My month in Minnesota was a fantastic break from the city life of Buenos Aires and the oncoming winter. The main purpose for my visit was to attend my cousin, Kristin’s wedding, and then I extended it to enjoy the summer that makes Twin Cities worth the nine months of coldness. Some of my first observations were how organized and calm all of the traffic is. Even the roads that seemed large and busy were tranquil in comparison. Certainly, the cleanliness and efficiency of Minneapolis were drastically different from Buenos Aires; from the precision of the clean up crew after a 3 hour parade for the Aquatennial or the multiple garbage/compost/recycling receptacles at the debaucheries of Bastille Days. Here are some snapshots of my time at home – well spent with family and friends outdoors!
KRISTIN'S WEDDING
07/01/10 Pedal Pub for Kristin's bachelorette party
07/02/10 boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka for groom's dinner
the happy couple!
the newlyweds
the men of the family
the usual pose for these two
07/03/10 the big day!
joined by the Sci-Fi convention attendees in our hotel
a sampling of our family:
grandma and grandpa
mom and dad rippin' up the dance floor!
Kristin (cousin)
Erik (cousin - Kristin's brother)
Maren (cousin - Kristin's sister)
Michael (my brother)
okay...I had to have a choco-taco too
Nicole (my sister)
Chris (cousin) and grandma
Jenny (cousin - Chris's sister) and Nicole
Kristin and Andrew's first dance
FOURTH OF JULY
pool party
fireworks at St. Anthony Main (watched from car)
WORLD CUP PARTY
After watching Spain's victory, we took to the pool!
After watching Spain's victory, we took to the pool!
Josh catching Eli
Ena and Benjamin dancing to Shakira's Waka Waka
Alberto surrounded by his ladies, Alyson and Steph
Erin and I
MINNEAPOLIS and AROUND
Hennepin Avenue Bridge
downtown Minneapolis
Aquatennial Parade
watched the parade from a friend's condo above Hennepin Avenue
Erica, Alyson and I
Taste of Twin Cities Originals
extremely crowded
chef challenge
Uptown
Minnehaha Falls with Dani and Fer
downtown Excelsior
downtown Excelsior
drumming with the Tiyumba Dance Company
Eva on dun duns
Josh, Will, Jeff and Amy
African dance performance at Minnesota Autism Center
getting ready
the whole gang
frisbee watching
Minneapolis: the bike capitol of the States
CONCERTS
07/07/10 Dobet Gnahore (Ivory Coast) at The Cedar Cultural Center
musicians from France and Marrakesh
a wonderful dancer, as well!
Eva and I
07/15/10 Depedro (Spain) at The Dakota Jazz Club
07/25/10 The Swell Season (Ireland and Czech Republic) at First Avenue
ON THE WATER
07/09/10 Lake Minnetonka with the Fam
07/10/10 Lake Calhoun
Michael windsurfing
pirate ship
rain clouds rolling through
07/23/10 Sailing on Lake Minnetonka w/mom & dad and their friends
07/24/10 Lake Harriett
the resident dinosaur
the bandshell
Minneapolis skyline
07/27/10 Lake Calhoun by night after a storm
CABINS
07/05/10 Sugar Lake w/entire family
1976 Glastron
all of the day's activities: fishing, skiing, tubing
rain won't dampen dad's day
re-cutting of the cake
07/17/10 Tabor Lake
Wisconsin road signs: ATV and snowmobile
Wisconsin road signs: dogsledding - didn't know they could even reach 35 MPH!
Nicole's happy for family time
I guess I was a bit tired
08/01/10 Sugar Lake
waiting out the rain
Dani and mom - the puzzle queens
sun trying to peek out
Fer and Dani
Sunset Point
