Tango Show, WHOA!

Thursday night was our Farewell Dinner Party for Córdoba.  We had dinner at ‘El Arrabal’, featuring a brilliant Tango Dance show by beautiful dancers!!  

I’ll let this video speak for itself.  Es muy caliente!

And, some party pics!

Sarah and I.

Our lovely leaders, Travis &  Samantha, aka Tramantha

Patrick...it's great to see this guy finally loosen up.

"They're matching!"

Some of our group who took tango lessons while in town.

Mike & Jess, who I would say earned Best Dressed!

Lisa & Abe!

Kelly & Tom!

And, the birthday girl, Samantha!

Duolingo App: 30 Day Review

I have an 11 day streak on Duolingo and am now (supposedly) ~4% fluent in Spanish. (I should have a 33 day streak but they got me on a technicality: past midnight. Days here end at 3am!)  

I highly recommend this aplicación to anyone who wants to learn Spanish or another language.  But, we need to talk about some improvements.

1. Stop reinforcing words that are practically, if not identical to English words.  Eg. Refrigerador, Actor, Televisión, Teléfono.  Once is enough.  Trust me, I got these.  

2. Stop teaching me ridiculous phrases that I’ll never use.  Mi caballo bebe leche.  No, my horse does not drink milk.  How many people even own a horse?  Tu quieres un león.  Nooo, I’d venture to say you do NOT want a lion.  How about: “El león quiere comer usted”?

3. I’ve got a great handle on the word ‘manzana’.  I was pretty set on it in Lesson 1.  Stop forcing apples down my throat.  Also, escribo, carta, bebe, come.  Got ‘em.

4. More funny phrases, Easter eggs and humor!  Segun mi primo, el vestido es azul y negro.  (According to my cousin, the dress is blue and black) When I read this, I burst out laughing.  MORE OF THIS.  

5. The Adjectives section (Adject. 1) needed to come WAY sooner.  It is 16 sections in and took me ~30 days to get to.  But, you taught me how to say crab in Section 5.  I really need to know how to describe things as tall, short, first, last, etc.  I haven’t seen ‘cangrejo’ on any menu yet.  Also, in Section 3: Basics 2, you hammer home diario (newspaper) and cartas (letters).  Newspapers and letters are practically extinct.  I’m ~30 days in and i have yet to see email, computer, or cell phone.  Time for an update, people.

Duolingo es una buena aplicacion!  Pero, siempre hay margen de mejora.

Loungin' at Late

Córdoba is known for nightlife.  Countless cool clubs, restaurants, lounges, etc.  Tonight was my first night at “Late”.  #lovedit  

Late is a pretty big place, but the outdoor back patio is where it’s at.  So many places in Córdoba have phenomenal decor.  It’s effortless.  Yet, exceptional.  And I am so inspired by Argentinean musical taste.  Destroyer: Chinatown?  Brilliant.

Derryl, Danielle, Miranda, Brecht, Patrick, Anhton, Tom, Casey and I had a ton of hearty laughs, ate delicious dishes, played impromptu & inappropriate Pictionary, and stormed the stage and jammed to Michael Jackson.  We were undoubtedly the loudest table at the place. But I think they loved us.  (Nope)

When we were dancing, one guy usurped the DJ table when the DJ left for a minute and turned the music down.  “This is not America, here we throw oranges at this.”  Hmmm...I think he meant throw tomatoes, but I’m still not even sure if he didn’t like the song, or he didn’t like us dancing on stage?

Sorry, but you can’t put MJ on and expect us to NOT DANCE.  You can take the Americans out of America, but you can’t take America out of the Americans. 

Not to mention, we had an Aussie with us.  And a guy from Brussels.  Show some love for Brussels, amigo!

Salt & Vineg--errr, Asado Flavor?

If you know me well, you know that I can take down a big bag of Lay’s Salt & Vinegar Chips in one night. (Right, Dad?  Not proud.)  

