tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61491434590601821222024-03-13T01:29:05.971-03:00A Texan in ArgentinaYet another blog about some guy's family moving to Buenos Aires.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-4032697679618463852008-12-12T15:37:00.004-02:002008-12-15T00:35:19.896-02:00Congratulations to Gaby and Esteban<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/3095029030/" title="WeddingPicsGabyEsteban5226.jpg by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3095029030_c5f68b8c5d.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="WeddingPicsGabyEsteban5226.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations to our great friends Gaby and Esteban for tying the knot last weekend. I have to give a shout out to two people that we are forever indebted to. <br /><br />From almost the moment we landed in Buenos Aires, Gaby and Esteban were a big help. They met us that first week and gave us the lay of the land and advice on how to navigate the new and foreign city we had landed in. <br /><br />They gave us advice on the best neighborhoods to live in and escorted us to countless apartments showings when we were looking to buy. They always had connections to handle what ever we needed. <br /><br />If a medical emergency erupted, Gaby would drop everything and hop a cab to meet us at the hospital to translate for us. That happened more often than we expected, and Gaby was invaluable in making the situation as stress free as possible. <br /><br />But most of all, they were great friends and we enjoyed their wonderful company over many great meals. <br /><br />There is no question they have a bright future together. Salud and falicidades!Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-1034329752046901732008-11-25T17:19:00.008-02:002008-11-25T19:15:20.318-02:00Is Google responsible for Maradona's bad image?<a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1859329,00.html"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/3058804297_6f903e6de0_o.jpg" width="470" height="667" alt="diego_maradona.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption">Image from "<a href="http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=825835&page=3">The Diego Maradona Argentina Coach Lifespan"</a> Thread on bigsoccer.com</span><br /><p>It appears that Maradona (and over 100 other Argentine celebs) has gone to the courts to force Google and Yahoo to stop serving up websites in their searches that Maradona doesn't like. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1859329,00.html">Time Magazine has a great story</a> on the issue. Yahoo has complied while Google is waiting for an appeal. </p><p>Time makes the point that suing Google for search results is like suing the newsstand for having newspapers you don't like or forcing them to rip out pages of magazines that you don't like. If Maradona and others don't like what comes up when you google your name, sue the offending site—not Google or Yahoo! That is, if their is legal grounds to sue a site. Free speech is free speech. Libel/Slander is a different story. </p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-24461978792482197492008-11-19T16:49:00.005-02:002008-11-19T18:06:48.530-02:00Kids in the 50's were a lot more sophisticated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=1465e97c0be98b3d_landing"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 600px;" src="http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=1465e97c0be98b3d_landing" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There are a lot of great photographic treasures being made accessible on the internet every day. First, there was the creation of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/commons/">The Commons on Flickr</a> which showcases treasures in the world's public photography archives like the <strong>Library of Congress</strong> and <strong>The Smithsonian</strong>. <br /><br />Then came the news that Google has made available the photo archives of <strong><a href="http://images.google.com/hosted/life">Life magazine</a></strong> including some of the most famous photos in American popular culture. The one above is my favorite. Check out <a href="http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?q=smoking+source:life&imgurl=50528bb27302a559">the whole series</a>. <br /><br />And you think kids grow up too fast today? (Thanks to <a href="http://twitter.com/gruber">gruber</a> for pointing it out.)Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-51264547017255555912008-11-15T03:39:00.006-02:002008-11-15T22:01:21.033-02:00Are we playing Fútbol or Football?<p>Today, my four year old and I were outside enjoying the cooler weather with his brand new nerf football—an orange and white Texas Longhorn football of course. In between running plays, he blurted out, "OK daddy, you be the <strong>Texas Longhorns</strong> and I will be the <strong>Boca Juniors</strong>. Cause that is your favorite team and Boca is my favorite team. OK?"</p><br />Gotta love him!Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-56387411978581300002008-11-14T17:58:00.008-02:002008-11-15T00:58:07.597-02:00The fall of a (once) great power?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/3030531046/" title="Greatpowers1.jpg by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3030531046_f87a41ba0e.jpg" width="257" height="400" alt="Greatpowers1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>Was Paul Kennedy right over twenty years ago when he predicted the decline of the United States (and Russia) vis-a-vis China, India, Japan? (ok so he was wrong about Japan.) In 1987, Mr. Kennedy published, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Great-Powers/dp/0679720197/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226697308&sr=8-1"><em>The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers</em></a>. For those unfamiliar with this very important and influential book, it is worth a read now more than ever. </p><p>The book examines all of the great powers starting with the Ming dynasty and works it way up through the 20th century. Kennedy looks for the root causes of both the rise and fall of these super powers over time. </p><p>The main cause for the falls? Military over-extendedness. Eventually, all great powers over extended themselves militarily around the world—especially relative to their economic growth and ability to sustain those endeavors. </p><p>With the super-power over-stretched, weaker tangential players took advantage of technological and/or economic advances and gained the upper hand. </p><p>Many critics faulted Kennedy for a number of years after the book was written. They claimed he over simplified things and did not take in to account the peace dividend of democratic nations. Democratic nations now fight in the marketplace not on the battlefield. </p><p>But, at the time the book was published, the Soviet Union was in the start of its rapid decline—a decline so rapid no one would of guessed that the US would be left as the world's sole super power in just a few short years. That is, because the Soviet Union quickly crumbled, it no longer pulled us down with it in a never ending arms race. The cold war over, we were able to reinvest in our industries not the military. Kennedy was not in a position to predict that in 1987. </p><p>But then came 9-11 and a the US found itself caught up in a never-ending war on terror. It is no secret our military is now over-extended almost to the breaking point. </p><p>Recent critics of book were still quick to point out that we continued to have the worlds most enviable economy producing wealth at an unprecedented pace. The exact kind of economic prowess that has saved other powers in history from an untimely decline.