Owner: Irish Expat in Buenos Aires URL:http://paddyinba.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:07:12 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: General spiel on everyday life and experiences of an Irish expat moving to Buenos Aires to take some time out in the Argentine Capital and to travel the length and breadth of the country and beyond. Site statistics:Click here
Need an Alibi? 2008-04-09 09:01:00 I thought this was a joke at first but the following is from a real website offering you an alibi for everything from a doctor's excuse to take time off work to having an extra marital affair. The company can mimic the caller id to make your telephone appear as if it's coming from somewhere else or give you complete anonymity if you prefer. If you haven't worked for a while and need a bogus CV/resume filler they can sort you out (might need this myself!). There are many of these websites out there so I guess they must be doing business.- - - - - - - - - - - - -Alibi Network is a cutting edge full service agency providing alibis and excuses for absences as well as assistance with a variety of sensitive issues. We view ourselves as professional advisors who understand our clients’ uni
Have You Tested Draft Blogger? 2008-04-07 09:01:01 I'm not here !!! - I'm off travelling with my delinquent younger brother for 6 days down to Puerto Madryn in Patagonia and so won't be at my computer night and day (or is that day and night?) so I decided to test the scheduling of a blog post at a later date with idea is you can basically scribe up blog post today Saturday April 5th and have it auto post a few days later (hopefully Monday April 7th). It seems to have a few extra bells n' whistles (aka gadgets) too that they haven't rolled out to the main blogger masses yet. Anybody tried it? Like it?Hate it?
Read more:Blogger
, Draft
Football Fever! 2008-04-05 19:24:17 The folks down here are a little more than passionate about football (that's soccer to you yanks). I still remember the first time sitting at home with the windows open and hearing sporadic roaring and not having a clue what was happening. I'd rush to the window and expect to see a mass riot on the street but nothing / nobody /nada was happening. It was only later that I learned it was your average Mom and Pop sitting at home watching the footie on tv. So then I started turning on the tv myself to see the goals and listen to the commentary.The most bizarre thing is that some of the channels who don't have the right to show the game will just show pan around the stadium for 90 minutes so you can see the crowd with just audio commentary of the game in the background. It's on my list of Read more:Fever
, Football
Bye Bye Bertie, Bertie Bye Bye! 2008-04-02 17:54:26 Bertie Ahern (a.k.a Bertie the Bollocks!) the Prime Minister of Ireland has said he will resign next month. The Celtic Houdini who has been constantly embroiled in bribery scandals and investigations has managed to avoid this fateful day for a long time and is still being investigated, has finally met his Waterloo. He has unexplained deposits and bank accounts which he simply can't remember. Many politicians are corrupt but Bertie graduated from the Charlie Haughey school of memory loss. He simply can't remember how he accumulated his fortune - poor chap! - I feel for him NOT! - Ding Dong the Dick is Dead - the wicked wicked Dick is dead! Politicians are not above the law, yet it remains to be seen if Bertie will be held accountable.
