Argentine happenings

Today is a national holiday here because of ... the Census!  That's right - everything except for emergency services is closed and technically you are supposed to stay inside until the Census folks come and find you.  Being the smart chicas that we are, we stocked up on food yesterday knowing that restaurants and grocery stores would be closed today.  Very happy about that - and, lucky for us, the Census guy came around 10:30 this morning, so no more waiting to be done.  I can't imagine this happening back at home, but I'm sure for all my working friends it would be a welcomed day off!  


Last week my parents visited and we had a wonderful time!  I think they will be writing a guest post so I won't say too much here, but I think a point that can be mentioned more than once is that my parents rode horses!  I never thought I'd see the day.  It was so much fun!  Check out the photographic evidence:

I will post more photos of the trip when there's a post up about it.

On Sunday, Caitlin and I did the hash run again.  I figured since I will be running the McDonald's 5k this Sunday (Halloween!), I better go and see if I can actually run 5k.  Fortunately, I did that and more, even following the "wimp" route instead of the "macho" route (not afraid to admit that).  The McDonald's 5k this Sunday will be my first ever race, so I am excited and ask that you please send me good thoughts. :) Those of you who know me well know that running was never high on my list (it never even came close to making said list), but recently I have been running - and wow - actually enjoying it!  I don't know what's come over me.

Going to check out what's happening outside.  It probably would have been a whole lotta nothing, but as I'm sure everyone heard, former president Kirchner passed away today and Plaza de Mayo looks pretty packed from the news.  

Oktoberfest in Argentina!

We were told that the Oktoberfest in Belgrano, Argentina is the next largest Oktoberfest in the world, after Germany, obviously. So Amy and I packed our suitcases once again and headed for the North of Argentina this time for the province, Córdoba. We stayed in a little town called Santa Rosa Calmuchita, it was really tiny, but had a very cute town center and a lake with a lot bridges. So there were not too many touristy things to do besides walk near a really pretty lake and check out the town center that was about five square blocks —and of course go to Oktoberfest in the neighboring town.

Amy and our roommate, Carolina, in front of the river near our hotel.

Me on the Puente Colgante (hanging bridge). It was a little rickety and I was a little scared crossing it!

Amy and I went to Oktoberfest both Saturday and Sunday. We quickly caught out to the customs and we purchased our steins- because you have to BYOS (bring your own stein) and we also bought belts that you were across your shoulders so that your stein can hang at your side. I think this is to help the drunkards keep track of their steins- I have to admit it was pretty useful.

Well Amy and I came on to the scene and thought the best game plan would be to first eat some tasty German food and then partake in the beer festivities. We purchased some delicious kebabs and some ceramic Budweiser medio litre steins filled with beer! After we finished dinner we decided to walk around and taste some of the other beers. While walking around we met many amigos nuevo. We had heard that this was the place for girls with low self esteem to go we can definitely affirm that this is the case. There are way more chicos than chicas and every five steps you take, you are approached by a new group of guys who want to have a conversation… Needless to say, Amy and I got to practice our Spanish. We had a great weekend and made lots of new friend! Photos below!

Amy entering the Parque Cervecero! Let the fun begin!

Amy with our kebabs and steins of beer!

Alex (our friend from Norwega) enjoying a kebab of salchitas!

The stage where we saw many performances of both German and Irish dance. Apparently, they group all drinking cultures together at Oktoberfest.

Back in BA

We've been back for a couple weeks now and I've started a new routine, mainly consisting of school, exercising, language exchanges, and nights out.  I'm also going to start volunteer work next week.  What could be bad??


Thought I would share a couple of the cool things I did last week: 1) A blind dinner theater show and 2) a genuine Argentine BBQ (called "asado" here).  First, the blind theater.  Well, it is what it sounds like - me, pitch black, beautiful singing, and an interesting meal, sans utensils.  At first it felt really funky, especially when I was practically in a conga line being led to my table and then nearly sat on the floor instead of my chair.  After a few minutes though, I adjusted surprisingly well and knew exactly where my wine glass was.  Clearly the most important thing on the table!  


Dinner went from left to right and all 7 courses were on the table from the get-go.  That turned out to mean that at some point during the meal, all 4 of us at the table put our elbow, hand, or something else in the cake before it was actually time to eat it.  Delicious.    


All in all, it was pretty incredible and just a fascinating night. I was especially impressed with the waiters.  The actors had their sight, but the waiters did not and they poured the wine with amazing precision.  At the end, the lights came on and we were given menus (woohoo, we had guessed every course correctly).  Although my curiosity was obviously satisfied, I do think they could have left that up to our imaginations.  


Now the asado.  I went with a friend of my Uncle Howie's, who lives here in BA part time and has been wonderful to me.  The asado was at the apartment of his good friend in Recoleta, in a great outdoor space.  It was filled with delightful food, company, and wine and I sincerely enjoyed being there.  I even got to speak a lot of Spanish.  There were mountains of meat - all different types, but not a hamburger or hot dog in sight.  More like black pudding, chorizo, sweet bread, steak, pork - you get the point.  The meat options are a big difference between an Argentine asado and a BBQ back home (which I also looove), but I was trying to figure out a way to better describe how they differ.  Well, sorry to say that I couldn't really come to a conclusion.  I think you just have to experience it.  Anyway, what a treat!


Since I've been back, I also went to a couple concerts, including an indoor festival with local BA indie bands that Cait and I went to with my former professor and her friends.  Again, lots of Spanish speaking!  Actually that night we were not allowed to speak any English.  Besides that, the scene is pretty much identical to what you see in NY.  If you can, check out a one-man band called Coiffeur.  He makes insanely beautiful music.   


Tonight Cait and I and a few of our friends are off to Cordoba, about a 10 hour bus ride away.  We are heading there for Oktoberfest, which promises to be a really fun time.  We'll let you know next week!


My parents arrive on Thursday and I am very excited to have them here!!  I already have lots of good ideas planned and can't wait for it.  As a reminder, visitors are always welcome. :)