Monthly Archives: March 2012

Last minute trip to Cordoba!

Posted on March 28, 2012 by erikamae82

We decided that all though Buenos Aires is a magnificent city, it was time to live elsewhere for a bit. Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina and is about 9 hours west. It’ll be a week here before we part ways. Denise is doing her own thing while I venture back to BA to pick up my dear friend Ian who is flying in from the states!

The bus ride had an 11:30p departure so we slept, or pretended to sleep for the entire trip. We got to pick our seats so we snagged the top deck and front row! Side note, we shared a cab with a local that told the driver in Spanish “She’s from Holland and the other is a Yankee”. Oh, makes me laugh…

We arrived in the morning to our temporary apartment that currently has two other students from our Spanish school. We lucked out and got a room on the top floor. This means a 10 story stair climb at least twice everyday? Score… A free workout! (Or you can use the elevator). Here’s the front room, our bedroom and the view from the balcony!

We took a quick walk around our neighborhood to check out the scenery.

Look what I found for only $6 usd! If I was a dog, my tail would be wagging as if you said the word “treat”.

Time for dinner! We went with brown rice, mixed veggies and mackerel. For desert, a bottle (I mean a glass) of local red wine.

After dinner it’s time to study. This is done by listening to a children’s show in Spanish while playing with a kids activity book I found for $1 usd. Here’s my view from the couch.

…and an evening shot from our balcony.

Categories: Accommodations, Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: cars, free workout, magnificent city, transportation, travel, vacation | Leave a comment

No worries Buenos Aires… I’ll be back next week!

Posted on March 27, 2012 by erikamae82

During our first 3 weeks in Buenos Aires there were several events that never made a viewing. Since this week will be spent in Cordoba, (a city in Central Argentina) I thought I’d throw a few of the photos together in a mini post. Enjoy!

March 24th was extremely special to the locals as it represtented the war on society and fighting for their freedom. There were thousands of people in the streets with flags, banners, music, microphones and each section had their own “chant” they were repeating. I hope the photos can give you even the slightest idea of the incredible sounds that were echoing the streets (including the one we lived on).

There also happen to be a metal rock band playing a show in the park… Why not?

As if a rock band, political march and demonstration didn’t provide enough mixed energy entertainment… They through in random “festival” stands with toys, candy, games and the occasional cotton candy stand. Oh Argentina, you continue to surprise me! I eventually just sat curbside to take it all in.

Ooh, over here… Throw it to me!

Here are a few photos of random shots taken along the streets.

Made it to the police station to file a report (see sad face below). Denise had her wallet removed from her purse while watching a show in the city.

Pics from the bus window.

The following are night sights including the first pic which is me and a group of Dutch friends that had never had a jello shot… Ever! I got to do the honors of making and sharing the recipe, they loved them!

As Denise and I got ready for this night out, we did the whole girl thing of “Should I wear these shoes or those… What about the earrings?”. During this exchange I said, “Funny, this is what I wore out when we were in Spain”. She then looked down at her dress and said “Haha, this is what I wore that same night in Spain!”.
Here are the two separate nights, first Spain then Argentina.

Giddy up Gaucho!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by erikamae82

We traveled about an hour outside of Buenos Aires to the Don Silvano Ranch. I’m not sure what I enjoyed the most about this sunny day, was it the familiar smell of a farm that brought back childhood memories? Could it of been the traditional Argentinean food and dance? Maybe it was just the pure entertainment of spending time with my dear Dutch friends (turns out there aren’t many horses in Amsterdam!).

A horse ride around the farm. Funny side note: Denise was the only one of us that didn’t have experience on a horse and of course she got the one that refused to move. The entire group was well on our way and when I looked back, there she was… sitting still on a animal that clearly had no intentions on budging… Hilarious!
The first picture is of a photo that I didn’t feel the need to purchase and try to carry with me throughout my travels.

These two pics remind me of my Papa (pronounced “Pa-paw) in Oklahoma.

A nice walk before the lunch bell…seriously, an old school bell was our signal to eat… Love it!

Denise is in the middle followed by Ioni or otherwise named by the locals as “Shakira, Shakira!”

…and as she fluffs her hair, I quote her (to be said in a serious but positive tone of voice): “I don’t belong on a farm… I’m a Diva”.

Almost lunch time!

The bell rings and we head in for food, drink and an incredible show.

This man can sing! He was extremely entertaining and led the show.

This duo showed us a variety of traditional dances. Some of the shots are blurry due to my lack of a fancy camera and the speed at which this pair was moving. You get the idea though, it was amazing!

After dinner, we got to observe a demonstration of gaucho traditions. No animals were harmed in the performance.

