Empanadas!!!

By the end of this trip, my rudimentary grasp of Spanish grammar and vocab is sufficient enough to get me through most food menus, order still or sparkling water, and number of items, ask for the bill, location of washrooms, tell the driver where to go; if he should wait or come back in an hour, etc. But I can’t quite tell the time still.

Need to work on that accent though. If I intend to return to explore the south of Argentina or do a road trip, I’d better pick up Spanish fast. It’s not possible to go through the region without knowing any Spanish and rely solely on English. It’s possible to do that in Buenos Aires, but not ideal. Out in the provinces, it’ll be even more difficult getting your specifications down pat if they’re more complicated than conveying through lousy hand gestures and body language can express.

Since I’ve been given strict instructions to go to El Sanjuanino for the best empanadas in town, I did. It’s located in a good area smack in town, but it was filled with locals! That was how I knew it would be good. And it is. I didn’t even need to ‘practise’ my language skills. It’s not difficult to order food at all, so I merrily ordered all the empanadas I want. Hehehe. There’re all sorts of filling- minced meat, ham, vegetarian, onions, cheese, etc. They come in a single piece on a plate. If you’re not very hungry, one piece is quite satisfactory between 2 huge meals in a day.

I love empanadas. Eating one is the perfect light meal. I was delighted to see that tub of chilli thingy on the table. It was kinda spicy, but not quite possessing enough kick. Better than nothing though!