tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194657302024-03-12T21:56:45.396-03:00A Year (or Two) in MendozaThe continuing adventures of the Janalee, Vince and Amelia and our lives in Mendoza, Argentina.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-85801107959903281672008-10-01T13:22:00.003-03:002008-10-30T14:37:22.018-02:00We don't write here anymoreSo, we moved back to DC and stopped writing about Argentina - at some point we will write once again about our adventures, but for now we are on hiatus.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who stayed in touch with us via this blog -- we will talk to you all again soon.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-49737359413140546392007-06-29T10:08:00.000-03:002007-06-29T17:10:42.012-03:00If they lose they should kill themselves!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98EFWXjNFBCYV_VgAnZGvMIv1uKTlX_7zFND1OdfpjrXBmovjx9pBxumKzb3-OTtKpiV0JvYUo4TcICHdBEty7hVejhE8hkSlZrvhkhM5fxXiYrDMoxnG5-OalhyphenhyphenxRam8ALGsNA/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98EFWXjNFBCYV_VgAnZGvMIv1uKTlX_7zFND1OdfpjrXBmovjx9pBxumKzb3-OTtKpiV0JvYUo4TcICHdBEty7hVejhE8hkSlZrvhkhM5fxXiYrDMoxnG5-OalhyphenhyphenxRam8ALGsNA/s400/flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081503962616507970" /></a>The U.S. played Argentina in futbol (soccer) last night in the Copa America. The general response to folks here was -- well, it was something like a collective yawn. I tried to get some guys together to watch the game. Usually a national team game is an easy excuse to get some beers (and Fernet). But this game didn't really register. The only response I got from folks was that it wasn't going to be much of a game. Hence, "If they lose, they should kill themselves."<br /><br />And, after looking at ESPN.com and Foxsports.com this morning, it looks like they were right. ESPN says "US Outclassed by Argentina", Foxsports says "Class is in Session."<br /><br />Normally this wouldn't bother me. My football starts with 350 lb. men who run at sprinter speeds and have the IQ of my old tennis shoe. <br /><br />But two things kind of got to me this time. One - the newspapers down here are talking about how bad Argentina played. I mean they were behind for 11 whole minutes and the final score was ONLY 4 - 1. You would think they were blown out from a World Cup game. Two -- Janalee's kid was cheering for Argentina. She thinks it was great.<br /><br />It seems to me that we work on this sport some. Doesn't every kid in the suburbs of every city in the U.S. play this crazy game? Can't we find 23 athletes who are willing to give up the outrageous salaries of the NBA and NFL to play soccer? Where are the sports patriots (asks the guy who is an ExPat)? Maybe Beckham can save us. Oh yeah, he is English -- so much for that idea.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-69563683792303341362007-06-11T17:57:00.000-03:002007-06-12T20:31:12.489-03:00Outlet Shopping in MendozaSo, it seems that suburban U.S. has finally come to Mendoza (in addition to us that is). Yesterday while I was walking down the street I noticed a new sign (down here they post signs everywhere - on fences, buildings that no one lives in - really anywhere is fair game). The sign read "Sex Outlet".<br /><br />I haven't been to this shop. I doubt that I will go. There are just some things that I don't think you should buy at an outlet store. Sex is pretty high on that list. Truth be told, sex is not something I would buy retail either (I am from Utah after all). But, purchasing it at an outlet store seems especially bad. Don't they send stuff no one wants to buy to outlet stores? You know, things from last season that no one purchased. Pants with crooked stitches come to mind or maybe pink boxer shorts with little monkeys on them (I don't have a pair of those - really I don't). <br /><br />It is probably best that I stop right here with this line of thinking. Janalee is going to check out the blog eventually and then she is going to delete this whole piece.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-87441339019485046712007-06-01T16:27:00.000-03:002007-06-01T18:29:09.248-03:00Flamenco in the Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YZz2SRL46I2uj0YEFHaCi7r6CzwzZYUIaz984C-rb6OaLtERiGgYtAaM0-acd0TLtALsZkKCPLf_h8WeLfXOZGhE4wl0PmvZrKNqdAF1vxVTkg0lGcI-udB0U-gAcODhx7JT3A/s1600-h/flamenco.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YZz2SRL46I2uj0YEFHaCi7r6CzwzZYUIaz984C-rb6OaLtERiGgYtAaM0-acd0TLtALsZkKCPLf_h8WeLfXOZGhE4wl0PmvZrKNqdAF1vxVTkg0lGcI-udB0U-gAcODhx7JT3A/s320/flamenco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071210345098724818" /></a>It is Flamenco month in Mendoza and so we have been watching Flamenco shows. All very exciting, but nothing compared to watching the little Flamenco dancer in the family. I have added some photos <a href="http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Fall%20Photos/Flamenco.html">here</a> for those who want to look.<br /><br />Hope you are well and enjoying the summer.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-91625980277896861422007-05-26T11:38:00.000-03:002007-05-26T12:55:08.588-03:00The Cycle of Life......For me (Jan writing now, not Vince… though I’m sure you will be able to figure that our in about two more lines), one of the things I love most about living here is our connection to the land--the soil, the grapes, the seasons, and the ways in which they connect us to the cycle of life. (Is anyone else feeling the urge to sing the theme to the Lion King? VM).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShZYBm6iG4nMzDfwfVfePLxx6D3mHftNX8j1TA_MBqyU08QrALAsjilQ2PuTheEwZ0krCdyoVkGEtMLFEct8GGYmWeIqYf8V6IOHm08kjz6oCUCjByH53M_nfd-NtYJ11JEzF8w/s1600-h/bday.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShZYBm6iG4nMzDfwfVfePLxx6D3mHftNX8j1TA_MBqyU08QrALAsjilQ2PuTheEwZ0krCdyoVkGEtMLFEct8GGYmWeIqYf8V6IOHm08kjz6oCUCjByH53M_nfd-NtYJ11JEzF8w/s400/bday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068879290253526450" /></a><br /><br />This is the second year we’ve celebrated Mia’s birthday abroad. Last year our Argentine friends asked us if we found a place to have the party, wanted to rent a moonbounce, etc. We said, “What? Are you kidding? She’s only four… we’ll have a fun party in the back yard! All we need are a few kids, a cake and some balloons.” Then, we began to attend Mia’s friends’ parties. We clearly misunderstood Argentine birthday norms. So, this year, we went all out -- depending on who you asked, we probably barely managed to pull off a reasonable facsimile of a birthday party como Mia’s amigos -- complete with a jugador (an entertainer), a giant cake for the <a href=" http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Fall%20Photos/Cinco%20Anos.html">40 + kids</a> in attendance, empanadas, tea sandwiches… and a piñata! I must admit; it was great fun! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nv8kIkTKGTt5b8ytWDvV44DsPq2ZA5FyLiDHOycDFDvzaEOeUeF4FfPXYSBf3tS9tc-SySCKI5ehb8Op7kYJByw8CLWwuzYS9R8P68KM48wLiH6lzWVPFaZfrUzIMLv6OISuMA/s1600-h/marcelo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nv8kIkTKGTt5b8ytWDvV44DsPq2ZA5FyLiDHOycDFDvzaEOeUeF4FfPXYSBf3tS9tc-SySCKI5ehb8Op7kYJByw8CLWwuzYS9R8P68KM48wLiH6lzWVPFaZfrUzIMLv6OISuMA/s320/marcelo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068885732704470466" /></a>This is also our second year to celebrate the <a href="http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Fall%20Photos/Cosecha%202007.html">harvest in Mendoza</a>. Since the <a href="http://www.vinesofmendoza.com">Vines of Mendoza</a> team has grown from about 35 last year to almost 60 this year, it was a huge celebration. We picked about a hectare (just over 2 acres) of grapes in about 10 minutes -- OK, it took a little longer than that, but not much! -- and then enjoyed an asado in the vineyards, prepared by Marcelo our new Chief Financial Officer. <br /><br />Mia left for home covered in dirt and grape juice, as did many of our staff members. A perfect day!