We are headed home on Saturday and after many, many hours on the bus; many, many bottles of wine consumed and hopefully only a few, miniscule pounds gained; it's time to come home.
I never plan anything for the last few days of travel because after having been gone so long you start to look ahead to all the stuff you have to do when I get home. Everything from remembering where my car is parked to scheduling my leg wax, you just start looking ahead.
Luckily, Santiago has little to detain me, it's got a nice vibe with some friendly people but nothing to really see or do. So, we'll wander and drink wine with breakfast, lunch and dinner and wander around some more.
Then home, sweet home. At least for 3 weeks....then it's off to Mongolia I go.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wine, Chocolate and Mountains
I have found my gustatory dream: Argentina. Everyone warned me of the massive beef consumption and that I would starve while watching others devour steak after glorious steak.
Those that warned me of the beef forgot that I can live for weeks, if not years, on wine and chocolate alone. Argentina is famous for its Malbec - the gentle and fruity red wine that is delicious in sangria. And it's chocolate is world class.
Around Mendoza there are countless wineries that are conveniently located within biking distance of one another. A few wine tastings later your bike isn't quite as stable as it once was, but in 28 degree heat and a perfectly sunny day, being a bit tipsy seems like it's a perfect moment in time.
Next on the destination list is Bariloche in Patagonia - famous for chocolate and mountains. We've been bar hopping from chocolate store to chocolate store while admiring the mountains. Add in some Patagonian Malbec and I have found my calling in life - to be a super fat and drunk hiker.
Those that warned me of the beef forgot that I can live for weeks, if not years, on wine and chocolate alone. Argentina is famous for its Malbec - the gentle and fruity red wine that is delicious in sangria. And it's chocolate is world class.
Around Mendoza there are countless wineries that are conveniently located within biking distance of one another. A few wine tastings later your bike isn't quite as stable as it once was, but in 28 degree heat and a perfectly sunny day, being a bit tipsy seems like it's a perfect moment in time.
Next on the destination list is Bariloche in Patagonia - famous for chocolate and mountains. We've been bar hopping from chocolate store to chocolate store while admiring the mountains. Add in some Patagonian Malbec and I have found my calling in life - to be a super fat and drunk hiker.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Boca! Boca!! Boca!!!
If there is one thing, just one thing that unites all Argentines - it is a passionate love for God.
No, not that God.
Diego Maradona.
The greatest footballer to ever live, scoring the most beautiful goal in the most beautiful game was an Argentine and is revered across Argentina. And nowhere more than in the slums of Buenos Aires in a region called Boca.
It is the Boca football club where Maradona wowed the crowds in La Bombonera, the most famous football stadium in the world. Best player in the world, best stadium in the world - of course I went.
Boca Juniors Football Club played Estudiantes on April 3rd, 2010. And Torah Kachur was in attendance. It is a pretty normal league game but you'd never know. Passionate fans singing, dancing, heckling and making as much noise as one human can possibly do for 3 entire hours. A football match only lasts 90 minutes, but the crowds assemble long before and stay long after to show their loyalty and their love for the beautiful game.
It was a regular league game, but it was far from a normal game. Two quick goals early in the match made the score 1-1, where it stayed for the better part of the match with the visiting squad playing a slow and boring style content to sit back and take the tie in the rival stadium.
Then, late in the 2nd half, Boca decided to take charge and start taking risks - a few quick chances didn't materialize but at least the crowd jumped a bit more than their usual 100 times per minute. Then, in spectacular fashion - Boca Juniors scored with 15 seconds remaining in the match.
Understandably, the crowd went beserk.... an old man fell on top of me, beer was sprayed everywhere, a woman started crying. For a regular season match.
Oilers fans are pathetic.
No, not that God.
Diego Maradona.
The greatest footballer to ever live, scoring the most beautiful goal in the most beautiful game was an Argentine and is revered across Argentina. And nowhere more than in the slums of Buenos Aires in a region called Boca.
It is the Boca football club where Maradona wowed the crowds in La Bombonera, the most famous football stadium in the world. Best player in the world, best stadium in the world - of course I went.
Boca Juniors Football Club played Estudiantes on April 3rd, 2010. And Torah Kachur was in attendance. It is a pretty normal league game but you'd never know. Passionate fans singing, dancing, heckling and making as much noise as one human can possibly do for 3 entire hours. A football match only lasts 90 minutes, but the crowds assemble long before and stay long after to show their loyalty and their love for the beautiful game.
It was a regular league game, but it was far from a normal game. Two quick goals early in the match made the score 1-1, where it stayed for the better part of the match with the visiting squad playing a slow and boring style content to sit back and take the tie in the rival stadium.
Then, late in the 2nd half, Boca decided to take charge and start taking risks - a few quick chances didn't materialize but at least the crowd jumped a bit more than their usual 100 times per minute. Then, in spectacular fashion - Boca Juniors scored with 15 seconds remaining in the match.
Understandably, the crowd went beserk.... an old man fell on top of me, beer was sprayed everywhere, a woman started crying. For a regular season match.
Oilers fans are pathetic.
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