When I entered my first supermercado (grocery store) in Córdoba, I noticed a familiar color set.  Classic Lay’s amarillo, Sour Cream & Onion verde, and of course, that powder blue color that makes my mouth water:  Salt & Vinegar azul!  

After looking closer, I noticed something unfamiliar.  No jar of red vinegar or ramekin of salt.  

Instead, a seared steak on a wooden cutting board.  Sabor, Asado.  (~“Flavor, Roast”)

My mouth stopped watering.  Pavlov effect over.  Soul crushed.  

But I figure, maybe this Asado flavor is just as bueno as Salt & Vinegar?  If they’re willing to give it the powder blue color, it must be mouth watering, si?  So, I forked over the 40 pesos and headed home for a taste test.

An Asado in Argentina is a big deal.  It’s pretty much a BBQ...a big get together with tons of grilled meat.  But, the Asado flavor is not like BBQ flavor chips.  The best way to describe the taste is: if you were to grill a steak, trap the juices in a cup, and then pour those juices over classic Lay’s chips.  Steak juice chips!  

I was weirded out at first, and then warmed up to them.  I may not finish an Asado Lay’s bag in one night, but I wouldn't NOT want to eat them in bed while reading.  (Like I'm doing in the pic above)

Don’t judge.  

Junction: International Fusion Event

Our first monthly, big networking event!  Remote Year invites ~50 local business people to join us for a schmoozing night.  First, a cocktail mixer; second, a series of ‘lightning presentations’ (3 min career related speeches by various remotes and locals); and lastly, a sit down dinner.  

Last Thursday was our first Junction and I was asked to be a lightning presenter.  They put me last, which was an honor.  Most of the presenters talked about their specific businesses, but my topic was more motivational: “Find Your Career Zen”.  Master Nomi would be proud!  

Side note: it was ~40 degrees C, aka ~105 degrees F in this small room and everyone was drenched in sweat.  I felt like I played 2-on-2 before speaking.  Below, I'm attempting to strip my soaked shirt off my stomach. 

This was an awesome event!  At my table was one of the other presenters, Marcelo from a local studio MindSmack.  It turns out, Marcelo and I have practically identical resumes!  We hit it off big time, and I know we will keep in touch and maybe even work together in the future.

Loreda, Me, Samantha, Marcelo

Score one for Remote Year!  These Junctions are incredibly valuable networking opportunities.  It's a global market and you can learn a lot from your international counterparts.  #networking

Some pics of the event locale: Paradojas, in the Barrio Guelmes area of Córdoba.

And a rare #selfindulgent #selfie.

Soothing Sounds of Power Saws

It’s fascinating to experience the cultural differences in foreign countries.  

In Cordoba, restaurants don’t open for dinner until ~8:30pm and waiters & waitresses are incredibly lax about bringing the check, or even checking on you.  SO different from the US, where the main goal is to churn you out.

One difference I’ll never get used to is night construction...directly across the street.  The sound of an intermittent power saw from ~midnight to ~5am is not the type of white noise I need to Zzzz.  

I don’t mind the drunken revelers that oft pass by my place, singing and slurring.  Reminds me of the good ole days!  But, that power saw.  

Funny thing, is that NO ONE EVER YELLS at them.  If this were New York City, the string of obscenities would be entertaining enough to make me take out my ear plugs.  But, people just seem to accept it here.

I guess the show must go on.  Maybe these guys are working under a tight deadline.  (Doubt it)  Or maybe they just like working at night.  (Maybe?)  Or, they just want to get the job done as quick as possible?  (Hmmm)

If only the waiters and waitresses had that same drive.  :]

You just have to accept that things here are different!  Embrace the soothing sounds of power saws at 4am.  Plan for 2 hour meals.  And ask for the check a half hour before you want to go.

Celeb Sighting in Córdoba!

