DARLINGS!
Happy Saturday morning!
The sun is out and even though it's still on the cool side it's a gorgeous day.
Last night was pretty damn amazing, let me tell you.
I tried to get plenty of pics but kept getting sidetracked - I did manage to round up dad, aunt and uncle, and grandma for a family pic, which I promise I will be posting asap (MKOI OLLIE?) ;)
Also, the chamber of commerce people were there and they interviewed dad and my uncle for the next issue of their magazine!
The place didn't open for breakfast today because, horror of horrors, there's no coffeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
There's a boatload of pizza and beer, though, so I doubt the coffee will be missed...much...
I'll tell you all about last night a little later - also, dad finally found his webcam so I will be on the Skype presently.
I have to run but I will be back later on with pics and such.
I wish you all could have been there with us last night because it was awesome and dad was very happy - makes me happy to see his hard work pay off :)
I bought a small palm tree and signed the card "From California with love", and when I brought it in yesterday afternoon I made sure dad knew it was from all of his California family...he loved it!
Lots of other folks sent plants, but our palm tree is the best!
Love and miss you all a ton, I'll post more a little later and get on the webcam asap!
Xox,
n*
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I'm only happy when it rains
Not really, but it's a good thing I'm not anti-rain because, darlings, last night we had us a good old storm. It wasn't as bad as the weather reports said, at least not where I am (no flooding or anything crazy but some rotted tree a few doors down finally succumbed to the wind and ended up blocking the sidewalk - good times!).
It's supposed to be spring - in fact, this Friday (the day of the restaurant's inauguration) is officially the first day of spring.
It most certainly does not look or feel like it - it's freaking cold!
I would walk or take the bus if I need to get to downtown La Plata but the idea of battling the elements is...not so appealing hehehehehe.
We're supposed to get sun and nicer temps tomorrow. My fingers and toes are crossed.
Today was a pretty long day - I won't complain because dad has had days like these since he started this project. I helped my aunt mount a boatload of posters that we'll be hanging up on the walls of the pizzeria. She did all the gluing but I had to sand the edges of the boards we used and make the whole thing look pretty. I'm not done yet, so tomorrow morning it's back to work...we're in the home stretch, the opening is so soon!!! The place is a mess, still, but some of the waitstaff is coming in tomorrow and dad is having them clean everything up.
Enough about that - I owe you kids some pictures, no?
I mentioned a quick trip to Buenos Aires last week and here are some pics of La Boca - I've always wanted to go! We didn't spend much time, just walked around and had lunch (meat, meat, and more meat...oh, and a little salad).
It is a little touristy, which is to be expected, but if you overlook the other five million visitors trying to get a good shot of Caminito and just concentrate on the old buildings and alleyways and raised sidewalks (on account of the flooding), and just picture what this place was like 70 or 80 years ago, you can really feel how much history is in these streets.
My grandmother Nelis lived in this neighborhood (I want her to come with me next time so she can show me the exact bulding, if it's still there) - this is where she met my dashing sailor man grandpa :)
It's supposed to be spring - in fact, this Friday (the day of the restaurant's inauguration) is officially the first day of spring.
It most certainly does not look or feel like it - it's freaking cold!
I would walk or take the bus if I need to get to downtown La Plata but the idea of battling the elements is...not so appealing hehehehehe.
We're supposed to get sun and nicer temps tomorrow. My fingers and toes are crossed.
Today was a pretty long day - I won't complain because dad has had days like these since he started this project. I helped my aunt mount a boatload of posters that we'll be hanging up on the walls of the pizzeria. She did all the gluing but I had to sand the edges of the boards we used and make the whole thing look pretty. I'm not done yet, so tomorrow morning it's back to work...we're in the home stretch, the opening is so soon!!! The place is a mess, still, but some of the waitstaff is coming in tomorrow and dad is having them clean everything up.
Enough about that - I owe you kids some pictures, no?