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-82455807440747025772007-05-25T14:50:00.000-03:002007-05-26T18:55:52.976-03:0025 de Mayo - El Acto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzXJvTG_vaVIWDF4qDqSVpCxZ6ajnUiAvGyG2v0o2ngTLebCvlw73798Qdx6ay4Pw5HgINj4nih3NYVocfk8Nqu36l5fsTLLcZGkHFpybLkZ-UIbFRDzBzP2z3x9508m4x26kJg/s1600-h/DSC03040_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzXJvTG_vaVIWDF4qDqSVpCxZ6ajnUiAvGyG2v0o2ngTLebCvlw73798Qdx6ay4Pw5HgINj4nih3NYVocfk8Nqu36l5fsTLLcZGkHFpybLkZ-UIbFRDzBzP2z3x9508m4x26kJg/s200/DSC03040_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068565169230398866" /></a>There is just nothing like a school play. The type of school play that you attend when your kid is in kindergarten or first grade is an especially unique event. That is not to say that I don't love school plays - because I think they are great -- they just require a certain blindness to truly appreciate.<br /><br />Yesterday we attended Amelia's school play - Viva La Patria - the celebration of the Argentine May Revolution. Being the overly proud father that I am I was certain (and remain so) that my daughter would play a part that was central to the Argentine Revolution. So, of course Amelia played one of several lavanderas (women who wash clothes). I need to read a bit more about this particular holiday to get a sense of the role of the lavandera (or the candle sellers that boys in Mia's class portrayed) in the bloodless revolution of May - but I am positive they were central players in the overthrow of Spanish rule. <br /><br />For now, I will rejoice in the joy of watching my five year old sing the song of the lavandera, smile like she has just won an Oscar and hug every friend in sight. The joys of being a parent!<br /><br />For those of you interested, you can see pictures of the big event (her third play - she is a regular on the stage) <a href="http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Fall%20Photos/Viva%20La%20Patria.html">here</a>. I really only expect Amelia's grandmother to look at these pictures - let's be honest this was no High School Musical.<br /><br />Felice Dia Del 25 de Mayo!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-63177070699180350702007-05-23T15:24:00.000-03:002007-05-26T12:49:45.480-03:00Winter is Coming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoLirRc7gMmlweF_hTzNt3KR9_eJ63dUHI9_MoP3lypPHOZLSDJ23h1o-drMAgFP8irq_egMZamwwG7K5VFLrT9-onnBaP_HH7nFqjT6_Er9ElyFk1Nh_4FLfLXAKke-81QDpmg/s1600-h/fall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoLirRc7gMmlweF_hTzNt3KR9_eJ63dUHI9_MoP3lypPHOZLSDJ23h1o-drMAgFP8irq_egMZamwwG7K5VFLrT9-onnBaP_HH7nFqjT6_Er9ElyFk1Nh_4FLfLXAKke-81QDpmg/s200/fall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068571289558795682" /></a>It is true. Winter is once again coming to Mendoza. I guess you could say I am jumping the gun a bit on announcing winter because it is really just Fall. But Winter follows Fall, so I feel like I should go ahead and say Winter is coming - it is inevitable.<br /><br />A couple of things about Fall and Winter in South America that have been true both years that we have been here. First, I spend all of the Summer (October through April) reminding everyone I know who lives north of Costa Rica that it is Summer where I am and Winter where they are. That joke is not nearly as funny when it is Winter here. <br /><br />Second, inevitably someone from the U.S. will ask me a variation of the following question: “Isn’t it strange to have Christmas in June?” I was surprised last year when someone asked me this and more surprised when two people asked me this question this year (I thought I only knew one person who would come up with that question). So, just to dispel the myths that abound in the North. The day on which we celebrate Christmas does not change when you pass over the equator. Argentines use the exact same calendar (in Spanish of course) that we use in the U.S. It seems to me that someone would ask what it is like to celebrate Christmas when it is 95 degrees – that seems stranger to me. But, no one asked me that question.<br /><br />Now that we have that clear – on to the topic of the Day: Fall. We have added some photos of the change of seasons in Mendoza – you can see them <a href="http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Fall%20Photos/The%20Colors%20of%20Fall.html">here</a>. Pretty spectacular photos (I didn’t take them).Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-75228961066289986082007-05-14T00:57:00.000-03:002007-05-14T01:01:00.106-03:00Expatriate….Wikipedia says that an expatriate is “a person temporarily residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence. The word comes from the latin ex (out of) and the greek patria (country)…..” <br /><br />As strange as it may seem to us sometimes, we are expatriates. Though we have many Argentine friends, we’ve also created a rich friendship network with other ex-pats, primarily from the States, Italy, and Great Britain (or “ENGLAND -- I’m not Scottish,” as our friend Haisley would say). Not quite as romantic as the “lost generation,” but ex-pats nonetheless. <br /><br />Today, we said so long to Sam -- our ENGLISH (Italian -- well, technically, he’s ENGLISH, but he lived in Italy for over 15 years before moving here with his wife -- who is ARGENTINE but lived in Italy virtually all her life, and family, whew -- they are REAL ex-pats) amigo who is moving back to Italy to work for at least another couple of years (what he needs to earn his pension) for the European Union. Fortunately, we don’t have to say goodbye to Monica and the kids yet…. <br /><br />For the last few months, we’ve spent many a Sunday “asadoing” while the kids played in one of our backyards… Drawn together by our love of Argentine wine and beef, lots of laughter, and the exhilaration and strangeness of living in a foreign land, we have become fast friends. <br /><br />Here’s to you Sam -- not quite sure what Vince and Haisley will do without you! Suerte y buen viaje - Nos vemos pronto, amigo!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-83735182397817203502007-05-07T19:35:00.000-03:002007-05-26T13:17:48.665-03:00Argentine Transplant - by Shoshana Davis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9a9gwRLE50bkFLmPSG9LUmsrzkbG1g5RmiWkUZHKHkHnbjQAlptgZMZXRCgq1EAm8DR1BOb-byH9gBjQltkNlQBFKR9LuO-aIx6lnZAB6OAJGDxvctUkeOw1SDgORNflbHzWqw/s1600-h/IMG_1617.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9a9gwRLE50bkFLmPSG9LUmsrzkbG1g5RmiWkUZHKHkHnbjQAlptgZMZXRCgq1EAm8DR1BOb-byH9gBjQltkNlQBFKR9LuO-aIx6lnZAB6OAJGDxvctUkeOw1SDgORNflbHzWqw/s320/IMG_1617.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034176615503858114" /></a>“Miiiiiiahhh, where are we going again?” sighs Charlotte, a newly four, overly poised, yet quiet and thoughtful red headed child. “We’re going to Argentina,” answers her best friend, Mia with a subtle eye roll and toss of her bobbed blonde hair. She can’t understand why Charlotte does not remember. It’s the same place they go every time they go on a trip. The bottom two steps act as their airplane seats when they travel around the world. <br /><br />Ameila known to most by her nickname, Mia, is a slightly older (almost five) four year-old, and is the type of little girl always found wearing a pink skirt. She prefers dark pink and everything must match. She thinks anything pink matches. Polk-a-dots, stripes and stars match. It just has to be pink and if possible bright. Currently, she’s outfitted in pink sweat pants, under a pink flowered dress, and topped with a hot pink and orange fleece poncho. <br /><br />“Where is Argentina?” asks Charlotte still attempting to comprehend how they are going to get there via the staircase of her parents’ Victorian style, northern Virginia home. “It’s faaaar away,” says Mia as she packs up one of their two Fisher Price strollers with her favorite doll, Bitty Baby, and her stuffed brown dog, known simply as big dog.