Things I miss about Argentina

Argentina, what to say? Buenos Aires is just the most beautiful, cosmopolitan city full of the the most beautiful people. What's not to love?

1. Pasta - Since everyone you meet in Argentina claims to be first generation of Italian descent, pasta is a BIG deal. There are aisles dedicated to dried pasta and others to fresh pasta at the grocery stores. This is in addition to the pasta markets where you get fresh made canneloni, stuffed shells, raviolis, sorrentinos with every kind of filling.

2. Mate' - This is really not something I miss because I can buy it here. But the whole mate' ritual is what is missing not being in Argentina.

3. Bife de Chorizo - Americans just don't cut up cows the same way. We don't feed and grow our cows the same way. We will never be able to duplicate a fabulous, juicy grass-fed bife de chorizo like they have there. What a shame!

4. Chimichurri - You know how here you get chips and salsa on your table at damn near any restaurant? In Argentina you get chimichurri which is so good!!!

5. Ice Cream - the whole Italian gelatto thing. They make a deep dark chocolate ice cream and offer you raspberry syrup to put on it that will make you think you just died and went to heaven.

6. Antiques - Antique shopping in Argentina is a delight. There is so much to see and buy.

7. Freesia - There were some people who farmed near my kids' school and in the spring they came selling the freesia they grew. Never have I smelled freesia like these. I always bought at least 2 bunches. So beautiful to look at, too.

8. Strawberries - The same farmers grew strawberries and they were outstanding.

9. Kapok trees - The little area we lived in had huge kapok trees. I had never seen a kapok before that.

10. Pampas grass - Seeing it growing wild gave me that "knock yourself on the side of the head and say, I could've had a V-8" moment. THAT's why they call it Pampas Grass!! It is from the pampas!

11. Recoleta - This is the most high-falutin' area of Buenos Aires. The Central Park of B.A., if you will. The Recoleta Cemetary (home of Eva Peron's body) is here, The Museo Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum), the Saturday Hippie Fair, the best restaurants, musicians, etc.

12. San Telmo, this is the area with all the antique shops. Gotta love that!

13. El Tigre - right on the water, lots of artisans, vendors, the best olives!

14. Garapinada - Vendors with big round copper vessels that they cook sugar in till it is a beautiful brown liquid and then add in almonds, pecans or other nuts and coat them. They sell you a bag of freshly made, still hot sugared nuts that you can walk around and eat while you continue shopping, people-watching, sight-seeing, or whatever.

15. Iguazu Falls - One of the top wonders of the world. See it from both sides, the Argentine side and the Brazilian side. Be sure to feed the cuatimundis. Too cute!!

This list is getting long and I haven't even scratched the surface, so I will stop for now. I am enjoying making lists of things I love and appreciate instead of things that irritate me and piss me off. I will get back to being surly in a day or so, but for now I am enjoying my little stroll down Happy Memory Lane!! Thanks for joining me.