A Day in Uruguay

If you, like I, were worried there weren't enough country points* being collected on this trip, don't fret. Yesterday we went to Uruguay!!

Specifically, we went to Colonia, which is a one hour fast ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires. The town was originally settled by the Portuguese and later by the Spanish for its excellent location on the river. This river was the exit point for boats carrying silver and gold mined from mountains on the continent's interior. The town has a walled section with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture that is now a UNESCO world heritage site. 

But enough learning. We went early** and were at the ferry terminal for sunrise.***

Once we arrived in Colonia, we took a walking tour of the old town. Highlights included a drawbridge entry to town,

scenic seaside views,

scenic street views,

and a lighthouse that we climbed for some panorama action. 

After lunch and a total of five hours in the town, I am confident we saw all there was to see. It was definitely a worthwhile day trip!

When we returned to BA we did a quick walk through the neighborhood of La Boca. La Boca has a street market and souvenir stores galore. We were there a little too late in the day for the festivities but got to soak in the brightly colored architecture. 

Today we are heading to Brazil and Iguazu Falls! I hope you like waterfall pictures because there are going to be a bunch in your future!

Adios, Argentina!

-KT

*We've been through this, but: http://travelerscenturyclub.org/ Consider me your local representative. I do have a pin now. 

**Though, I am writing this from an airport at which I arrived at 4:15am, so it's all relative. 

***Sunset evokes images of romance and relaxation. Sunrise looks pretty much the same but reminds you that you shouldn't be awake yet, much less up and dressed. 

Don't Cry For Me, Argentina

The truth is, I'd never been here. 

Fortunately, that problem has now been solved. Jessica* and I have spent the past few days exploring Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America. The nod to Paris comes from the urban revitalization that happened in the early 1900's when the city center was given wide avenues to mimic Paris. 

We spent the first day walking around the city center and the neighborhood of San Telmo. Even the streets want you to tango. 

We visited the government buildings in Plaza de Mayo, including Casa Rosada, the seat of the government famed for Juan and Eva Perón's speeches from the balcony. Our speech was given just below the original balcony but was still quite powerful. 

We then took a tour of Teatro Colón where the opera, ballet, and symphony perform. The building was designed in grand style to mimic the great opera houses in France and Italy. Our tour guide insists it has the best acoustics in  the world. 

It was a brutal day for our feet because we walked a ton more and ended the day with a tango lesson! The tango night came in two varieties: Wild and Mild. Our choice is an accurate reflection of my life. "Wild" sounded fun, but "Mild" included dinner.

Following the lesson was, of course, dinner and a show by the professionals. The tango on stage looked much more sophisticated than the two of us clomping around and the band was fantastic. If anyone hadn't wanted to play accordion** before hearing some tango, they definitely do now. 

The next day we devoted to Evita.*** We started at the Museo Evita and learned all about her life. Fortunately, we began in the children's section with a timeline that was at exactly my Spanish level. 

From there, pictures weren't allowed so I definitely didn't get this picture of fabulous Evita fashion. 

I also didn't get a picture of this quote that, though part of Evita's fight for women to vote in 1949, feels like it could have been written today. 

Following the museum we went to Recoleta Cemetery where Evita, 21 past presidents*****, and various important Argentinians are buried in above-ground mausoleums.

 

Also, there was a cat. 

We are ending the day as everyone should- with Argentinian beef. It is sure to be delicious!

-KT

*Although not a single Argentinian has yet to do it, we remind you that "j" has a "y" sound in Spanish. 

**Why would anyone NOT want to play accordion?? It looks like the best. 

***Maria Eva Duarte de Perón (1919-1952)****

****Ohmygodiknowsoyoungright????

*****Fun fact from when Jessica got to BA ahead of me and took the guided Spanish tour. She also knows a ghost story- bug her about it later!!

Olympics

You've probably noticed from the "teacher summers" title that I'm a teacher. I've graduated from multiple levels of teacher school and one of the many teaching strategies I've learned is to organize your curriculum into units. A well-planned unit can tie together disparate elements into one unifying theme. It's a great way to connect different aspects of your curriculum and it can be a memorable way for your students to connect to the material.

I am living proof that this technique works.

In the fourth grade, our theme was THE OLYMPICS. 

I have been obsessed with them ever since. 

As a fourth grader I did not truly appreciate Mrs Pateman's dedication to her curricular theme. As a teacher, I am now in awe. Everything we did that year related to the Olympics. I mean....everything. We learned how to write a biography by picking an Olympic athlete.* We designed an Olympic mascot and created a 3-D model in art class.** We even had to pick a city in the world, research it, and explain why it should host the Olympics. We had to present it to a panel of teachers who served as the International Olympic Committee and they chose one winner from the class.***

We probably only learned multiples of four in math that year, too, I've always excelled at times tables. Whenever I think of lesson units now, I marvel at the time and effort that went into my fourth grade education. I have never been the same. 