I mentioned a quick trip to Buenos Aires last week and here are some pics of La Boca - I've always wanted to go! We didn't spend much time, just walked around and had lunch (meat, meat, and more meat...oh, and a little salad).
It is a little touristy, which is to be expected, but if you overlook the other five million visitors trying to get a good shot of Caminito and just concentrate on the old buildings and alleyways and raised sidewalks (on account of the flooding), and just picture what this place was like 70 or 80 years ago, you can really feel how much history is in these streets.
My grandmother Nelis lived in this neighborhood (I want her to come with me next time so she can show me the exact bulding, if it's still there) - this is where she met my dashing sailor man grandpa :)
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| This is the most well known shot of Caminito - a bazillion people have taken this same picture but this is one I took and that's so exciting to me! |
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| I love these old buildings and how everything is kind of...askew. Pay no mind the wannabe supermodel there. Lolz. |
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| I want to live in this house! |
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| All the buildings are painted different colors and I think people still live in some of them, but a lot are now gift shops or museums. Photobomber on the left there is my uncle. |
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| This is a plaque commemorating the composer and lyricist behind the famous tango, "Caminito" |
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| Another cool little house - I'm pretty sure people actually live in this one. |
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| This is the view from the other end of Caminito - I can't wait to come back for some shots when these trees are in full bloom! |
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| Flags! |
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| I'm obsessed with these lamp posts. |
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| One of many gift shops nestled in the old neighborhood. |
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| All the restaurants have a little stage with tango singers and/or dancers performing - this man was easily 102 but he could sing! |
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| There are semi-creepy statues of famous folks on many of the balconies, but this one is my favorite: Gardel and Maradona!!! |
So that was my quick trip to La Boca, darlings. I hope I can go and spend a little more time there soon - you know how I love me some old buildings and history!
Speaking of, the next day I went into downtown La Plata and took a few pics of the cathedral - dad laid some parquet there a million years ago and it's still there!
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| I love all the detail at the entrance, so pretty!
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| This is where dad put down the parquet when he was a young'un |
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| Here's a closeup - such craftsmanship! |
I have more pics of the inside of the cathedral, but I have to rotate them and my eyes are fixing to fall out of my head so I'll have to owe you the rest, darlings!
I also have pics of dad's house and of the restaurant now that the tables and chairs are in but those will come in the next post.
My grandmother is coming back to town tomorrow and I have a million things to do before the opening but I will post more as soon as I get a moment.
It's late and I have to get up early, for duty calls!
Check back soon for more pics and tidbits!
Love and miss you all a lot a lot a lot, but having a great time with dad even though he's kinda cray right now ;)
Kisses by the millions my darlings!
n*
Monday, September 17, 2012
Pictures of you
Darlings!!!!!
Finally got the interwebs here at dad's so I'll be posting a lot more. I also changed the format a bit so I can post bigger pictures.
I know I have a week's worth of photographic tidbits to share and, being a woman of my word, photos you shall have!
I can't believe I've been here a week, darlings! Everything is so fast paced here - even in dad's part of town, which is a lot smaller and more quiet than the big city - I feel like I've been here a month!
I'm finally rested and my giant ankles are back to normal, especially since you can get 2 liter bottles of water at any little store and I desperately needed to rehydrate. Long airplane rides will wreak havoc on a girl's system, let me tell you.
Luckily I haven't gotten sick though dad has a bit of a cold - I'm pretty much mainlining Airborne and H2O right about now because I want to be in tip top shape for the inauguration of the pizzeria this Friday night - the grand opening is Saturday, but Friday is the night they're having all the business owners in the area come over to try the pizza, listen to some music and have some vino...family is invited as well and I really wish you all could be here because it's really going to be a fun night.
I'm getting ahead of myself, though, no?
