Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 5

Our dress rehearsal is tonight and maybe I need to blog a few photos to help me get out the nervous energy!

SUNSET and LA CABANA

We were only in Tandil 2 days, but based on the amount of things that we did, it felt like so much longer. We rented a great cabana right outside the main city. All of the cabanas are located in the same little area (what an Argentine surprise). Before we headed back for the evening, we stopped by the castle on the hill and the the grocery store. I grabbed 13 pesos ($3.50) of steak, chorizos for the kids and fresh bread. I managed to bring so much stuff with us (seriously way too much) for the ride, that we didn't need all of the extras. On our way up to the castle, we obviously had to drive through this entrance a few times. Peyton fell asleep, so she stayed in the car while Abe and I battled on top and shot a few cannons at Dad waiting below. Honestly, it was a bit strange, but what 5 year old boy wouldn't love this?










These bedheads had a wonderful time! We all did. They made smores and had our undivded attention, Steve had to wake up really early to keep the fire going to keep us warm and I was grateful that even though we smelled like a campfire, we didn't really have to sleep outside. :)

With just a few day left until we leave for a our big vacation back to the States (the first time I will have been back in 20 months, not that anyone is counting or anything), I feel like there are so many more photos I want to share from our trip to Tandil. Instead, I have been sicker than sick for 5 days. I can't remember the last time that I felt quite so bad. Flu really has done a number on this family. Abe was the first, then me, Peyton and now Sophia.

I have a big performance this week. All I can do is pray for health.

I might just post a few photos for you before I leave... I mean, you know that you are chomping at the bit to see photos of me dancing/acting in front of hundreds of parents and Kindergartners in a Robot costume. You might even have a little more appreciation for the Jasmine one.

Happy Father's Day

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Father better than this one...


Steve, you are everything that a great father is.

WE LOVE YOU!

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 4

EL MONTE CALVARIO

Many Catholics flock to Mount Calvary during the Holy Week of Easter. They make a "pilgramage" through this monument and many have left messages tied to rags on the railing around the base of Christ hung on the cross. In an attempt to share our experiences and record this for our family journal, I am including each of the "Stations" and the journey that Christ made before his death. We talked about the crucifixion with the kids as we walked. Of course, they also played hide in seek in the rocks and Sophia finally took a short nap in the baby backpack.

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.