Lost in Antofagasta: Teaching the Chileans how to make a (kick ass!) Caipirinha.

Teaching my "new friends" in the Chilean city of Antofagasta: Making caipirinhas in the land of Pisco Sour. (And, before you ask: 'NO', this is not a Coca Cola ad.)

If you have read this blog since I began to publish it a while ago, you have probably noticed that the main message that it conveys is related to the importance of personal education, which will in turn improve your views, concepts, opinions and, ultimately, help you develop a more educated taste.

Study and Learn! Nearly all the posts in this blog remark these magic words, in one way or another.

Sometimes, however, you are the one who is called to teach something. It could be something as relevant as the legal advice you can give a friend who wants to open his/her own business (if, say, you are a lawyer), or it can be something as prosaic as I what I had to teach in Antofagasta, northern Chile, a couple of weeks ago.

Antofagasta is the capital of the Chilean mining industry. Located on what is called one of the "driest places on earth" (if not the driest!), the area has not seen a serious rainfall in several decades.

Looking for a nice place to have lunch one of these days, I went to this local restaurant on the city's pleasant coastal avenue. A Brazilian caipirinha - I thought - sounded like a very good beginning. A few minutes later, however, my dreams were shattered by the horrible vision of a bunch of pieces of lime swimming in a lava-like stream made of sugar... which, to top it all off, tasted as bad as it looked.

Terrified, I called the waiter's attention and expressed, calmly and in good terms, my dissatisfaction with that tragic version of "caipirinha". Not wanting the complaint to gain a negative tone, I also said that, as a Brazilian who prepares caipirinhas very often, I was formally voluteering to teach them how to make a good one, if they accepted.

The waiter smiled and asked us to wait for a few seconds, returning some minutes later with the not surprising statement that "they were not authorized to accept my offer". Naturally, I had my lunch as expected (with a soda) and left the premises without further complaints or comments.

A few days later, I ended up going back to our good old restaurant (needless to say caipirinhas were not part of my plans for that afternoon). This time, however, the manager of the restaurant saw me and came to talk to us. He thanked me for my polite complaint and informed the they would like me to visit the restaurant's bar and explain how to make a good caipirinha. I gladly accepted his invitation, and the final result of my cocktail adventure in Chile can be seen in the pic above.

Etiquette and Diplomacy

It has been published that a minor diplomatic incident happened during Nuri al-Maliki (current Iraq's prime minister)'s official visit to France, last month (June/09)

According to the first version published in Italy, the Iraqi prime minister refused to take part in an official lunch, offered by French president Nicolas Sarkozy, once he realized wine was being served in the event.

After having his staff's request to have the "unholy alcohol" be kept off the table denied, Nuri al-Maliki, a practising Shia muslim, decided not to participate, and the lunch was finally cancelled.

The Iraqis acknowledged that they failed to inform the French protocol officials that no alcohol should be served in any of the official events. As reported, the minor incident had no relevant impact on the development of the rest of the visit and the meetings with the French president and other authorities occurred as planed.

I have read several comments on the internet (in general, made by people who have little or no knowledge or formal education in international affairs), who were essentially "celebrating the strength, firmness and courage" of the French government, "in a world where there's so much subservience to Islam's demands". Another person stated that, if "the visitors don't accept my conditions in my own home, they should leave". One of them was even making fun of the Iraqis, alleging they "were arrogant enough to believe that, by simply informing in advance their demands, the French government would have to comply with them".

These people got it all wrong, as usually happens when you give opinions on something you don't know anything about. Luckily for us, Foreign Relations are not for amateurs.

The Iraqis were correct by recognizing their mistake in not informing the French protocol officials about this religious request. But they were equally correct when they assumed that Iraq's government officials were entitled to having their requests diplomatically addressed, had they informed them in advance. Well, this minor incident can help us understand how etiquette and diplomacy are intimately related, and how professional international protocol offices operate, in nearly all well structured Foreign Relations Secretaries around the world.

First of all, if the French had kept the wine off the table, thus accepting the request of the Iraqi prime minister, that would not imply any level of subservience.

In the international protocol, prior to any visit of a foreign authority, the Foreign Relations officials of each country interchange a list of details that should be respected during all official ceremonies and events. As any person who reads a bit about the world knows, there are many religious, cultural, social and even gastronomical conditions/restrictions/requests that exist due to the enormous variety of cultures and societies around the globe.

When an official visit is prepared, the protocol officials analyze the lists and, in general, prepare the details to make sure the meetings and discussions will happen successfully and according to the restrictions and requirements informed.

IF, FOR ANY REASON, the other country cannot accept one or more of the requests informed by the other country, then diplomatic negotiations begin until a final arrangement is made. If no final arrangement can be attained, then the event can be cancelled or postponed.

Therefore, the Iraqis' only mistake was failing to inform the French protocol about this specific alcohol restriction. If they had done so, the French diplomats would then have the chance to either plan an official lunch without wine, or try to find common ground on this delicate issue.