First, let me share a few pics of the airport and the road to La Plata from a week ago today:
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This is the airport at Ezeiza where you all will be landing when you come visit. There are better pictures online than what I took but, people, I was tired
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| Another shot of the airport |
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I forgot what dad told me this is, but it looks cool and is the first of many old buildings I plan to snap pics of...
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| The elusive Don Carlos (he has no idea I took this pic, so don't tell him, k?) |
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Hitting the road - the weather isn't nearly as beautiful today but I'm glad I arrived on a California-like day
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| They have a Villa Elisa here! |
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| Welcome! |
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| Rigo has a mall here and I've heard it's the best place to shop for fancy pants ;) |
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A map of La Plata, right at the entrance to the city (too bad I'd probably get lost trying
to find it to get a better pic...)
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This is the stadium in La Plata, where the Copa América was held, plus a bunch of other sporting events and concerts...I haven't been to visit yet but it's supposed to be one of the best around
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| This is the outside of the resto (not to sound biased, but I think it's the prettiest sign on the block) |
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| Shiny new kitchen with a magical pizza oven - the pizza that comes out of it is magical, anyway... |
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| And this...this is what will make the beer magic happen - I can't wait to pull a pint! |
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| No tables or chairs yet |
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| They had a huge picture of Rio de Janeiro done for the back wall, it's the first thing you see when you walk into the place |
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| Dad's business cards! |
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| Casino time! |
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| I think I need to grab some of these bingo hall coasters as freebie souvenirs
I think that covers about the first day and a half, pictorially speaking - I have more to post but I'm taking a little break for now...
Keep checking back, my camera skills are improving, I swear! I've got some shots of La Boca, a legendary and historic barrio in Buenos Aires, plus some of the cathedral here in La Plata where my dad laid parquet floor in a section that's survived a lot of changes and remodels. Also, some more pics of the restaurant - the tables and chairs came in and the place is looking like a winner!
Love and miss everyone so but thinking of you guys all the time and sending loads of love, and hoping that this little blog makes us all feel like I'm not so far away!!!!
Xox,
n*
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
I'm still aliiiiiive!
Finally got some interwebs - dad is getting it installed at his house on Monday and I promise you all I will be posting more and finally using Skype.
Darlings, it's been a long month, and I've barely been here a week!
So far:
My flight was delayed - landed in Buenos Aires Monday afternoon, a full two hours after the scheduled 1:30 arrival.
Welcome to South America, darling!
Luckily, the delay was the only complication and my two hour flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires was pleasant.
Once we landed they led us to Customs and Immigration: I went to the Stupid American window, where they charge you $160 to let you into the country. Canadians and Eurpoeans pay like $70.
At least I don't have to pay that entry fee for another 10 years no matter how many times I come back so we're cool, Argentina...we're cool.
By the way, a word to the not-so-wise: changing clothes in an airplane lavatory is...complicated.
When I claimed my luggage I went through a little security checkpoint where nobody even bothered to check my bags for contrband or whatever it is they look for.
Dammit! I could have brought a suitcase full of tequila!
I walked out and there was good old dad, not even phased that I was so late. We walked to his car (I'll post a pic of it soon!) and headed to La Plata - specifically my dad's neighborhood, Los Hornos.
Before we even went to his place, we stopped at the restaurant.
This part of town has a lot of shops, but no place to sit and have lunch or a coffee or a beer. Well, hunger and thirst no more, good people of Los Hornos, for the brothers Ruda will accomodate your every gastronomic need.
(Unless the older brother eats all the food - I kid you not...the other day they were auditioning pizza makers, or "pizzeros", as they call them here, and my uncle had sampled half a pizza before the rest of us even got to grab a slice! My family...)
Seriously, though, it's going to be good, and I'm really proud of the work dad has done, both at the restaurant and his house, which was a disaster before he moved in.
After I dropped off my stuff at the house, we went to a casino for dinner.
You read right: a casino for dinner.
They have this crazy dining hall - you sit down, buy a few bingo cards (about 20 cents a pop), then play bingo and order food. For less than $10 you get an entree, vino, dessert and coffee and the food is so good!
