D-Lab 2008

Up into the Andes

We continued our road-trip up into the Andes Mountains going as far as the Chilean border, where we were promptly refused entry and turned around.  Views of Mt. Aconcagua and the Andes were simply amazing.

Tank gave Brigitta just what she wanted for her Birthday - with Mt. Aconcagua in the background!

Frequent pit-stops were necessary

Hoff supported the local community by investing in a new T-Shirt

D-Lab enjoyed the perfect weather in the Andes

Road Trip in Mendoza

Megusta Pollo!

Yes, there was some mooning action… unfortunately, we got so excited about mooning a car as we overtook them that we missed our Winery and drove a further 15 km before we turned around!

Wine Tasting at Andeluna

Simply awesome stuff. The Hoff seems to have quite a knack for this kind of thing… Years of experience and training paying off…

Miles of green vineyard, with the beautiful backdrop of the Andes mountains!

Happy Birthday Brigitta!

Barefoot Drunk Soccer

Slightly disappointed that the hostels pool was closed at 7pm, D-Lab was left with no ther option but to drink several liters of Andes beer sitting on park benches… Things were starting to feel a bit dull, when some local guys invited us to join in on their pickup soccer game.  Slightly drunk and without shoes, D-Lab rose to the challenge - splitting between Auburn St. and Mt. Vernon plus Brigitta.  We’re not sure who actually won the match, but highlights include Tank scoring a goal with Seth as keeper followed by a pretty embarrassing victory dance, Seth severely fouling one of the smaller Argentinian players and nearly being red-carded, Danger, assisted by Tank, scoring a goal against Mt. Vernon, Seth throwing a stray dog into the goal posts, Brigitta with a beautiful cross to Maxy (one of our Argentinan players), and Seth scoring a goal on Danger in the final minute of the game…

Bribery and Extortion

The road trip begins, we hit the road at 10 am, and are quickly lost. After going several kilometers in the wrong direction asking for directions and turning around, we find ourselves being flagged over by a police officer. Apparently it is illegal to drive in Argentina with your lights off… The friendly police officer explained to Hoff and Seth that for violating this law, we were required to pay a ticket of $555.43 pesos. According to the law, we needed to go straight to the bank and pay the fine. Luckily for us, he was willing to let us avoid the hassle of going to the bank and continue our trip without paying any pesos… this of course would require a small tip… Although D-Lab officially has a zero tolerance policy to extortion by armed public officers we made a small exception offered 100 pesos and rolled on…

Arriving in Mendoza

So far, our trip to Mendoza has exceeded all expectations… Let me try to share the chain of events…  We left Buenos Aires at 7pm, drinking several Quilmes in the airport, and several more on the plane.  The stewardesses on Aerolineas were extrremely friendly, and we were basically able to recoup our flight costs in beer.

Upon arrival we rented a car and drove to our hotel in the city of Mendoza - a beautiful, extremely trendy place called Hotel Boutique.  After checking in we had dinner at a nearby restaurant - possible the best steak we’ve had the entire trip and several bottles of wine.  Once we were sufficiently drunk and ready to sleep, the waiter delivered a complimentary bottle of champagne.  Everyone slept well that night.

Dating in Spanish

Dating in Spanish has been an interesting experience for all of us at D-Lab. Especially for Tank and Seth who don’t speak any spanish (or at least didn’t when we arrived)… Overall, the experience so far have been positive. Initial dates required the Hoff’s accompaniment as a translator, later dates relied heavily on the Lonely Planet Latin American Spanish Phrasebook, which is actually pretty effective. Not being able to communicate our deepest feelings or discuss complex issues definitely has its advantages… We also have found that there is no motivation or Spanish lesson more effective then an evening with a beautiful Argentinian woman, or even better - toda la noche. Along the way, we’ve had some pretty hilarious miscommunication such as Tank being absolutely certain that his girl was a Tango dancer (tengo is a common verb for “I have”) . Some key phrases we’ve committed to memory and routinely rely on are listed below. We highly recommend you do the study them with the disclaimer that they are likely incorrectly written here…

Buenisima - What a babe

Vos es muy Linda - You are beautiful

Tienes unos ojos preciosos - You have beautiful eyes

Quieres entrar a tomar algo? - Would you like to come inside for awhile?

Cansado, vamos a la cama - I’m sleepy, let’s go to bed

Caroline

Danger Danger!! Danger and Caroline’s relationship has gone long-distance. Danger, this song is for you. Hopefully the new web-cam will help sort things out.

The D-Lab Diet and Exercise Plan

D-Lab is proud to announce its trademarked “D-Lab Diet and Exercise Plan”. The D-Lab Diet is currently being enforced, promoted and managed by “Coach” Seth. We invite others to also try the D-Lab diet and share their feedback. Results are guaranteed.

9:00am Wake up. Shit, Shower, Shave.

10:00am 1 cup Cafe de Leche

10:15am-11:30 Snack on Tostads Con Gluten - 0 fat and 0 sugar (Basically it is stale bread)

1:00pm-2:30 Lunch - 1 pound filet mignon, 1 large salad with lettuce, tomato, eggs, heart of palm and onion, 2 sweet pickled peppers, 1 empanada, and 6 oz of chimi churri sauce

3:00pm 1 cup Cafe de Leche

6:00pm Pass the Yerba Mate around

8:30pm-9:30 1 hour run - approximately 6 miles - from Recoleta to Centro to Puerto Madero

11:00pm-12:00 1 pound flank steak, 1 large salad with lettuce, tomato, eggs, heart of palm and onion, 2 sweet pickled peppers, 6 oz of chimi churri sauce and two bottles of wine.

12:00-2:00 6 Quilmes Cervezas

2:00-4:00 Several Vodka Redbulls

5:00 Rest and Relaxation

Danger’s Back

With his girlfriend gone, Danger is once again Dangerous. We were worried, but he sufficiently redeemed himself this weekend.