Back in the old times, there would be two rings hanging from a wide wooden arch. Each ring represented the desire for a specific lady of the town. They would then race full speed at the arch with a tiny spear about the size of a pencil. While standing in the stirrups, they would attempt to pierce through the middle of the ring. Whoever did it first and successfully, got to take it directly to the woman he wanted and ask for her hand. If she accepted it was welcomed with a kiss.

Guess who got the ring?!

Desert and Mate tea before the bus ride home… What a blast this day was! I’m not one for the “guided tours”, but this was well worth it!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: argentinean food, pa paw, silvano ranch, traditional dances, travel, vacation | 2 Comments

Another day with the kids!

Posted on March 24, 2012 by erikamae82

Each day we went back to the house, the kids greeted us with a warmer welcome. I can only imagine how many volunteers they’ve met over the years…

More chalk paint.

He was learning how to take a “self photo” of us, not bad!

Art, crafts and a snack.

Goofing around (my favorite time).

This lead to wheel barrel raises after we spotted them on handstands.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: art crafts, handstands, travel | 6 Comments

Orphanage

Posted on March 22, 2012 by erikamae82

This week was the first of our experience at Los Querubines, an orphanage that sits about an hour outside of Buenos Aires.
We met up with Anna, a warm hearted Dutch girl that had been there for a month prior. She was extremely helpful preparing us for some unexpected situations, “You’ll be just fine.” This was comforting to me due to the range of emotions I was feeling on the way there. Was I excited… nervous…. hesitant? I really can’t say, but all fell into place upon arrival.

Front entrance looking into the house.

Looking outside from the entrance.

Kitchen and dining area.

“TV room”

It was a gorgeous day so we decided to get the kids outside to put their abundance of energy towards positive physical movement. We brought sidewalk chalk for some creative stimulation and to introduce hop scotch… They loved it!!

After recognizing my tattoos, the chalk then turned into “ink”.

“¡Mi tatuaje!”

Time to clean up the chalk before snack and homework.

Wishful thinking…

Who doesn’t love Twister?!

Girl time!

Remember the hair feathers I wore to “The Sevens Tournement” in New Zealand? They made it all the way here for some appropriate salon play. Of course I had it in MY mind that I would be the stylist and treat the girls to some super cool hair… They had a different idea!

More to come…

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: beauty, hop scotch, sidewalk chalk, travel, vacation | 4 Comments

“What is this Day of Patties?”

Posted on March 19, 2012 by erikamae82

To sum up this St.Patricks Day, I got to introduce the celebration to my two Dutch friends who had never experienced the holiday. We got green tanks tops and a black marker to design our own attire for the event. We packed our over night bags and caught a 4 hour bus ride to Rosario, a city outside of Buenos Aires.

Remember Mike? He’s the entrepreneur friend from California that moved to Argentina a few years ago to start up Fenicia, a restaurant bar where he brews his own beer. He modestly told me about it, so I had no idea what to expect. We were a bit lost trying to find it so I pointed out this attractive place across the street by saying “Ooh, that looks fun! Let’s stop there before we find Mikes place”. As we approached this welcoming bar, we realized… “Hey wait, this is Fenicia!”

Here is a tour before the crowds arrived:

Outside on the upstairs terrace

His “office”

The brewmaster “taking care if business”

We enjoyed a great dinner (and coffee) before the fiesta began!

Mike made time to pop in and out of the shenanigans to say hello before going back and taking care of more business.

Fiesta!

My shirt says “2 more please”, Denise’s says “I’m not Irish” (except the “no is written to be hidden so that it reads “I’m Irish”) and Ioni’s says “Irish for a day”. I think we did a job well done!

These next photos have a short story behind them. Ever since we arrived, we’ve been hearing about the Argentineans most popular drink, “Fernet con cola”. This stuff is everywhere! Mike was oh so kind enough to let us try it. Our combined opinions of the stuff was a cross between cough syrup and black licorice being served over burnt rubber… Don’t forget the splash of Cola! Here are the 4 reactions taken from Denise’s phone:

No other comment necessary…

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: gaming, green tanks, travel, vacation | Leave a comment

Mini jungle gym – part 2

Posted on March 15, 2012 by erikamae82

A few of us from school decided to “study” at a park that was outside of the city. Look what I found! A playground with a new friend and a quick workout.

This is Mads, a super friendly classmate from Denmark who clearly likes to workout. He claims Denmark is the home of the happiest people in the world…after hanging out with him… I believe it!

Working the guts (abdominal).

The goal: Start by hanging underneath, then transfer (anyway you can) to the top without ever touching the ground.
I dedicate this to all of my gymnasts and the countless times I made you do these!