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JiSAFKXh0EcYoqe4D96Q8JRc3b7Prz5fO5BWKQnEpOZDUZAeV8jreUk6QwcviPxxzXKnm7tk36lZAkkqVAa1iqXymDxgG3oZa4GBaThJOxEpDESJ4I0se24bWQ3kMmFfVNA_Rw/s1600-h/IMG_1615.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JiSAFKXh0EcYoqe4D96Q8JRc3b7Prz5fO5BWKQnEpOZDUZAeV8jreUk6QwcviPxxzXKnm7tk36lZAkkqVAa1iqXymDxgG3oZa4GBaThJOxEpDESJ4I0se24bWQ3kMmFfVNA_Rw/s320/IMG_1615.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034175593301641634" /></a><br /><br />“Is Argentina more far away than Africa?” Charlotte asks as she continues her inquisition. Charlotte’s class at the Waldorf School recently learned about Africa. She really enjoyed learning about the drums. Mia pauses as she buckles Bitty Baby into place to collect her thoughts. “Well, Argentina is at the very top of the stairs and Africa is at the middle of the stairs,” she says as she points up from her perch on the bottom step. “We have to go far to get to Argentina. It’s not very close.” <br /><br />“We are going very very far away?” Charlotte asks again. “Reeeaally far away and we have to take macaroni and cheese. They don’t have even Annies in Argentina!” Mia squeals as they both burst into uncontrollable four year-old girl giggles. <br />While most American children her age are going to pre-school and debating hot topics like what finger paint color looks the best on red construction paper, Mia has already lived a double life. For the past year, she has lived in the wine country of Mendoza, Argentina after her parents decided to take a lifestyle sabbatical. <br /><br />Vince and Janalee, aka Mommy and Daddy, fled their suburbia existence in Clarendon, Virginia, quit their suit wearing, high stress Washington jobs, sold their cars, rented their house and left on a year long adventure to help a friend’s start up wine tourism business. And they’ve just signed on for one more year abroad. To many people it sounds like living a dream. <br /><br />While in Argentina, Mia’s mom and dad switched caretaker roles leaving Vince to act as a stay at home dad. Mia’s mommy is the chief of staff for their friend Michael’s wine business, which often leaves Mia asking “Where is Mommy?” instead of her typical “Where is Daddy?” Although they both worked in the states, Mia’s mom was home two days a week. <br /><br />This quick transfer left Mia on a lifestyle sabbatical of her own, which is why on a week long vacation to the states, Mia constantly tries to explain life in Argentina to her best friend, or “twin” as she calls Charlotte. <br /><br />Yet, Mia does not make her shift from a yuppie neighborhood where everyone drives energy efficient cars and shops solely at whole foods to a country where they nightly have celebrations that serve solely meat (Asado), seem difficult. <br /><br />“I go to school all day, and I play all day. Then I go to the pool and swim. They give me lollipops - strawberry lollipops,” she says as she giggles and lets out a lady like snort that’s only endearing when you’re under the age of six. <br /> <br />Mia’s new school is much different from the one she left in Clarendon. The old establishment was in an ancient brick church building and housed a total of 35 Arlington pre-schoolers with arguably over attentive mothers and fathers. In Mendoza, Mia attends school with 300 kindergarten through eighth graders all dressed in the same uniform with a St. Andrews cross on their chest. Her father always brings Mia to class which is very different from the typical societal norms in Argentina. He is the only father in a sea of women. <br /><br />Mia also notices a difference in how people are disciplined at school. “If you say a bad word, or something, they leave you alone. I don’t know really, I don’t do it,” she clarifies, just in case her parents read this. “In my old school, they would say ‘now don’t say that,’ but in Argentina they just leave you alone.” <br /><br />During the day, Mia’s new teachers, Ms. Savina teaches in Spanish for the first four hours in the morning and Miss Anita teaches in English for the rest of the day. When she first started at Colegio San Andres, the only Spanish she knew was from Dora the Explorer. Now, she’s not only fluent, but sounds like she she’s a true Argentine in both language and spirit. <br /><br />She cheered for the Argentine soccer team by shouting “Vamos, Vamos, Vamos Argentina”, wore a jersey and painted her face during the world cup. She wore a falda de pisana (a type of skirt) and waved a handkerchief during her class’ Argentine Independence Day play. And one of her favorite things to do is sing in Spanish. <br /> <br />“La cucaracha, La cucaracha, Ya no puede caminar!!” screeches Mia at the top of her lungs in perfect dialect as she slides on the wood flooring in her pink striped socks. “Charlotte, do you know what that means?” She asks. “The cockroach can’t walk!” Again, both girls break into intense giggles. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihF9C5B8X4Zh4rd8Whf08vZ6h81trrpKRF__OGglBq5SyU-6-DH5eXYE-xbffF5lyN0g8IpNTtQ0oVHNW3kWh72VyYEdQAjEeRXZ78NCM9Tneuq3hq_Y5-nLsO826QwXJiqRQsw/s1600-h/IMG_1616.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihF9C5B8X4Zh4rd8Whf08vZ6h81trrpKRF__OGglBq5SyU-6-DH5eXYE-xbffF5lyN0g8IpNTtQ0oVHNW3kWh72VyYEdQAjEeRXZ78NCM9Tneuq3hq_Y5-nLsO826QwXJiqRQsw/s320/IMG_1616.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034176344920918450" /></a>Within seconds, the two are serious again. “We have to bring the car seat with us,” instructs Mia as they continued to cram vacation necessities into their strollers. “They don’t use car seats in Argentina. Only babies use car seats there. We need to bring our own. I don’t like slipping around in the car.” She says confidently, as if she’s obviously used this explanation before to show that she is not a baby.<br /><br />To Mia, the biggest difference is in the driving. “They drive sooooo fast in Argentina. They just drive crazy!” she explains excitedly. Her young brain soaked up the language quickly and clearly one of the results of Mia’s transplant is apparent as she accidentally goes in and out of Spanish.<br /><br />“First we walk to the car, then I put on cinturon on then we go to the store.” Charlotte looks at Mia bewildered as she tries to figure out what her best friend just said. Mia quickly realizes her mistake and says “First I walk to the car, put the seat belt on and then we go to the store.”<br /><br />This isn’t the first time this has happened. And don’t be fooled, sometimes she’ll even do it for her own entertainment. <br /><br />“It’s so fun here. If someone asks you something, you can explain in Spanish,” she laughs “And only some people know what I’m saying! People here can’t speak Spanish either. They sound funny!”<br /><br />By this time they’ve also added many sweaters, scarves and gloves to the growing pile on the stairs. But surprisingly the two have also found bathing suits and sandals. The amount of stuff has quickly exploded out of their two strollers and into cardboard boxes known as suitcases to the busy four year-old crew. Mia explained to Charlotte that they need both sets of clothes because it’s winter in America, but summer in Argentina. <br /><br />It was leaving her friends as well as Annie’s Organic Macaroni and Cheese, her favorite comfort food that causes the most anxiety.