Photo Credit: Diego3336

But after living and traveling in Argentina for over 6 months in 2007, I came to realize a couple of things about the myth that Argentinean steak is ¨the best.¨

1. The range of Argentinean cuisine isn’t very broad. Steak, pizza, milanesa and pasta. These four dishes probably account for what the vast majority of Argentines are eating today. As a result, steak gains a prominent place in a small menu of options.
2. You can get fabulous steaks in Argentina. But, I found that the “average” middle-of-the-road steak in Argentina could be beat in Chile or Brazil. Sure, for the right price, you can get any level of quality. I prefer to base my judgements on something more accessible to the average person.

But, there’s more to the story…The deck is stacked…

I grew up in a house with a national champion BBQer. In 1982, my dad won the National Pork Cookoff Championship sponsored by the National Pork Board. While pork may have won that day, his grilling “chops” extend to steak, chicken, turkey, goat. You name it, dad can make BBQ out of it. So, he sort of ruined me for eating steak and other grilled meats out in restaurants.

Of course, having all that meat basted with his award-winning sauce doesn’t hurt. Here’s a summary of why I find dad’s grilled meats superior, why my palate is ruined for other qualified meat suitors meat and why I’m a steak snob.

Low Heat-Long Grill Times

Slow cookin' on a big pit is the name of the game. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

BBQing days are marked by an early start. 6AM, maybe even 5AM, depending on when the BBQ is to be served. The fire is lit using large chunks of mesquite wood harvested from the area. Ones the flames die down, the fire-red and orange coals are spread below a huge pit. As the burn away, they are topped off with more embers throughout the day. Those hot embers produce a warm, constant heat that slowly roasts your meat of choice. It’s what locks in the moisture, the smoky flavor and keeps the meat tender.

Sauce

Basted turkey thighs. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

You can’t have a BBQ in the south without sauce. Dad’s is a vinegar, tomato-based sauce with just a touch of sugar, not enough to make it sweet like sauces from the Carolinas. Rather, it’s just enough to balance out the tang from the vinegar and tomatoes. After the meat’s been on the pit for a couple of hours, it’s time to baste it. And, of course, there’s always a pourable gravy server filled with extra sauce on the table to top it off once you’re served.

Quality Cuts

Gotta Start With Good Meat. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

You can’t make good BBQ without a good cut of meat. Growing up in a small town, fresh meat was never a problem. This is the single biggest problem eating steak out, you are never sure where you’re meat comes from. Back home, you often know the farmer and ranch your meat came from.

It’s Always an Event

Ribs. 'Nuff said. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

There’s just something about a BBQ. People go friggin’ nuts. It almost doesn’t even matter how often you eat BBQ or grilled meats. There’s something about cooking meat on a pit that drives people crazy. A typical BBQ back in Texas is usually served potluck. So, people will bring over every kind of salad and side dish you can imagine, including my least favorite: golden glow jello salad. Honestly, who the hell decided that putting carrots in orange jello was a good idea? And yet people keep making it. It’s like the fruitcake of Texas BBQs. Anyway, I digress. There’s always a pastry chef in the crowd who will bring pies, cakes, cookies…´cuz who doesn’t need some sugar after all that meat and side dishes?

A small spread by Texas standards. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

So, sorry Argentina. I love you. But you just can’t compete for my palate with your steaks. Now your ice cream, coffee, medialunas, empanadas and malbec on the other hand…

I do bring a little bit of Argentinean spirit to the table...even if the wine's from California. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Today my dad turns 70. This post is dedicated to him. Happy birthday dad. See you soon!

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View from train on way to Aguascalientes. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Tomorrow is the 100th anniversary of when the world learned of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham. Few discoveries have set alight the travel imaginations of the world like this one.

In 2007, I set off to discover Machu Picchu on my own. I had a bit of guilt about not hiking the Inca Trail. There were few travelers I met that hadn’t hiked it, planned on hiking it, or biding their time so they could hike it. I felt like a schlub of a traveler for planning to take the train from Cuzco.  But, after a tough time in Cuzco recovering from a stupid foot injury suffered in the Galapagos and almost not going, the shame melted away.

A train took me to Aguascalientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. And, a bus took me right to the National Park Entrance. My saving grace was that I hiked Wayna Picchu, the tall mountain behind Machu Picchu (it’s the one visible in the background of every iconic shot of Machu Picchu). It was challenging so I felt like aI got my hike in.

Foggy start to the day at Machu Picchu. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Problem is that by the time I got down, I was exhausted and the mobs of tourist buses arrived. So, I went back down to grab a shower before catching the train to go back to Cuzco.

