Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 3

LA CENTINELA

The best part of our trip was the freedom to be outside. Here in Buenos Aires, there are high security concerns. We live in gated homes, with bars on the windows. You don't realize just how on-guard you are all of the time until you get out of the city. The kids loved the rock formations that were plentiful in Tandil (you will see more rocks in a later post). The balance of this rock was a sight to be seen. The kids were really amazed. Steve tried to pursuade them to push it over the edge before they realized that this was an impossible task. Abe was really concerned that we would ruin it and didn't want anyone to touch it.

The photo doesn't do it much justice, but notice Abe on the bottom right.

Nothing like a little graffiti...

I just love this one:

and this one:

... and no family vacation is complete without a little muscle. :)

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 2

EPOCA DE QUESO

In a country lacking in variety, this was impressive. This quaint store and cafe was opened in 1920, but the business has been operating since 1860. It was like stepping back in time and we could have spent the entire afternoon sipping hot chocolate and sampling cheese and salami by the fire. The menu was as old as the cafe and contained a business license from 1947.












And we had to include Sophia and this dog who lived out on the patio. She was cracking up at this harmless puppy. He would jump at her in play and she laughed over and over.

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 1

THE DRIVE

Last weekend, we enjoyed a GREAT weekend in the Southern Pampas and along the Argentine coast. We loved it so much that we literally took 388 photos. I promise, I will not include them all, but there will be quite a few.

We left Buenos Aires on Friday morning to head to Tandil. The drive started off a little slow due to the fog that has settled in and was obviously a regular occurence. We were pleased to see the National Police being proactive because those of you have traveled here to see us know that Argentines are very aggressive drivers.

By driving, you can see so much more of where you are headed. Who built this? And more interestingly, who is going to buy it? And what are they going to do with it?


We would have never seen this boy with is horse:

or this shanty home. Can you imagine being born and raised in an unpopulated area in this home? We are so blessed.

Once we made our way through the fog, it felt as though we were driving through one of the Western States. Cattle trucks and all.


and we wish that we would have seen a few less of these:

The kids loved their new iPods (Thanks Nina!) loaded with Laurie Berkner, Children's Primary Songs and InsideOut A Cappella and we loved our uninterrupted conversation, at least for a short time.


But all in all, the 4.5 hour drive was the perfect start to the weekend.

Futbol

HELP!

Our school has been officially closed until June 17th!  Our "sister" campus, about 4 miles away, has a confirmed case of the flu and so we were called to pick up our children 2 hours early from school today and limit their contact with classmates throughout this time.  The other campus houses another elementary, the high school (who could bring it home to younger siblings) and faculty that teach at both locations.  However, no one has had it at our building.  This is just a precautionary measure.

So what is a girl to do to keep two children, who are accustomed to daily classes, busy inside the house for the next two weeks?  Even if we had a great neighborhood to play in and no security concerns, winter is quickly approaching and it is chilly outside. 

It is time to get creative... bring on the workbooks and construction paper!  Uno, Sudoku, Candy Land, here we come.

Temaiken Zoo

The MAP Man

Squirrel Exhibit - They do not run the streets of Argentina

Which one was the REAL catch?

If you crawl through this tunnel, you pop out the other end like...

this little prairie dog.

Mom hearts D, A, P & S

Loving every minute of it...

Published

I was contacted about a year ago by Schmap DC Travel Guide asking permission to use this photo of the Department of Agriculture in their interactive map and travel guide.    I never thought much of it until I ran across the link of the publication while cleaning out my inbox today. 

Certainly, no big deal, but kinda fun.

More Flu Hysteria

They have closed 7 private school about 30 minutes from us due to a case of the H1N1 Flu, otherwise known as Swine Flu. A student picked it up on vacation to the US and has now transmitted it to 13 of their classmates. They have closed the school to decontaminate for 15 days. The American School has cancelled all after-school activities, as well as closed the park for after hours play. They are suggesting that there is a possibility that school may be closed and classes will be conducted by internet until school ends in 3 weeks. It has also been suggested by some that the government mandate that Winter Break (3 weeks in July) start now and all schools closed.

Now, I have just received an email from the mother of a classmate of Peyton, who has informed us that another local private school (my other choice for my children and just a few blocks away) has a reported case and has been closed. I need to verify the claim.  Update: It is true that the school closed, but it is not our local school.  It is their campus further out in the province, located near the other school closings.

Either Argentines are complete hypochondriacs or proactive. What do you think?

Interesting Read: Swine Flu Myths

Last Sunday

This:

and this:

and cuddling, made for the perfect Sunday afternoon home with one very sick little girl.

Unfortunately, a doctor's visit, antibiotics and 5 days have made little progress.

Our Purchases

I was a bit disappointed that only 5 people choose to comment because according to my map, more than 40 people have visited and read this post. However surprisingly, I did buy at least one suggestion from each of you.

...and the winner of my free CD is...

Robyn.

Here are a few of my new finds from the comments (and proof that I bought them):


PS Feel free to always leave a comment with songs you are "lovin'".

PPS Rob, you saved Steve.

Maybe I need this...

...to help my garden produce something actually edible.


If I buy it in the next 26 minutes, I can save $7.96 on Amazon.

After a few of my recent purchases, Steve wants to know if music is refundable. However, there is a smile on my face and the treadmill is anxiously awaiting my new playlist.

Results will be posted tomorrow.

Free Coldplay TODAY!

Thanks to Rob, I now have 9 new songs from Coldplay, free! This is legit.

CLICK HERE!

P.S. The end of this Live Version of Viva La Vida sounds wildly like a Boca game!

P.P.S. We have already purchased some of your selections, but we still need more! If a free CD isn't enticing enough, I am not afraid to up the ante.

P.P.P.S. Rob has been officially entered...

Music Giveaway

Okay, so there is no better way to get you to comment and offer suggestions than a little incentive. :)

We are bored of our current collection of music. It needs a few newbies. We have already browsed iTunes Top 100 and our personalized Genius. We purchased a few, but need your help.

To enter, include the following:
1) Current Favorite Song
2) Favorite Artist (does not need to correspond with your fav song)

If we like it enough to buy it, we will enter you in a random drawing for a CD of our favorites!

ENTRY MUST BE POSTED BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY, MAY 17.

Love Story meets Viva La Vida

My sister Holley just posted this and it is AWESOME!



You can find out more here.

Swine Flu

This morning, I went to the airport to pick up my Aunt Nan who flew in from Colorado. This is what it looked like at the airport:


All official airport employees including parking attendants, rental car salesmen, information desk clerk, passengers, Argentines, young adults, babies and elderly. There were masks everywhere. As proceeded to walk in carrying Sophia in my arms and I recevied many judgemental looks. I finally realized that they thought that I should have left her at home.

I was grateful that their germs were contained in their own masks... Mine were free to roam.

And She's Climbing...

It is 1:22am. Peyton isn't feeling well and was awake with me for the last couple of hours. Then, right about the time I was putting Peyton down, Sophia heard the commotion and woke up to eat. (Don't worry, I don't normally play with her during middle of the night feedings.) I sat her down on the floor next to her Leapfrog table (which we have taken two legs off so that she can sit in front of it) to play for a couple of minutes before we were ready to head to bed. I turned around and found this...

When did this happen? She has been "caterpillar" crawling for weeks, but yesterday figured out how to cruise around the "traditional" way. Now tonight, this?

Life passes too quickly. My newborn, is a full fledge baby now. Before I know it, she too will be in Kindergatern. Every stage is better than the last, but I will miss the time when I could lay her on the middle of my king-size bed and know she would be there when I came back.

And P.S. She is 7 months old today.