Saturday, July 31, 2010

SUMMER IN MINNESOTA

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!
























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


















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