Jude's Gardens....

We went to this nursery in the country to buy plants. It was a gardeners dream. A tall rose bush cost $4.50 US. A bouquet of 25 long stemmed roses runs about $8.50 US.

This is the tea garden outside the kitchen. Jude says the roses don't grow as well as they use to, but they look pretty good to me. The Mediterranean climate here is perfect for growing all sorts of plants.

Long view of the side garden.

Jude in the kitchen window.

A previous restaurant manager insisted that all the plants be ripped out to fit more tables in the garden. Jude refused such a stupid idea. Customers often gasp at the sight of the garden- it is truly breathtaking.

They just got torches to light up the garden at night.

Jude says you should never leave the house without a small pair of clippers in your purse. A true gardener should always have a pair handy. Besides being an artist and an excellent cook, Jude loves to garden. Here's a few shots of her impressive work. I feel more inspired now than ever to have my own little garden.

Over the Andes....

On the way to Retiro with all my bags!

Nay was sweet enough to accompany me to Retiro. We both despise the bus station in BA, so it was a treat to have her there. My friend Jessica also made a surprise appearance to wish me farewell- very dear of her to come all that way.

Chilean side of the Andes.


Leaving BA was bittersweet. I was excited to get out of the city, start a new adventure in Chile and be with Rob and Jude, but also sad to leave behind so many wonderful friends and a place that finally felt like home. Parting ways with my dearest Nay really marked the end of an era for us. We've spent the past 9 months side by side and have been through so much together, couldn't have asked for a better companion. Made it safely across the Andes, for the second time- twenty four hour bus rides seem like the norm these days.

Final Adios!

"La Esquina Favorita." I painted this for Nay as part of her birthday present. Both of us have spent long afternoons observing the incredible old time cafe that we were lucky enough to view from our favorable perch.

Mateo is from Chicago- he's doing a graduate degree in documentary film here and has been a really good friend- un buen chico!

"Que?" Julieta asked for un plato chico and she got a garden.

all the chicas.

Nay and her longtime crush, Facundo.


Last night in BA we went out to Miranda for Nay's birthday dinner. We chose Miranda mostly for the parilla de vegetales and bife de lomo and partly for all the good looking waiters that work there. Our closest girlfriends joined us and Julieta made sure to avisar Facundo about Nay's birthday- he was more than happy to get his picture taken with her.

Modern Technology.

One would think that in this age of modern technology no one would be working on their computer as seen above, however; that's not the case. Due to a chronic over-heating problem Nay discovered this ingenious solution of laying the thing on its side to help keep it runnin'. Que suerte Nay has her massage certification because this is a sure recipe for constant frustration and serious neck pain.

More Festejar-ing!

Il Ballo De Mattone: hair teasing station!

Great reggae band- Planta Baja

Best meal of my life at Osaka- Japanese/Peruvian fusion. Holy moly!

I don't even know exactly what was in those little spoons- curry and some combination of sea food, but I'd put down some serious cash to have one right now!

Rooftop view of Mikey and Robin's cumple + despedida.


Here's a smattering of photos from this eventful past week. On Wednesday we went to Il Ballo de Mattone- my favorite, little Italian restaurant that has quite the happening art scene. There was an exhibition, along with an incredible outdoor living room, hair teasing station, dj from Cuba and a few live bands. The event drew a great crowd and only intensified my fanaticism about the place. On Saturday, James O'Brien was in BA on business and we all got to catch up over an "afuera de este mundo" dinner and afterwards to San Telmo for Mikey and Robin's party.

Cumple + Despedida....

Painted this birthday poster for all the guests to sign. Julieta was the first up.


Party was a real success. We were at capacity!

My favorite Portena!

from left: Durban, Mikey, Robin, Sims & BJ

The faithful and loyal amigo- Juan!

The infamous Frenchman/life of the party- Mathieu, Nay and Juli

HB and Becca.

In my opinion, there's no good fiesta without dancing and Julieta is just about one of the best dance partners you'll come across.

Mikey and Robin- who are pretty much the boy version of Nay and I.

Nay met Don and Marie because she gave them a massage- they are from Washington, DC and just moved down here. Super buena onda!

Nay and I have thrown three parties since arriving to BA. The first was fun, but I wouldn't call it successful- it was sparse, the second better and this one BAM. It was wonderful to gather all our friends in one place and celebrate Nay's birthday and my farewell with one super fiesta. It was truly an international affair and a most memorable night!

La Feria de Matadores

Traditional Argentine folk music.

Popcorn!

A nice display of bull horn knives and a hoof mate.

Spent far too much time at this stand trying to choose which knife I wanted. One with a bull horn handle, ostrich talon handle, etc.

I think only in Argentina you'd find a calendar hanging that illustrates all the cuts of meat.

This guy's no stranger to the barbecue.


On Sunday Nay and I went to the Feria de Matadores which is an authentic celebration of Argentine country life, folk music and gaucho traditions. It's held every weekend in the western BA suburb of Matadores. There's a hearty cuisine of empanadas, locro (a stew from Northwest Argentine,) and choripanes (sausage sandwiches.) Folk music emanates from an outdoor stage and couples take to the street to dance the chacarera and chamame. I decided this would be a perfect place to buy a knife to take with me on my upcoming trip down to Patagonia. It's pretty cool- it has a bull horn handle and a bolster with a clip. I figure everyone should have a good knife and you definitely shouldn't go into the wilderness unprepared. A great way to spend "Feliz Primavera"- the first day of spring!