Argentine aristocracy

It's a Saturday evening, we didnt have plans so we decided to go across the street to the Alvear Palace hotel to have an early dinner in the lobby lounge and 'people watch'.
The Alvear Palace is a grand old hotel. The lobby lounge is marble columns, chandeliers and the largest bouquet of fresh flowers we have ever seen.
True, the beer is expensive relative to many other places in town but they do a healthy pour of wine and the people watching is 'o so interesting.

Last night was one of the best - things were slow until 8 pm (that's when the crowd of folks staying in the hotel agree to meet for a pre-dinner drink and then an hour later, the place is practically empty as they all leave to make their 9 o'clock dinner reservations).

We often end up in conversations with several of them because many speak english and are travelling from all over the world. We share with them that we live here, they tell us stories of where they have been and where they are going.

Last night, and older couple came in for a glass of champagne. They were speaking English. We figured them for being on a cruise and were spending a couple of days in BA. He had struck up a conversation with two ladies at another table (should have been my first clue). Mimi was on her way to the washroom and mentioned something to them and within 30 seconds, they were engaged in a full conversation. I get waved over and before you know it, the four of us are having champagne together and sharing stories....and theirs was quite a story.

Turns out, he is 92 and she is 86. They are dating. They have 26 grandchildren between the two of them. They were both born here, as were their parents. They are of British descent. The British had come to Argentina to build the country's infrastructure (railroads etc). They both have substantial landholdings (I think substantial would be an understatement) including estancias (ranches). Her farm produces wheat, soy and corn. I am betting its a realllly big farm!
He still plays tennis. They are off to Punta del Este today for summer holidays with their children and they wanted us to join them for a few days. I said I had to work (damn!).

What I didnt learn until later was that old Ricardo (but you can call me Dick) was hitting on Mimi the whole time. I was chatting with Helen and he is saying 'I could kiss you all over' to Mimi.

She lives just up the street from us and his home is in San Isidro.
What a great couple. We hope that our paths cross again.

I will sit BETWEEN Ricardo and Mimi next time.

B.

Technology sure shrinks distances!

Yesterday, I was in the office a bit early and up pops a skype text message on my computer from a friend in Australia.

It says 'Do you want to listen in on the timing shack at Kitzbuhel?' Now, Kitzbuhel is the site of the world famous Hahnenkamm downhill in Austria. The race going on at the moment was the World Cup SuperG. Five Canadians were in the event. Another friend, a Canadian is the head of the timing crew at Kitzbuhel.

I look around the office - things are pretty quiet - my first meeting isnt for about 40 minutes, so I pop on my headphones, Eric skypes me into a conference call and poof - I am listening in on the timing hut conversations as the timing crew go about their work doing the timing and data for the event.
I then log on to the FIS Live Timing website to track the racers through the event....and voila, I can hear the race announcer screaming outside, I can hear the conversations inside the the timing hut and and following the Live Timing tracking of results. I also did some spreadsheet work on field oil storage that we are using.

While this is going on, I send a text message to Eric asking if he is at Kitzbuhel in an official capacity or 'slumming at the event as a celebrity'? He sends back - 'Hell no, I am home in Australia in my PJ's listening to the event on skype.' I was in a skype conference call linking a guy in Austria with a guy in Australia with a guy in Argentina....pretty cool (geeky but cool). It was also fun to re-connect with ski racing and follow a world class event.

I have visions of ham radio operators decades ago linking the world in a similar way.

It's great that technolgy works to keep friends connected - we dont feel so far away!
B.

More things that make you laugh...

I was on my way to work today and saw a dog walker with about 8 dogs and I had to chuckle. It reminded of situation we had when the kids were here over Christmas.

We were all out for a walk and I mentioned to them that I didnt think many dogs get neutered down here. In fact, all the dogs 'have their balls'. Katie thought this was pretty funny and then after that, all anyone saw was dogs 'with their balls'.

Then later in the week, Katie says - 'Hey, that dog's been neutered!'. I said, 'No Katie, that's a female dog'.

I guess you had to be there....



I miss having the kids around to laugh at my jokes.
B.

