bCgcX3e5kUhfPv7pBa_Uu2OPk0Pj8AmIIMVb5xXbl2lpwbOimUd2vtbrmdj_HfJp1-oAKaWmpOJktpb8V1hj4S7Y3Qk/s400/DSC08521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350983664464325730" border="0" /></a><br />We followed the street down, down, and down, trying not to make too many turns so we could still find our way back. I offered to bring along bread crumbs to scatter behind us, but later decided against it when I saw the hungry pigeons waiting outside. So far, Argentina reminds me a lot of Europe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AuLCBg4_ENscX_vJLPLUeAyQS87KxhTA76sCMv-pTZjVycYdZb5vxO3jXMrk8hv1-uB4QXT3d-5OG9CUoz0zQJA7nSBti5ZCfgOBKXnXCQg8HEST5tnVlWLaxpktvreFkC7dbopa0BM/s1600-h/DSC08523.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AuLCBg4_ENscX_vJLPLUeAyQS87KxhTA76sCMv-pTZjVycYdZb5vxO3jXMrk8hv1-uB4QXT3d-5OG9CUoz0zQJA7nSBti5ZCfgOBKXnXCQg8HEST5tnVlWLaxpktvreFkC7dbopa0BM/s400/DSC08523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350983664641124258" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to duck inside this warm restaurant for their "menu de dia": a choice of chicken, fish or beef, salad or fries, dessert or coffee plus a drink for our meal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTph1xhKZfYhgC28I7IpE80nxNEHnq_ga_RPiFc4TeXdK-Z7VwZc7OAsfXP3oMwWEjLIelh7IUWC1rh_1YmTHBVyhPtW0Zvk5CkEUQjyUGMy0I90qrqOvD-bJv17ZyHNrxMAnFQBstaE/s1600-h/DSC08525.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTph1xhKZfYhgC28I7IpE80nxNEHnq_ga_RPiFc4TeXdK-Z7VwZc7OAsfXP3oMwWEjLIelh7IUWC1rh_1YmTHBVyhPtW0Zvk5CkEUQjyUGMy0I90qrqOvD-bJv17ZyHNrxMAnFQBstaE/s400/DSC08525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350983658793661410" border="0" /></a><br />The grand total for our meal was 44 pesos, which comes out to just under $12 US dollars for the both of us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7jchTn3wVnV-3sA5fhkjav9zAyR5gfgz38xdtWHb1OydmJxofZP7HJn4TxVYHNwSZ4j4MNbSGavbG9gqb-j_YRZO2MSaaZBJ0Gfk0bVZT1TEI544896GgDWducIYWZGwxRrXAl0fdbc/s1600-h/DSC08524.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7jchTn3wVnV-3sA5fhkjav9zAyR5gfgz38xdtWHb1OydmJxofZP7HJn4TxVYHNwSZ4j4MNbSGavbG9gqb-j_YRZO2MSaaZBJ0Gfk0bVZT1TEI544896GgDWducIYWZGwxRrXAl0fdbc/s400/DSC08524.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350983652606231730" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight, we are planning to join some of our fellow travellers at the top floor of the hostel for a movie night organized by the hostel staff.<br /><br />I feel pretty good after having flown so far. The time difference is a mere 4 hours from California, and 2 from Minnesota, so I expect jet lag to be minimal.<br /><br />Also, I just want to mention that Kara and I have rented our very own apartment in the posh part of town for the next 4 weeks. If you happen to have time off in July and want to come down for a week, just let me know! Bring a jacket and your Spanish dictionary and I promise you will have fun! :)Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-6426666599557768462009-06-23T02:42:00.004-05:002009-07-01T17:31:34.147-05:00ArgentinaTomorrow morning I will wake up and, within mere hours, I will switch continents and enter a new world. I'm pretty excited for my trip--it has been on my radar for a long time. Maybe even since high school--I've always wanted to travel to and in South America.<br /><br />My flight leaves at 4 from Minneapolis and my bags are packed and standing by the door.<br /><br /><img style="width: 338px; height: 241px;" alt="http://www.fineartphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/la-boca-800.jpg" src="http://www.fineartphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/la-boca-800.jpg" /><br /><br />I will try to update my blog frequently as my trip gets underway (now that I might actually have a little rest and free time).Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-6512655977952196512009-06-22T09:47:00.001-05:002009-06-22T09:50:00.897-05:00My neice and nephews...