<br /><br />“I like America better, I don’t have Charlotte or Sarah or David in Argentina,” she explains as thoughtfully as any four year-old can waving her small stubby hands in the air for emphasis. “And Argentina is a lot different. They don’t really make pink stuff.” Her five year-old priorities are definitely in the right place. <br /><br />“Charlotte-Darlotte, let’s go to Argentina!” Mia says in a sing-song voice as she drags her friend’s hand to the staircase to take their pretend airplane seats where their jam packed strollers and random articles of clothing are strewed about. “We have to stop in Miami first,” she giggles. “Are you sure you packed the macaroni and cheese?” asks Charlotte earnestly. “Sure!” She shouts as she and Charlotte depart on their last trip via the staircase before she and her “Papi” board their actual flight across the equator. “Say goodbye through the window!”Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-91584736754238272082007-05-06T10:06:00.000-03:002007-05-06T11:18:18.948-03:00Whither the blogmaster?Some of you may be wondering why there are so few posts this year. Last year, my husband wrote at least once a week, sometimes twice. In fact, sometimes, I had to beg him not to blog….”you don’t have to share every detail of our lives on-line…” <br /><br />So, que pasa este ano? <br /><br />It seems that our blogmaster has gone back to more than part-time work outside the home… While he still does some consulting, and he’s still Super Dad, he’s also resumed a modified version of his former life in the states. <br /><br />In January he was asked to return to Earth Force, and serve as President there. This presented a tough choice for us; we had decided we really wanted to stay in Argentina for at least another year. So, Vince and the Earth Force board arrived at a shared leadership arrangement -- he serves as president and is responsible for raising money and working with the Earth Force team to set direction -- while one of his colleagues, Lisa Bardwell who has led the Denver Earth Force office for many years, serves as CEO and oversees the day-to-day operations. <br /><br />Thus far the arrangement is working well. It does mean, however, that Vince spends a lot more time in the states than he used to, and these days, he’s much more likely to be working late at night than he is to be practicing his Spanish -- or blogging. <br /><br />So, alas, it seems that I will need to take up the blogging mantle. In homage to Vince: <br /> * I promise I will try to be funny (my friends always comment that they can tell when I have written something, by the “serious nature” of the post -- read BORING)<br />* I will write one silly blog/month, just because<br />* I will make sure to include lots of pictures of Mia (first I have to learn how to insert pictures…..)Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-11233292442373467942007-05-06T09:48:00.000-03:002007-05-25T16:34:01.423-03:00Bilingual and Worried<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2VItZLBZAmQrKpMo5taFm4ryFZ6OgCLqHRFAwu77Dkg3HFpp0UU0v1AajhvB2qOWQ2anQPjfc4U2IxY0ZFKLPusgLtJcOiGVLc-BKR_TAhUer0SZtnkyKjX0-iiwkncEKCpyVg/s1600-h/DSC02785.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2VItZLBZAmQrKpMo5taFm4ryFZ6OgCLqHRFAwu77Dkg3HFpp0UU0v1AajhvB2qOWQ2anQPjfc4U2IxY0ZFKLPusgLtJcOiGVLc-BKR_TAhUer0SZtnkyKjX0-iiwkncEKCpyVg/s320/DSC02785.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061432833506437442" /></a><br />Amelia is bilingual. I am not. It is not that I haven’t tried to learn Spanish (though I could certainly try harder) and it isn’t that I don’t speak some Spanish (I can order meat at the local butcher), buy my Spanish pales in comparison to Amelia’s. <br /><br />On the whole I am incredibly excited by Amelia’s fluency in Spanish (or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language">Castellano</a> as she corrects me). But, having a child who speaks a language that you don’t can be an interesting experience. A case in point:<br /><br />A few months ago Amelia went with me to my Spanish lesson (which I no longer take – another story). She was playing in the area, making fun of my accent and correcting my grammar, and generally hanging out with some of our friends. Suddenly, I could hear Amelia yelling at a friend of ours (Florencia – one of 50 friends named Florencia). Typically Amelia doesn’t yell much. She laughs really loudly and screams in delight when she can trick you in some way, but she is not much of a yeller. Anyway she was yelling. I could here her say two things to Florencia:<br /><br />Callate!!<br /><br />Te mato!!<br /><br />The downside to having a child who speaks a language you don’t is that they say things you think might be cute, but they aren’t. I had no idea what she had just said. Since I was in the middle of a Spanish lesson, I asked my instructor. <br /><br />Her response was, “I was wondering if you understood that”. I think that might have been a personal dig – what did she expect after only 12 months of Spanish lessons! Sadly, the answer was no. I admit it. My five-year-old kid can speak a language I cannot. But, I can order wine at a restaurant and she can’t! Well, she could (and better than I can), but they wouldn’t give it to her. There are limits to what a five year old can do!<br /><br />Anyway, I called Amelia over - “Mia, we don’t talk to people like that.”<br /><br />Mia - “Como”<br /><br />Me – “You know what you said and I don’t want you talking like that. Apologize to Florencia.”<br /><br />Mia – “No hice cualquier cosa mal.”<br /><br />Me – “You know what you said. Now, apologize.”<br /><br />Mia – “Era un chiste.”<br /><br />Me – “It wasn’t funny. We don’t talk to people like that. Say you are sorry.”<br /><br />Mia – “No”<br /><br />Me – “Yes”<br /><br />If you want to get a sense of the full extant of the conversation you can re-read that section several times. <br /><br />After several minutes Amelia saw the error of her ways (or realized I am entirely too stubborn to make it worth the time) and apologized. We had round of besos and abrazos all around and play could resume. <br /><br />I learned an important lesson. I need to study all of the Spanish words that could be used to insult people – and quickly! <br /><br />Today, I realized Amelia is picking up some Italian. She has been playing with some kids whose parents are from Turin – their kids speak Italian to each other almost exclusively. <br /><br />I guess that means I need to start to learn Italian insults.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-58529267696997220992007-03-04T11:44:00.000-03:002007-03-04T12:05:30.764-03:00Dining (and Drinking) with the Masters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaQ26uOpago_cmgx-XQBAeXKLgv9SmmjY5sCS723mNxVLLP2778gLYDMXBbdgRAnfX-O85u8MB8sw8i9WZQDDvy71AWI_ugddkDIOl5F1ACNbFs-AbAum5itV6V2Rnpk1lt0nIQ/s1600-h/DSC02669.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaQ26uOpago_cmgx-XQBAeXKLgv9SmmjY5sCS723mNxVLLP2778gLYDMXBbdgRAnfX-O85u8MB8sw8i9WZQDDvy71AWI_ugddkDIOl5F1ACNbFs-AbAum5itV6V2Rnpk1lt0nIQ/s320/DSC02669.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038080588167753666" /></a><br />One of the very best parts of our Mendoza adventure is having the opportunity to really be a part of the wine and food industries, and to do it in a place where things are booming. <br /><br />Two weeks ago, Vince and I participated in the first ever Masters of Food and Wine South America. For the past twenty years or so, the Masters event has been held in a gorgeous seaside hotel in Carmel California. The Hyatt recently purchased the hotel, and has decided to take the event abroad…so, first stop, Mendoza, Argentina, up and coming wine region. <br /><br />The event brings together amazing chefs, in this case from Latin America and the States, to join in a series of food and wine dinners, seminars, pairings, etc. The Vines helped sponsor the event here, along with a number of high-profile partners. In addition to a lovely champagne brunch at the Vines, the highlight for Vince and I was dining at Andeluna with Ken Oringer, chef at Clio restaurant in Boston. