Coffee, Asado, and Killer Chimangos: An Update

Damn, it's been crazy the past two weeks, sorry folks. But, I figured that you all deserve a bit of an update on what it's like down here in the Southern Hemisphere.

First off, all of the flora and fauna is huge. I mean beyond comprehension. I've seen an aloe Vera plant the size of a one car garage. The one in the picture below is small. And trust me, it's an aloe plant.


On another side note, their wildlife also has great natural defenses, such as barbed beehives. I mean, look at the picture, it says it all.



But, what I fear most down here are the chimangos. They're a mix between a raven and a hawk, and they like to stay in groups. It's like an Alfred Hitchcock film waiting to happen. Then again, it didn't help that Omar told me that they have killed people, which I found out was a lie a short while later. But take a look at them.


Would you trust a group of those with your kids? I wouldn't.

But that's just a quick commentary on the wildlife. I have to say that the food here is absolutely AMAZING. If anyone ever travels abroad for the food, Argentina has to be on your list. The pastries are delicious, the coffee is amazing, the ice cream is great, it's all amazing. However, there is one thing people must have when they are here:


The myth, the legend, the Asado, or as we in the U.S.A. would like to it, a barbecue. And the meat is of a better quality than anything I have had in the U.S. Sorry America, you can't win them all. Especially when it comes to beef.

I also forgot to mention that people here have lives. Yes, they go to work a lot, and there is definitely poverty here. However, people see their families, and they still get together, even if it's just for mate. In that sense, I think the people here have better mental health then the average American who's working insane hours and brings work home with them. But that's a discussion for another post. I'll probably put that in my post about my capstone research, since that one will be far more political. Oh boy!

However, there is the main reason that I'm here, and it's the best reason by far. This has been made possible by the guy who's been my tour guide and translator. He also happens to be my boyfriend.


I mean, look at that face, who couldn't love that face?

But, I'll be in the blogosphere soon. There will be pictures, food, hilarity, and of course, sarcasm to tie it all together.

(I also forgot to mention the Gay Bar. God, I'll need to write about that. Actually, I should just write a book, it would be pretty hilarious and insane. But, I digress.)

Anyhow, everyone have a good night, and I'll write again soon.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Mar del Plata, Argentina

Initiation by fire...or doughnuts

 I had an epiphany. These happen on occasion, but last night, much more clearly than normal.

So, I was tossing around trying to fall asleep last night. I had a lot on my mind. Which is quite normal for me. I really have an active mind, to where people may think that I am severely ADD.

I tend to have varied opinions on different things throughout the span of a day. This can range from what I think about the local coffee joint, to political happenings, to the news that people ignore. However, many people do not realize how strong my opinions actually are, as I tend to be a relatively quiet individual in person, and reserve my opinion as to not cause problems with people and at times says things in ways that can seem abrasive. What can I say? I avoid conflict, which is ironic for a former rugby player.

This tends to lead to issues, as biting one's tongue can make someone lose their mind rather quickly, and in rare cases, appearing to be catty. Yet, I also do not want to seem like a total bitch when I say the popular local coffee place's coffee is sub-par, or if I think Americans need a swift kick in ass in regards to our mindset towards the rest of the world. So, how did I decide to put my opinions out there, for the world to react to?

Well, a blog of course. Might be a bit cliche, and I run the risk of sounding like some tween who's obsessed with Justin Bieber or Johnny Depp, but lucky for you, I hate that stuff, and I'm willing to risk going on a rant about Uganda's attempt to ban homosexuality.

 From day to day, the posting will mostly range, between my opinions of local shops around me, to events I went to, to political happenings, to some new books I've been reading, to potentially places I have visited that I think people should go and experience.  I'll try to keep this blog as sane as possible, but I can't guarantee anything. I mean, just look at the title of this post, I'm a spaz.  However, I know there will be poor souls who will find this blog and either be horrified, or highly entertained. My main goal, besides appeasing my ADD, is to have a blog that can be quintessentially undefinable, just as how life has many ups and downs.

Enjoy the ride, kids. And no, we're not turning this car around.