Thursday 31 May 2007
Some happy melons at a vegetable stand. I love seeing little things like this around the city.
Some happy melons at a vegetable stand. I love seeing little things like this around the city.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Gullet
Wednesday 30 May 2007
One of the less-pleasant parts of living in a foreign country is having to get foreign haircuts. In Taiwan, this was a very risky operation, especially for girls, as Asian hair is extremely different than curly/wavey western hair.
Here, you know the stylist knows how to handle your hair, but there is still the question of fashion. In Argentina, the mullet is extremely popular. I would say 70% of all males have some form of mullet, from the full-blown, to hockey hair, to just a little too long in the back to be good-looking.
Unfortunately, this long-in-the-back-but-short-on-the-sides look extends to girls. I got my hair cut recently, and this is what resulted. You will notice that one side is considerable longer than the other. Don't worry, my head is balanced, but the problem is that he cut the sides extremely short, but left the long layer in the back really long. I'm tempted to get it re-done, but that would mean chopping off an awful lot. I've been growing this hair forever, and don't know if I can stand such a set-back.
So, in the meantime I have an Argentine girl mullet, or gullet.
One of the less-pleasant parts of living in a foreign country is having to get foreign haircuts. In Taiwan, this was a very risky operation, especially for girls, as Asian hair is extremely different than curly/wavey western hair.
Here, you know the stylist knows how to handle your hair, but there is still the question of fashion. In Argentina, the mullet is extremely popular. I would say 70% of all males have some form of mullet, from the full-blown, to hockey hair, to just a little too long in the back to be good-looking.
Unfortunately, this long-in-the-back-but-short-on-the-sides look extends to girls. I got my hair cut recently, and this is what resulted. You will notice that one side is considerable longer than the other. Don't worry, my head is balanced, but the problem is that he cut the sides extremely short, but left the long layer in the back really long. I'm tempted to get it re-done, but that would mean chopping off an awful lot. I've been growing this hair forever, and don't know if I can stand such a set-back.
So, in the meantime I have an Argentine girl mullet, or gullet.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Cabildo 2
Sunday 27 May 2007
This is the Cabildo, the town hall in Colonial times, in the Plaza de Mayo. And some other buildings behind it.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Pride and History
Saturday 26 May 2007
So, not much was going on yesterday for the big revolution holiday, but boy did we get our fill of patriotism today!
Our friends Elysse and Jacob called us up and asked if we wanted to go to a "military display." We thought this meant a display of old tanks and guns, which they love to do in museums and stuff here, and figured why not. But when we arrived at the designated corner, and found ourselves at a polo field full of 19th century soldiers, we realized we were in for something more than just some dusty old guns.
It turned out that it was a kind of mini-reenactment of all the major battles in Argentina's history. The Creole Spaniards fought off the British, then the Argentines threw out the Spaniards, probably a hundred horses charged across the field led by the hero San Martín, modern soldiers fired machine guns and zoomed around on motorcycles. Probably the most dramatic of all, however, was when they brought out a giant Argentine flag, laid it on the ground, and six men (who had probably jumped a while ago) precision-parachuted onto it.
What followed was a long-winded booming voice going on about how "The Malvinas are Argentine!" and the glory of the nation and the courage of the fallen and lots of adoration of war in general. It was all a little too "glorious" for me, but a neat show.
So, not much was going on yesterday for the big revolution holiday, but boy did we get our fill of patriotism today!
Our friends Elysse and Jacob called us up and asked if we wanted to go to a "military display." We thought this meant a display of old tanks and guns, which they love to do in museums and stuff here, and figured why not. But when we arrived at the designated corner, and found ourselves at a polo field full of 19th century soldiers, we realized we were in for something more than just some dusty old guns.
