pros and cons of Cordoba Argentina

Today I received an email from a Filipina raised in Vancouver who has plans to go to Argentina! Hmmm maybe she’s Canadian by now. Anyway, I am glad she found this blog. I am surprised that from time to time people find their way to this blog: ) Thanks to all of  you for reading even if I don’t write that often: )

So here I am, still in Argentina after a one year and 4 months. Well that’s 3 months in San Juan and the rest here in Cordoba.  There are so many that I have observed and experienced in this country after more than a year. However, this is mostly based in Cordoba since I live here. I cannot speak for Buenos Aires as most people would probably want to know more.

So here is the list I made of the the things I like and I don’t: )

I LIKE

1) La Tradicional empanadas

This is the logo you have to look for!!!

I have tried and eaten so many empanadas here in Cordoba, the best ones are from this place. Actually this is the best empanada I have ever had so far, so so much better than the ones in San Juan and a few that I tried in Buenos Aires.

all empanada arabes is triangular shaped: )

This is the best empanada Arabes ever!!!! The ground meat is cooked in lots and lots of lemon juice. Try the Pollo con salsa blanca too. This is chicken in a white curry base sauce.

Their address are the following:

Boulevard San Juan 466 , telephone numbers 428- 2433 and 421-4747

Estrada 131, telephone numbers 460-0174 and 460-8967

2. The weather – Maybe a lot of people doesn’t like the weather here because its humid and it rains occasionally. For someone who comes from the Philippines and in a place which is a lot more humid than this, the humidity here is mediocre actually: )lol And rain? Are you serious? If you have been to Manila , when it rains it really pours A LOT!!!!! I like the fact that winters and autumn here aren’t so cold either. I find it very pleasant. Although summer can be really hot, but not hot as hell like San Juan. So , yes I am happy with the weather.

tango shoes!!! OHH YEAHHH!!!

3. Shoes- No I do not have a thousand shoes like Imelda and I don’t buy every month. I usually buy when I really need it only. I know it sounds so boring but that’s because I do not have a job here, if I did , I think I will be tempted for sure!!! Anyway having seen Italian, Spanish  and designer shoes in Europe , I can truly say that women shoe business here is serious. The quality and designs are really nice: ) I just love window shopping for shoes here. The boots this season are just so yummy!!!!

4. Meat- I must say the meat is really good. The quality is just excellent, and when you order meat in a restaurant, trust me it will make your tummy really happy because the portion is really big. I must admit though that I am not crazy about the asado or steak crazy , after having so many it makes me sick. It’s nice once in a while , but certainly not several portions in a week. At this point if you hand me a plate of asado and a box of KFC fried chicken. I choose KFC , damn I miss super super fatty fat fat KFC !!!! They don’t have that here. Actually. super fried food are not so big here.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

1. Airlines and buses are expensive- While the rest of the world are going crazy over Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific , Argentina has remained grounded and didn’t allow the cheap airfares craze to take over. Although the Argentinians think LAN is offering them a good deal , it is really nothing compared to what is happening on the travel culture on the other side.

this is usually how it looks inside. Nice huh!!!

I find that sad because I love to travel a lot and I cannot do that here. Their long distance buses are really nice though and very comfortable. However I do not quite understand why would someone travel in a bus for 8 hours or so when you can do it on a plane for just two hours. The buses are the cheapest way to travel here though but its still expensive compared to the airlines I mentioned earlier.

2.High cost of commodity versus the salary- Many would say that its cheap here, perhaps you are saying that because you work in Europe or the United States , but try working here and having an average salary you will certainly change your view!!! I don’t think things here are cheap at all. For instance, clothes are so ridiculously expensive!!! I did live in London and I was just earning a minimum wage, actually I was only an intern and yet I can afford to go shopping and go to a restaurant once in a while. People go shopping here too, but that’s probably where all their money is going!!!Food is alright but still not cheap. I still find it relatively pricey.

3. No Chinese dimsum in Cordoba- For someone who is Asian, a decent Chinese restaurant really makes me happy. However in a big city like this I just can’t believe why there is no decent Chinese food. Their menu consists of three main things Chop Suey, Chow Mien and Chow Fan plus some occasional spring rolls and empanadas maybe. WOW!! You can put this menu in half the size of a bond paper!!!! In other countries its several pages of food to choose from!!

