Photo of the Day -- Churripan

Churripan with lots of spicey chimi-churri and a side of French Fries. How yummy.

Chorripan is a staple of "street food" in Buenos Aires. I bought this on a trip in June to La Plata at a street restaurant outside of the cathedral.

Chorripan describes the chorizo, or sausage, serged in a baguette roll. The Argentines usually put Chimi-churri, a great spice combination, on the sausage roll, too. Many times they serve it with French Fries, like it was in this photo. You often can order it at street venders or at parilla's (Argentine steak houses).

Many people have this idea that all South America eats spicy food, likely from many countries in Central and Northern South America that do have spicy cuisine. In Argentine, spicy doesn't exist. The porteños especially hate spicy food. My mother yells "¡Lo Pica! ¡Pica! ¡Pica!" any time I use Black pepper to season food. Their sausages aren't any exception. They are seasoned, but definitely not spicy--something that my family's Pennsylvania Dutch non-spicy palate could even handle.

Photo of the Day -- Cats, Cats everywhere!

This cat was sighted in Recoleta Cemetery. Just was watching and chilling on the cool tile.

Buenos Aires is notorious for the feral cats. Part of the problem is that the kitties are being fed by many older people in the community that creates more of a problem. Like in the US, people drop the cats off at a place if they no longer can care for them, which is very sad.

I've been taking a series of photos of feline friends this semester. I'm most intrigued that there are very few colorful cats here--mainly black and white. These calico cats are special and rare. Although they look similar, they both live in very different parts of the city.

This cat was found in the Jardín Botánico close to my apartment. Isn't it cute?

Photo of the Day -- Sunset at Colonia del Sacremento

This was taking from the boat leaving from Colonia del Sacremento after a wonderful weekend there several months past. The sights were divine and make me want to move there immediately.

Photo of the Day -- Building in Recoleta

I love this building that is in Recoleta. I think it sits on the intersection of Callao and Santa Fe (I will have to check).

It's a running joke between Lindsay and I that the architecture is beautiful, however I won't bore you to tears with our running joke...

LINDSAY: Isn't the architecture on this building amazing?

Photo of the Day -- San Telmo

I found this photo in San Telmo one weekend. Words aren't needed to describe it. I think it's hysterical!

You never know what you're going to find in San Telmo.

la basura = garbage/trash

Arrival in Tucumán

After a whirlwind tour of Cordóba, my friend Allison and I left yesterday for Tucumán. After a 10 hour bus ride, we got here and stayed at a hostel for the night. Of course before going to bed we needed to grab some food at a local pizzeria. Our friend Dara arrived this morning at Tucumán and we´re heading to meet up with a friend who has family in Tucumán today.

After my trip, and probably more likey after I return to the US, I will write about everything that we did here. But until then, give the Wiki a quick glance for facts and interesting stuff about Tucumán.

Arrival in Córdoba

I arrived this morning after a 9 hour bus ride in Córdoba, Argentina. We´re touring the city for the day and then will hop on a bus tomorrow afternoon and take off to Túcuman.

I´m passing through, so if you want to read about Córdoba, I suggest skimming the WIKI Article.

Photo of the Day -- El submarino

This is one of those genuine Argentine treats you can order in the afternoons. This is a submarino, which is a version of hot chocolate. You order the drink and usually the waiter brings you piping hot milk and a chocolate bar--either already in the milk or waiting for you to drop it in on the side as in the photo. After several minutes and a little stirring, the chocolate melts creating a wonderful hot beverage.

My friend Lindsay is addicted to them. According to her, the best part is that the chocolate doesn't completely dissolve. Then at the end you're left with a "chocolaty" treat with all of the little chocolate pieces that float to the bottom. I'd have to agree; it's quite tasty.

I don't know why it gets its name as a submarino. However sometimes the chocolate is shaped like a submarine. However since I've been looking for one of these elusive bars of chocolate, I haven't been able to find one!

Make one of these tasty Argentine treats at home to give you a version of the Porteño life!

Pictures courtesy of my friend Ronald, since I didn't have my camera with me.

Photo of the Day -- Sleeping people

I'm continuing a series of "random" photos that describe my experience. These photos were observed when Matt, Ron and I were getting coffee at the food court at Alto Palermo 2 weeks ago. It was hysterical because these people are in the middle of a highly trafficked area conked out to the world, completely sleeping and not aware of their surroundings. The lady's neck is in a quite horrid position.

I've since returned to Alto Palermo during the afternoon and they were there again. The waitress told me they're always there. You should see the way people react as they pass by these sleeping folks. Some take a double take when they realize they're sleeping. Others just stop and laugh. Then there is the group that walks past in their own worlds and realize when they almost leave the area that these folks are sleeping, and quickly turn around and laugh. Lots of people stop to take pictures, too.

Matt and I laughed for at least an hour watching people's expressions. We were worried that it was a reality show. Apparently not, they are REAL, but not part of a show.

Pictures courtesy of my friend Ronald, since I didn't have my camera with me.

Knitting -- Mi Bufanda, Reversible Cable Scarf

Winter started in Buenos Aires. I panicked! I had to make a scarf. I couldn't buy one because that would just be counter productive when I'm a pretty skilled knitter, right? I actually finished this the end of March, but I didn't have time to blog and to take pictures until now.

I usually just like working with wool or other natural fibers, but since I didn't have any other options, I settled with this cotton/acrylic mix I found at a local yarn store here.

I have recently had an interest in cables, and reversible cables are pretty nifty since they are perfect for scarves. I found this pattern on Lion Brand Yarn's web site that I thought would do the job. I liked it quite a bit because the pattern was pretty simple to memorize. By the 3rd or 4th round I didn't have to count any of the rows any more.

I knitted this scarf with the only circular needles I could find in Buenos Aires. I really abhor these needles and I am going to buy a complete set of the Interchangeable needles from Knitpicks the second I get back to the states--I should have listened to my friend Janelle and purchased them before I left. Oh well, I'll learn to listen to her the next time.

For the yarn being cotton, it did knit up well and quickly. I had this finished in about a week, and of course let it sit around for several days before I finally tucked in the ends (my least favorite part of the knitting process). I've been wearing it a lot and it keeps my neck warm!

Scarves are sure "la moda" or the fashion here. Thanks to this pattern I have a stylish scarf that I'll always associate with Buenos Aires.

Check this out on Ravelry.

Starbucks Opening in Buenos Aires

Starbucks comes to Buenos Aires opening in Alto Palermo, which is a large shopping mall in Palermo. For many weeks the lines have been incredibly long, all waiting to get inside for the beloved "Starbucks" coffee. One night coming home from USAL, I stopped to get my favorite peppermint latè.

I've been back 1 other time. I like Starbucks coffee, but seriously I can get it in the US anytime. I much prefer Argentine coffee culture. It's much more about the "experience" of coffee.

Argentines like to have coffee in the afternoons while reading a book or socializing with a friend. Usually this starts from 4-7PM. Often times they will munch on a cookie, portion of cake, tostado (a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, more to come on this), or empanada. This whole "grab your coffee and leave" American model of Starbucks is different.

I will say that Starbucks has implemented a lot of products with Argentine things. It will be interesting to see how business continues after the main craze wears off.