Don Ron-Tom and Duende sippin' Mate, Cordoba

Don Ron-Tom and Duende sippin' Mate, Cordoba
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Now we're in Cordoba where everyone looks like red-faced duendes. Cordoba is located in the middle of Argentina, at the foot of the sierra foothills and is much hotter and sunnier than BsAs. Don bought some new sunglasses and then it started to rain.

Cordoba was the cultural and religious center of the americas for many years. On this first day of spring, we saw young lovers sucking-face on every one of the benches in front of the 21 churches in the downtown area. We promise to post photos of every one of the churches in Cordoba unless we hear otherwise in the comments section. Really, that's not a threat . . . if you enjoy pictures of churches.

Didn't your mother tell you never to . . .

Didn't your mother tell you never to . . .
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Here's the perspective from above the falls looking down on another group taking the rapids. These falls make Niagra look like a honeymoon vacation destination. Oh, wait. They already are already. Seriously, this ride would never happen in the USA. It was terrifying and hella fun too.

A quote from the captain at the end of the ride, "hay agua blanca afuera la lancha y agua amarilla adentro la lancha." There is whitewater outside the boat and yellow water inside the boat. Ah, ah, ah!!!

The calm before the thrashing

The calm before the thrashing
Originally uploaded by maujb.

sooooo, we took a little boat ride up the Rio Iguazu toward the falls to get a different perspective. The captain was a cowboy and he took the boat directly into and under the falls to ride some rapids and take on water. Technically, these were class XIV rapids because of the sheering force of the w-w-w-water and the possibility of it sheering off your head as you passed through . . . 3 times.

Don-n-Mau, Iguazu Falls

Don-n-Mau, Iguazu Falls
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Same great view of the the great falls only this time with us blocking that great view. Feel the rumble, baby!

Garganta del Diablo

Garganta del Diablo
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the largest waterfall in the world. It probably doesn't look all that special on your computer screen but you had to be there. The rumble is deafening and the amount of water tumbling is incredible. It rained in Brazil the entire week before we arrived so the river Iguazu was at peak levels and parts of the park were closed because of flooding. Serious flow, baby!

Don Ron-Tom at Las Misiones

Don Ron-Tom at Las Misiones
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Yes, this is the mission imortalized in the 1985 award-winning film "The Mission", starring Bobbie DeNiro. At it's peak in 1733, founded by the Jesuits, had an indigious population of 4500 before they were sold-out by the Church and slaughtered by the portuguese. The ruins are as dramatic and tragic as its history.

Tres Fronteras: Arg, Par, Brazil

Tres Fronteras: Arg, Par, Brazil
Originally uploaded by maujb.

We left BsAs with tears in our eyes for the very north of the country, Misiones Province, a small strip of Argentina that sits between Paraguay and Brazil. The borders are demarcated by the Rio Parana and the Rio Iguazu, the later is the river that forms the largest waterfalls in the world, Las Cataratas de Iguazu. You can see Paraguay to the left and Brazil to the right and Don stands in Argentina.

Las Tres Fronteras is a very cosmopolitan area for being so isolated. Some people prefer to live in Brazil, work and eat in Argentina, and shop in Paraguay.

The wild cats of Buenos Aires

The wild cats of Buenos Aires
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Here´s our warm and fuzzy entry. In the parques of Palermo there are well-fed "wild" cats roaming freely charming the tourists and porteños alike. Cuuuuuuute!!! meeeeooooow

To all our friends and family in the gulf states, you´re in our hearts and prayers and this cuddly kitty pic is dedicated to you!

Gotta give a big birthday shout-out to Gen and Colleen. Happy September Birthdays!!!

We are loving the comments you all have for us so please don´t forget to leave your name somewhere in the comment and if you want to see extra photos just click on any photo on the blog to take you to our extended photo album.

Tango Dancin' with Evita

Tango Dancin' with Evita
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Eva Peron and Don Ron-Tom in the Parque Evita. Are you tired of Evita yet?

So some of you have asked what our itinerary is so we`re happy to give you the latest up to date info.