It turned out that it was a kind of mini-reenactment of all the major battles in Argentina's history. The Creole Spaniards fought off the British, then the Argentines threw out the Spaniards, probably a hundred horses charged across the field led by the hero San Martín, modern soldiers fired machine guns and zoomed around on motorcycles. Probably the most dramatic of all, however, was when they brought out a giant Argentine flag, laid it on the ground, and six men (who had probably jumped a while ago) precision-parachuted onto it.
What followed was a long-winded booming voice going on about how "The Malvinas are Argentine!" and the glory of the nation and the courage of the fallen and lots of adoration of war in general. It was all a little too "glorious" for me, but a neat show.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Veintecinco de Mayo
Friday 25 May 2007
(Don't you love it when a holiday falls on Friday?)
Happy Revolution Day, everyone! On this date in 1810 the Argentines declared independence from Spain, and started a war for their freedom. (You can see the date on that statue in the picture, if you look very closely.) As you can probably tell, it went well.
Not much went on today, but Ryan and I wandered around downtown a bit with an acquaintance of ours. There were certainly a lot of flags out, but no big parades or anything.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Arsty-fartsy
Thursday 24 May 2007
I sometimes make fun of Ryan for taking "art school" photos that don't make any sense. I guess that I lose teasing rights today. This, by the way, is an ashtray. Cool light though, huh?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Parrots
Wednesday 23 May 2007
Every now and then I am reminded of just how temperate Buenos Aires is. In many of the parks here, you can see these green parrots as well as the normal pigeons. They're extremely flightly, if you'll excuse the pun, and won't come scrambling over for every bit of food that falls, but aren't exactly hard to find, either. It's just quite fun seeing parrots (or some kind of parrot cousin) in the park!
Every now and then I am reminded of just how temperate Buenos Aires is. In many of the parks here, you can see these green parrots as well as the normal pigeons. They're extremely flightly, if you'll excuse the pun, and won't come scrambling over for every bit of food that falls, but aren't exactly hard to find, either. It's just quite fun seeing parrots (or some kind of parrot cousin) in the park!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Naval Center
Tuesday 22 May 2007
I was taking a picture of this building when an old man came up and starting talking to me. Unfortunately, he was speaking with a thick oldmanese accent, which makes any foreign language very difficult to understand, but basically what I understood was that: This was, and possibly still is, the Argentine Naval headquarters. Also, it is the oldest building on the street/block/in the neighborhood.
The stripes of decoration on the building is actually all carvings of seashells, very neat, and fitting. And there's a very elaborate marine-themed door, complete with Poseidon!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lumberjack
Monday 21 May 2007
I saw this roll of fabric in a textile store in Flores, and thought the name was funny. In Spanish, it says "Lumberjack." Yep, what better word for this kind of plaid than lumberjack?
I saw this roll of fabric in a textile store in Flores, and thought the name was funny. In Spanish, it says "Lumberjack." Yep, what better word for this kind of plaid than lumberjack?
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Peña
Sunday 20 May 2007
Ryan and I attended another peña, or folk music concert, out in Berazategui this weekend. Sandra and Alan's band was playing, along with dozens of others, and some of the same kids' dance groups performed.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Autumn leaves
Saturday 19 May 2007
Fall is in full swing here! It's strange, though, to see the leaves change in May. I find it difficult to remember what month it is, and often have to stare at the paper for a while before actually writing the date.
There isn't a ton of fall color here, as the temperature drop is more gradual than back home, and it never gets below freezing. But a few trees, the oaks and sugar gums, have a nice show nonetheless.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Protest aftermath
Friday 18 May 2007
There was a giant protest today which was against either abortion or hunger, or maybe somehow both, I'm not sure. I saw it going screaming down Rivadavia, and later today walked through the Plaza de Mayo, where it evidently culminated. The whole plaza was filthy. There were these pamphlets thrown around, actually coating the ground in some places. (This is actually normal after any march. You can't have a protest without handouts, after all. It must make so much trash every year, considering that there is at least one big protest a week, and countless small ones.) But there was trash everywhere, too. Bottles, wrappers, papers, stuff floating in the fountains, used firework casings, just litter everywhere. It was disgusting.