4. They eat really late lunch and specially dinner- When I first came here I didn’t know that they prepare things late and eat lunch and dinner so late!!! Maybe I had some experience in London but not as bad as here, Imagine eating dinner at 10 :30 or 11:00 pm, there is absolutely no justice for my tummy!!! I ended up having heart burns all the time for the first few weeks.Eventually I learned to eat beforehand when I know we are having dinner out with some friends and family.  I wish they would learn that it is actually healthier to have dinner early , because you do not sleep with a stomach so full.

So I guess this are the key points of the pros and cons for me. However bear in mind that each person has his and her own opinion: ) Have fun in Argentina!!!!

When the stars are gone

What will you do when you no longer see the stars? This is probably one of the saddest thing that can happen to a person.

This entry is very close to my heart, although I know I never intended this blog to be something very personal. However I do not want to forget what I went through, besides writing is always a good therapy.

When I was 12, I went on a trip with my parents and my sister to Europe. Although the memories of that trip is like a dream now , I can still remember walking at night perfectly!!! Seeing stars and walking in that dark cobblestone alley in Sienna. These days I can no longer see stars.

That trip was quite memorable indeed, because I was that girl who was innocent of the world, and completely clueless of the future that was unfolding for me. A future that will not allow me to see stars, moon, mountains,  the sea and maybe even flowers, eventually.

This is such a sad reality. Many people may have thought that I just can’t see when its dark , but its more than that of course. I found out when I was 18 , a very very life changing news for any college student. I swore to myself that I will do the things that I want to accomplish. More importantly those were things that requires vision. I had a goal then, and I prayed and work really hard to reach them.

So I did reach some of those dreams, it was even crazy how I humbled myself just to go and see the world out there. All I know then was that , i can’t just get stuck. I do not have the luxury of time to just sit there. But now here I am sitting. Time flew and sometimes you forget who you are and your goals then. However , I may have made a wrong goal perhaps, I don’t know. Right now it’s just confusing. Last Friday I had a check up and I am not doing well. I am certainly not anxious of what’s going to happen in the future. I just wish it will never happen. I know I must prepare for the worst and the idea of that scares me.

Being here is also another thing. I miss home . my family and friends. I am really thankful for having such a wonderful husband, family and friends. Hmmmm ,I sound like a very sick woman,but I am in a way so I guess I am allowed to be like this. I just hope it doesn’t consume me though.

Peace through music

Unite the world as one

Twin Eagle Drum Group , New Mexico

Sinamuva, Umlazi South Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I23Bkk92124&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&feature=channel

Sechen Monk

The songs on this album is indeed very inspiring!! I swear I cannot stop listening to it. I think it is amazing how they came all together and blended in one beautiful song. It is a fact that music is a tool that unites people , no matter where you come from and whatever language you speak. I personally love a lot of songs that I don’t even understand, because there are things that does not need to be understood, you just have to feel it. When you feel it, no matter what language, then you will begin to understand: ) This is the power of music , it really transcends people to a higher plane.

Grandpa Elliott, New Orleans Louisiana

The Inspiration

Playing for Change is a movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race.

from: http://playingforchange.com/

Oneness Choir, Varadayapalem India

Sur Sudha, Nepal

Pokei Klaas, Guguletu South Africa

Hanoi and Luang Prabang textiles

Vietnam embroidery and Laos quilts

Silk for sale in Hanoi. Such an eye candy!!!!

I think it is a fact that most women really love shopping. They can walk around for hours looking for the perfect shoes and dress. While most of them can’t go home without bringing anything, others have enough self control not to buy. Although I admit I love shoes, clothes and jewelries, I do have that self control. Thanks to my mother!!! However this is something that I learned over the years : )

linen by Tan My. This dragonfly design is exactly like mine!!!

My mother doesn’t like shopping that much. She gets really tired going around the mall, but there is something she can’t resist. She adores beautiful glass vases!! That is just one of it though, but one of the things that I have acquired from her is to appreciate embroidery. As much as my mother can’t resist vases, I feel the same way for embroidery or great fabrics!!! This is something I would buy on the spot if I really love it.