Read more:Bye Bye
Toilet Etiquette 2008-03-31 14:09:19 When visiting Argentina, you will notice a distinct lack of public toilets. When you do find a public toilet, there's a good chance it won't have toilet paper. There may well be a toilet attendant who will dish out a few sheets (usually way too few!) in exchange for a coin, so I always recommend to people traveling to keep a roll in their bag for emergencies. It's also advisable to have coins in case you don't have your bag with you. If you don't leave a coin for the attendant you might be verbally abused and if looks could kill you would surely be dead! Above all, be sure to follow the toilet etiquette below!Photo: ToiletEtiquette
Government in Argentina extends LENT 2008-03-27 15:50:54 In a drastic measure aimed at tackling the widespread food shortages in Argentina
, the government here has extended the religious period of Lent. The Lenten period of 40 days of fasting and prayer officially ended last Sunday. The new president Cristina has been under increasing pressure (including street protests in the capital) to address the food shortages of meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables and cooking oil brought on by the farmers strike. The extension of the Lenten period is also to prohibit alcohol and is effective immediately and will continue until further notice. The population here is over 90 percent Catholic."It's just not F#$%in' fair!" said an Irishman who preferred to remain anonymous. "I've just spent 40 days without caviar and Cristal champagne and now I'm expected to g Read more:extends
, Government
The Weekly News in Brief 2008-03-27 12:46:01 Photos: Mothers of the DisappearedAs yet another thunder storm with lightning roars and heavy rain beats against the window, I will give you the news in brief from Argentina from this last week.New VisasIreland and Argentina have agreed to a work exchange program whereby 100 people of both countries can get visas to work in the respective countries. More details here. Good initiative but why only 100 slots available? Argentina's population is 8 times that of Ireland.Farmers ProtestBefore the thunderstorm hit tonight, I was awoken from an late evening siesta (sleeping is fashionable here don't ya know!) by the sound of pots and pans being hammered by spoons and whatnot (a throw back to the protests after the crash in 2001). The farmers strike (due to excessive tariffs / taxes on agricul Read more:Brief
, Weekly
LOST! 2008-03-22 00:07:04 If you're not a fan of 'LOST' then you will be LOST reading this post. I got hooked on the hit TV show 'LOST' before I arrived to Argentina but unfortunately even though they show it over here, I have missed every episode of the new season 4, because I keep forgetting to set the VCR to record it. Truth be told, I'm not even sure I know how to program this VCR since I thought that piece of technology was dead with the advent of easy to use TIVO-ish PVR's and DVD recorders etc, but had to revert to a second hand VCR, since my fancy digital tv PVR is not compatible over here.My sister-in-law gave me a catchup DVD with the first six episodes of season 4 last night and although bleary eyed, I watched five of them (well 4.75 really as I fell asleep on the sofa). I watched the remaining 1.25 e
Saint Patrick - Patron Saint of My Blog 2008-03-22 00:05:32 As a child, I spent many fantastic summers on a farm, in the small village of Lecanvey, Murrisk, (near Westport), County Mayo where my mother was born. It's in a spectacular setting at the foot of a mountain and overlooking the picturesque islands of Clew Bay. The mountain is called Croagh Patrick
(known locally as 'The Reek') and apparently, the main man himself, St Patrick spent 40 days and 40 nights on the top, doing holy stuff like blessing rocks and casting out snakes and what-not. It's a pity St Paddy wouldn't come back and cast out the biggest snake known to man a.k.a. our fearless leader, Bertie Ahern.Photo: Croagh PatrickPhoto: Clew BayThere's a yearly pilgrimage on the last Sunday in July (Reek Sunday) where up to 40,000 people (some of them barefoot!) make the ascent over jagged Read more:Saint
Part Time President of Argentina 2008-03-22 00:05:11 There's been quite a stir in the local media recently about the new Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner's lack of time on the job. She swans into the office at lunchtime and apparently jets off to private social functions by 5pm.I find the latter hard to believe as I have yet to go to a social function here that started earlier then 10pm. I reckon she must be going home for a badly needed siesta as the country is renknowned for it's late night culture with dinner starting at 11pm, bars empty until midnight and clubs only getting going at 2am.(Warning - now going off on a tangent as I usually do!)I first visited this city on a Tuesday night ten years ago. My brother and I, and a very short stocky Aussie lad who went by the name of 'Stretch' (apparently nicknamed by his friends after Read more:Argentina
, President
A Picture Says a Thousand Words! 2008-03-22 00:04:55 ......so three pictures must say three thousands words!My longest blog post ever!Thank God Paddy's Day is just once a year!Hangover cures listed here
Read more:Picture
, Thousand
, Words
Irish Leprechaun Invades Argentina and Terrorises Locals 2008-03-15 09:42:55 Photo: Beware Little People!Video: Footage from a mobile phone(As reported by several newspapers - Terror strikes a small town of General Guemes in North Argentina
as as creepy gnome like figure scares the living shite out of the locals. There have been numerous sightings including the photo & video footage above and people are afraid to leave their houses after dark.For those of you who know me in the flesh, I can confirm, that despite the uncanny resemblance, this is NOT me and I have an alibi!I reckon they should hunt the little fecker down (probably hiding at the end of the rainbow) and get his 'pot o' gold'!What do you think, real or a hoax?