Fast forwarding to the present day, I am now in Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. My dream dream was to see the opening ceremonies and any sporting event I could get a ticket to, but the "teacher" thing got in the way. The opening ceremonies coincide with the end of my students' first week of school**** and since I do enjoy being a teacher, I thought I should be there for that. My backup dream was to come to Rio beforehand and soak in all the Olympic buzz I could. 

It started with a passport stamp at the airport.

And then...tonight. Tonight I found the Olympics Megastore. I walked around the store in a sort of manic frenzy and many people kept offering to help me and give me a bag. I, rationally, decided to go back and buy too many things at the end of the trip so I don't have to schlep stuffed animals all over South America. 

So I've done something that I'm confident Mrs. Pateman would be proud of. I've made a list of all the Olympics crap I'm going to buy so I can go in there and conquer.***** I've never considered myself a hoarder before, but I'm starting to see the light. Like, I'm saying I'm buying things for other people and I might just not give it to them.****** Like, I have a study that could easily be converted into the "Olympics Room." Like, did anyone else ever notice that my house is CONVENIENTLY DECORATED IN THE COLORS OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS?‽‽!

Whew. I'm excited. I hope they also sell luggage. 

-KT

*Where my Jim Thorpe fans at??? I know there is still a hand-stapled book written in his honor at my birth museum. 

**Mine was Goldie. It was a gold medal made of felt with pipe cleaner arms and legs. I am certain it does not still exist because my lack of crafting skills has remained constant throughout my lifetime.

***I know you're wondering if I won. I picked Melbourne, Australia, and maintain that it would be an excellent olympics host. The panel, however, felt it was too close to the Sydney Olympics and went another way. I was, unfortunately, unable to argue my case because I came down with chicken pox the week the assignment was due. I am confident to this day that I could have persuaded them in person. 

****Yeah. My students start school August 1st, y'all. 

*****This shopping trip is for you, Melbourne!!

******Even if they're children and my adorable nephews. 

Kudzu Tours Florida

With slightly less fanfare than Cher's multiple farewell tours, Keltic Kudzu has just returned from its 2016 National Tour! That's right, folks, we went to Florida!!

This motley crew caravaned south and hit all the major hotspots, such as a roadside Cracker Barrel,*

a gig in Gainesville at the still-in-progress train museum,**

and landed in lovely Naples, Florida!!

It was a family reunion in many ways, including seeing Ptarcie***!! We celebrated by being the most overly enthusiastic people at a safari-themed putt-putt course. Our apologies to that one disgruntled engaged couple who were somehow forced to mini-golf against their will. 

We had two gigs in Naples. One at Tarpon Cove Community Center

and another at The Violin Shop. 

Both shows were a packed house and ready to party! We were joined by a local fiddler, Randee, on a few tunes. It was a treat to rehearse and perform with her and we hope to play with her again soon!

Beyond the gigs, we did manage to hit the beach and enjoy fireworks, rainbows, and sunsets for America's birthday!

Thank you, KK, for being the best, funnest, and friendliest band I've ever had the pleasure of playing with.****

New England, we'll see you in 2017!

-KT

*Though not immediately obvious in this photo, Tom was schooled in my second-favorite form of checkers. 

**Shout out to AT and UK for the hospitality, gig hosting, AND excellent freshly-caught salmon!

***2003 flashback:

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

****Also the only. I've peaked early. 

Alaska!

AT, UK, and I had a fabulous time in Alaska this week.

We fished with wonderful guides*,

flew sea planes all around,

and floated down what seemed to be our own private rivers.

We invite you all over for a salmon dinner** to hear more about it! 

First thing on the agenda: Learn to fish. UK cheated and already knew how. 

Here you can see I am practicing my "studious" face. We noticed that no one looks terribly happy while fly fishing.***

Next step: Catch fish!

We caught so many salmon.

And pretty rainbow trout!

No ATs**** were harmed in the making of this blog.*****

Breathtaking views were everywhere and we were the only ones there to drink it in.  

Plus, everything is fun with these kids.

Until next time, Alaska!!

-KT

*Ben and Bernie are showing off one day's haul!

**Seriously, come on over. There is 110 pounds worth of salmon to eat. 

***Possibly because it's really easy to pull back your rod and catch a family member. (Not pictured)

****But reeling in the big fish can hurt. 

*****Salmon eggs were.