We´ll Meat Again

No, it´s not a spelling mistake.

This post is dedicated to the manly art of asado. Many (most/all?) ) houses have an asado area, and for some, it´s a complete second kitchen in a covered outdoor area. This is serious stuff needing some serious asado-ware. This post is for meat eaters only. Vegetarians or the squeamish should avoid reading this. The men tend to do the asado which is lovingly, bordering on reverently prepared. All parts of the beast (bovine including veal or ternera) go on the asado, and it is best not to look too closely or wonder too much about the origin of each shape - or colour of the meat.

This is the some of the extended family and friends gathered for Daniel´s birthday. This is the covered area just outside the house and the asado preparation and sink can be seen behind.

This is how you approach an asado - and once that lot is finished, it gets topped up again. This is cousin Sebastien.

First - prepare the coals.
Try and identify the body parts if you can,. This is veal or ternera.

This is cousin Mariano who lovingly and seriously prepared the asado. It was a work of art- right down to the carving and presenting of the meat.

This is Daniel at a previous asado for a smaller gathering.

This is the asado area.

These are just some of the options:

.... and now for something completely different....

Below is the Catholic Cathedral in the main square of Parana. It´s style, according to an architect student friend of Melisa, is ¨eclectic.¨

I went inside while having a wander around the city yesterday and found myself at the end of the sermon and then holy communion. I sat at the back , (or stood or kneeled - just followed everyone else) and listened and was able to pick up a bit because, the preparation for communion is pretty universal. The inside is magnificent and reminded me of all those cathedrals we visited in Europe. It is huge inside and there were people coming and going quietly without disturbing the flow. Seeing I will miss the monthly church service at Otaua tomorrow, and seeing I´ve got 13 hours on an airplane to look forward to with my usual trepidation- it seemed like a good idea to spend some time in quiet contemplation and to put in a polite request for a safe trip.

There were two women sitting in the doorway begging as people came in and out. It didn´t seem right to just walk past them - especially mindful of the irony of just being on the presence of Jesus-who-cared-for-the-beggars, however, I watched what everyone else did and quietly followed suit - and stepped around them without making eye-contact. I had to reassure myself that I´m here to fit in and not to change the world - but it was still an uncomfortable feeling after having spent a few righteous minutes previously. However, I had already avoided beggars in the biggie of all Catholic cities (Rome) a few years ago so it was another opportunity to practise the "When in Rome, do as the Romans do...." principle.