</p><p>Well, not anymore. Our economy is now in freefall. Mr. Kennedy may of been right after all. </p><p>So who will sit atop the world in the next 100 years as the dominate player? Or, can the US regain the upper-hand? Thoughts?</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-26213460654542491872008-11-07T03:12:00.012-02:002008-11-07T05:14:04.366-02:00Sometimes it's hard to be a proud Texan<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlovitt/3005116800/" title="Obama election celebration on U Street by mlovitt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/3009193081_c638a3a6b1_o.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="3005116800_19b0659c5f.jpg" /></a><span class="caption">Photo by mlovitt on Flickr</span><br /><p><br />While the whole country seems to be celebrating and dancing in the streets with hope streaming out in tears—there hasn't been much celebrating here in Texas. The mood of most of the country seems to have passed us by and instead I am left scratching my head at the acts of my fellow Texans. </p><p><br />It started with friends from all over the globe teasing me about a new poll which found that <strong>24% of Texans thought that Obama was muslim</strong>. I naturally took this as good news since well over 65% of the state gets their news only from the Fox News Channel. So by my reasoning, less than 1/2 of those people aren't believing what Fox is telling them. </p><p><br />Other's emailed me surprised at how big McCain was projected to win Texas. Well this is a solid Republican state home to a lot of big business and a lot of bubbas. It is no accident that George W. proudly calls this state his home. </p><p><br />Those two items are not what has me shook up about my fellow Texans. It is something much worse. </p><p><br />First, there was a report out of <strong>Baylor University</strong> (the large Baptist University in Waco) that on Wednesday morning a hangman's noose was found attached to a big Oak tree in the center of campus. Apparently one of the students wanted to send a sick message about how he felt about the election of our first black president.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/3009182961/" title="2772052540_09191af635_b.jpg by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3009182961_a9d6d5a359.jpg" width="500" height="445" alt="2772052540_09191af635_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>I thought we as Texans had gotten past that kind of thing. Sadly, I grew up in a small town that was still proud of its history of hanging black men that were caught traveling through town after sunset. </p><p> <br />Even up to the early 80's while I was in high school, there was not a single black family living in our town. My junior year in high school, a black engineer from California moved his family to my town and his daughter was in my Trigonometry and Physics classes. (As you can tell from reading my blog, I was not in the advanced English class with her.) We were all blown away with how smart she was. <br /></p></p>Only, it was not to last. Someone <strong>burned their house down</strong> in the middle of the night and the family moved away in terror after one week.</p><p><br />This was not something out of the Jim Crow era and Klu Klux Klan heydays of the 50's and 60's. This was in the 1980's! A time when the rest of country and Texas had moved on from that kind of ignorant hatred. Or so I thought. </p><p><br />But surely after the election of Barack Obama, even small-town Texas was ready to bury its racial past. I wish I could say it has, but that kind of news hasn't stop. </p><p> <br /><strong>Mack Brown,</strong>, the coach of my beloved Texas Longhorns, announced that they have <a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2008/11/06/burnette_ousted.html">terminated <strong>Buck Burnette</strong></a>, our backup center, after it was discovered that he posted a racial slur on his Facebook page and something to the effect of <strong>"Hunters should get their guns because a COON broke into the White House."</strong></p><p><br />Maybe it was just a stupid copy and past of something he was sent. A stupid thing done in haste by a stupid kid. He has since apologized. But, the damage was done. Mack did the right thing in canning his ass. But, the scary thing is the <a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2008/11/06/statement_from.html#comments">number of people defending him</a> on the <a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2008/11/06/burnette_ousted.html">Bevo Beat blog</a>. </p><p><br />So the rest of the world, keep dancing in the streets. I wish I could join you, but I'm too depressed.</p><p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-63642961525444371412008-11-05T23:23:00.005-02:002008-11-06T00:39:36.925-02:00Fall in Texas (Spring in Argentina)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/3003519095/" title="RiverLegacyParkFall08.jpg by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3003519095_1e17b80651.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="RiverLegacyParkFall08.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>Fall has finally reached us here and I forgot how beautiful North Texas can be. Sometimes it takes moving away before you can appreciate what you had.</p><p>Fall means temperatures in the 70's (low 20's Celsius) with some leaves turning color. It is our short window of opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors before it quickly turns bleak and dreary. These few weeks are a welcome relief from the 90 to 100 degree temps of summer. </p><p>This pic was taken on a hike along the banks of the Trinity River at <a href="http://www.riverlegacy.org/rss2html.php">River Legacy Park</a>. This wonderful park is less than 1/2 mile down the street from where we live now in Arlington.