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY0U5pZox3b1NT6-AwHA-3DPFmgpPziJZeglIijZNmWe6EDDdJUPoZ21IqTkXDcE1qCDypPWaZ3v1MJyoORRXy_Ezg2Yye2sJdq4I_fqJprG_7X3Wt611w4kDP4L69rsBKYXx7A/s1600-h/DSC02668.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY0U5pZox3b1NT6-AwHA-3DPFmgpPziJZeglIijZNmWe6EDDdJUPoZ21IqTkXDcE1qCDypPWaZ3v1MJyoORRXy_Ezg2Yye2sJdq4I_fqJprG_7X3Wt611w4kDP4L69rsBKYXx7A/s320/DSC02668.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038080583872786354" /></a><br /><br />The day was perfect -- 75 and sunny -- and the food and wines were stunning too. Andeluna is co-owned by an Argentine wine making family, the Reina’s, and Ward Lay, of Lay’s potato chip fame (he actually joined us for lunch that day). Pasionado is my favorite Andeluna wine. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cab Franc… and it’s incredibly rich and full. I get a lot of chocolate and spice when I taste it. <br /><br />On the day of the event, we drank Pasionado paired with roasted lamb, slow cooked over an open fire. Amazing! The lamb was complemented with a starter of ceviche with octopus, shrimp and clams alongside grapefruit, yellow peppers, kefir lime and avadcados… For dessert, we devoured (at least I devoured mine!) a chocolate tart, with Caramel, rich vanilla ice cream and banana coulis. <br /><br />As I said earlier, amazing….. <br /><br />Salud!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-5559131888014984822007-01-01T00:24:00.000-03:002007-01-01T00:48:54.063-03:00Feliz Ano Nuevo (Fluent Spanish Speakers Please Forgive Us...)It's 2007 here in Argentina... can't quite believe it. This time last year, we were ensconced in a "castle" in New York (it's a beautiful house at a YMCA camp in the Catskills) with about 40 friends ringing in the New Year, while our little ones danced to Donna Summer and watched the snowfall. <br /><br />This year, we had planned to be at the Vines New Year's party, but instead spent the evening feeding Mia pudding and water (all she will eat tonight) to help her get through a fever. <br /><br />We knew it was officiallly midnight when the lightshow began -- we're surrounded by neighbors with rocket launchers -- there are literally "weapons grade" fireworks going off all around us! And parties around the block, big family parties...with little kids screaming feliz ano neuvo!<br /><br />Vince and I sipped a bit of espumante at twelve o'clock and toasted our good fortune -- to have lives rich with love, adventure, discovery, kindness, wonder, a few challenges now and then, and lots of joy. <br /><br />Here's to 2007! Let the fireworks begin....Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-49026313390213763762006-12-15T18:03:00.000-03:002006-12-15T18:19:51.378-03:00Playing out the string<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUM4qYhSrmJ4xpnLmKGZnmGW89zL6-aQJHw72y30tf8xEgWVzjO8crWgPWydyCtXuzjtlvRTMkpc89S0ihJJkOgBXwOqHBC9mfuUk0_LiarCcfcup0btNVhpLjXC5RSq_ywnV5A/s1600-h/DSC_0057_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUM4qYhSrmJ4xpnLmKGZnmGW89zL6-aQJHw72y30tf8xEgWVzjO8crWgPWydyCtXuzjtlvRTMkpc89S0ihJJkOgBXwOqHBC9mfuUk0_LiarCcfcup0btNVhpLjXC5RSq_ywnV5A/s320/DSC_0057_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008866312092335986" /></a>So, it is time for us to come home. When we started this adventure we gave ourselves a year to experience a new culture, try to learn Spanish and take some time away from the hustle and bustle of life.<br /><br />It hasn't worked out quite as we thought it would. We have experienced a new culture (and we love it!).<br /><br />Mia has learned Spanish (right now she is talking to her babysitter and I don't understand a word she is saying). But, Janalee and I are struggling with it some. The difference might be that Mia spends her days with people who only speak Spanish and we spend our days with people who speak English.<br /><br />And, Janalee works more now than she ever has. Janalee is the Vice President of Staffing at The Vines of Mendoza which has grown from 6 people when we arrived (two of whom were being paid) to 49 (with all of the challenges of hiring, firing and yes paying). It has been incredibly invogorating for her. And Me? I have a small consulting business that takes up more time than I seem to have and I spend an incredible amount of time with Mia (which is more fun than I ever imagined it would be). The "stay at home dad" part of my life has been both eye opening and overwhelming. But, I don't think I would trade the time for anything.<br /><br />So, what does all of this add up to? We are going to stay for at least eight more months and perhaps a year. Janalee wants to see what happens with this great adventure that is The Vines and I really want to learn Spanish and I am enjoying my consulting work.<br /><br />What about Mia? She thinks she is Argentine. She speaks only Spanish with everyone except her parents and sings Vamos Vamos Argentine on a regular basis. (The only thing missing is for her friend Charlotte to move here.) <br /><br />Now that we have finally decided what we are doing I promise to blog more often -- I swear!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-26821554902599739362006-12-15T18:01:00.000-03:002006-12-15T18:03:19.213-03:00Yoga and WineYoga and wine, sounds fun or potentially life threatening (doing a headstand and drinking just doesn't seem to go together). <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/travel/escapes/15Yoga.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=1d9f950e3ed20efb&ex=1166850000&emc=eta1">The New York Times</a> found a place where exercising and wine tasting combine harmoniously. At Bliss Flow Yoga in Madison, WA. they focus on sensory experiences and being in the here and now.<br /><br />The co-founder Angela Gargano, who has a background in wine, said “practicing yoga completely brings you into the moment so that you can appreciate one of life’s great pleasures, which is wine.” Agreed. Even though hard-core yogis scoff at this combination - the most serious of the yogi’s refrain from all alcohol, it is very popular with the untraditional yogis that are focused on fun. Yoga + Wine workshops are going to be held through the U.S. next year.<br /><br />This solves a huge problem for me. Janalee thinks I should start yoga, but it just doesn't seem like something I could really do -- with the help of a little Malbec it is going to be much easier.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1163943778702416822006-11-19T10:39:00.000-03:002006-11-19T10:42:58.713-03:00AWOLOK -- I realize we haven't been posting for a while. No good reasons, we have a lot to write about. But we have been visiting with Jan's parents and trying to get ready for summer. A bunch of Spring posts are coming........Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1161209827527427192006-10-18T19:12:00.000-03:002006-10-18T19:17:07.543-03:00Flying in the Andes<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/mia.1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/mia.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This weekend we celebrated Dia de Madre – Mother’s Day. For some reason Janalee got two Mother’s Days this year – it doesn’t quite seem fair since I am the one slaving at home all of the time, but I do get to do it in Argentina.<br /><br />We spent Mother’s Day celebrating in the mountains. To be exact we spent the time doing a canopy ride. Canopy rides started in Costa Rica where people ride a zip line through the tree canopy. There are very few tall trees in Mendoza, so they make up for it by making the zip line really high. In fact, the zip line is about 190 feet above the ground.