Read more:Irish
, Leprechaun
Punta Del Este - TITS 'n' ALL ! 2008-03-13 03:35:13 Photo: Fashionable TITS!ok - almost finished rubbin' yer nose in my latest travels, but we did a quick side trip to Cabo Polonio which has no road as such and can only be reached by 4 x 4 vehicles where you are loaded into the back of a large 4 x 4 truck like cattle and transported across a sand obstacle course (not for the faint hearted!). It's basic, remote and it was raining yet again so we bailed and headed for the blitz and glitz of Punta Del Este for a few days.This small beach city is famous for being the playground of the rich and famous a la Cannes in France. It was noticeably expensive with designer shops, fancy restaurants and people trying way too hard to look important. I seriously wanted to slap them hard and remind them they were just as unimportant as me, but I resisted
I'm in Uruguay ( Where are you?) 2008-03-11 23:10:01 Map: The road much travelled (click to enlarge)After the Carnival washout we headed east to Uruguay
for a weeks exploration of the beaches. The border crossing is a bit of a roll of the dice these days, as the local Argentines are blocking several bridges at different times, in protest at potential pollution from two paper mills that have been built just over the border in Uruguay. It's causing a major rift between the countries and there is no end in sight to the protests. Since the bridge at Gualeguaychu was blocked, our route took us first north to Colón then across the border to Paysandú, then south to Montevideo and finally north east as far as the small isolated beach town of Punta Diablo before backtracking to Cabo Polonio, Punta del Este, Montevideo and finally ferry back to
Gualeguaychu Carnival, Argentina 2008-03-11 08:22:13 Photo: Carnival
FunTomorrow, I'm off to the last day of carnival in these there parts in Gualeguaychu Carnival, Argentina
with the missus and some friends. I went to carnival in Trinidad & Tobago a few years ago and it was an absolute blast. It was a 'lads only trip' and we got kitted out with costumes and took part in the parade. Before you ask, NO, you can't see photos (one is above & no I'm not in it). The missus just went to the carnival in Bahia, Brazil 2008 (chick only trip!), which is supposed to be better than Rio according to carnival veterans. I won't be able to read, comment on blogs for a wee while but hope to post the occasional mobile phone post to the blog so keep watching and I'll catch you on the other side.
When it Rains it Pours! 2008-02-28 13:44:28 The forecast for today was "Light Thunderstorms containing Rain". It hasn't rained much in Buenos Aires since I got here and that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. It did snow for first time in 90 years the week before I arrived but its been dry and sunny since (I know, it's tough out here! ;-)) The forecast is usually fairly accurate here and sure enough, I awoke around 4am with the sound of thunder followed by rain. I got out of bed and closed the windows to stop the splashes getting in. I went back to sleep amidst the sound of raindrops beating against window. I woke up at 8am with a now familiar sound of more raindrops beating against window, only heavier, stronger and faster. By 10am, the rain was falling with such force, it was like a giant power hose from the heavens. This con
Barking Mad (Take Two) 2008-02-26 20:50:31 Photo: K9 Boca Juniors SupporterUpdate: Despite the serious effort invloved, recording the dogs on my phone , the damn thing wouldn't play on the blog. That is hopefully now fixed (blue play button below) and I've softened up my tone for the poor dogs in question as it wasn't totally P.C. (except for 'Brucey' - you I still hate with a vengeance!)I've mentioned dog themes in previous posts (e.g. post A and post B )I remember as a kid, our next door neighbour had this Jack Russell/Pitbull mongrel called Bruce (we called it Brucey after the tv host of the 'Generation Game' as like him it liked to talk(bark) a lot). Brucey liked to bark at the birds. He would chase them if they landed anywhere near the garden and even if they were perched 3 metres above in a tree, he would bark and bark until Read more:Barking
There must be something in the water! 2008-02-26 07:48:33 A 16-year-old Argentine girl has given birth to female triplets - for the second time.Courtesy of Raiméis7 Kids and she's 17 today!There's been quite a backlash from the Argentines here where poverty is widespread. She got a freebie house and land after her 1st set of triplets and will now need more support and probably a bigger house. The father of the first set of kids did a runner.There's not much sign of Daddy for the second set either.Jaezuz H. C. !!!!Speechless!