Air conditioning - it will change your life

It is certainly changing our sleeping patterns.
Being from Calgary - we are not big 'air conditioner' folk. We have a separate air conditioner in each room. We dont keep them on all the time. They can be a bit noisy. For the one in the bedroom, we typically turn it on for a bit, knock down the heat in the room and then turn it off. The heat builds up, you wake up because it gets uncomfortable and then you turn it back on again. A bit of a cycle - except Mimi and I are different temperature cycles - so there are overlapping on's & off's.

When I started working here, I was always curious as to why people kept their lights off - in their office, in their houses, their apartments. You very quickly come to realize that anything that generates unwanted heat is avoided. So if the glow of your computer screen is sufficient, then that's all the light some people have in their offices.
I am finding myself doing the same thing.

B.

Summer time!

Slowing down even further....

Yesterday was one of those days where you reassess your plans. It meant walking even slower to work and avoiding direct sunlight and seeking out the shade.

I knew right away that it was going to be a warm one. By the time I got to the office I had to stand in front of my office air conditioner and dry off.
In Calgary, we would rejoice at the opportunity to sit outside to enjoy dinner (and not have deck heaters making it tolerable!). There just arent that many days/nights where it stays warm enough to do so....here in BA it is a completely different story.
Mimi and I went out for a late lunch yesterday and took the opportunity to sit on the patio of the restaurant. Halfway through my first beer, we were looking for a spot INSIDE the restaurant. I was just sitting there and my shirt started to change color. It went from a light blue to a sweat stained darker blue. I wasnt even moving, we were sitting in the shade and I was still dripping in my salad! I know I am going to miss these warm, HUMID days!
The city really is quieter in the summer. Many shops close for weeks at a time in Jan & Feb and it is the time when many locals head to the beach for their annual holiday.

Speaking of holidays - we got an email out of the blue from a friend at Bearspaw. Turns out a bunch of couples from Calgary are here on a golf holiday. We are having them to our apartment this afternoon.
They were probably expecting golf carts at all the courses in BA but there are only 2 courses in the city that have them. Having a caddy is great but a 4 hour walk in 37 degree heat is a whole different game! I am looking forward to hearing their stories.

B.

Out of Africa...and into Argentina!

After being chased 'out of Africa' because of terrorist threats, the Dakar Rally is being run in Argentina & Chile this year. It is a 14 stage rally that starts and finishes in Buenos Aires (Jan 3-17) and covers almost 10,000 km of road (and a whole lot of off-road).

It happens that Stage 5 runs right through our operating concession in the province of Mendoza.

There is some secrecy to the route , so as not give an advantage to any of the competitors...but the vagueness of the route could also put them right on top of a wellhead at the speeds they are travelling.

They had a symbolic start last Saturday and the competitors toured a loop in the city.

Lots of folks were out to watch and the riders got into the spirit of the event......

- driving slowly, high-fiving little kids...and revving their engines. I was out watching for three hours and it continued on for another two.

In some cases, they took their time winding their way through the crowds that developed in the middle of the road.

We were quite confident about their navigation abilities going through/near our operating area......until one of our managers was asked by a competititor for directions to get to the starting line here in BA - I kid you not.

These guys do carry a few spare parts with them...hopefully, that includes a spare GPS.

A couple of Dakar Rally fans out for a walk....

Parades always bring out all kinds of folks......

Unfortunately, the lone Canadian (Don Hatton from Duncan, BC) withdrew after today's Stage 4 due to an injury. I did, however, catch a glimpse of him during the pre-race day ride - but I only caught a picture of his backside - he got by me before I realized it was him. He's looking pretty good riding down Avenida Callao....I dont think he looks so shiny today.

It was up to this poor policeman to keep the folks safely back from the vehicles.

Even I have lived here long enough to know that it was a waste 'o time.

I have decided that after watching some of the event footage, travelling 10,000 km on a quad or a motorcycle on the terrain near our operating area - is something I will leave to these guys

....and girls.

And Rider 93, Annie Seel (yes, from Sweden) is still in the race.

B.

http://www.dakar.com/

Happy New Year!!

We have just sent the kids back to cooler climes (ok, much cooler) and we will get back to a bit of a routine here - although I know Mimi loved the routine of having everyone here!