<br /><br />Being the overly protective parents we are, we took Amelia along for the ride. I am a bit afraid of heights (anything bigger than a stepladder is killer for me – ok sometimes stepladders are too much), but Amelia doesn’t seem to have acquired that bit of fear from me. In fact, she loved the entire thing. At one point she was getting on board with one of the guides and I could hear her laughing all the way across the canyon. You can see photos of the entire thing <a href=" http://web.mac.com/vmeldrum/iWeb/Spring%20Photos/Dia%20Del%20Madre.html"> here. </a> <br /><br />So there we are with our child riding on a zip line 190 feet above the ground and I started to wonder just how safe this really is. Some of you are thinking I should have thought of this before. Some of you might be thinking that you should call child protective services at about this time, but it will do you no good – we live in Argentina and CPS would have a hard time getting to us.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/jan.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/jan.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I gave up worrying about safety when I looked over and Janalee was hanging upside down with her hands reaching out for the ground while flying on a zip line 140 feet above the ground. How dangerous could it be if Janalee was willing to do it upside down?<br /><br />Maybe I should be wondering about the sanity of my wife. Hasn’t anyone told her she is over 40 now? (That last comment is going to cost me – but it is well worth the fun of writing it)<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/01.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/01.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>The company that hosts the zip line is <a href=" http://www.argentinarafting.com/espanol/canopy_o_tirolesa_potrerillos_mendoza_argentina.html"> Argentina Rafting</a>– when you are in town I highly encourage making the trip – what a fun time!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1161175527616090022006-10-18T09:36:00.000-03:002006-10-18T09:47:13.386-03:00River vs. Boca SuperClassico<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/riverflag.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/riverflag.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Here is a sad fact. Among the billions of people who live on this planet I am among the minority when I say that I am not a futbol fan. I don’t mean football (I am a fan of football even if both the Dolphins and the Sun Devils are taking losing to new heights), I mean futbol – the sport played with your feet by a bunch of guys less than 6 feet tall. So, it somewhat ironic that I got tickets to the River/Boca game – surely this is an experience that should go to someone who at least knows the rules. But life is not fair. I got a ticket and I went.<br /><br />River vs. Boca is not just any game. It is the sporting event that Sports Illustrated says is among the 10 best sporting events in the world. The Guardian Observer (UK) says River vs. Boca is THE sporting event you need to go to before you die. I don’t plan on dieing soon, but that didn’t keep from going. <br /><br />Being a bunch of gringos we hired a professional guide to take us to the game. Our guide started off with a simple rule. We were to cheer for River (since our seats were in the River section). If Boca scored we were to boo. If we didn’t he couldn’t guarantee our safety. I think what he was trying to say was if we cheered for Boca he was going to stand by and watch us get beat up – but he wanted to say it in a nice way.<br /><br />So there we are in a big white bus on our way to the stadium, When we were about a mile from the stadium we noticed that the police were forcing the fans for the two teams to use separate side of the street. I thick what caught our attention was the tank (as in big gun on tracks) they were using to divide the fans. They seemed pretty serious about keeping the fans separated<br /><br />River Stadium seats about 75,000. Of those seats about 5,000 are reserved for Boca fans. You can tell where the Boca fans are by looking for the 12-foot fence with razor wire. An hour before the game River fans has had already started singing. I think the first song was the ever popular, “I hate Boca fans”. Luckily the 5,000 Boca fans had their own “I hate River fans” song. So, here we are locked in a stadium where the fans are so passionate that the police don’t let them walk down the street together and 70,000 people are taunting 5,000 who are being kept in a section surrounded by razor wire – and people say American football is violent.<br /><br />About 30 minutes before the game started the teams were introduced. The introduction of River was followed by the hard-core River fans entering the upper deck of the stadium. About 1,000 fans stream out of entryway carrying umbrellas and playing drums and singing the River song – as they come in someone released red and white smoke, which just about filled the stadium. Here is a <a href=" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tnvgBYPxi0">link</a> to some video of the event – not ours, but I found it on the internet.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/hangingout.5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/hangingout.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Then the announcer introduced Boca and all kinds of mayhem broke out in the Boca section. Same kind of thing with flags, singing and dancing – only this time the River fans were singing even louder (they really don’t like the thought of singing a Boca song in River Stadium). At one point in this process I looked around and noticed that about 7,000 were giving the Boca fans the “bird” – not sure why, but it was as good a time as any to get your frustrations out.<br /><br />Once the game started you could see that the passions applied to the players as well. Within 4 minutes of the start of the game two players had been removed on stretchers – this was going to be an intense game. I hope they brought extra players.<br /><br />Boca scored first. We thought about cheering because it was an amazingly athletic move, but then we looked around and decided that being the only people cheering who were not separated from the crowd by a 12-foot fence might be an invitation. We booed – really loudly.<br /><br />Then River scored. I thought I might go deaf – they say that Seahawks stadium is the loudest in the NFL. Jon, a guy from Seattle who goes to those games, said this was the loudest thing he had ever experienced in a stadium (or he might have said that he was experience cramps in his cheering arm – it was really loud and hard to hear). Thank god half time is coming.<br /><br />Half time entertainment was a folk singer. He sang his little ditty (George Bush eats excrement) while nice looking young people carried an enormous banner that read “No Mas Violencia”. Somehow I don’t think that is going to keep this crowd from getting after each other – but I appreciated the effort.