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhtwFjB7sRXUUv9fJXZR9P4B_lY4UwWPK8Vd1XDY6nm5sjLzK9D6g7JqxLzbl0t6mB0kxI79IKXXcOddW0CBT-7NJwIMuTctnL3KUKlPmqrX3uC7wSoSK3LIN6yTkzVNAti0BKArI-qo/s1600-h/DSC08504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhtwFjB7sRXUUv9fJXZR9P4B_lY4UwWPK8Vd1XDY6nm5sjLzK9D6g7JqxLzbl0t6mB0kxI79IKXXcOddW0CBT-7NJwIMuTctnL3KUKlPmqrX3uC7wSoSK3LIN6yTkzVNAti0BKArI-qo/s400/DSC08504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350163965225944418" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa came over yesterday for lunch--so did my brother, his wife and their three kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y2f55yxfNIeWybclI2vhf6PcJFTDWn0ZcNGZgm-rczvKAJkS33LkOtLlGY1SZfBAV5H1T8Bd0nr_EZB77i1s1Pbs5klzRZ11vTxFNuRDb6t7aMVDi6VpwWEdoBAXHVZWfGl7qj_Gdrg/s1600-h/DSC08500.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y2f55yxfNIeWybclI2vhf6PcJFTDWn0ZcNGZgm-rczvKAJkS33LkOtLlGY1SZfBAV5H1T8Bd0nr_EZB77i1s1Pbs5klzRZ11vTxFNuRDb6t7aMVDi6VpwWEdoBAXHVZWfGl7qj_Gdrg/s400/DSC08500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350163962007915106" border="0" /></a><br />Me and Chandra.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwD0bYBLKXnmqAAv3x6_vunthvWWHgmab5xjv8QykiNTr622nwH5uuoJgo4ANPyBossQZFGRwmh0Nos2LqvdImYjxa6eSDXJXQfC2e-jHFfub738Sn2N5zUYpGwN_fJNd1K2xmEbfAms/s1600-h/DSC08503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwD0bYBLKXnmqAAv3x6_vunthvWWHgmab5xjv8QykiNTr622nwH5uuoJgo4ANPyBossQZFGRwmh0Nos2LqvdImYjxa6eSDXJXQfC2e-jHFfub738Sn2N5zUYpGwN_fJNd1K2xmEbfAms/s400/DSC08503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350163956866380738" border="0" /></a><br />Dahlton...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvmyExvGDbH6JyZtiWRJc8KXkGYf8JqlgcXTqbAONZlBRZWw2ql56mKzz3Bu_qOxkvtLOqZKRvo0Z-1R4eh0VUC4v3oldztACACzGxlSWAXzhDyMZbaUgK5GSqKga3swhcJnOlILAwB0/s1600-h/DSC08508.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvmyExvGDbH6JyZtiWRJc8KXkGYf8JqlgcXTqbAONZlBRZWw2ql56mKzz3Bu_qOxkvtLOqZKRvo0Z-1R4eh0VUC4v3oldztACACzGxlSWAXzhDyMZbaUgK5GSqKga3swhcJnOlILAwB0/s400/DSC08508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350163955150500658" border="0" /></a><br />And baby Zachary. He likes me :)Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-43999625935787422522009-06-22T09:33:00.002-05:002009-06-22T09:40:53.015-05:00Potluck dinner at school:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRq8Ne5VjyTXSe8G715-NNtnw-r2EudL6gW2IYbpq4qsqbcDSumhn4-vWONR1q8KFoo0FtufjvdpYbmfajhnlPU1QLfMWZBOP5wlytdwo25EMCxk6hMdztAN_MxJ4_nO4hzpxh6G55hQ/s1600-h/DSC08493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRq8Ne5VjyTXSe8G715-NNtnw-r2EudL6gW2IYbpq4qsqbcDSumhn4-vWONR1q8KFoo0FtufjvdpYbmfajhnlPU1QLfMWZBOP5wlytdwo25EMCxk6hMdztAN_MxJ4_nO4hzpxh6G55hQ/s400/DSC08493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350160440899506114" border="0" /></a><br />Two weeks ago, we had a potluck dinner with my beloved night classes. It was the last night for me to teach night classes and we wanted to celebrate the switch-over. We threw a potluck!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDWFmQ1xCWZ9Vu-ZuxrbjxPFchIVoBK6BWNvZ22Yjf_VeAHsV-FV70das1DFAgMqv3sltTSY8UbjvSvQoyhNZhUyp0LVkSUSYtyoYQvOOh5yHOPnDYIQeZLejTRHlN7IIiZgBF1tprbk/s1600-h/DSC08484.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDWFmQ1xCWZ9Vu-ZuxrbjxPFchIVoBK6BWNvZ22Yjf_VeAHsV-FV70das1DFAgMqv3sltTSY8UbjvSvQoyhNZhUyp0LVkSUSYtyoYQvOOh5yHOPnDYIQeZLejTRHlN7IIiZgBF1tprbk/s400/DSC08484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350160438467579042" border="0" /></a><br />Our sushi restaurant owners brought two huge trays of sushi, and there was a myriad of other dishes--but not a fork in sight. In the picture above, you can see sushi, a pasta salad (literally, salad + pasta...made me laugh), and Korean kimbap. I brought the American classics, mac and cheese, and pbj sandwiches (per request).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35j82n1BWoKDEGVdYO-fHI4MuOhaxvcduNuUe8856cBzIllU7uzPrMVeuAmp10SiHP7Nz_KNkEumQGc33s9JVTcbdJfDPj9p_eF3smJTGjFom7eZceUrXnQ89GBZLkiT146p-bcrrnE8/s1600-h/DSC08479.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35j82n1BWoKDEGVdYO-fHI4MuOhaxvcduNuUe8856cBzIllU7uzPrMVeuAmp10SiHP7Nz_KNkEumQGc33s9JVTcbdJfDPj9p_eF3smJTGjFom7eZceUrXnQ89GBZLkiT146p-bcrrnE8/s400/DSC08479.