Read more:something
, water
The Love Shack is a little ol' place, where, we can be together 2008-02-21 11:47:28 It's quite common here for your kids to live at home with you,until they get married or shack up with someone. So you could be sharing your home with your 31 year old daughter or forty-something year old son if they haven't got lucky. Jaezus, I think I'd go postal. I'm thinking both sides of the equation here. If I'm the kids now, having to share a house 24/7 with your parents, till your 30 to 40 would drive me over the edge. Wasn't it the Menendez twins that 'off'ed' there parents and who could blame them. Parents Question: "What sort of time do you call 4am to be out on a Friday night?"Gobshite Answer: ".....eh....errr...... normal?!!"But now that I'm pushing forty meself, I have to empathise with the ol' 'blue rinse crew'. I mean, all they want is a good nights sleep and a bit o' Read more:little
, Shack
, together
Stranded in the Desert 2008-02-20 14:13:59 My siblings and I, have a bit of a reputation for travel jinx's and mishaps. We're a well traveled bunch, but somehow a dark cloud seems to follow us around as soon as we set foot near an airport.This latest chapter is very bizarre indeed. My brother had recently gone to Saudi Arabia for a contracting work assignment and involuntary detox. I mean, why pay for the Betty Ford clinic when YOU can get paid wads and detox at the same time. His work agency arranged for a 6 month multiple entry work visa. Having spent just over a month working there, he was planning to travel back to Europe for 2 weeks and then return to work in Saudi.He checked in for his flight and proceeded to immigration control where he was informed he'd over stayed his visa by 3 days - huh? Turns out that even though i Read more:Desert
24 Hour Delivery 2008-02-20 14:13:42 Photo: Beer 24/7I was out for a walk the other day. I love walking. It's therapeutic or soothing or something like that and it's good for you! I pick an area of the city I haven't been to and try and navigate there on foot. Sometimes I get there and sometimes I don't, but I enjoy the exercise. I hate most forms of conventional exercise. The gym, swimming, jogging, pilates (whatever the hell that is?), they are ALL so bleedin' BORING! Walking is cool and everybody does it so it must be really cool. So there I was, walking the other day and I passed this kiosko, which is like an off-licence / mini-mart shop thingy and look what I found......and this in the middle of Lent as well. Jaezuz, what a bunch o' heathens. Who in their right mind would need an alcohol delivery service availa Read more:Delivery
Talking Shite 2008-02-20 14:13:18 Just a heads up, this is not so much of a tongue in cheek humourous post, but something I've been chewing on for a week now and just needs to be said.Most people have heard of the Great Irish Famine (1845-1849). I'm not sure what was so 'Great 'about it mind you, but it was the catalyst for many Irish to emigrate from the 'ol' sod', and that trend continued until the Celtic Tiger and perhaps it's the reason I've been wandering the four corners of the earth these past twenty years.What many don't know, including most of the Irish themselves, is how many Irish continued to emigrate after the famine to Argentina. My uncle Paddy gave me a heads up on this trivia before he passed last year, but as with most of my education, it went in one ear out the other - could I have A.D.D?......huh? ... Read more:Talking
Show me the way to Amarillo 2008-02-20 14:12:45 Photo: North is EastI had a bit of a shock recently when I realized my whole geographical perception of Buenos Aires has been a bit skewed...well completely arse backwards actually. I had bought a big map of the city when I arrived 6 months ago, which showed the barrios (neighbourhoods) and streets. Unfortunately, I only realized a few days ago, it has North pointing right i.e. North is actually East on the map. Now I ask you, what gobshite, would design a map with North pointing East? I went for a wander last week to walk off an extra large Chivito, which simply put is a huge Uruguayan steak sandwich and then some. Anyways, because I was using the mental arse backwards map in my head, I got completely lost and four hours later, I was still wandering round like a missionary in Iraq