It seems like forever ago that they arrived. Jake & Kelli had 2 flights delayed and missed one and arrived 14 hours late flying through Toronto and Katie & Devin did OK going through Houston. It made us feel lucky as we watched the weather in Canada mixed with holiday travel really spoil the plans of many others.

When they all finally did arrive and had a good nap, we are were all set to go to share everything we had learned in our own 10 months here!

It could read like the Twelve Days of Christmas.

So here goes.........

One Boca futbol match. The Apertura Championship was not decided in league play because of a three-way tie for first place. As a result, a round robin final was played and because it dragged out an extra week, I was able to take Jake to a game. It was between Tigre and the Boca Juniors. It was played in a neutral stadium (Racing) and for security reasons they only sold so many tickets (mostly to Boca fans). The place was bouncing - literally. When a concrete stadium flexes under your feet, you just hold on!

Boca lost the game but won the championship on goal differential - partying went on late into the night!

Two countries in one quick trip to Bueos Aires. We sent the kids to Uruguay for one day. It is a one hour Buequbus Fast Ferry ride away. They did a tour of the old fort of Colonia including a trip to the top of the lighthouse.

Three hours of tango show at Cafe Tortoni (the oldest cafe in BA - 150 years old).
Devin is such a good sport when it comes to audience participation!

Four hours of Christmas Day brunch at the Alvear Palace. It was more like 'grazing' than 'brunch'... especially when we found the helado & panqueque bar in the back room! Dee-lish! It is a good thing the Alvear Palace is 40 metres from the apartment. We could all waddle home.

Five parties and get-togethers to meet our BA friends....

This included new pooch pals (Lolly and Sheila) as well. None that can replace Cooper, of course.... although the pearls are a nice touch!

Six trips to Volta & Freddo for helado (ice cream) including the one kilo of vanilla, chocolate and dulce de leche that we brought home for New Year's Eve...

Seven reminders of home including a personalized photo album of of Alberta, a copy of Katie & Devin's wedding photo album, Tim Horton's coffee, western wear Christmas ornaments, Bernard Callebaut's chocolate covered pretzels..... and a Pook Toque!

Eight different kinds of cervezas were tried & tested including these....we have determined that buying it by the litre is the way to go!

Nine churches and cathedrals visited...

Ten shopping trips - to various directions in the city including the Recoleta Hippy Market- just 300 metres from the apartment.

Twelve matches of Wizard (and even a couple of attempts of Mah Jong)

Sixteen naps enjoyed during the week (or was that sixty?)....

Eighteen Holes of Golf at the Pilar Golf Club

Which included playing the Par 6, 614 yd hole, on which we all did not impress!

Twenty Choripans sampled and 3 kilos of lomo (tenderloin) prepared on the parilla on New Year's Eve.

Thirty Seven rockets fired off the 18th floor balcony of Paul & Tracey's apartment. Our friend, Tom was pretty excited about the evening too!

Fifty peso rum & cokes at the Park Hyatt which were only matched by the 50 peso photograph of Jake & Devin with Tango dancers in La Boca - you can still see the burn on Jake's face when you remind him of it!

Seventy hugs including these....



And by the latest count, Eighty Four Empanadas were consumed (both carne & pollo). Being on vacation and being an efficient person, Jake just slid a chair up to the kitchen counter to enjoy some of them....

By far the best - the thousand laughs, stories and memories that the trip had for all of us! This was only to be exceeded by the Sixteen Hundred and Forty Seven photographs taken to record the adventure!

There were other life experiences including shopping at the Disco (the local grocery store) - notice the plethora of cervezas in the cart.

And the opportunity that Katie and Devin got to get their picture taken with the president of Argentina in front of the Casa Rosada....

There is a story with each photo - touring the Recoleta Cemetary, seeing the market in San Telmo, walking along Puerto Madero, cleansing ales at the Alvear Palace...

We were blessed that the trip worked out. The kids now know (for sure, for sure!) that we are safely enjoying our adventure here in Argentina, surrounded by great new friends, a new language, a strong company and that we are just a skype away.

Happy New Year everyone!

B.