<br /><br />The second half proved to be a fantastic game. I have seen several Major League Soccer games in the U.S. and as much as I like those guys, this was an entirely different sport. The players on both teams played with such speed and their skill with the ball was just amazing. I can’t do the game justice, but it was an amazing display of athleticism. <br /><br />River scored two more goals in the second half – Boca was shut out. Interestingly the Boca fans didn’t sulk or make their way out of the stadium quietly. Instead they stood defiantly singing and chanting. A couple of minutes before the end of the game the people running the stadium asked that everyone stay in their seats at the conclusion of the game. They had decided to allow the Boca fans to leave the stadium first. Following the lines of good sportsmanship that had been displayed throughout this game the Boca fans remained in their seats chanting and singing for about 90 minutes after the game ended. Finally the police had to remove them from their section – I guess they were tired of the Boca fans burning things in the stands and throwing whatever they could rip up down onto the seats below them.<br /><br />So, including all of the pregame chanting and the post-games displays we were at the stadium for 6 hours. And, the crowd never stopped cheering and singing. It is indeed something you need to see to believe.<br /><br />Sorry about the long post – I would blame it on Jan, but I can’t think of a reason….Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1160076286981172212006-10-05T16:16:00.000-03:002006-10-05T23:17:41.913-03:00Not a Winery, but a good timeTapaus is not an Argentine winery; it’s an Argentine distillery. But, it gets a bit of a pass because all of their products are made from Malbec grapes and the structure itself is well worth a visit when you are in Mendoza. After having made my second visit in two weeks (I couldn’t let either Peter and Zoe or David and Abby go home without trying this could I?) I can give you the history back and forth. But you are going to have to make the visit yourself to get that angle.<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/abby%20dave.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/abby%20dave.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here is what I will tell you. Tapaus’ unique approach to spirits and liquors is an interesting change of pace. All of the products use grapes as their base, but once distilled the alcohol is mixed with a variety of flavors from grapefruit to honey (we spied about 10 jugs of raspberry liquor that is awaiting government approval). The resulting products are fantastic (what I remember of them is that they are fantastic – they are also a bit powerful). My personal favorite is the Triple Sec, everyone else that I have taken has loved the Mandarina or the Pomelo. The other big favorite is the Miel (honey) liquor that tastes like the honey my mother used to keep in the cupboard in a plastic bear (I bet that plastic bear is still stuck to the cupboard).<br /><br />If you are not into brandy and orange liquor, the architecture is in and of itself enough to warrant a trip. Tapaus boasts a truly “green design” and employs stones from the nearby Rio de Mendoza and recycled materials from old oil and gas operations in its design. Be sure to check out the hand made stills (they will remind you of re-runs of M*A*S*H – those of you that are old enough to remember M*A*S*H) and the outdoor garden where water from the river is filtered for use in Tapaus’ spirits. The folks are more than generous with their tastings (assuming you do the individual tour – you don’t want do the bus tour at Tapaus it usually full of Chileans and no one understands a word they say). <br /><br />I am feeling a little strange about the fact that an entire page of notes in the guest book come from friends that I have brought to Tapaus – I should wait a week before I go again……Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1159554978526857322006-09-29T15:27:00.000-03:002006-09-29T15:43:04.846-03:00Domaine St. Diego<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/domaine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/domaine.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> Domaine St. Diego is one of the more picturesque bodegas in the Maipu region sitting at the base of terraced foothills that one can leisurely stroll through on a self-guided tour among an alternating stamds of grapes and olive trees. When Peter and Zoe were in town we took them out for the tour -- well worth the effort (it was killer we had to drive about 20 minutes from our house on a beautiful day and then spend an hour walking through a beautiful vineyard).<br /><br />The famed Mendocino oenologist Angel Mendoza (I read somewhere that he is famous) and his son Lucas (not yet famous) have focused their attention on small harvests from only the best vines and produce a well balanced and smooth tinto vino. They also produce the famed Angel Mendoza Damajuana (a damajuana is a big jug of wine) Domaine St. Diego uses the riddling process, hand turning each bottle to produce a wonderful sparkling as well. This bodega is one of our favorites to visit in the spring and summer especially as the terraced fields and walking trails are in full bloom during that time of year.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/DSC02409.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/DSC02409.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Peter and Zoe took some time out from the arduous trip to sit on the bench that the Familia Mendoza has built from old vines -- they are such newlyweds (they still call each other "honey" and "sweety" -- that will wear off). And, then we were off to see the Tapaus Distillery -- not wine, but made from grapes -- more on that soon.<br /><br />AdiosVince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1159210003290817342006-09-25T15:23:00.000-03:002006-09-25T20:49:13.016-03:00BBQ PizzaBBQ Pizza is a delicacy in some small towns in the US, but it takes on a whole different meaning when you are actually cooking the pizaa on a BBQ (or parilla if in Argentina) instead of adding some BBQ sauce to a chicken pizza. I find it hard to imagine anything much worse than chicken and BBQ sauce on a pizza – not so with pizza made on a parilla. David, one of the partners at Vines, was the chef -- In addition to the pizza David made some of his famous hamburgers – just in case the pizza didn’t work out.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/Black.5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/200/Black.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>While the first couple came out a bit on the well done side (I have included a photo to the right to give you a sense of what it looked like). Once David got the technique down the pizzas were quite good. OK, so that is not a picture of the pizza – it is the cover of an AC/DC album – but you get the point. Not that I am complaining.<br /><br />The night also logged the end of a long day for some of the staff who were giving a tour to a pair of architects from the US who are helping the team design the Vines Resort. John & Hadrian, the architects, had spent the day touring the countryside to get a feel for the Mendoza lifestyle – so they were a little bit tired from the long day (and not being used to Argentine scheduling, they were probably ready for bed when we started cooking at 10:00 PM).<br /><br />And on that note, I am out like the lights.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1158931491999139182006-09-22T10:06:00.000-03:002006-09-29T15:48:41.986-03:00Zoe - Guest Blogger Eats Way Through Mendoza<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/DSC02384.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/400/DSC02384.