</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-5570552325083325712008-11-05T03:02:00.002-02:002008-11-05T03:05:07.960-02:00Change Has Come to America<a href="#" title="Obama on the cover of Time"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3003971365_7360ae6d62_o.jpg" width="400" height="537" alt="obama_time_cover_102306.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations Obama. You have brought change to America. Now lets all roll up our sleeves and get to work fixing what needs to be fixed. We have a lot of work ahead of us.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-32179408901849311252008-10-06T22:33:00.006-03:002008-10-06T22:50:18.816-03:00The Wide Wide World comes to BA<a href="http://thewidewideworld.com" title="The Wide Wide World Blog"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2919762541_2b6f1a6da8.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="The Wide Wide World" /></a><br /><br /><p>Ran across a great new travel blog about a family form the North East doing the RTW thing (round the world trip). Dani, Craig and their children Caroline (13) & Conor (11) are on a year long trip around the world and are now in Argentina.</p><p>Checkout their website, <a href="http://thewidewideworld.com">The Wide Wide World</a>. It is one of the best family adventure blogs I have seen. It has a great design and they make it easy for anyone to follow along as they bounce around the globe. Good mix of Web 2.0 features and video.</p><p>If anyone runs across them while they are in Buenos Aires, tell them Longhorn Dave says hello and I hope BA ends up being their favorite stop on the whole trip. How could it not?</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-47719124861436332752008-10-05T13:33:00.002-03:002008-10-05T13:36:01.736-03:00Tina Fey: Always better than the real deal<!--[if IE]><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id=W4727a250e66f972348e8e9590397149e" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48e8e9590397149e/4741e3c5156499a7/e126ec54/-cpid/9b352bc621baa7ed" /><![endif]--><!--[if !IE]>--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48e8e9590397149e/4741e3c5156499a7/e126ec54/-cpid/9b352bc621baa7ed" id="W4727a250e66f972348e8e9590397149e" width="384" height="283"><!--<![endif]--><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></object><br /><br />The Tina Fey/SNL parody of the debate was again better than the real deal. Only this time, it was more balanced by equally mocking Joe Biden. <br /><br />Enjoy.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-5232597440738734112008-10-03T01:46:00.012-03:002008-10-03T03:16:00.251-03:00V.P. Debate: Why it mattered for me.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/us/politics/03debate.html?hp" title="Palin Biden debate"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2908424455_cccb430473.jpg" width="500" height="246" alt="debate" /></a><br /><br /><p>I haven't heard what my friends in Buenos Aires thought of the debate yet. (I hope they all had fun <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/blmurch/tags/vpdebate/">at El Sacramento bar</a>.) But, I have to agree it with Eugene Robinson of the Washington post when he said <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/10/the_vp_debate_the_strangest_iv.html">it was the strangest debate he has seen</a>.</p><br /><p> To begin with, everyone was expecting a train wreck that never occurred. Palin held her own. But she managed to do it mainly without answering the questions posed to her. She did her best to channel Ronald Reagan. Not sure she succeeded, but she avoided the train wreck.</p><br /><p>Biden did well by providing facts and giving proof that he had the experience, knowledge, and judgment to take over the top job if need be.</p><br /><p>As far as swaying my vote, I think the debate had an effect. I have always described myself as a McCain maverick. However, in this campaign he has not shown good judgment or leadership skills. And, he has severely disappointed me on key positions. The Palin pick was the final straw that put me in Obama's camp. <br /></p><br /><p>It was summed up well on CNN tonight when an analyst said, "During a 9-11 like event while the president is stuck on Air Force One, who do you want in the situation room making the gut decisions on which planes to take down and who to bomb."<br /></p><br /><p>That vision puts things clearly in perspective. Don't it!</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-89501832897271767182008-09-04T01:40:00.006-03:002008-09-04T03:33:56.132-03:00Texas' Colt McCoy—He's back!<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2815792958_c68a1e03dd.jpg" width="500" height="448" alt="Picture 1.png" /><br /><br /><p>Sophomore slump? What sophomore slump? <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/876313.html">Colt McCoy was back in awesome form</a> Saturday night against Florida Atlantic and it was great to be able to watch him set records on the field after a disappointing sophomore year in 2007. </p><br /><p>He completed 24-of-29 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown. He set a record for completing his first 13 passes. He left to locker room at half time 18 for 19 with the one incompletion—a pass he threw hitting the receiver square on the numbers in the end zone.</p><br /><p>He looked great! Our defense did well under their new boss and all the question marks hanging over the team seemed to be answered for the better. </p><br /><p>Can't wait for the rest of the games. Bring it on OU! Go Horns Go! </p><br /><p><br />PS... <a href="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-2-1/Big-12-links--Aggies--loss-hurts-conference--delights-Texas-fans.html">Sorry Bruce</a>.</p><p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-46622369421883309372008-08-14T00:12:00.010-03:002008-08-14T01:01:26.103-03:00It's a small world after all.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/1289163905/" title="Casa Rosada/Manuel Belgrano by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1289163905_8a58a711a0.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="Casa Rosada/Manuel Belgrano" /></a><br /><br /><p>My wife and I took some new friends, <strong>Mike</strong> and <strong>Terri</strong> to <a href="http://www.piranhakillersushi.com/">Piranha</a> in Fort Worth last Sunday. Originally from Austin, they now live in downtown Fort Worth and spend most of their time traveling the world. One of their favorite cities to visit of course is <strong>Buenos Aires</strong>.</p><br /><p>We met through <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/">Flickr</a> after Mike noticed a huge coincidence. I took the above picture of General Belgrano in Plaza de Mayo the exact same day he took the one below. </p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncamikey/1303762831/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/1303762831_9072ac3a4e.