Buenos Aires Walking Tour

Yesterday we went for a walking tour of Buenos Aires. We started in one of the oldest parts of the city (San Telmo), and walked our way through one of the newest (Puerto Madero). Yup, the tour was called Old to New, or something like that... We tried to take some video guides, but didn't have much luck. So, instead of nauseating video of some of our highlights - from a 7 lane highway, to the engineering college that used to house Eva Peron's Social Gain Foundation, a nature preserve, and lots of roller bladers, all you get are some pictures and text. Sorry!

We had a really good walk, and stopped for - what else? - steak on the way. We probably could have skipped the big steak lunch and just bought steak sandwiches later, but, now we know better. The steak was quite tasty, and the chicken was some of the best we've had, and not just in BsAs! The name of the place was Siga la Vaca - or, en Ingles, Follow the Cow!

Anyway, back to the walk. We started in San Telmo, at Plaza Dorrego, and checked out the much reduced San Telmo market (you apparently can't move when it's in full swing on Sundays). From there, we walked to the San Telmo Fruit Market, where there's not so much fruit, but lots of antiques, including an antique TV that they claim they can refurbish into any type of TV you could want, including a 3-D! We walked over to see the thinnest building (8 feet) in Buenos Aires, a freed slave's house.

From there, we walked down past the engineering college, a 19th century neoclassical behemoth that once served as the headquarters for the Eva Peron Foundation, and on to Puerto Madera. We stopped for lunch at a parilla (steak place) that some Argentine diplomats in training recommended. It was sort of like the brazilian steak places in the states, but, instead of them bringing meat to you, you get up and go to the grill to pick your meat. We got beef short ribs, and fresh chicken breast. It was fantastic! The meal was about 25 bucks, and included a bottle of wine, a bottle of water, salad, appetizer, and dessert!

We then walked across the dikes, and along a pretty promenade until we hit an ecological reserve area, where there was a fair-like atmosphere, complete with "artisanal" shops, and some rides for kids, including a dinosaur that swallowed kids whole!

We walked some more, along the ecological reserve, past steak sandwich shops, and more people selling stuff. More amusingly, there were lots of people on roller blades, and even a bunch of kids on skate boards. We could see people running, walking, and biking a trail in the ecological reserve.

We left the path along the preserve, and walked past the "Park of the women." It's called such because this is the only area in the city where the streets are named for women - everywhere else, they're named for men. We saw a fashion photo shoot, and a couple of kids playing field hockey; it's huge down here!

The walk went on some more, along the dikes, where the Buenos Aires authorities have turned this old warehouse port district into a hip and upcoming area - it's now the safest area in the city, with two police districts having jurisdiction. There wasn't much more to see, other than a pedestrian foot bridge, called the "Women's Bridge."

Ethan the Banana

Thanks to our good freinds the Schmitts and their awesome hand-me-downs, we had Ethan's Halloween costume before he was even born. What we didn't count on was that he wouldn't fit into a 0-9 month costume well before 9 months. He just barely fits now, so by teh end of next month we have very little hope that he will be able to use the outfit, but we thought you might all like to see how cute he is as a banana. Stay tuned to what his actual Halloween costume will be.

“What!? In your Last Post I am Only in My Diaper! How Embarrassing!”

We just thought this picture was funny. Ethan was in a bit of a mood for his weekly photo shoot, so there are not a ton of smiles, but there are some pretty funny faces. Enjoy the 19 week update!

YUM - Feet!

We thought it was difficult before, to change Ethan's clothes when he was interested in sticking his hands in his mouth instead of into his shirts. Now though we need to try and convince him to not only take his hands out of his mouth but also his feet! These pictures are from this past week at one of his changes when we had a particulary hard time convinving him to stop chomping on those toes!

Dulce de Leche – the other official Argentine Food

Most people know that as far as food and drink is concerend, Argentina is known for great beef and great Malbec wine. But, as far as I can tell, the most favorite food staple here is dulce de leche.

Basically, dulce de leche is a sweet milk caramel and is made by simmering down milk and sugar while you stir it constantly. Some people also make it by boiling a can of condensed milk for two to three hours. You have to be careful and make sure that the water the can is in does not boil off or you could have a can of exploding milk in your kitchen.

Most people here just by it in jars off the shelf at the grocery store. It is thicker than a caramel sauce you would buy for ice cream in the States, but thinner than peanut butter. You can have it for breakfast with your croissants, you can have it as a layer in your brownie or as a sauce over your apple tart. It seems to be used in almost every dessert.

At our favorite ice cream place there is a whole column of flavors on the menu listed under "dulce de leche" and even under the other columns of flavors (chocolate, cream, fruit), it is hard to escape dulce de leche. "Swiss Chocolate" is chocolate ice cream with chocolate pieces and....dulce de leche. "American Cookie" is cookies and cream and ....dulce de leche. You get the idea.

Another use for the yummy spread is as the middle of sandwich cookies, called Alfajores (pictured) and are sometimes covered with coconut or chocolate. It is also used in cakes and candies, or just on its own....YUM.

My Newest Toy!

Ethan had a very exciting week this week, he turned 4 months on Tuesday, he went to his first Erev of Rosh Hashanah service on Wednesday night (which he napped through quietly) and on Thursday all of his things arrvied from Washington DC. The rest of his toys, books, clothes, high chair, and his very own crib and bedding arrived. So, Steve, Ethan and I got to put togther his crib on Thursday and continue to decorate his nursery.

While he is happy with all of his things, this week also brought him the realization that George and Gracie are also fantastic toys and a great source of entertainment! They are fun to watch when they run around, they are funny when they lick his face, and their fur is super fun to "pet" (or grab). George and Gracie are great with Ethan and very patient with these petting sessions. Check out the pictures of Ethan in his new crib and hanging out with George.

By the way, the T-shirt he is wearing says "Wow, all the ladies keep checking me out" It seems to be true. Ethan enjoys flirting with the Argentine ladies, and when we walk him around the neighborhood we hear "Que lindo!" (how cute!) quite a bit.

I'm Ready for Some Football!!!

Ethan is all set for the football season! For your pictures today he is sporting his favorite college team colors - Blue and White for Penn State! The knit wear is from Aunt Courtney and Lisa, and if you look through the Picasa pics, the other PSU knit hat is from Aunt Carol. He has other PSU stuff, but it is a little big for him just yet!

Ethan shows no current allegiance to any professional teams. I likes the Eagles, Steve likes Green Bay and the Redskins, and both are fans of whoever is playing the Cowboys! I am sure soon enough Ethan will be sporting a cheesehead hat, Eagles T-shirt and Redskin pants.

The new and exciting things this week - Ethan's Drool Factory is now open for business. Lots and lots of drool . Ethan also loves putting his hands in his mouth. He is an equal opportunity finger/thumb sucker right now too. Sometimes it will be just his thumb, sometimes a finger or two, sometimes all of his fingers and sometimes he can't decide so he just sticks his whole hand in his mouth to suck on.

He has a bit of a cold right now, so there is a lack of smiles in these pictures - he was a little cranky. Hope you enjoy none the less!