Back to Bourdain

It might seem a little strange now, just a little perhaps, in how much attention I give to Mr. Anthony Bourdain. But I can't help it.

The guy is just that cool. And blunt. And polished in a non-polished way. I'm reading his book that catapulted him into the light outside of the line. No more sous chef times or working fry stations.

Now, and for a few years, travelling the world and discovering people and culture through the disguise of food adventures. Beautiful stuff.

If you have the chance to pick up a book and want to understand a little about what goes on behind the kitchen doors in [New York] restaurants, you might want to grab this. Although if you are a picky eater, maybe not so much.

San Diego Reader comments on Uruguay

A local magazine just this week published a few words about Montevideo. They also put up a decent photo of Ciudad Vieja at night as well: Montevideo, Uruguay

Where is Uruguay?

My friends and others (mostly on visits to the States) have asked me where "Uru-what?" is...or "that place Paraguay where you are living". I give them a break though in that it is a bit difficult to find in the enormous continent of South America (but come on, it is not in Africa).

So here is a [new] map [so graciously sent to me] of South America. Uruguay is small, very small.

About the size of Missouri, and on the southeastern portion of the continent below the mammoth backyard of Brazil and north (and east) of airy Argentina, Uruguay quietly hangs out. Tranquilo.

Cows Own It

I've seen the Anthony Bourdain No Reservation episode covering parts of Uruguay - he said they outnumber people three to one. I've read some stuff online (believable or not) that states five of them to every Uruguayan citizen.

Whatever the actual stat is doesn't matter too much. My own eyes have seen a lot of cows in a small country housing very few individuals. Uruguayans absolutely treasure their asados or their chivitos chock-full-oh-carne...hence they need a lot of these vacas.

The Apartment Care-Takers of Montevideo

Walking into Montevideo's governmental agency (La Intendencia) that is in charge of keeping order with apartments and buildings (in terms of construction, building issues, taxes, etc), I noticed their office door handle.

No, I am not kidding. Uh-oh.