From Polar Bears to Penguins – Driving North to South across the Americas
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Curanto |
What to do with a mountain of seafood? (Map this!)
What do you do with a “mountain” of “mariscos”? You dig a hole in the ground, heat up some stones and dump the shellfish on top, add spicy sausage or longaniza, chicken and pork for good measure and potatoes just because you grow a hundred different varieties, then cover it all up with the local Nalca leaves and steam it for a couple of hours. The “Curanto” is now ready to be enjoyed with a class of Chilean wine.
Posted in Argentina on Feb 16th, 2009
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Shredded tire |
Asphalt – Going off road – Driving gravel – Ruta 40 – From Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. (Map this!)
We forget what a miracle asphalt is. Just as the internet revolutionized communications and reduced the world to a smaller size, asphalt (or tarmac) must have done the same in its time. We take it for granted and like hot water at the sink, we only notice when it is absent.
Posted in Brazil on Feb 12th, 2009
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The Palace |
A great idea – Hyperinflation – The pantry – A quintillion – Spending quickly – Deep sea fish
There are many countries in this world, one hundred and ninety five at last count, all using paper currency to conduct business transactions. In fact the idea of paper money is such a good one most people in living memory don’t recall using any other form of currency to transact business. Having money is a good thing, having a lot of money is a great thing, but having too much is another matter entirely.
Posted in Chile, Picture of the Day, Videoblog on Feb 9th, 2009
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Chaitén |
Eruption – Destruction – Disturbance. (Map this!)
“You haven’t heard about the eruption in Chaitén? The Carretera Austral is closed.” , said the man in Temuco. That was the first time we heard about Chaitén; with relief we found that the ferry was still running and we could still do the Carretera Austral.
Posted in Chile on Feb 5th, 2009
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At the museum |
Music concert – German influence – Ruth – When the US is good. (Map this!)
The guitar quintet is playing against the deep blue of Lake Llanquihue. And as notes from Vivaldi envelop us, the almost perfect, snow-covered cone of Volcán Osorno can be seen majestically framed by Volcán Puntiagudo to the left and Tronador to the right. A sailboat glides serenely by.