Dips

Categories: Fashion from a backpack, Fitness, Uncategorized | Tags: countless times, exercise, health, healthy-living, travel, vacation | Leave a comment

Stormy day… What to do?

Posted on March 13, 2012 by erikamae82

We had a storm yesterday! There was enough wind to bust in a window and wonderfully soak our hallway with fresh rain. The lightening was as if the clouds were taking photos and the thunder rolled like it needed some attention. It was quite the change to see dark skies hug the city.

Started my morning off with a quick bedroom workout:

One legged push ups with elbows in.

Elevated my feet and moved my hand position closer together.

Start by connecting elbows to knees (kind of looks like a frog).

Then slowly rock forward until you are balanced on just your palms. Hold until you are about to collapse…then hold longer.

One legged dips.

Start in a plank then without dropping your hips, press to a push up. Repeat 8-12 times with 1-3 push ups in each press.

Yes I know my toosh is out… This push up works the shoulders.

One of my favorites! Begin in a push up position and move your knee towards the opposite elbow while lowering. Then press up and straighten the leg. You can also do same knee to same elbow.

After that, off to study! Here are some random shots of the school.

The final lesson is taught and a few of us decided that it was “movie weather”. Those of you who know me well may be shocked that I, Erika, actually sat through an entire movie… in a theater… and did’t even fall asleep! This was a spanish animation about a pirate stuck on an island, super cute!

Here’s Denise wondering where to sit. She said this was a huge cinema compared to the ones in Holland… Imagine her thoughts if she saw some of the theaters in North America!

Yes, I took photos of the movie.

What an entertaining day for a storm…

Categories: Fitness, Uncategorized | Tags: bedroom workout, hand position, push ups, random shots, taking photos, toosh | Leave a comment

The Japanese Gardens

Posted on March 12, 2012 by erikamae82

After a busy week at school (in other words, being totally lost in la clase trying to figure out if she was assigning homework or complementing my ability to cut hair) we thought having a day out on the town sounded refreshing. Denise and I collected a new friend from Holland named Ioni… Off to the Japanese Gardens on the outer edge of the city… Perfecto!

The famous Red Bridge

This was a traditional japanese fortune box. While holding it, you focused on a specific question in regards to your life and then let a stick drop out of this tiny little opening. The number on the stick then pointed you to a paper that had your answer. After you read your fortune, you tied it on the wire wall and left it in high hopes.

It was beyond warm so when we saw water… We took advantage (as well as the guy to the left).

On the way back, we took the public bus and strolled our way back to the apartment.

City sights

Categories: Art, Fashion from a backpack, Uncategorized | Tags: high hopes, japanese gardens, new friend, outer edge, public bus, red bridge | Leave a comment

Día Internacional de la Mujer

Posted on March 11, 2012 by erikamae82

In Argentina, this day is widely recognized to support female rights. Especially here in Buenos Aires, it’s focused on the positive development of the young women within the community. Here is an example of one of the programs “Mission statement”:

1. BELIEVE in our gifts and talents, using them to create a better world.
2. RELINQUISH negativity and build personal power.
3. RADIATE joy and confidence, choosing to be a powerful force for good.
4. STAND as receivers, keepers, and givers of love and compassion.
5. HOLD FAST to truth and moral values, and teach children to stand strong.
6. SEIZE opportunities for growth and leadership while living with passion and purpose.
7. CONNECT with other women to advance worthy causes.
8. SEEK opportunities for meaningful service, touching hearts and changing lives.
9. REACH OUT to enlighten the minds and empower the hearts of women everywhere.
10. DREAM big dreams and make those dreams our destiny.

WOMEN, THIS IS OUR TIME.
By Paula Fellingham and Annette Stanwick

After school, a small group of us girls decided to walk a portion of the city, to see what events we could find. Here are a few of my schoolmates. 2 Dutch and 2 from Brazil.

In the center of the city, they had a couple venues set up.

Something that was new to me was Having to depend mostly on body language and personality in regards to which vendor I spoke with.
In english speaking countries, I could read the sign or recognize a familiar local symbol and quickly decide if I wanted to approach the vendor or even slow down for the eye contact. It was mind opening to depend mostly on pictures and body language of the representatives to decide if I cared to be a part of what they were sharing. Were they smiling and dancing around? Chanting with a forceful tone… Or ignoring the public and just keeping to themselves?

La Casa Rosada (The Pink House) is the official executive mansion of Argentina and is considered one of the most emblematic buildings in Buenos Aires. It also has a museum, with objects related to the presidents of the country. It has been declared a National Historic Monument of Argentina.

They have several priceless photos of politcians from a variety of countries, both present and past. Here are a few of the ones that caught my attention (this is not a direct representation of my political beliefs).