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350160437728510178" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few of the night class students. I really miss them--the morning group is nice, but I really enjoyed working with these guys! Martin and I sometimes hang out with the group after class on Wednesday nights. We meet at a coffee shop and all hang out for an hour or two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwm-PDJ2HcDs7hQzXOpnjukdqbJFXOx3RIvrS6Q87Cll3uAb152g4OfO2-3QkuNIL1fwT3tUw-Doofn0auPIzAzmpiSgMuveSp0d0rV-vinj1tKzp75wuFP0hwZ0nQnjI9vJvMBH4Y1M/s1600-h/DSC08487.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwm-PDJ2HcDs7hQzXOpnjukdqbJFXOx3RIvrS6Q87Cll3uAb152g4OfO2-3QkuNIL1fwT3tUw-Doofn0auPIzAzmpiSgMuveSp0d0rV-vinj1tKzp75wuFP0hwZ0nQnjI9vJvMBH4Y1M/s400/DSC08487.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350160436123113490" border="0" /></a><br />One student, Taka, is an expert sushi chef. He brought in some mackeral and showed us how to make a sushi roll. He torched it and cut it with a huge sword-like knife. It was some of the best tasting sushi I've ever had! :)Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-62464424680816310202009-06-22T09:11:00.002-05:002009-06-22T09:32:53.086-05:00My former housemate:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQyJ8xLRxMYWWnesQ88pHagFAIa8cqZMCjFUn4MEmC4OdQHnrlDNy8rWwHnpsNXSW-89OCx0JC9BmrDQsyrT95dvc7zr3tviRXD8oRD_GPc0_TTJHtoynWdrGrQDcaPLzXj1IyKUZwCU/s1600-h/DSC08496.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQyJ8xLRxMYWWnesQ88pHagFAIa8cqZMCjFUn4MEmC4OdQHnrlDNy8rWwHnpsNXSW-89OCx0JC9BmrDQsyrT95dvc7zr3tviRXD8oRD_GPc0_TTJHtoynWdrGrQDcaPLzXj1IyKUZwCU/s400/DSC08496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350154792792922898" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of weeks ago, I drove straight home from work and took Edna out for dinner. We went to her favorite local restaurant--Carrows (like Perkins). In this picture, you can see that Edna is quite a bit smaller than I am. When standing, her head doesn't even come up to my shoulders. I think she used to be 5'2 back in the day, but now I think she is more like 4'10. She is petite.<br /><br />I was excited to meet Edna for dinner because I haven't seen her in awhile (I moved out of her house in February and try to stop by once in awhil) and I know she gets lonely. We really get along pretty well, but it took us quite awhile to get to that place. Living together was a little difficult at times.<br /><br />I like hanging out with her, though. I learn things from her. She turns 95 this August and has had so many experiences. She is spunky and has a lot of gumption for her age. She only wears button down, polo-style tops because she thinks an open neckline makes her neck look old, and never wears pants because skirts are more lady-like. She gets her hair done every week, always wears lipstick, and secretly smooths on expensive wrinkle cream each night to delay the look of old age. Her friends are half her age or younger, but that is what keeps her young.<br /><br />I promised I'd send her a postcard from Argentina.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-73062836207793233812009-05-23T18:09:00.002-05:002009-05-23T18:17:44.893-05:00Humor in Englisharbitrator: n. A cook that leaves Arby's to work at McDonalds.<br />avoidable: v. What a bullfighter tried to do.<br />balderdash: n. A rapidly receding hairline.<br />burglarize: n. What a crook sees with.<br />coffee: n. The person upon whom one coughs.<br />counterfeiters: npl. Workers who install kitchen cabinets.<br />eclipse: v. What a Cockney barber does for a living.<br />esplanade: v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.<br />eyedropper: n. A clumsy ophthamologist.<br />gargoyle: n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.<br />lymph: v. To walk with a lisp.<br />paradox: npl. Two physicians.<br />parasites: npl. What you see from the top of the Eiffel Tower.<br />relief: v. What trees do in the spring.<br />rubberneck: vp. What you should do to relax your wife.