Two blogs in two days

I would like to introduce you to a drink called mate (pronounced "maw-tae")...it's this funny tea that everyone, and I mean E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E drinks around here. Let me explain...there is a small round cup and a long metal straw, as you can see in the picture. The mate tea goes in the cup, then hot water and sugar goes on top and you suck it through the straw. This drink is for sharing - the person with the mate drinks it, refills it from their handy thermos and passes it to the next person...this process can go on for hours, or until the hot water has run out. It's more of a social event than a simple cup of tea. You can see people almost anywhere with their cup and thermos...people working in stores have their mate behind the counter, people sitting on the subway sharing a cup, people in the park...and believe it or not I saw two police men sitting in a police car drinking...yes you guessed it...MATE!!!!





I often find myself in coffee shops these days, and I must say that getting a cup of coffee here is quite exciting. I had this cup today, all I ordered was "un solo cafe" it cost four pesos (a little over $1)...so the waiter guy brings: two cookies, water in a pitcher, a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, AND my coffee!...What and experience! and you get all this stuff everywhere you go!!!


P.S................................

My baby brother matthew turns the big ONE SIX on novermber 22...be sure to wish him a happy birthday! Love you matty!!!

Ashley