Córdoba and Catamarca!!!

Hey all!

I just got back this morning from Catamarca to visit Ivi and her family. Ivi is my REALLY good friend from high school when I was a sophomore when she studied abroad. I decided to go really last minute and had to miss most of my classes this week but it really was totally worth it. Anyway, I went to Córdoba first to meet Ivi and then on Friday we went to Catamarca together. When I saw her I was sooo stoked!! We hugged a bunch and it was just amazing! I arrived early in the morning and we took a taxi to her apartment. It's really awesome. She lives alone in a two- bedroom apartment with a lovely kitchen, and a huge patio. I took some photos so I will upload them to facebook. We had a great morning, we had mate on the patio and talked all morning. Later, we went out for a walk and to eat lomito sandwiches, which are the best in Córdoba, so I had to try them. Sooooo good. We tried the vegetarian one with eggplant and the regular one. I was so full after that. That night we meant to go out clubbing but before we went we decided to take a nap. Well...we never really woke up lol. It's cool though because I got a lot of needed beauty sleep. On Friday, we just hung out again and took a walk. Before our trip to Catamarca at midnight, we decided to get a beer hehe ; ) We shared two bottles of Stella, the beer that beer haters love. I definitely realized how amazing Córdoba is and how I have to go back. Our bus trip was great. I fell asleep and pretty much stayed asleep the whole time. Nine hours later, I was in Catamarca!

We then took a taxi together to her house (It was only 6:00 am). Her house is gorgeous! She has a pool in the backyard, a hammock, ect. Unfortunately I meant to take pictures but I didn't. So we watched TV and went to sleep. I met her family when we went to my first Argentine asado (Barbeque…it was seriously the best barbeque I have ever had in my entire life). There is Ivi’s father, Carlos, Ivi’s mother (I don’t know her name bleh), Juan Agustín, the 17 year old brother, and Matias, the 7 year old brother. There was steak, ribs, and sausage but it's really nothing like anything I have ever tried, so don't imagine what it's like...just come here someday and try it ; ) Also, I got to try this great regional wine that was so smooth and velvety, a perfect addition to my asado.

The next day, we went to el Rodeo, a beautiful scenic drive through the mountains. I took so many photos, so you'll be able to see what I am talking about. One fun thing was this little aqueduct that looked like the water would flow up the mountain, but when we tested it, the water went the opposite way I thought. We ate lunch at this nice restaurant and I ordered Pollo con Salsa Marsala (Chicken Marsala). It was super yummy, and the chicken was just so much better quality than I usually eat in the States.

I also got to try Alfajores Cordobeses after dinner one night (Alfajores are cookies filled with Dulce de Leche in the middle...they are yummy). Alfajores are very regional, so the ones from Córdoba have a sugar-type coating on the outside of the cookie part.

On Monday night, there was a party for Arcor, the company that Ivi's dad works for commemorating their achieved goals last year. It was really fun and the food was good too. I ended up dancing which was a super fun.

Yesterday, before I left, we decided to make brownies, so I grilled my brain about what we needed to make them and they turned out to be great!! Also, Ivi's mom just happened to make plum preserves, so we had homemade brownies with plum sauce.

Well this is definitely not everything but it’s some highlights of my trip!

Chau,

Julia