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>We were there at the same time and took almost the same picture! Two guys from Fort Worth taking the same picture on the same day half way around the world. How cool is that. </p><br /><p>Mike and Teri are a great couple. The <a href="http://www.yanquimike.blogspot.com"/>Yanquster</a> will glad to hear they are devout <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_dog_Democrat">yellow dog democrats</a> that would make LBJ proud. They even plan on showing up to a few <a href="http://www.2008.yanquimike.com.ar/dlbsas.htm">Drinking Liberally</a> meetings.</p> <br /><p>They will be in BsAs next week for a whole month. I would like to petition the <a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=4894165100">Quaffers</a> for Mike to stand in as proxy for me at the next meeting. He is a wine drinker but enjoys a few good pints every now and then. So treat him well.</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-17822733393565955112008-07-28T01:22:00.002-03:002008-07-28T01:23:59.067-03:00Pic of the Day: Flea Market in Buenos Aires<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2708591291/" title="Old Doll 2907 by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2708591291_e53944a87e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Old Doll 2907" /></a><br /><br />I don't remember where this pic was taken in BsAs. But I like the way it turned out. Now that I have some time on my hands, I'm going through the old pics from BsAs and pulling out some of my favorites to share with you. I hope you like them.<br clear="all" />Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-32136862941885179492008-07-27T02:08:00.004-03:002008-08-05T15:03:17.353-03:00Spanish Classes in Buenos Aires: Hablar en Buenos Aires<a href="http://www.hablarenbsas.com.ar/home.html" title="Hablar en Buenos Aires . Spanish lessons as a second language, spanish courses, all levels, argentina, regular and intense courses,.png by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2705100219_503830cce0.jpg" width="500" height="255" alt="Hablar en Buenos Aires . Spanish lessons as a second language, spanish courses, all levels, argentina, regular and intense courses,.png" /></a><br /><br />Need to learn spanish while you are in Buenos Aires? I can't think of anyone better than <strong>Marco Luccón</strong> with <a href="http://www.hablarenbsas.com.ar/home.html">Hablar en Buenos Aires</a>. <br /><br />I took two spanish classes a week from Marco for a good portion of my time in Buenos Aires. In fact, after my daughter fired me as her home school teacher, Marco stepped up to the plate and won her over as both a history and spanish teacher. <br /><br />Classes are held in Marco's apartment in Palermo (off Plaza Güemes) and are only AR $30 per hour. He is great for both beginner and advanced students. So if you are struggling with that whole "vos sos" thing—give Marco a call.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hablarenbsas.com.ar/home.html" title="Marco Luccón of Hablar en Buenos Aires"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2705920110_0c3bdeefe0_o.jpg" width="453" height="604" alt="n562947743_935776_5734.jpg" /></a>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-55959602928249338852008-07-27T00:20:00.004-03:002008-07-27T00:47:26.677-03:00Home<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/472529234/" title="Fort Worth Texas at Sunset by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/472529234_e3b3636b4e.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="Fort Worth Texas at Sunset" /></a><br /><br />They say you can never go back home again. I don't know about that. <br /><br />My wife and I are have been staying in Fort Worth the last week—the place we consider home. This is where the west begins. Home to cowbosys and culture. And, it is where our relationship began right out of college. My wife was even born and raised here. Me, I was born and raised 30 minutes down I-35. <br /><br />They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. That must be true. I have fallen in love with Fort Worth all over again and we are now looking for a house here. <br /><br />Before, I could never see raising a family here because of crime or schools. But now, I realize it can't be any worse than where we were living before. And besides, with all of the Barnet Shale money rolling in things are booming here. <br /><br />However, I am still going to give Austin one last chance. We were committed to Austin as our target for landing after Argentina. But, sticker price got the best of me. Fort Worth has a lot going for it and is very affordable compared to Austin. <br /><br />We really could live anywhere we wanted to. But Fort Worth has always felt like home. And that is what is important.<br /><br />Don't worry. We love Buenos Aires and Argentina too much to stay away for long. We'll be back. <br /><br />Soon I hope.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-49064982741536702052008-07-11T02:55:00.007-03:002008-07-11T03:14:04.357-03:00Life has been one big roller coaster the last few weeks...<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/heypaul/1428910/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1428910_4e31818886.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/heypaul/1428910/">Millenium Force</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/heypaul/">Hey Paul</a></span><br /><br />Man life has been one big roller coaster for my family lately. I recently left Buenos Aires because of a huge medical scare with my wife. I can't say too much out of respect for my wife's privacy. However, things looked really bad and scary. <br /><br />After being told this nightmare had a 10% chance of not being true, we placed all of our chips on that 10%. We came out roses. The last test came back and cleared her of everything but a nasty infection. <br /><br />Now we are stuck back in the US for awhile. Don't worry I'll still be posting about life in BA. Although it looks like we will be <strong>stuck in Norman, Oklahoma</strong> of all places. I might have to change the name of the blog to A Texas-EX in OU Country. <br /><br />The way I look at it, it is a small price to pay to know that my wife will be by my side for years to come... Well OK, it is a <strong>big price to pay</strong> for any Texas-EX, but she is worth it. I love her that much.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-11590482110926307132008-06-29T02:45:00.014-03:002008-06-30T17:05:58.636-03:00We're American Airlines and by god you better speak American!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcorreira/2116581303/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2116581303_95890874ae.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcorreira/2116581303/">American Airlines 767</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bcorreira/">Cubbie_n_Vegas</a></span><br /><br />Don't even think about flying American if you don't speak "American".