Suckin' Face in Pinamar 2008-02-20 14:12:07 Five hours down the coast from Buenos Aires, lies the laid back beach resort of Pinamar. We went for the weekend to see what it had it offer and because this is high summer season, it was busy,busy, busy! We were lucky to be able to stay with friends right on the beach front.It seems as though, if you're not a teenager, then you probably don't belong here. There are throngs of kids who takeover the beach during the day and then the majority of the nightlife scene is also geared towards the young folk. It's quite normal here for thirteen to sixteen year olds to be out till the wee hours, a.) because it's safe and b.) the kids here for the most part, are not into drinking or other vices although recent news reports suggest that's changing.It would be difficult to see this being possible
Operation Desert Storm - Puerto Madryn 2008-04-14 12:07:05 I'm just back from 5 days exploring Puerto
Madryn, Peninsula Valdes in beautiful Patagonia with my brother who was visiting Argentina for 2 weeks. The first day of the trip, we rented bikes and headed on a cycle, 16kms out of town to look at sea lions and 16kms back. For people who aren't overly active, it wasn't going to be that easy and in retrospect, given the gale force winds was probably a little ambitious.After some navigation problems were worked out, we were on our way. The terrain on the way out started on asphalt but eventually became rough with lots of stones, dirt, hills and sand, so wasn't that easy. Also, we hadn't exactly done our homework on the availability of water, so were only able to source a small bottle between us which didn't last very long. Ninelty five minute Read more:Desert
, Operation
, Storm
JAWS! - Orcas (Killer Whales) Punta Norte 2008-04-17 00:26:37 Photo: Dinner Time!Photo: Dessert!Apart from sea lions, penguins, dolphins, elephant seals and guanacas, the main attraction in Peninsula Valdes this time of year (March to early April) is the amazing spectacle of Orcas (killer whales) coming into the shallow waters in Punta Norte
and gobbling up sea lions. They literally almost beach themselves in doing this - it's quite amazing as the above pics/videos demonstrate. Unfortunately, the orcas weren't being as cooperative (as pics above) the day we were there and I'm sad to say this is as close as we got!Photo: Orca comes close but not too close!We did get to see orcas, sea lions, guanacos, huge elephant seals and lots of Magellan penguins so it wasn't a 10 hour trip in vain. It basically boils down to luck and weather conditions to be ab Read more:Killer
Thick Smoke Blankets Buenos Aires 2008-04-18 11:31:52 Photo: Smoke
y Buenos AiresAlternate headline = "Cristina Fiddled While Buenos Aires Burned" or "Where there's smoke there's FIRE!"For more than three days in a row we've had smoke covering the city like the famous smog that covers L.A only worse. Tonight it's particularly bad as it's hard to breathe and my eyes itch and my throat is agitated. It's like a thick fog and visibility is minimal. There have been serious accidents on the roads with at least 3 fatalities and 14 injured. Ports have been closed and flights delayed. It's still warm this time of year so closing the windows is not an option. The cause is grass on farmland being burned outside the capital in the Delta del Parana region, with the winds blowing the smoke from the fires into the city and as far away as Montevideo in Read more:Thick
Smelly Europeans Stink Out Poor ENGLAND 2008-04-19 21:01:01 Apparently Buenos Aires isn't the only city with air quality problems (see previous post). London has been the victim of manure like air blowing in from somewhere in Europe. It's suspected that pollution from a factory across the channel is to blame. Hmm.. I think I'll take smokey air over manure air any day!From todays Mirror Newsapaper - UKEurope blamed for foul stench over Southern EnglandA foul manure-like stench hanging over parts of Southern England yesterday has been blamed on Europe.Weather experts said east-blowing winds carried the nasty niff across the Channel as calls flooded in from London, Kent, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, East Anglia and Devon.The Met Office said the smell is believed to have been caused by a combination of agricultural and industrial pollution - with pig m Read more:Europeans
, Smelly
, Stink
Recommend Site To A Friend
