Argentinean Food: The Culinary Wonder of the World

Argentinean food can be briefly described as utterly AMAZING! The colossal array of food here is unimaginable. There is literally something for everyone, even the pickiest eaters. Nevertheless, it has become a tradition for us Yankees to use the phrase ¨Take a bite, let me see¨, which was coined by the one and only Mr. Smith in order to depict the unknown food that we were about to feast upon. Though, no matter what you tasted, with every bite explodes a new, scrumptious, juicy, and mind-blowing taste in your mouth that just makes your day in Argentina so much better.

Our first stop in the culinary wonder of the world comes at the hand of the magnificent yet delectable legend of the ham and cheese. Who would have thought that such a simple item can be used in almost every single way? In pizza, sandwiches, croissants, empanadas, pretty much anything you can think of has ham and cheese. At this point in the trip I would not be surprised to see a ham and cheese candy. Whether it is the gigantic ham and cheese pizza, or the simple ham and cheese sandwich, this legendary dish has been done over in every possible way, leaving its marks in Argentina.

The most famous café in all of Buenos Aires that most exuberantly displays Argentina’s culinary greatness is the Café Tortoni. According to a renowned expert on everything except arithmetic (Mr. Smith), the Café Tortoni is a place where ¨Anyone who´s anyone who´s been to Buenos Aires has gone. To say the least, it’s a big deal.¨ This entertaining café provides for some of the best pastries and revitalizing drinks to dine upon. A very popular drink amongst us BC High students has been tea with milk. This hot drink is something to take your time with, as every taste is filled with refreshing tea followed by warm luscious milk that will make any person want to fall asleep. Other popular drinks are the submarino (a warm milk with a submarine shape bar of chocolate), coffee with milk, and my personal favorite the iced coffee shake with rich creamy coffee ice cream inside.







Thus far, this trip to Argentina has presented us with an array of delicious desserts. From the absolutely astonishing and gooey dulce de leche pancake (different from an American pancake), to the orgasmic Oreo torta my host sister made, Argentinean pastries are simply amazing. Though one must buy dessert has to be the churros from Café Tortoni. These churros are as fluffy as a pillow yet still have that sweet crunch that makes everyone smile. Besides these pastries, there are a variety of ice creams and shakes that provides the bitter sweet refreshment of summer in winter-like weather.





Now for the one thing that makes this country´s food an absolute wonder of the world: Asado, otherwise known as BBQ. When you think of American BBQ, the first things that come to your mind are hot dogs, hamburgers, and meat drenched in tangy barbeque sauce. I can adamantly say that you haven’t had a true BBQ if you haven’t tried Argentinean asado. In order for me to describe how good this BBQ is… Let me just say that it had me salivating for more the rest of the night. The nice, juicy steak had me drooling before it reached my mouth. And the sight of the ever so succulent grilled chicken can cure any thoughts of hunger; dripping of tasty juices ready to explode in my mouth. The robust process of Argentinean grilling starts with stuffing the grill with a bag of coal, some wood, and even newspaper. Then Bam: Amazing! After a little more than an hour, things like churipan, steak, ribs, and chicken enter your stomach leaving an awesome feeling. After you try the mind-blowing provoleta, grilled seasoned provolone cheese that are well complimented by either crackers or bread, you are going to be saying goodbye American BBQ, Hello Argentinean asado. If BBQ is not your thing, there are always other delectable dishes such as milanesa, and the ever so flavorful empanadas.

Whether it is the fresh and vibrant array of meat, the crunchy and sweet selection of pastries, or even the neverending options of ham and cheese, there is something for everyone to eat here at the center of the culinary wonder of the world: Argentina!

Now time to go back to my Chow down….

Hasta luego,

Keith

Salta and Ju Juy

After a week or so in Buenos Aires, our group took a 2 hour excursion to the northern part of Argentina to the historical area of Salta. Upon arrival in the airport, we were taken by bus into the city of Salta to look around briefly before Argentina's big game against Greece in their final match of group play. We all watched the game in a restaurant right in the center of the city, and through a significant portion of the game, the Argentine team had its citizens on the edge of their seats, but they were finally relieved with a goal by a crowd favorite, Palermo!





The streets were deserted during the game but once the match came to an end, the main square in Salta was filled with hundreds of celebrating, ecstatic fans. The environment was incredible, especially coming from a soccer player.





Even though the game was over, our exploring continued. Our tour guide took us to numerous beautiful places throughout and around Salta to shop and also to learn of the city's great history. One place we went to was a beautiful creek outside of the city with a gift shop filled with traditional Argentine clothes, jewelery, and toys. While exploring the creek, the group of 7 teenagers decided to race up the stream, hopping rock-to-rock. Of course I ended up falling :) and had to wear wet, cold clothes until we got to the hotel. That wasn't exactly fun, but the group got a kick out of it :).





After going whitewater rafting the next day, we all went to a traditional dinner in Salta called a Pena, where they had typical Argentine food along with a stage performance with drums, dancing, and singing.





The next day, we took a long bus ride further north to Ju Juy where we learned of the endless history of Northern Argentina and the beginning of the country with Inca natives and colonization by the English and the Spanish. One place in particular we visited was a series of ancient fortresses in Argentina, the only one fully restored and reconstructed. The architecture and system of rocks was amazing and though it is the winter in Argentina, it never rains in Ju Juy and it became extremely hot at the top of the fortress.













Next we traveled to a few smaller towns where we experienced hand made goods made especially in this part of the country. After catching our flight back to Buenos Aires we learned we had no classes that Friday and we all looked forward to resting that morning.

Hasta luego,

Owen

First Weekend!

"Bam: Awesome", as Mr. Smith would say if he saw what happened on June 22 down in the Plaza de Mayo. A whole lot of bam, followed by a whole lot of awesome. My family and I arrived at the plaza as an Argentina military band was playing national anthems, a white flag song, and numerous soccer songs. After that, they showed a huge video of Argentina´s history, including their fight for independence, political presidents and dictators, significant events, and even photos of their most famous people of their country. The video was playing on a building - I think we have a video to show because you really got to see it to believe (for now, check out the pictures below). This was followed by some amazing fireworks over the plaza that were so close I could hardly hear once they were done. The whole night was an amazing experience and I am glad that I was able to go. In Spanish, the day is called el dia de la bandera (flag day), but it is also known here as el dia de BAMderAMAZING!

Hasta luego!

Ben

Arrival in Buenos Aires!

When we finally arrived in Argentina after a long stay in Atlanta we headed to Colegio del Salvador. We arrived just at the end of the Argentina World Cup game on Thursday. We met our host “brothers” some for the first time since the Boston and others the first time ever. We arrived home got settled and many of us just relaxed and got unpacked and ready. Friday was our first day of classes. Friday we all went to school for the first day and were introduced to the English teachers and received a fleece jacket that says “Exchange Program Argentina” with the Colegio´s symbol. Also there was a small ceremony of the Argenintean flag because Monday was Flag Day. The students of Colegio who are in about fourth Grade present a flag to the students in their last year, the year of our “brothers.” All of them promise their hearts to Argentina and the flag (see the picture below!). It was a good experience to have the first day especially to see our own brothers participate. We had our first classes and, unlike B.C. High and all high schools in the U.S., the teachers switch classes, not the students. We left and returned to our houses after an easy day of classes. We had the weekend to relax and get ready for our trip to Salta and enjoy ourselves.

Hasta luego,

Dave