<br /><br />Last Monday my family had to fly back to the states from Buenos Aires for a medical emergency with my wife. Don't worry. Everything is just fine now. After a big scare, it was discovered she just has a complication from an infection.<br /><br />Our flight to Chicago was painful enough, but what made it especially bad was the horrible and rude service everyone received in coach. Especially those that could not speak English.<br /><br />It seems American's flight attendants are very proud of the English they speak and get highly unruly if you don't happen to speak it too. It doesn't matter that our flight happened to originate in say Buenos Aires where most passengers would normally speak Spanish and not English.<br /><br />Nope. You better understand English on the flight. After all, you're going to America where they speak nothing but English—at least according to the flight attendants on our flight.<br /><br />After 10 hours of surly service from the flight attendants, things came to a head at breakfast service. Five rows up form me, a well dressed Porteño couple in their late fifties were being served breakfast and coffee. The flight attendant repeatedly barked, "Sir would you like milk or sugar." However, they did not speak English and did not understand her.<br /><br />The man tried to explain he could not understand English. The flight attendant would not take that as an excuse so she announced louder, "Sir, milk or sugar? Sir MILK or SUGAR!"<br /><br />The man tried to talk back in Castellano, but this just annoyed the flight attendant more. "Sir, I don't understand you. Do you want MILK or SUGAR!", was the reply.<br /><br />Finally she said something like. Sir, I am not required to speak Spanish. I speak English! Just tell me Milk or Sugar!<br /><br />The man said something else and a flight attendant form my side of the plane told the other attendant to ignore him if he couldn't speak English.<br /><br />In full disgust the attendant turned away and yelled for the whole plane to hear, <strong>"Well you better start speaking English mister, cause your about to be in America. And that is what we speak there."</strong><br /><br />I couldn't believe what I just heard. That was the rudest and most insensitive thing I have ever heard a flight attendant say. It instantly reinforced the stereotype of the rude arrogant American from the US.<br /><br />At the beginning of the flight, I even made the faux pas of asking "Que cervezas tiene" to the hispanic looking flight attendant who barked back, "Sir what would you like to drink. I asked again in Spanish, and received a more stern reply, "Sir, what would you like to drink."<br /><br />At the time I thought she was just pissed because she thought I assumed she (being hispanic) couldn't speak English—A common mistake I made on the North Side of Fort Worth when I was trying to practice my Spanish.<br /><br />But no. These flight attendants were really put off at having to serve people that didn't speak the same language as them. They didn't even make an effort to use non-verbal clues to communicate. If they didn't understand them, tough!<br /><br />It is episodes like this that give American (the company) the bad reputation they now have. But worse, it is this kind of arrogant treatment that gives all people from the States a black eye in the eyes of the world.<br /><br />I am so truly sorry to any Spanish speaking passengers that happened to be on the flight to Chicago last Monday night. Please don't think the worlds worst flight attendants are indicative of all people from the US.<br /><br />American Airlines, I'm done with you. You have sunk too low on this one. Our relationship is over for good. This is one former "Executive Platinum" million miler that will not fly one more mile with you.<br /><br />Chau American Airlines!<br /><br />What has your experience been on American flying back to the US? The same? Or was this an isolated incidence?Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-26896239336432010782008-06-07T23:53:00.011-03:002008-06-09T02:23:41.483-03:00Salta or Iguazu Falls: Where would you go?<p>Time is running out. Our Argentina adventure is winding down. There are so many other places in Argentina we want to see and do but we can't do them all. In fact, we only have time for one more trip in before we leave. But where?</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabiochicken/2305208231/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/2305208231_33284f8f1f.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabiochicken/2305208231/">camino a san antonio de los cobres</a> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/fabiochicken/">chicken b</a></span><br /><br /><p>We have narrowed the list down to two spots. <a href="http://www.turismosalta.gov.ar/internacional/in/default.asp">Salta</a> (above) or <a href="http://www.welcomeargentina.com/paseos/cataratas_iguazu/index_i.html">Iguazú falls</a> (below). We are having a tough time deciding between the two.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurman/2291822576/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2291822576_f361e1b280.jpg" /></a><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurman/2291822576/">Daylight</a> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bjurman/">Kaj Bjurman</a></span><br /><h4>About Salta</h4><p>Located in the far northwest part of the country, the colorful and diverse high-dessert lanscape of Salta makes our American southwest look dull in comparison.</p><br /><p>Argentina's northwest province is punctuated by mountains and canyons and offers first-rate wineries, superb colonial architecture, and miles cactus lined open road.</p><br /><p>When explaining to locals about our travels around Argentina, everyone always asks, "Have you been to Salta? You have to go!"</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtchm/231888919/"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/231888919_1509eedf91.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtchm/231888919/">San Francisco de Salta</a> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mtchm/">mtchm</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/-fernando-/278648118/"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/278648118_42e4d837e4.jpg" /></a><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/-fernando-/278648118/">revisiones XIII</a> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/-fernando-/">..fernando..</a></span><br /><br /><h4>About Iguazu falls.</h4><p>According to the Wikipedia, upon seeing Iguazú, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!" Iquazú is much larger than Niagara Falls and is rivaled only by Southern Africa's Victoria Falls. </p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcml/252217176/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/252217176_bd71c1611a.