Don't ask me how, after roughly 3 hours of sleep on a transatlantic voyage, I was able to go play bingo and eat but I did, and we went and played a few slot machines too. I have to get a picture of the bingo area, it's bizarre in the most awesome way!
Tuesday was still kind of a blur, but Wednesday was a little better - I got my hair did because, well, I'm too lazy to do it myself and with the hard water and humidity here a girl needs at least 75 products in order to look normal. Plus, it was 55 pesos, which is about $11. The guy who did my hair is from Paraguay and his scalp massages are killer.
BTW people drive like goddamned maniacs here.
Crossing the street is...suicidal. I'm getting used to it though!
I finally felt almost normal on Thursday, when I went to Buenos Aires with my aunt and uncle and got to see my grandmother Nelis after more than 20 years - I will post about that and the past couple days later tonight when I can get some pictures up.
There's a big fight tonight that everyone is excited about - it's 8:00 here and the fight is at 10. I'm hopping in the shower and getting ready even though I'm pretty sure we'll watch it at dad's (he just got himself a new tv!)
Keep checking back, darlings, pics coming soon!
Love and miss you all!!!!
Xox,
n*
Darlings, it's been a long month, and I've barely been here a week!
So far:
My flight was delayed - landed in Buenos Aires Monday afternoon, a full two hours after the scheduled 1:30 arrival.
Welcome to South America, darling!
Luckily, the delay was the only complication and my two hour flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires was pleasant.
Once we landed they led us to Customs and Immigration: I went to the Stupid American window, where they charge you $160 to let you into the country. Canadians and Eurpoeans pay like $70.
At least I don't have to pay that entry fee for another 10 years no matter how many times I come back so we're cool, Argentina...we're cool.
By the way, a word to the not-so-wise: changing clothes in an airplane lavatory is...complicated.
When I claimed my luggage I went through a little security checkpoint where nobody even bothered to check my bags for contrband or whatever it is they look for.
Dammit! I could have brought a suitcase full of tequila!
I walked out and there was good old dad, not even phased that I was so late. We walked to his car (I'll post a pic of it soon!) and headed to La Plata - specifically my dad's neighborhood, Los Hornos.
Before we even went to his place, we stopped at the restaurant.
This part of town has a lot of shops, but no place to sit and have lunch or a coffee or a beer. Well, hunger and thirst no more, good people of Los Hornos, for the brothers Ruda will accomodate your every gastronomic need.
(Unless the older brother eats all the food - I kid you not...the other day they were auditioning pizza makers, or "pizzeros", as they call them here, and my uncle had sampled half a pizza before the rest of us even got to grab a slice! My family...)
Seriously, though, it's going to be good, and I'm really proud of the work dad has done, both at the restaurant and his house, which was a disaster before he moved in.
After I dropped off my stuff at the house, we went to a casino for dinner.
You read right: a casino for dinner.
They have this crazy dining hall - you sit down, buy a few bingo cards (about 20 cents a pop), then play bingo and order food. For less than $10 you get an entree, vino, dessert and coffee and the food is so good!
Don't ask me how, after roughly 3 hours of sleep on a transatlantic voyage, I was able to go play bingo and eat but I did, and we went and played a few slot machines too. I have to get a picture of the bingo area, it's bizarre in the most awesome way!
Tuesday was still kind of a blur, but Wednesday was a little better - I got my hair did because, well, I'm too lazy to do it myself and with the hard water and humidity here a girl needs at least 75 products in order to look normal. Plus, it was 55 pesos, which is about $11. The guy who did my hair is from Paraguay and his scalp massages are killer.
BTW people drive like goddamned maniacs here.
Crossing the street is...suicidal. I'm getting used to it though!
