वार्निंग रेड मात एअटर ओं थे लूसे!

For all of you are accustomed to Claire the veggie-saurus please read this disclaimer before reading (this means you Daddy). We all must try new things in life and this means that of course when in Argentina do as the Argentines do and eat some Parrilla already! :o)

I never thought that I would understand the meat-eaters perspective. I especially never thought that I would cross over to that side of the fence and dance around. I´ve never been particularly against red meat but as many of you know I was brought up an omnivore eating chicken, fish and veggies. When I have a craving it´s usually veggies and carbs, never meat. I never thought I could relate to that melting in your mouth sensation that people rave about. When Ï would try it de vez en cuando (once in a blue moon) I would find it rough, tough and just not up to snuff for my taste buds. I just wasn´t a fan nor was I a fanatic vegetarian. I just kept in the middle of the road trying not to offend anyone´s gastronomic choices but at the same time keeping strictly to mine.

My friend Tania, from New Zealand, was also brought up the same way except she was a complete herbivore. This last week, however, everything changed... As you may have read in my last post, I went to visit some friends in Mendoza and they and their families introduced Tania and I to the beautiful ritual and tradition of the Asado (grilled meat dinner). We both got in just in time for Oliver´s mother´s birthday and of course the main course was some grilled beef (carne), then the side dish was chorizo(also carne) and of course even the dessert was empanadas sanjuanina (yes made with you guessed it--carne!). I had made up my mind to partake on this particular journey but there really was no other option. I have to say I was honored to partake and be included in the family tradition.

I must say, though, I have fallen in love with the ritual of parrilla. It really is a special occasion and I´m proud to say I was a part of it. As everyone prepares the meal together they all share a large glass of red wine mixed with a bit of fanta con limon (lemon soda). After our dinner party with family and friends we cooked asado two more times--once in the park and another time in Ariel´s family vineyard (viñedo). I learned how to get the coals just right before throwing the meat on. The grill (parrilla) can´t be too hot at the beginning (principio). You can get the perfect parrilla by spreading the coals out evenly with the precision of a surgeon. To find out if the coals are just right you simply pass your hand over the coals a few times to see where the heat faltan poco o mucho (lacks a bit or a lot). The meat is meant to be cooked slowly in order to get that perfect flavor and texture. Like most things in life, patience and comaraderie are the key to a good asado. Before the first turn, you must wait for a bit of sangre (blood) to show up at the top of the meat to know that it is safe to turn. After that it is pure preference and timing that go along with the preparation of the perfect asado.

There are very few vegetable eaten with the meal and even fewer utensils but the pure ritual cannot be compared. I decided to put my inner critic on hold and just enjoy. I now know that passion and fire in your belly that can come from non other than a delicious piece of steak, chorizo or ternero. In my carnivorous state I even started to understand why men are so keen on meat. I may be generalizing but eating some meat shed some light on how nutrition truly affects your emotions. As most women I know generally tend to be foragers, grazers and more apt to eat veggies and carbs it really interests me how I felt so differently when eating meat. Perhaps the whole Men are from Mars, Women are From Venus¨ thing holds some light and maybe it even comes from our diet. Women are Venutian Vegetarians whilst men are more of the Martian Meat eaters. (This is me just having fun with alliterations).

The fire and loquacious strength I gained (not to mention the peso) were uncanny. I felt the need to discuss everything from perhaps why we women and men can't see eye to eye partly due to our nutrional (alimentation) needs to how different cuts of meat might possibly help your organs (ie. you would eat heart to strengthen your own or liver etc.). Of course the only real respuesta (answer) I got from that was to learn about the strength it provides the male member. Sorry family, I know! It was too funny and Argentine not to write.

When all is said and done and I go back to my foraging and grazing veggie-saurus I still want to take a moment to honor all the cows and pigs that sacrificed themselves for my carnivorous experiment. Argentina is truly the capital of carne (no not carnage, carne!). Now hand me a carrot whilst I cleanse. One thing is for sure, I will be cooking a version of the Argentine parrilla I learned for all my family and friends upon my return. I'll just make sure to throw some veggie skewers on the barbie tambien (I actually almost forgot the word too today). All herbivores, omnivores and carnivores are invited to attend. I've walked a mile and half in your shoes dear carnivores. Come join me as we rip through flesh and drink from the same glass Argentine style! Jejeje (hehehe-the j is silent-jeje).

CLAIRE IS HOME SUNDAY, MAY 16th DAMAS y CABALLEROS! Can't wait!

ला विदा एस उन हेर्मोसा sueñअ एन रेअलिदाद

Hello to all and Happy May Day! I´m nostalgic for my childhood in Hawaií where each grade of school would get decked out in plumerias and mumús and dance hula for their parents and teachers. It was a very fond tradition. Here in Argentina, and the whole of South America I believe, today is Labor Day. Yes, it is fall (otoño) here and I am lucky enough to have just arrived in beautiful Mendoza. This last week has been a good one in Buenos Aires. I´ve been volunteering in an International school next to the Rio de Plata(the main river next to BA). It is a beautiful school and I actually came to know it through my friend Barbara from UCI´s cousin Shari. She is a proper English teacher at the school and has given me the opportunity to continue my studies and work with her. It has been lovely to be back in the school system. I almost forgot how much I missed teaching until I got back. When I get back this next week I´ll have a chance to sit in on all sorts of IB classes including Spanish culture and language. I am very excited to learn more about the differences between the American school system and the Argentine one. Of course, being an international school the similarities are more since 1/3 of the student population is from the US. The teachers and faculty are all very open and positive people so it´s exciting to be involved with this school.

Natasha has gone home to the states and Anna has gone home to Austria. So, Noel and I are left. Noel and I went to our first tango dancing lessons the other day and had a blast. I´m finally starting to get the whole being lead thing. It´s hard to let go and let the man take charge sometimes but I´m trying and feel like I´m starting to get it. Afterwards we went to a glorious buffet across from the hostel which included parrilla, ciao mein and all other sorts of Argentinian fare.

Last night I left for a 14 hour bus ride to Mendoza to visit my friend Oliver who I met in Copacabana (The Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca). I am here now and it is definitely fall. The leaves are changing and everything is very beautiful. It reminds me of California. Tomorrow I believe, we´ll do a bike tour of the wine country. Today is muy tranquilo because everything is closed due to dia de los trabajadores (Labor day). Tomorrow should be a bit more lively. I´ll report back as the calidad (quality) of Mendoza´s syrahs. I´m sure they´re fantastic. My flight home is May 15th, then I´ll be graduating from the credential program on June 2nd and starting the Masters program the following week. I´m excited for all that´s to come but after all there are two full weeks to explore, teach and live la vida sud americana. I think the trip was well worth it because 3 people (fluent Spanish speakers mind you) have said that I am indeed fluent in Spanish. This will serve me well as my Masters of Teaching emphasis will be in español! Que linda. Miss you all and can´t wait to see you upon my return.