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcml/252217176/"> Argentina Brazil Iguasu falls</a> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/dcml/">Dave Curtis</a></span><br /><br /><p>However,Iguazú affords better views and walkways and its horseshoe shape allows for spectacular vistas. At one point a person can stand and be surrounded by 260 degrees of 270 different waterfalls.</p><br /><p>Tourists that I have talked with were all blown away by their visit to the falls. Some say it is more of a must see than the <a href="http://atexaninargentina.blogspot.com/2008/03/el-calafate-and-perito-moreno-glacier.html">Porito Moreno Glacier</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hadleycoull/2333017336/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2333017336_30af12f758.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="336" /></a><br /><span class="caption" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hadleycoull/2333017336/">cheeky face... toco toucan, foz do iguaçu</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/hadleycoull/">hadley coull</a></span><br /><br /><p>So tell us. Which would you choose as your last Argentina adventure?</p>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-53692063042012104452008-05-30T18:11:00.009-03:002008-06-09T02:07:19.420-03:00Will Starbucks be a hit in Argentina?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2536716666/" title="IMG_0938.JPG by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2536716666_36bf857c84.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0938.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><p>The million dollar question—will Starbucks be successful in Argentina? The short answer after today is <strong>yes</strong>.</p><p>As you saw in my previous post, the temptation and curiosity were just too much to keep me away. My daughter was upset when she found out that I had gone to Starbucks without her. So I loaded up the family in a cab and headed over to Alto Palermo to treat them to TGI Fridays (right next door) and to let my daughter get her mocha fix. </p><p>When I arrived this morning around 9:00 about an hour after they opened, the line was out the door and to the steps at the corner of Arenales and Col Diaz. It was over a 30 minute wait. </p><p>When I went back this afternoon with my daughter the line was longer. It was snaking up the sidewalk of Ave. Col Diez. It stayed like that the whole time were eating lunch. After lunch, my daughter waited in that line for over an hour. For a mocha! </p><p>Was it worth it?, I asked her. Yes I would wait an hour for another one!, was the reply. </p><p>But what about Porteños? Will they stand in line for Coffee or demand that it be brought to them at the there table from mozos wearing bowties like in all the other cafés here? </p><p>When <a href="http://www.yanquimike.blogspot.com/">Mike</a> and I were standing in line this morning, the whole line was made up of university kids from UBA and University of Palermo. The few older well dressed porteños would pop there head in and try to find a table, see that there was no mozo service, and then turn around and walk off. </p><p>It was much the same this afternoon. The older porteños were not having any part of it. Mainly, because of the hour long line. In fact, this afternoon the line was made up of 75% teenage girls just out of school. The one thing that is clear, Starbucks is going to be a hit with the 25 and under crowd. This ain't their father's kind of café. </p><p>I think the older crowd is still going to prefer the traditional Argentina café service. They will not wait in a line. They want to sit down at a table, have the coffee brought to them with the soda water and the small plate of cookies. And they certainly won't want to drink it out of a paper cup!</p><p>However, there was another demographic that was clearly present at Starbucks this morning. You know the type. They are the equivalent of our soccer moms back home. Except these women dress their kids in nothing but Gap clothes. The ones with the Gap logos printed real big on the front so everyone can see they must travel to Miami all the time. </p><p>They are the same women you see at the doctor office waiting rooms with the department store bags from Macy's, Barnes and Nobel, and Neimans. They like to subtly announce to everyone that they don't shop in Buenos Aires. They go to the States to shop. To them, anything with a "US" label is a must have. So naturally they want to be seen around town with the not-so-ubiquitous white cup with the green logo. </p><p>So will Starbucks be a success here? Based on the response today, <a href="http://azucar-y-especias.blogspot.com/2008/05/starbucks-argentina-strikes-gold.html">Frank should be a very happy man</a>. However, it will take time. Clearly, the under 25 crowd gets it. The older crowd will have to be converted slowly and I don't think the Martinez and Havanna chains have much to worry about yet. </p><p>This morning, I was talking with <strong>Ricardo Rico</strong>, Starbucks' director of Marketing in Latin America. He said they knew Argentina was going to be a tough market to crack. They took their time and wanted to do it right. But he knew it was going to be an education process here and that was going to take some time too. He was confident they had the right mix of products to appeal to the Argentine taste. </p><p>Come on Ricardo! A mate flavored latte? Yes thats right, a mate latte. Yuck!Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-85303254336842565302008-05-30T12:33:00.014-03:002008-05-31T02:47:49.596-03:00Confessions of a Starbucks Addict part 2<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2536731994/" title="IMG_0944.JPG by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2536731994_505f2c37ee.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0944.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I first came clean on my addiction in <a href="http://atexaninargentina.blogspot.com/2007/10/confessions-of-former-starbucks-addict.html">this earlier post</a>. However, I have a new confession to make. I have fallen off the wagon. I have stumbled into the abyss of my drug addiction again. My drug of choice? Starbucks Coffee. <br /><br />I fell off bad... having now consumed the equivalent of 7 shots of espresso in 2 hours! Damn me. (<a href="http://yanquimike.blogspot.com/2008/05/n84-speakswith-podcasts.html">Damn you Mike</a> for buying me another latte!)<br /><br />I moved to Buenos Aires 10 months ago and was free of my vice. There were no <br />Starbucks triple-venti, non-fat, no-foam, 1-splenda lattes to be found for thousands and thousands of miles around. I thought I was safe. <br /><br />And then today came. Starbucks has opened up its first store in Argentina at the Alto Palermo shopping mall. I thought I could stay away. I tried. <br /><br />I woke up early and took my shower, and lied to my wife on the way out on where I was heading. But after dropping my son off at school, I hopped in a taxi and high tailed it over there. I had to get my fix after all these months. