DATE:
June 23, 2006
New Albums
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Again!
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 and have visited just about everybody, which means all I´ve done in the past month is eat lunch, tea, and dinner in different houses. I´m getting soft and lazy. My mouth hurts from talking so much and my cheeks are actually permanently sore from smiling all the time!! (Apparently I forgot to mention somewhere that my mom is from Argentina and this has been confusing some people... so in case you are confused, my mom is from Argentina). I´ve started putting together a massive family tree, which has been interesting! (Did I mention it was MASSIVE?) The good thing is I haven´t spoken any English in four weeks! 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 your 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 the Iguazu Falls and the Quebrada de Humahuaca in northern Argentina, both of which were spectacular. We drove through a salt flat at over 3000 meters and saw the stars at night. Unforgettable!
Iguazu Falls
Quebrada de Humahuaca
I am proud to say I got a group of Argentines in Córdoba to talk like Pirates. :) Viva ARRRRgentinaaaa!! ARRR. Unfortunately for the rest of the population, this may catch on. heh heh heh. I will keep trying.
Now everyone´s got 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 I will be hiking somewhere in northern Peru, trying to shed off some of the croissants, steaks, and chocolates I´ve taken on here in Argentina.
The games are entertaining and worth mentioning. EVERYTHING shuts down. Schools let children go home with their fathers, and those that remain (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 in the classroom. It´s a screaming session. No one works - everything stops. Stores close and the workers sit around a TV. Even in the bars, the waiters ignore you as they watch the game along with all the patrons. Not like anyone wants to order, all eyes are glued to the screen. There is no line at the toilet. Until half-time, that is. ;) Huge firecracker-bombs are let off in the street at every goal.
After the game, 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, $$$!
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.