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Aiy aiy aiy! Where to start? We've been visiting Vince, Jan, and Amelia for a few days. It's amazing how much we've crammed into a very short time--we've been drenched by the only rainstorm in the last nine months, seen snowflakes in the Andes one-quarter the size of my hand (the Andes!!! Mi dios! Holy vaca! Que lindo!!!!), giggled with Mia for hours in the backseat of a long car ride (ok, Peter was in the front seat, but still...), tasted Pablo's Torrontes (do not pass go, do not collect $200, order mucho of this vino from the Vines immediately), visited the most beautiful vineyard ever and had a private tour from the owner's son who taught us about the tears of the wine (not its legs like we say in the US), and ate ourselves silly. <br /><br />Have you ever recuperated from a carne coma? Jan and Vince threw us an asado the other night--con choripan, morcilla (that's blood sausage to the uninitiated), grilled queso (mmmm, the queso!!!) {Editor's Note: We call that Provaleta -- she is correct it is great}, lomo, bife, pollo, y mas, y mas, y mas. And then the postres. I think there were some veggies too, but who really cares about them {Editor's Note: there was a vegetarian citing at the Asado -- scary, we are going to have to fumigate}. We ate and ate and ate, then ate some more {Editor's Note: They ate just as much as she claims - it is the first time anyone has ever eaten four servings of provaleta}. As a result, we spent all day yesterday recuperating from the meat hangover {Editor's Note: Isn't that a vision you want in your mind -- meat hangover}. Perfecto!Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com425tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1157418622700793732006-09-04T22:04:00.001-03:002008-11-11T19:02:51.811-02:00Computadora<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/Photo%206.2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/320/Photo%206.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>All right then -- no word on my old computer. And, to be honest I don't really expect any. As I left the Mendoza Police station the officer called out to me that they would call me when they found something. The only problem with that was they didn't ask me for a phone number. They didn't expect to need one, and i don't expect to hear from them.<br /><br />Luckily for me some friends were in the states and I now have a new computer. One with a nifty little camera right in the screen. What do you think of this photo I took of Amelia? Gotta love this technology stuff. Next trick will be video Instant Messaging -- anyone want to be the test case?<br /><br />Now if I can just keep this computer from being stolen all will be good in Mendoza once again.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1156479727467002212006-08-25T00:34:00.000-03:002006-08-25T01:35:55.216-03:00Lost and RememberedToday started out as the worst day in my recent memory. So bad in fact that I am amazed at how well it ended. But to get to the moral of the story you have to read why I had a bad day.......<br /><br /><i>Getting to School</i>: Today Amelia didn't want to go to school. Once I got her out of bed the battle to get dressed and in the car began in earnest. All of the best 4 year old tactics were on display: laying on the floor screaming; claiming to be sick; refusing to eat breakfast; and, culminating with kicking her father. The last step elicited a sharp retort that sounded distinctly like, "One more of those and you will spend the rest of the day in your bedroom." (I think I was channeling my mother) Eventually she settled down, but not until my nerves were pretty well shot.<br /><br /><i>The Walk</i>: When I finally got Amelia in the car so that we could go to school, my lovely young wife suggested that I walk downtown today -- just to clear my head (not that she didn’t want to ride in a car with me given my mood). A great idea -- I went back in the house and grabbed my Ipod and preceded to head out. Two steps down the walk my allergies kicked in. I went back to the house, took some Benadryl, grabbed my tissues and off I went. Within two blocks I having a full-blown allergy attack and my Ipod battery had died. This was turning into a great little walk.<br /><br /><i>The Construction Company</i>: I have been helping out the Vines by overseeing a construction project and the installation of new telephones. When I arrived today I found that neither company had shown up on time, one company was trying to move us back by an entire week and we installed a couple of phone jacks in the wrong place. All aggravating and nothing I won’t live through, but enough to add to an overall bad mood and to convince me to skip my Spanish lesson (something I can hardly afford to do).<br /><br /><i>The Theft</i>: Today I was reminded that we live in a city and one with some poverty. Janalee had taken notice of my generally shitty mood and suggested we have lunch together. We don’t spend enough time together (I am in the guest room in the middle of the night writing a blog after all) and so off we went. We were sitting at our table when a strange guy bumped into me and kind of turned me to one side. He started talking to us about diabetes or something - I really couldn't tell (I knew I should have gone to the Spanish lesson) -- and then he ran off. When he left we started talking about how strange the encounter was and about 10 minutes later I realized my backpack was gone. The strange guy had distracted me so that his friend could steal my bag. In my backpack I had my computer, my Ipod and everything that I have been working on for the last few weeks.<br /><br />All of that left me in a pretty foul mood. But, there is a bright side to this little tale.<br /><br /><i>The Offer</i>: Janalee and I arrived at the school to pick up Amelia after my trip to the police station. (The interaction with the police is worth a blog all its own – at a later date.) Jan doesn’t usually go with me to pick up Amelia, but given how my day was going she thought it might be best to accompany me (and keep me away from sharp objects). She also wanted to tell me that she had talked to our friend Michael who is in the states for a visit. She wanted me to know that Michael called to volunteer to bring a replacement for my computer back with him. Nice to have people who want to help without you even thinking to ask.<br /><br /><i>The Mac & Cheese</i>: When we got to the school we ran into some friends of ours who just moved here from the U.S.. And, they had a gift for us (chocolate chip cookie mix, syrup, macaroni & cheese – you would be surprised what you crave after being away from home for a few months). The gift couldn't have come at a better time (Mia ate her first pop tart today -- woo hoo, cavities here we come). <br /><br /><i>The Love</i>: As I got to the door to retrieve Amelia she ran to me with a picture she had drawn. On the back she had written, “Te Amo, Papi” and signed it “Amelia”. (Did I mention that Mia has learned to write? Pretty cool, don't you think.)<br /><br />By the end of the day I was reminded that what I lost is nothing compared with what I have. <br /><br />And, that is about as emotional as I am going to get on a blog.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19465730.post-1155679060845699152006-08-15T18:51:00.000-03:002006-08-15T18:57:40.860-03:00Veinte Años<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/1600/jjmvm.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1368/1927/200/jjmvm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It was 20 years ago today that Jan and I agreed to play. While we wondered if it would last, it has actually been a blast. We have been going in and out of style (I am out of style), but we seemed to have lasted a while.<br /><br />Podrá nublarse el sol eternamente;<br />podrá secarse en un instante el mar;<br />podrá romperse el eje de la tierra como un débil cristal.<br /><br />¡Todo sucederá! <br />Podrá la muerta cubrirme con su fúnebre crespon;<br />pero jamás en mí podrá apagarse la llama de tu amor.<br /><br />Thank you to Janalee for twenty exciting years.Vince Meldrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01334126275485016819noreply@blogger.com0