Hola. I am still in Argentina and am now finishing up more than a month-long “family circuit.” I have a LOT of family here (my mother is Argentine) and have visited just about everybody in the extended family, which means that all I’ve done in the past month is eat lunch, tea, and dinner in different homes. Am getting soft and lazy. My mouth hurts from talking so much and my cheeks are actually permanently sore from smiling all the time. I’ve started piecing together a family tree, which has been interesting (albeit a bit massive).
A highlight of the month was when my dear friend Rachel came and joined me for 2 weeks of travel – the poor thing even sat through a few of the aforementioned lunches and dinners. Her Spanish got pretty good by the time she left, though! Helps that she´s brilliant. Anyway, it was definitely not a typical tourist experience; she got to see some of everyday Argentina. At a couple of points, though, we managed to veer off the family trail and check out Iguazu Falls and La Quebrada de Humahuaca in northern Argentina, both of which were spectacular. We drove through a tourist-less salt flat at over 3000 meters and saw the stars at night. Unforgettable!
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Rachel next to a giant cactus in La Quebrada de Humahuaca
I am also proud to say I got a group of Argentines in Córdoba to talk like Pirates. :) Viva ARRRRgentinaaaa!! Unfortunately for the rest of the population, this may catch on. heh heh heh. I will keep trying.
Now everyone has World Cup FUBTOL FEVER. I’m sure you all are well aware that Argentina is number 1 in its group. :) Yay! We are all hoping to see them play in the finals. Unfortunately, I will miss some games as next week. Will hiking somewhere in northern Peru, trying to shed off some of the croissants, steaks, and chocolates on which I’ve been gorging myself.
Viva Argentina!
The games are entertaining and worth mentioning. EVERYTHING shuts down. Schools let children go home with their fathers, and those that remain in class (usually the girls) have little argentine flags painted on their faces, felt white-and-blue caps on their heads, jerseys, noisemakers, and they watch the game at school. I was lucky enough to witness one of these full-blown screaming sessions.
No one works. Everything stops. Stores and banks close. Workers sit around TVs. Even in the bars, the waiters ignore you as they watch the game along with all the patrons. Not like anyone wants to order, that would involve breaking eye contact with the television. All eyes are glued to the screen. There is no line at the toilet. Until half-time, that is. ;)
Huge firecracker-and-battery bombs are fired off in the street at every goal. You don’t even need to be watching the game to know Argentina’s score!
One of my friends went out into the street in the middle of the game just to check it out, and on coming back he laughed that there was absolutely NO traffic, and the only car he saw go by had a woman at the wheel, probably whizzing home with more beer and snacks for the family.
After the game, central plazas in all the cities fill with fans and noise and white and blue. In reality, the whole day is shot. If we lose, everyone would be depressed (but this hasn´t happened yet, so cross your fingers and knock on wood). If, no, when we win, everyone is ecstatic and in a festive mood… therefore no one wants to work or do anything serious for the rest of the day. :) I trust you will all be watching the Argentina-Mexico game on Saturday, siii????
Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t just get a ticket to Germany. Oh right, $$$! Would love to see a live World Cup game someday, though…
I have yet to upload pics of the feverrrrr (arrr) but will do so as soon as possible. So that’s about it! The next update will be from Peru! I leave on Monday. Wish me luck.