Back in 2006, I was on a trip around Asia and although I always love Thailand for the wonderful selection of jewelry, how can I not love Hanoi, Vietnam as well as Luang Prabang Laos for the fabrics!!!! Hanoi is really famous for their silks and embroidery. I just fell in love with the exquisite handmade embroidery, that I bought a set of bed linen. If I am not mistaken I must have bought mine from Tan My (66 Hang Gai), but don’t worry, just walk around the streets of Hanoi, and you will surely find another store. Just pick a good one as not all of them are great. I should know, I spent hours just to find my favorite sheets!!!

Motorbikes in Hanoi are a nightmare!!!!

The trading for Vietnamese embroidery has existed for more than 700 years.  It was traditionally part of the culture and a popular activity for girls.  If you are not fun of embroidery, Vietnam has a lot to offer, such as really nice lacquer ware, silk, rice paper and lots of other stuffs. There is another thing that caught my eye there as well, the bags!!! If you are bag crazy, then you will love it in Hanoi. Make sure not to bring so many items with you when you go to Vietnam because that would mean a lot of excess baggage. Although I love the embroidery in Vietnam, I also hate the motorbikes. They drive me absolutely crazy!!! I wouldn’t know how to cross the street in that country.

This is my favorite photo. I just adore flowers

Night market in Luang Prabang.I love those lanterns: )

After my Hanoi experience, I also went to Luang Prabang, Laos. I believe this is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. The most wonderful and warm people ever indeed, so simple and pure. I just find them so holy and peaceful. They are so faithful with their belief, and to me that’s very admirable. I have also never seen so many monks in my life! You will never fail to see someone wearing orange while walking. Be sure to rent a place near a temple so you get to see the monks very early in the morning when they all go out in the streets.

Laos quilts

The center of Luang Prabang is very small but it has plenty of French Colonial houses and lots of pretty restaurants and temples. In the evening they have a night market that sells all sorts of colorful wallets, bedroom slippers, pillow cases, shawls and lanterns. The quilts are my favorite!!! I just couldn’t resist the bed cover no matter how heavy it was!! The symbols and designs on these textiles are called, paj’ntaub (pronounced “Pan Dau”) which means “flowery cloth”.

I did not have a suitcase with wheels and all those kind of comfort, since we went back packing that time and all I had was a huge back pack. My spinal column suffered so much from all the bed linens and the jewelry. My friend even teased me that I was a grandma, because bought linens! I carried so much stuff on my way back to Philippines, but I was very happy: ) Not only was I happy of the wonderful things I bought, but also I was at peace to know such a wonderful place like Luang Prabang.

A monk on his way to the temple ( Luang Prabang )

Restaurant in Luang Prabang.I had breakfast here: )

Where to buy in Luang Prabang:

Sisavang Vong Road

Hmong market

Night Market

Grandmas at a park in Hanoi

Where to buy in Hanoi

Tan My (66 Hang Gai)

http://www.tanmyembroidery.com.vn/content/view/13/28/

Chi Vang (17 Trang Tien) Hanoi, Vietnam

Old Quarter

For more information:

All photos were taken by me except for the quilt and the embroidery.

http://www.hmong-handwork.org/index.html

Don't be afraid to dream

On June 22, 2007, I wrote this for my friends and I am posting it again, because this always inspires me whenever I read it. I read this from a book called “I hope you dance” by Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers.

This is for those who are doing everything for their dreams and to those who haven’t thought about it. For the parents, think of your children. Give them wings, and let them fly. It’s worth it, believe me. Don’t get scared, leaving them on there is the best way to learn. My parents did so, and I have flown so far indeed: ) So think about this………

NEVER FEAR THOSE MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE

It’s crossing your fingers when the map doesn’t make sense, when the compass doesn’t know truly north from truly lost; and it’s up to you, you and your gut, your mettle, and your level of resilience, and your wealth of wisdom to persevere. To get to the other side.

NEVER SETTLE FOR THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

Take a chance, Take a ticket. Take a fast train to the coast. NO GUTS, NO GLORY. It’s risky breathing, let alone needing, trusting, reaching out. Life is the leap of faith, the bold declaration of Hope.