I finally felt almost normal on Thursday, when I went to Buenos Aires with my aunt and uncle and got to see my grandmother Nelis after more than 20 years - I will post about that and the past couple days later tonight when I can get some pictures up.
There's a big fight tonight that everyone is excited about - it's 8:00 here and the fight is at 10. I'm hopping in the shower and getting ready even though I'm pretty sure we'll watch it at dad's (he just got himself a new tv!)
Keep checking back, darlings, pics coming soon!
Love and miss you all!!!!
Xox,
n*
Sunday, September 9, 2012
board at Gate E87...just kidding!
SFO wasn't the nightmare I expected and the flight to Toronto was good.
I'm usually not a chatty traveler but the gal across the aisle from me was. She was kind of snarky and hilarious and she looked a little like Barbra Streisand so I didn't mind. When we parted ways she said "Have a good trip EH!", which I found AWESOME.
It almost makes up for the fact that I don't have any pictures of Canadia yet - it's 10:30 p.m. here and all I see out the window is airport. Maybe I'll get some photos on the way back - I'm scared to leave the gate now in case they change it on us again.
Just now, we had to trek to another gate because the plane we were supposed to board had some maintenance issue. I'm fine with that - I don't want to fly on a wonky machine!
Oooooh - maybe we'll get a fancier plane!
I will tell you this: Toronto Pearson is very nice, very easy to navigate and very clean.
Sorry this post is sort of out there and rambling but I think I'm finally starting to get tired and I still have the longest part of the trip ahead of me. Keeping positive, though, and making sure the Universe is listening to what I need (so far so good: I have an aisle seat!)
I'll try to post again from Santiago, although I only have about an hour between flights and I don't know if they have Wi-fi.
Missing California and all my people but excited about this adventure!
I'll be back soon dahlings!
Xox,
n*
P.S. Looks like we are finally ready to board!
I'm usually not a chatty traveler but the gal across the aisle from me was. She was kind of snarky and hilarious and she looked a little like Barbra Streisand so I didn't mind. When we parted ways she said "Have a good trip EH!", which I found AWESOME.
It almost makes up for the fact that I don't have any pictures of Canadia yet - it's 10:30 p.m. here and all I see out the window is airport. Maybe I'll get some photos on the way back - I'm scared to leave the gate now in case they change it on us again.
Just now, we had to trek to another gate because the plane we were supposed to board had some maintenance issue. I'm fine with that - I don't want to fly on a wonky machine!
Oooooh - maybe we'll get a fancier plane!
I will tell you this: Toronto Pearson is very nice, very easy to navigate and very clean.
Sorry this post is sort of out there and rambling but I think I'm finally starting to get tired and I still have the longest part of the trip ahead of me. Keeping positive, though, and making sure the Universe is listening to what I need (so far so good: I have an aisle seat!)
I'll try to post again from Santiago, although I only have about an hour between flights and I don't know if they have Wi-fi.
Missing California and all my people but excited about this adventure!
I'll be back soon dahlings!
Xox,
n*
P.S. Looks like we are finally ready to board!
There, I fixed it!
It's almost midnight and I can't really sleep but the comments section is now open to all so you don't need to log in with google or anything.
Just comment away dahlings!
Xox,
n*
Just comment away dahlings!
Xox,
n*
Sunday, September 2, 2012
I have arrived in the land of blog
Look out now.
:)
Hello friends and family!
Just testing the waters tonight - I promise my entries will become increasingly entertaining...just give me a chance to get acclimated, take some pictures, and really truly begin this adventure of mine.
Of course, beginning the adventure means actually, you know, packing...
Better get to that, then...
Hasta la proxima, dahlings!
Xox,
n*
:)
Hello friends and family!
Just testing the waters tonight - I promise my entries will become increasingly entertaining...just give me a chance to get acclimated, take some pictures, and really truly begin this adventure of mine.
Of course, beginning the adventure means actually, you know, packing...
Better get to that, then...
Hasta la proxima, dahlings!
Xox,
n*
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