The Dirty South

On Thursday night, I returned from my last minute trip to South America. On Thursday I stood in 14 lines. I counted each one. Pushed my bag with my foot along the floor, rubbed the dent that had been permanently dug itself into my shoulder from my bag. Escaped into my ipod. Declared my souvenirs. Exited customs and smelled the sweeet Atlanta air and gave thanks that Delta delivered me home safely.

South America was a bunch of round and misshapen adventures strung together in a long necklace. Buenos Aires, the shiny European jewel of the continent. Parisian facades, wide, sprawling avenues, waterfront bars, spicy rich Malbec, and slabs of beef. Greasy empanadas that soak through your napkin. Sexy, sultry, daring, forbidden, fishnetted tango. Beautiful, discernible Spanish.

Sao Paulo, the massive, tall, smoggy skyline. The gemini populations--living not side by side, but on top of each other in socioeconomic layers. The very rich hopping through the city in helicopters, careful not to ever touch the streets. And the very poor running and busing through the streets in Havianas and bright fabrics. The toxic, cunning Caipirinhas. The ever-confusing sounds of Porteguese-Oy! The sheer vastness of a city within a country whose boulbous shape takes over the continent in both size and population.

There's too much to tell. Too much that I can't tell (South America is like Vegas in that way). Too much that seems a blur. But there are bright shiny moments that I can't help but sharing here. Mostly, the people are the bright shiny moments, but as usual I spent most of my time photographing the food. Thank you to all of the students who made me feel so welcomed and so embraced on the trip.

Sarah's South American Top Fourteen

#14. Coffee that reminds you why you haven't spotted a Starbucks in South America


#13. A Vegetarian at a Brazilian Steakhouse


#12. Coca-Light: a sweeter and flatter version of its Atlanta counterpart

#11. Five-Year Olds Dancing on bar tables at 4 am

#10. Outdoor cafes in Buenos Aires that remind me of the Champs Elysees

#9. Steaks the size of your head


#8. Empanadas: filled with spicy beef, potato, gooey cheese

#7.Toasting with friends, and hot Argentinian Sommeliers

#6. Dancing that makes me think of sex

#5. Brazilians cooking their meat on a George Foreman Grill

#4. Caipirinhas (muddled sugar cane alcohol, limes, ice, and sugar to the taste)

And Passion-Fruit Caipirinhas


#3. The Mexican Flag: sipping tequila, spicy tomato juice, and lime juice.

#2. Brazilian Steakhouses


#1. Friends who remind you that traveling isn't about the place, its about the people who experience it with you.