According to international protocol (the world's etiquette set of rules for political and diplomatic relations), the French were given the chance to refuse and reject Nuri al-Maliki's demands ONLY (AND ONLY) because the Iraqis authorities failed to inform the French diplomats about this religious requirement prior to the meeting... otherwise, the French would have had to withdraw all wine from the dining table, so as to avoid a diplomatic issue due to a failure on THEIR part.

It seems clear now that this entire situation has NOTHING to do with subservience, courage, strength or the fact that "French were bravely holding their ground". People who speak on those terms could never be a diplomat and totally ignore how international relations work.

As we all know, French Foreign Relations authorities are no amateurs. I am sure that, had they received this "no-unholy-alcohol-on-the-dining-table" request in advance, they would have found a common ground or changed the nature of the first meeting (by not offering an official lunch, for instance), to avoid this unnecessary and unsavory incident.

And as we learned from the musical EVITA, in the famous diologue between the Argentinean leader and a local bourgeois:
"Statesmanship is more than entertaining peasants!"
After all, on occasions, you have to "entertain" a foreign king, prime minister or president, too!
=)
And while both groups deserve respect and attention, the expectable cultural, political and religious differences of foreign visitors demand the observation of some specific rules and conditions. The international protocol has become, over the years, a very useful resource to tackle such a noble task.

Expand your horizons: drink wine made in ... Brazil!

Brazil has long been famous for soccer, the Girl from Ipanema, caipirinhas, the ethanol revolution and for being one of the emerging economic powerhouses of the world...
Despite being a sort of "agricultural superpower", with sizeable crops of nearly every single product on the horizon, few people would connect the South American giant to... wine!

Now, you should think twice and, just for a moment, forget the rain forest, the white sandy beaches and the bustling tropical cities.

Brazil's sheer size extends way down south in the continent, far from the Ecuator, to a much more temperate climate, which allows the weather to be cooler and drier and provides the southern states of the country with very favorable conditions for the development of the grape/wine growing industry.

In what's being celebrated now as the industry's official international debut, many of the Brazilian producers participated in the most prestigious event in the world, the Vinexpo 2009, in France. Even though Brazilians have been producing wine for over a century (a legacy of the country's many Italian, Portuguese and Spanish immigrants), it's only now, with the dramatic improvement of its quality (and some much needed marketing), that the Brazilian wine is taking the world by storm. And what a storm!

Exports of Brazilian wine have been growing consistently, including some of the world's most demanding markets, such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. At the same time, domestic consumption of Brazilian wine is expected to double in the next 3 years.

If you intend to expand the bounderies of your "wine world" or just feel like trying Brazilian wine for a change, pick a Cabernet Sauvigon, Malbec, Merlot or Gamay (for red), or a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc (for white) and make a toast in my honor!

Fine Art Photography

A good option for those who want to have original artwork and do not have the time, desire or patience to explore the complex world of paitings or sculptures, Fine Art photography can very well be a valid way to study art and design. Collecting fine art photography not only provides a relatively affordable way to decorate your walls, but can also instigate your curiosity towards other forms of artistic expression.

Even though some photographs (those with exceptional esthetic qualities and taken by acclaimed and renowned photographers), can reach very high price tags, most of this artistic industry is more "democratic" when it comes to their market dynamics, and it's perfectly possible to start collecting great photography with a reasonable budget.

Here are some hints for those who want to begin to collect photographs.

1) You have two options when you are buying ORIGINAL photographic art. You can either have one-print originals (the print that YOU (and only you) will possess) or you can have a numbered print of an original protograph. You should always make sure which type of photograph you are acquiring.

1.1) If you happen to be purchasing a one-print original, the seller (the photographer himself, in most cases), would have to provide you with the (section of the) film containing the original image, or a brief statement declaring no copy will be ever made of that original film, or evidence that the original mean/surface was destroyed (deleted file or nullified film), so you can be sure you are the only collector to own that image. If you end up with the original film, do not destroy it... we never know what can happen to your first print, as years pass or accidents happen.

1.2) In case you are purchasing a numbered print of an original artistic photograph, request precise information about the total number of prints. The higher the number of prints, the lower the prices for a copy. I don't particularly favor this alternative, as I believe you should always be the sole owner of an existing artistic piece (regardless of the type or nature of the artistic expression), but in case you decide to begin your collection with good quality numbered copies of a fine original, make sure you don't accept more than 30 prints per original. If you accept more than that, you will be paying for an album of pictures, not for a valuable piece of art.

2) Frame your picture. It's the best way to properly care for photographs, photographic prints and other types of photography collections: insects, poor handling and storage, pollution, saliva, moisture, smog, sunlight and others are known as potential risks to the integrity of your print or photograph. Frames should be discreet and visually clean, not to compete with the artistic image itself.

3) The marketability of the fine art photograph industry is somehow more limited that other forms of art expression. Keep that in mind when buying artistic photographs: buy them because you were particularly touched by the images, not because you might sell it for a profit later. This last assumption is possible, but it's much more difficult.