I left LA a little over 3 weeks ago, and didn’t expect to spot a celeb for another 49.  This past Saturday, I went on a wild goose chase down to Plaza San Martin to find a “convertidor de voltaje”.  2+ hours, 6+ miles, 8+ clumsy Spanish convos and no voltage converter.  

BUT, I spotted a huge crowd of ravenous fans, all amped up to get autographs...  

…of...

Ronald McDonald!

This guy is a legend here.  No joke.  They LOVE McDonalds!  “Que rico!”  

Can’t say I blame them.  I love Chicken McNuggets and Fries.  I just don’t like the way it sits in my stomach a half hour later, or the way it makes my car smell when I get into it the next morning.  

But, I don't drive a car anymore.  

And, now I’m totally craving McDonalds!  Who's with me?

Cousteau Clean Up Crew!

Today was the first community service event for Remote Year 3!  

Shortly after we arrived in Argentina, we assembled a positive impact committee to organize events in each city.  Travis and Arestia masterfully spearheaded a Park Clean Up Day, which was a huge success.  Parque Sarmiento is the largest public park in Córdoba, and my favorite running location.  It gets a lot of use by the locals every day, and there are many events there on the weekends.

We were divided into teams of 4.  Heather, Johnson, Kelly and myself tied for 1st place with 8 total bags!  I spent a good amount of time combing the shore of the lake, which was so gross.  I won’t even get into the stuff I came across, but let’s just say, it needed to be done.

Together, we picked up 61 large trash bags full of nasty junk!  We made a big difference.  I hope future Remote Year groups will carry on this tradition and keep Parque Sarmiento clean!

Photo Credit: Gonzalo Martinez

Popty Ping!

Did you know that the Welsh word for microwave is ‘popty ping’?  Es perfecto!

But, what does that have to do with my travels?  

Dos cosas (2 things):  

1: My fellow Remote Elizabeth Garrison, aka Translator Liz, aka @translator.liz, was the one who told me about popty ping.  She lives in Manchester England and speaks several languages.  Translator Liz is awesome and wields a wealth of weird words!

2: I came home the other night, turned on my bedroom light and ‘POPTY PING’!  The light bulb exploded.  Said light was hanging directly over my bed.  Shards of glass sprinkled down on my sheets and floor.  

Buenos tiempos!  

I started picking out shards from my sheets one at a time, largest first.  I could still sleep in the sheets after I swept through, just had to spot the sparklies.  

Hmmm.  Way too many sparklies.  Sleeping would surely result in blood shed.  Plan aborted.  Sheets rolled up.

Thankfully, I had spare sheets in my closet.  Popty ping problem solved!  THANK YOU, Remote Year!!!  

Check out this awesome Popty-Ping video!

And, another video about weird Welsh words: 

The Amazing Race - Córdoba

Our first full Sunday in Cordoba featured a team scavenger hunt called The Amazing Race.  Almost everyone was hungover (not me) and exhausted (me) from the excursion to Villa Carlos Paz the day before, and dancing at el nightclub til 5am anoche (me).  I just wanted a full day off to relax, but #fomo is a real thing and #thestruggleisreal.  

I put on my big boy pants, cuz I’m 38.  My teammates: Patrick (LA), Jacek (Austria), Liz (England) & Kirsten (Canada).  We came in dead last, but we definitely had the most fun!  We got ice cream, rode ponies, played with a box of puppies, saw a children’s clown show, etc.  Btw, none of those things were on the list.

Here are some highlights:

Posing like a boy band in front of the Iglesia Catedral de Córdoba.

Sliding down the cement at the Córdoba Cultural Center!

Praying inside the Capuchin Church.

The Pony Posse; our last stop La Rueda de Eiffel; and me praying inside Capuchin Church.

Stumbled on to a bizarro children's clown show. More on this in a future post... 

Can't resist a box full of puppies!

The event was from 4-7pm.  We came in around 7:15.  When we got to the finish line at the park, we pretended to run in all exhausted-like.  I think they believed us...not really.  

But, the journey IS the destination.  