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2535938851/" title="IMG_0952.JPG by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2535938851_20c8373d1c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0952.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The place was packed and there was a line out the door almost down to the street corner. But I waited patiently in line for 30 minutes. Fortunately, they were well staffed and handed out samples of their coffee to tease and taunt me while I waited. They even had a doo-wop group signing Mowtown songs to keep everyone entertained while we waited. <br /><br />I had my first latte after 10 months and damn was it good. It tasted just like I remembered. I ran into the <a href="http://yanquimike.blogspot.com/2008/05/n84-speakswith-podcasts.html">Yankster he bought me another 4 shot grande latte</a>. And of course I had plenty of free drip coffee samples from this guy:<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2535924443/" title="IMG_0947.JPG by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2535924443_67b4a81e4c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0947.JPG" /></a><br /><br />All in all, it was a disaster of a morning for me. For Starbucks, it was a huge success. <br /><br />More to come in another post. In the mean time, I'll be looking up to see if there is a 12 step program for Starbucks addicts here in BA. I'll leave you with the Doo-wop group singing Blue Moon:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z2VG91iXCz0&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z2VG91iXCz0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-51949437663479388812008-05-22T18:49:00.006-03:002008-05-23T00:49:11.895-03:00Argentine Wines: Why Cabernet?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2514280435/" title="chilevsarg_Cab.jpg by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2514280435_91ac95a22a_o.jpg" width="500" height="350" alt="chilevsarg_Cab.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As Tom (<a href="http://sexyspanishclub.blogspot.com/2008/05/guys-night-out-in-buenos-aires-with.html">via his wife's blog</a>) reported, our group of expat beer drinkers got together at friends house to try something different: A wine tasting. Instead of arguing about the nuances of blonds, blacks and tans, we spent the evening learning about Banardas and Malbecs. <br /><br /><strong>Daniel Karlin</strong> hosted the event at his apartment. He has started a new venture called <a href="http://www.anuvavinos.com/">Anuva Vinos</a>. Anuva hosts small intimate wine tastings here in Buenos Aires and features unique, hand crafted wines form some of the best small, hard-to-find bodegas in Argentina. They also make the wines available to order in the United States and Europe from <a href="http://www.anuvavinos.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showlist&productcategoryid=850d6742-dc55-2400-1fef-262701fdf9bf">their store</a> on their web site. <br /><br />I love wine almost as much as I love beer. My family was lucky enough to spend a month in Mendoza touring vineyards and sampling many different wines. So spending the evening with my beer drinking buddies sipping wine was a no brainer. <br /><br />Of the five wines featured, one was a Cabernet. Not surprisingly, it was the least favorite of the four reds we tasted. <strong>Why are Cabernets in Argentina consistently bad</strong> when compared to the Cabernets made just across the Andes in Chile? <br /><br />When I was a poor college student in Austin, I learned early that a good bottle of wine could greatly increase my chances of getting lucky later that night. I would impress dates by ordering a <a href="http://www.wine.com/V6/Santa-Rita-120-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2006/wine/93805/detail.aspx">Santa Rita Cabernet</a> or <a href="http://www.wine.com/V6/Concha-y-Toro--Casillero-Del-Diablo-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2006/wine/91288/detail.aspx">Casillero del Diablo Cabernet</a> from Chile. They were very good and more important at the time—very cheap. <br /><br />I just don't think you're going to impress many women by pouring an Argentine Cabernet. Why is that when they Cabernets from Chile come from the same mountain range and the Malbecs from here are so good?<br /><br />As Daniel pointed out, The pacific side of the Andes provides more rain and humidity allowing the Chilean Cabernets to flourish. The Argentine side is much drier and favors the Malbec.<br /><br />If I were back in college now and trying to impress my dates, I would pour a good Argentine Malbec like the Ikella Malbec that Anuva features. The Argentina Malbec is the best grape being grown anywhere. And you can't beat its price.<br /><br />Anyone out there know of an Argentina Cab that <em>is</em> good and can give the Chileans some real competition?Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-46963360550375925672008-05-14T00:21:00.002-03:002008-05-14T00:24:25.170-03:00Very Cool Grafiti-Animation Artist<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=993998&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color="> <param name="quality" value="best" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="scale" value="showAll" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=993998&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=" /></object><br /><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/993998?pg=embed&sec=993998">MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU</a> from <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/blu?pg=embed&sec=993998">blu</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=993998">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />This work was done in Buenos Aires and Baden. Check it out.Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-74635681338677392352008-05-12T23:21:00.007-03:002008-05-14T00:00:27.344-03:00Be careful what you say down here: It could get you arrested.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidw/2487699161/" title="Things you can't say in Castellano. by longhorndave, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2487699161_d956313afb.jpg" width="500" height="224" alt="Things you can't say in Castellano." /></a><br /><br />My daughter and I take Spanish class here in Buenos Aires. Well we can't call it spanish class because they don't really speak Spanish here in the Rio Plata region. They certainly don't speak the Tex-mex I know. Hell, they don't even speak the Spanish from Spain.