4) Visit art galleries, auctions, openings, vernissages and other public events about the world of Photography. It's a wonderful way to educate yourself in artistic photographs (as it is to learn about other Liberal/Fine Arts). Also, visit and join local art institutions and museums.

5) Share your knowledge and interest with other collectors. They can provide valuable information for those who are begining and keep you informed of openings, exhibitions and other cultural events.

6) Once you buy your first artistic photographs, enjoy it, by hanging it on your walls. What's the point of collecting visual arts, if no one can actually see it?

The subtle elegance of a piece of junk

It's amazing the eccentricities you can find when, bored on a long flight, you give up all your most intimate principles and decide to browse one of those insane in-flight commercial magazines...

It's understandable they write whatever it takes to sell totally useless, irrelevant, unnecessary (and very often pathetic) items... after all, who can possibly imagine the human race could exist or thrive without color-changing glazing balls or plastic rabbits to "beautify" your garden?

I can't.

I think I have developed a certain blasé attitude over the years, in such a way I became partially insensitive to the unbelievable texts they write, until I came across this real PEARL of nonsense:

"Add a touch of subtle elegance to the entrance of your property with these gorgeous muscular lions. Made of resin and made to resemble stone, these gracefully refined lions will embellish both sides of the door and create an imposing scenery to your house's entrance".

I had to stop right there, to avoid vomiting...

Where is the "elegance" of a fake plastic couple of lions at the entrance of a home? What's supposed to be gracefully refined in two piles of plastic trying to resemble stone?
Has the world become a cheaper version of the already dirty cheap Las Vegas hotels????
How imposing can a false, fake, visually disruptive couple of resin lions standing at your house's entrance be???

And the worst detail, the one that prompted my now inevitable vomit, is that there are people WHO REALLY BELIEVE their house will get more elegant by buying those cheap pieces of plastic!!!!!!

If you don't have:
a) the financial resources
b) the taste
c) none of the above
to buy REAL sculptures, hand carved and made with real stone or marble, DO NOT spend your hard earned money with those vulgar imitations of the real things.

By restraining yourself from buying those horrible plastic lions, you will:
a) save the money so you can use it in something more productive or really beautiful
b) avoid showing the rest of the world you don't have a clue of what good taste is.
c) help the environment, so less plastic resin will be necessary to manufacture those abject pieces of junk.

The world will definitely be a better place without them.

Learn about Gourmet Coffee in Colombia

Parque Nacional del Cafe in Colombia... learning about some of the best coffee in the world!

Few countries can match the beauty and diversity of Colombia's geography, which combines the imposing mountains of the Andes, the biodiversity of the Amazon, the crystal clear waters of wonderful beaches (on the Pacific and the Atlantic) and the fascinating cultural scenery of historic cities and towns.

And yet very few nations have been so unfairly misjudged and disparaged by the press and the public opinion in the last couple of decades...

After years of political and social turmoil, Colombia has emerged as a growing, prosperous and much safer country, where business is thriving and investments from all over the world are being announced daily.

As tourists and businessmen alike explore Colombia's cities, regions and natural attractions, they certainly remember the country's new promotional ad: "Colombia... the only risk is wanting to stay".

If you happen to be planing your vacations in Cartagena, Cali, Bogota or Medellin, or just have to go to Colombia for business or pleasure, please consider a day or two visiting the Colombian "Axis of Cofee" (or Eje Cafetero, in Spanish). Comprised by 3 major cities (Armenia, Pereira and Manizales), which are majestically settled along the Andean range, the Axis has finally found its natural vocation for tourism: it attracts visitors who want to discover its charming cities and towns and satisfy their intelectual curiosity about Colombia's worldwide famous coffee culture.

A good place to begin (and to explore the delicious world of Gourmet Coffee) is the National Park of Coffee (Parque Nacional del Cafe). It's located outside the city of Armenia and is definitely worth a visit. There, you can attend very good shows of local traditions and national folklore, see coffee plants and beans from all over the world and even admire a replica of Armenia's old Train Station, on a plaza that resembles those of a real Colombian pueblo (Plaza de Bolivar).

The pics I am posting will give you a better idea of this magical place's beauty. Don't forget to visit one of the several historical fincas (coffee farms) in the area, to learn how Colombians grow, pick, roast and enjoy some of the most appreciated Gourmet Coffees on earth.







NOTE: I would like to thank my good friend Domingo Garcia for taking the pictures shown in this thread.

Useful Info:
Parque Nacional del Cafe
Municipio de Montenegro
Departamento del Quindio
Km. 6 via a Montenegro Pueblo Tapao
http://www.parquenacionaldelcafe.com/newpage/

I'm back

For those desperate and anxious readers who were wondering why I am taking such a long time to post, good news: I am back from a 2-week business trip to Colombia. I will write about a very good place to learn about gourmet coffee that I visited there.