Enjoy the ride!  Stop and smell the roses.  And, stop and pet the puppies.

The group celebrating in Parque de las Tejas!

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

At the end of my first week in Córdoba, I was physically and mentally exhausted.  The newness had taken its toll and I just wanted a solo supper and a quiet night.  I had eaten empanadas for almost every meal, but noticed the restaurant next door had fajitas!  

First Friday and I’m feelin’ like good ole familiar fajitas!

Went into the restaurant, and ordered up the pollo (chicken) fajitas.  The waitress looked confused, but I pointed to the menu.  No problem, right?

Problem.

The hostess comes over and attempts to explain that the fajitas are for 2 people.  I’m thinking, “No big deal, I’ll have leftovers.”  But, I can’t quite put it into words.  It’s my first Friday, my brain is fried, and oh yeah---I don't speak Spanish.

She points to the “Quesadilla Soho”.  Ok, I can’t read most of these words, but I see camarones --- shrimp.  Pressure mounting.  “Si, bueno.”  I’ll have the shrimp quesadilla.  Hrmph.  

My quesadilla comes out.  It’s shrimp, mussels (mejillones), peppers, onions, and mozzarella in a soggy tortilla with enough mussel broth to make Gordon Ramsey’s head explode.  Good ole familiar shrimp & mussels quesadilla, just like Mom used to make.  At least there was guacamole.  Guac makes everything better.  

Sometimes, you can’t always get what you want.  But, you gotta try sometimes.  

And, you gotta learn Spanish.

Paseo De Las Artes

Every Saturday and Sunday in Nueva Córdoba, they have an art walk.  And, lucky for me, Paseo De Las Artes is only 2 blocks from my place.  

This seems somewhat similar to the Venice Beach Boardwalk, sans the sound of the ocean and the smell of marijuana.  Strolling the street fair is a sweet way to spend a Saturday or Sunday.  

I even bought a couple souvenirs.  15 pesos ($1 USD) for a finger puppet?  

Deal.

"Mate", aka "Yerba Mate" is the drink of the Argentineans.  It is a daily, social ritual, sharing mate with friends is like having a cup of coffee in the States, or an afternoon tea in England.  Mate is drank out of a specific type of gourd, and drunk through a metallic straw.  This guy had some of the best setups Ive seen!

Mihai, fellow Remote from Romania, working a puppet!

Move over Jim Henson!

This guy belongs in Venice Beach!

Very cool style!

Some Remote Year friends, Mihai, Jonathan, Adam, Samantha, and Eric.

El Papagayo - 7 Courses of Scrumptious!

Last Thursday, we went to one of the finest restaurants in town: El Papagayo (The Parrot).  We all chose the 7 course menu, which took about 3.5 hours to roll out.  Gordon Ramsey would be proud of these stunning dishes!  But, I know he would have called an immediate meeting to ream the staff out for the Pork Neck being under seasoned.  Here’s the lineup:

1. Snacks (The amuse bouche was to die for!  I think it was a tuna nicoise with noodles, and some sort of a creamed egg with chives)
2. Beef Carpaccio, Grilled Squid, oyster sauce and pickles
3. Roasted pumpkin, chevre, burnt milk salad with egg yolk and amaretti meringue (Delicioso!)
4. Grilled prawns with romesco and spanish chorizo (My favorite dish!  Seasoned perfectly!)
5. Pork neck, sweet potato, beets and vanilla
6. Mazamorra with peaches (Almost like a sweet creamed corn)
7. Seasonal fruits, white chocolate crumble and verbana ice cream

They put us in this enclosed room overlooking the restaurant, most likely because they knew we would be the obnoxiously loud foreigners, which we definitely lived up to.  

An incredible evening with a diverse group hailing from Luxembourg, England, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Pittsburgh, New York City, Denver and Los Angeles.  All in all, this fine dining experience came out to 580 pesos + tip, which equates to roughly $42 USD.  Well worth it!