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-31511938258486873682009-05-23T17:54:00.002-05:002009-05-23T18:09:41.153-05:00New Schedule=More Time?The good news is that my job will be preserved while I am in South America this summer. This is a drama that took a few weeks to figure out, but my boss has told me that he doesn't want to lose me (that's a good thing, right?) and that he will keep my job for me. <br /><br />The other good news is that my schedule might return to "normal" at the start of June. Part of the reason I didn't blog for so long is that I started a crazy schedule that took off at break-neck speed and has continued till present. Basically, it is this: classes 8.30-1, private lessons 1.30-3.30, 3.30-5.50 prep/lunch/break, 5.50-9.30 classes, go home by 10, sleep and repeat. For several months, this has been my schedule. To top it off, my boss gave me a new course to teach: telephone English. Never heard of it? Well, it doesn't exist, and, to my knowledge, has never been taught as a 12+ week course. So, weekends have been consumed with writing new curriculum for this and my other 5 classes. <br /><br />Now, my boss has offered me the afternoon classes he just created: speaking and writing (again, no curriculum or textbook..."you can do whatever you want," he says, ...as if it's a good thing!). Anyway, now, my working day should conclude somewhere between 6 and 7 each night. <span style="font-style: italic;">Much</span> better!<br /><br />Still waiting for the bad news? There really isn't any. Life is looking a lot easier and more enjoyable! I booked a flight to MPLS for the 20th of June, leave for Buenos Aires on the 23rd, and get back to California by the 25th of July to pick up where I left off. <br /><br />Some news to note:<br /><br />**Congratulations to my brother and his family: baby Zachary was born on Monday! I've seen some pics--he's pretty cute! <br /><br />**Also, congrats to my friends Dana and Randy in KS who had a baby a few weeks ago! I can't wait to meet Wyatt! :)Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-79300263298499651102009-05-15T18:45:00.002-05:002009-05-15T18:56:31.333-05:00Hello again!I know it's been awhile. I have sort of fallen off the face of the earth, I guess. I have been working pretty hard since February and don't get home until 10ish every night. This is the reason for the lack of mid-week posts. The fact that I have been catching up with lesson plans on weekends and trying to search for jobs in MN is the reason that I haven't been posting on weekends either. I am pretty sure my 3 month hiatus has caused my readership to drop down to below zero, but I will try to resurrect this dusty cyberspace and make it a little more presentable if people want to come back and check in once in awhile.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-412196966309725229.post-24951332369863829902009-02-16T21:54:00.004-06:002009-02-16T22:23:16.272-06:00Chalet Edelweiss for Valentine's Day!<img alt="The image “http://images.citysearch.net/profile/b6/30/47304260p1.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors." src="http://images.citysearch.net/profile/b6/30/47304260p1.jpg" /><br /><br />Martin surprised me with an awesome dinner to one of the few Swiss restaurants in LA: Swiss Edelweiss. Yum!<br /><br />This weekend was so fun--it started on Friday night when we went roller skating with Martin's ex co-worker and her friends. We were amongst the 6 white people in the whole place. I say this only to emphasize the cultural difference we encountered as the music started and the mostly black crowd started dancing around the rink. It was so funny to me to imagine my stiff-legged, ackward glide among such rhythmically talented people! While I fall under the beginner category, Martin was surprisingly good on skates! He has such a relaxed approach to new things (like skating and learning new languages) that he was quick learner.<br /><br />Saturday, Martin picked me up around 2 (with a rose) and we headed up to Santa Monica to hang out for a little while before going to the restaurant. When we got to the Chalet, we ordered raclette, traditional fondue and homemade apple strudel for dessert. Everything was so delicious and made me want to visit Switzerland. I know Martin really enjoyed being able to speak Swiss German and was able to order a sports drink he is often homesick for.<br /><br />It was all such a treat--we have both been under a lot of stress (who isn't?), and it was so nice to just leave it all at the door and enjoy the evening. It was a great Valentine's Day! :) Hope yours was too!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17154953467059730705noreply@blogger.com2