So, in short, I did a fly-by of Machu Picchu which left me wanting more. So, if I get the chance to return, here’s how I will do it. Some of these are things I did right the first time and others are changes to avoid the same mistakes from the last time.

And no, I still don’t feel like I need to hike the trail.

My Tips and Advice for How to See Machu Picchu

Wayna Picchu is steep, so take your time...and lots of water. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

1. Plan to spend 2 days visiting Machu Picchu. There’s quite a bit to do and see inside Machu Picchu. But, the main reason I want to spend two days is I want more time to soak it all up. I want one day to hike Wayna Picchu and another to explore the main grounds.  Plus the sunrises…
2. Don’t miss the sunrise. The first buses leave around 5-5:30AM. On my first go-round, I was on bus number 5. Once I got up, the entire area was covered in a thick, ethereal fog. Watching it burn off letting Machu Picchu slowly reveal itself to me was one of my lingering memories from my entire trip. I’m not sure if there is fog every morning like when I went, but even if there isn’t, it’s a magical place to start the day.

The view of Machu Picchu from atop Waynapicchu. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

3. Hike Wayna Picchu the first day. Only 400 people are allowed on Waynu Picchu each day. So, you need to be there early to make sure you are one of the lucky few. The second part of the hike gets interesting, but once you’re up, the birds-eye view is spectacular. And, if there’s fog, you have a great seat for watching it burn off. Afterwards you may be a bit tired…another reason to stay for another day.

4. Just sit and take it all in, maybe take a book. I was too rushed my first time around. So the next time, I’m going to soak it in. I just want to find a spot, hang out and enjoy the day. I might take a book and read, then take a nap, then read some more.

5. Consider hiring a guide, or download an audio guide. I missed a lot of the history of the place and the detailed stories that a seasoned guide can give you. Frankly, the price to hire a guide was shockingly expensive. I don’t remember anymore how much. But, I didn’t want to spend the money. I’ve noticed there are quite a few audio guides that you can download and play while you’re there.  So, if I don’t have anyone to share the cost with, I might have my iPod loaded up so I can learn more about the site as I walk around.

Machu Picchu from the inside. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

The gratuitous shot of Machu Picchu. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

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Check out more posts on travel to Peru.

In July, I got the pleasure of hanging out with two of nieces over the 4th of July holiday in Colorado while I was back in the US.  I picked them up in central Texas and then we made the 1000 mile trip out to the Rocky Mountains.  The last time I got to take them somewhere, we went to South Padre Island and wound up on the Girls Gone Wild floor at the Sheraton hotel. True story.

I love a good roadtrip but the truth is, you can’t always count on the scenery to keep you entertained all the time. One of the secrets to a great roadtrip is being on the lookout for the details, the quirks, the crazy stuff that you might not normally see.  If you have it in you to appreciate the kitschy side of road travel, you can hold on even in the most desolate landscapes.

I stopped to take a few pics of some of the quirky stuff we saw on this journey.

1.  Get your biblically raised bambi right here at Venison World in Eden, Texas. Don’t worry if you can’t get there. They have a website and will ship to you.

Venison World. Eden, Texas. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

2.  Helloooooooo ladies.  If you ever thought that the car care industry ignored your needs, then head on out to Big Spring, Texas where you can get that lube job you’ve been needing. And, don’t worry, it’ll be quick.

Ladies Lube Day. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

3.  From black gold to green and clean.  The west Texas landscape is emblematic of our current energy situation. New wind farms show the future while oil derricks show our continued reliance on fossil fuels.  Nothing funny here. I just thought the imagery was simple and powerful.

Old school energy source versus new school. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

4. I love to page through the roadside newspapers. There are always a few ads like this one that makes me laugh…and just a little bit nervous that there’s a business out there whose target demographic is the joy rider wannabe.

Joy riders unite! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

5.  It’s too bad Aspen is a poor city and can’t afford an agency to help it with its communications. Otherwise someone might have told them that no one wants to read about a crash while riding in a gondola, even if it’s an economic crash.

Afraid of heights? Stay calm reading about the crash. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

6. This van had a lot going on with it.  With my nieces in the car, I was glad to be riding behind it.  But, this is the influenced driver that shares. Just take a look at the black bumper sticker for a liquor store recommendation for your next trip out to Colorado.

Party Van. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

7.  Light German Food? These were the light options at the German restaurant where we ate back in Texas once we got back.  With all these light options, it’s hard to choose between the broiled chicken and the chicken fried steak.

So, how many Weight Watchers points are in a proper Chicken Fried Steak? Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

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