I hate to sound so negative, but seeing all these protests, all this trash, having lived here for nearly a year now, I have come, unwillingly, to this conclusion. Porteños are a very angry people (perhaps rightfully so, but angry nonetheless) and have no respect for their city.
There was a giant protest today which was against either abortion or hunger, or maybe somehow both, I'm not sure. I saw it going screaming down Rivadavia, and later today walked through the Plaza de Mayo, where it evidently culminated. The whole plaza was filthy. There were these pamphlets thrown around, actually coating the ground in some places. (This is actually normal after any march. You can't have a protest without handouts, after all. It must make so much trash every year, considering that there is at least one big protest a week, and countless small ones.) But there was trash everywhere, too. Bottles, wrappers, papers, stuff floating in the fountains, used firework casings, just litter everywhere. It was disgusting.
I hate to sound so negative, but seeing all these protests, all this trash, having lived here for nearly a year now, I have come, unwillingly, to this conclusion. Porteños are a very angry people (perhaps rightfully so, but angry nonetheless) and have no respect for their city.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Bike
Thursday 17 May 2007
A bike in an entrance hallway. (Often, especially between stores, houses have one narrow door on the street, a little hallway leading back, and then open up into courtyard and house further back.) In the Chacarita neighborhood.
A bike in an entrance hallway. (Often, especially between stores, houses have one narrow door on the street, a little hallway leading back, and then open up into courtyard and house further back.) In the Chacarita neighborhood.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
An economic comment
Tuesday 15 May 2007
This picture is a comment on the Argentine economic reality.
Apartments are expensive. Salaries are low. Inflation is high. So, not very many young people move out of their parents' house until they get married. Since everyone lives with their parents, there's not much privacy at home.
Therefore, you see people making out in public all the time. Way more than you see back home. The park on a nice day looks like make-out point at some old drive-in movie. And boy, some of these couples are quite . . . affectionate.
This picture is a comment on the Argentine economic reality.
Apartments are expensive. Salaries are low. Inflation is high. So, not very many young people move out of their parents' house until they get married. Since everyone lives with their parents, there's not much privacy at home.
Therefore, you see people making out in public all the time. Way more than you see back home. The park on a nice day looks like make-out point at some old drive-in movie. And boy, some of these couples are quite . . . affectionate.
Monday, May 14, 2007
I think I'm turning Argentine . . .
Monday 14 May 2007
This is my mate. I just bought it. I think it's cute and great.
I like mate a lot, but didn't drink it often because the stimulant effect is a little too strong for me. But I recently found a brand of yerba that has only 40% mate, and lots of herbs mixed in and little bits of dried apple, so I can handle that. I figured I'd better get a mate of my own. I'm even considering buying a thermos, for taking it on the road with me . . .
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Desnivel
Sunday 13 May 2007
For their last dinner here, we took Ryan's family back to the restaurant we went to the first night, Desnivel. Here's Mrs. Bird looking awfully happy about another tender and delicious Argentine beef.
You can also see the penguin-shaped pitcher in the foreground. This is a traditional way of serving wine here in BsAs - you just need to ask for a "pinguino de vino."
For their last dinner here, we took Ryan's family back to the restaurant we went to the first night, Desnivel. Here's Mrs. Bird looking awfully happy about another tender and delicious Argentine beef.
You can also see the penguin-shaped pitcher in the foreground. This is a traditional way of serving wine here in BsAs - you just need to ask for a "pinguino de vino."
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Las Violetas 2
Saturday 12 May 2007
The Bird family has found that they rather like the afternoon tea tradition (especially the submarinos, Argentine hot chocolate.) Today we had a slightly more formal tea at Las Violetas, a cafe known for its stained glass and delicious cakes. We certainly had our fair share of those cakes!
It is clearly a very popular place for tea on a Saturday afternoon, though. There were dozens of people waiting outside in the cold for their spot at a table the whole time we were there, and were still lined up when we left around 7!
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