15 Sept - 15 Oct, 2005: Northern Argentina

15 Oct - 15 Nov, 2005: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego

16 Nov - 30 Nov, 2005: Portugal, Spain w/ Lisa(!)

1 Dec - 28 Dec, 2005: Morocco w/ Brigid(?); Happy New Year in Lisbon, Portugal.

4 Jan - 2 Feb, 2006: Mumbai, Kerala, Goa (India)

2 Feb - 2 Mar, 2006: Delhi, Dharmsala (India)

2 Mar - 2 May, 2006 Thailand w/ Shelley

4 May, 2006 Home Sweet Home, Portland, Oregon

22 July, 2006 Buffalo, NY hmmmmmm?

Tango en La Boca

Tango en La Boca
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Mmmmm, hmmmmm.
Nothing sexier than tango in the afternoon. And getting a little "tango" in the "boca" is even nicer.
He, he, he.

Here's some fun slang we have learned in BsAs:
Genial -- cool
Barbaro -- that's also cool
Che Boludo! -- literally "Hey, Big Balls!" but used as an informal, friendly greeting. One shouldn't take slang literally, after all.

Mau en La Boca

Mau en La Boca
Originally uploaded by maujb.

La Boca is a colorful old port barrio at the mouth (boca) of the Rio Riachuelo built by Italian immigrants from Genoa, and the home of the Boca Juniors soccer team.

Yes, I'm riding a girls bike . . .

Yes, I'm riding a girls bike . . .
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Here's Don Ron Tom riding a girls bike through the Parque Natural, an estuary on the Rio de la Plata and the southeast edge of BsAs. It also borders Puerto Madero, a bustling port in the 19th and early 20 centuries, now a fancy-shmancy latte sipping, arte gallery browsing, up-scale restaurant kinda barrio.

Don acquired his new nickname after months of confusion in Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. In Latin America, Don usually proceeds another name, as in "don Corleone", sometime Don was confused with Tom or Ron and people asked if there wasn't more to the name.
Don. Ron? No, Don. Don Tom? No, Don. Ron Tom? Hmmmmm, Don.
Don Ron Tom? Si . . . soy yo, Don Ron Tom. Perfecto.
And so it evolved. And you can hear the Solo Empanadas delivery boys calling out to "Don-Ron-Tom" from the street corner near our apartment. Really. En serio.

Sunset in DC? nope, BsAs

Sunset in DC? nope, BsAs
Originally uploaded by maujb.

The Obelisc of BsAs is smack in the middle of THE widest avenue in the world - Ave 9 de Julio. Don threw a beer bottle and it took 14 minutes to hit a taxi only halfway across the avenue! It's pretty wide.

Buenos Aires has a population of 13 million people and a lot of taxis.

Don't cry for me, I'm in Argentina

Don't cry for me, I'm in Argentina
Originally uploaded by maujb.

This is Mau in front of the Casa Rosada, the pink presidential palace where Eva Peron energized adoring crowds from the famous balcony (over Mau's left shoulder) during her heyday in the 1940s.

In front of the palace is the Plaza de Mayo, the site of weekly protests of Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo. The mothers keep vigil for their children who "disappeared" during the Dirty War 1976-83.

Spring has sprung

The seasons are changing in Buenos Aires. The thunderstorms, chilly nights, and perenial foggy days have just this week given way to warm sunny days and cool nights. The parks are now filled to capacity with Porteños sipping Mate, a tea-like herbal drink that is somewhat of an obsession here, toddlers running after mini-soccer balls, and LOTS of pregnant women. On the weekend, people of all ages walk the boardwalk along the Rio de la Plata, chatting, dancing, eating asado sandwiches and panchos (hotdogs) from sidewalk BBQ stands, taking in the return of outdoor life (and sipping much Mate).

Mau has found an outstanding Spanish tutor and is studying hard while Don reads his illustrated biography of Stephen Hawking (both the spanish and the physics are written at the 6th grade level so it's j-u-u-u-s-s-s-t right). We are enjoying living in a neighborhood, having an apartment, and taking a break from being tourists. BsAs is a sophisticated city and along with taking in the steaks and vino, we have enjoyed the very sexy and violent tango-ballet entitled "Tanguero", and we will see BsAs native musician Juana Molina on friday. She played at Bumbershoot in Seattle last week (Neal, Skinney -- did you see her play?). And the next 2 weeks hosts the International Mixed-Arts Festival which promises some cool street theatre, installations, and other performances from around the globe (including Laurie Anderson's latest.