<br /><br />They speak <strong>Castellano</strong>. <br /><br />What is the difference? A lot. It's like the old Steve Martin bit about how the French have a different word for <em>everything</em>! Same here but they have a different word in Castellano for everything you managed to learn in high-school spanish class, rendering all prior spanish knowledge useless. <br /><br />For instance, strawberries are not <em>fresas</em> like in Mexico and Spain, they are <em>frutillas</em> here. A jacket or coat is not a <em>chaqueta</em> it is a <em>campera</em>. The list goes on and on. It is very similar to how those crazy brits have different words for things like elevator and umbrella. <br /><br />But there is more. There is this whole <strong>vos sos</strong> conjugation instead of <strong>tu eres</strong>. So my most-feared part of spanish class, verb conjugations, gets all messed up down here. <br /><br />Another thing that drives most Texans and Mexicans crazy is the whole "ll" sound. It gets changed to "sh" so it is not tortilla it is <em>tortisha</em>. It sounds worse than my New Jersey friends trying to pronounce it "tortila". <br /><br />The thing that causes the most embarrassment is the large number of innocuous words that are suddenly "dirty" here. Case in point: <strong>Concha</strong>. Everybody learns that the word for sea shell is concha (see my four-year-old son's flash card above). However, here you can't say it in public because it is a very dirty word. (Think dirty slang for a female body part). <br /><br />Another, word you learned in spanish 101 is the verb <strong>coger</strong> which means <em>to take, to grab, or to catch</em>. Everywhere else in the spanish speaking world you use it to say you want to catch a taxi or to take a bus. <br /><br />Not here. In Buenos Aires, coger (pronounced <em>co-hare</em>) means you want to have sexual relations with the object of the sentence you use it with. You really can't say, "¡Nececito coger un Taxi!" without being hauled off to jail. <br /><br />A fellow Texan and former BA expat, <strong>Brian Winter</strong> has very funny story in his book, "<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-After-Midnight-Ni%C3%B1o-Bien/dp/1586483706/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210649487&sr=8-1">Long After Midnight at the Niño Bien: A Yanqui's Missteps in Argentina</a></em>" about how he mistakenly approached an old lady at bus stop and asked her if he could have sexual relations with the bus. <br /><br />So do yourself a favor and learn the difference between Castellano and Spanish before you come down and say something like, "Wow! Look at the size of those <strong>conchas</strong> in the window!", like I did.<br /><br />What else can you not say without being arrested in Argentina these days? My favorite is "¡Estoy con el campo!"Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-25906673219282800492008-05-10T20:50:00.006-03:002008-05-10T23:24:36.458-03:00Why I let my 13-Year-Old Ride the Colectivo (Bus) Alone<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/villamota/129992495/"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/129992495_b7e22a0aaa_d.jpg" atl="Colectivos by Villamota on Flickr.com" /></a><br /><span class="caption">Picture by Villamota on Flickr"</span><br />A lot <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23935873/">has been made </a>of the mom who let her 9-year-old son ride the NY city subway by himself. Her editorial in a NY newspaper (<a href="http://www.nysun.com/editorials/why-i-let-my-9-year-old-ride-subway-alone">Why I let my 9-Year-Old ride the Subway Alone</a>) has generated a lot of talk among parents all over the globe. <br /><br />Some praise her while others vilify her has the worst parent on the planet. Shocked by the article at first, I found myself agreeing with the author's main point—We as a society have gotten too protective of our kids due to an irrational fear of crime. You can read more about her thoughts on her blog: <a href="http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/">Free Range Kids</a>.<br /><br />The crime per capita against children has gone down over the decades since the 60's. Only the perception of crime has gone up because of the 24-hour wall-to-wall news coverage of isolated crimes against children. <br /><br />I often get asked by other parents if BA is a "safe" city for children. I think it is. But like any large city you have to take precautions. My biggest fear is that my kids will be run over by a car or bus while crossing a street. <br /><br />However, for the most part we feel much safer than if we were living in Downtown Dallas or Houston with our children. There is no question to me that it is safer here than living in NY or San Francisco. This could be because crime is way under reported here.<br /><br />I spend a great deal of time each day escorting my kids to school events. My son goes to a "jardin" or kindergarden for 3 hours each day. My daughter spends time between homeschooling at a friends house and various other classes around town. That is a lot of time on the bus going back and forth. <br /><br />My oldest had been bugging me to let her ride the bus home from our Spanish class. As a parent, I was worried that she did not have the street smarts to figure out where she was and know where to get off. <br /><br />Finally, a good friend just said you got to let them make mistakes. They will never be 100% ready to venture out on their own in a parents eyes. Only by making mistakes will they figure things out on their own and grow. <br /><br />So the other day she had to get back early for a doctors appointment which would mean that I would have to miss my hour of Spanish class. I gave in and let her go back on her own. I was worried the whole time and made her text me when she got on, passed the midway point and got off. <br /><br />It was a success. She walked straight to the bus stop, go on, and rode across town and got off right where she was suppose to. She was surprised at how easy it was. She now has much more confidence and a sense of independence. <br /><br />Would you let your thirteen-year-old ride the bus on her own? In the US I wouldn't even think of letting her. Here everyone takes the bus. Our route from Spanish class is often filed with kids as young as 9 leaving school on their own. <br /><br />When we ask friends that live in the city of Buenos Aires, everyone agrees about how safe it is and that she needs to be independent by taking the bus to where she wants to go. <br /><br />However, if you ask wealthier Porteños and expats in the northern suburbs, they react in shock at such a thought. Hell, my daughter's friends in the northern suburbs aren't even allowed in the city for fear they will be kidnapped. We always have to send her in a hired car out to the suburbs to see them. <br /><br />What are your thoughts? How safe is BA for a thirteen-year-old?Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.com20