What is Dr. Patschke Learning About Today? Let's Find Out!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Broccoli Bob Finds Another Friend!

In the town of Villa General Belgrano, we found a beautiful park!

Remember as you look at these photos that it is winter in Argentina!

Everyone says that in the spring and summer, the park is even MORE beautiful!!

Broccoli Bob met this little "Ranger Peep!" Isn't he adorable?

We noticed that this park was not only lovely to look at, it was very clean and well managed!

Broccoli Bob's new "Ranger Peep" friend was spreading healthy messages!

The sign sends the message, "Keep the streams clean for our health!"

The visitors and residents in Argentina are listening to "Ranger Peep!" This is a healthy spot!

Can you find Broccoli Bob enjoying the sunshine & the clean stream?

You've got it! There he is!

What a happy smile!

Our friends in Argentina are doing a GREAT job of keeping our world clean and beautiful!

Broccoli Bob gives "Ranger Peep" a big healthy choice "thumbs up!"

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Dance, Dance, Dance - Argentina Style!

Dr. Patschke found dancing to be an important part of Argentina's history.

Folk dances are used to celebrate pride and express joy!

Music is universal!

There are dancing that blend native traditions and African beats.

Do you think this Iguana is dancing? No no, this isn't real!

Somebody in Argentina is being silly!

Enjoy this example of a popular style of folk dancing!

Check out the beautiful colores in this traditional woman's dress from the area of Salta.

Argentina is thought of as the birthplace of theTango. The Tango was first danced in the city of Buenos Aires in the late 1700's and is loved by dancers of all ages.

Below is another example of traditional folk dancing.

The children in the video are

brother and sister!

What a great example of The Chacarera!

Dancing is a beautiful expression of creative art and happiness in Argentina!

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Broccoli Bob's AMIGAS are Watching for Healthy Choices!

Broccoli Bob is introduced to two new health minded friends!

The twin carrots befriended Broccoli Bob

immediately during an assembly at Oritz de Ocampo!

This made all the Ortiz de Ocampo children very happy!

In Spanish, the word for "carrot" is "zanahoria."

Broccoli Bob's new friends are TWIN ZANAHORIAS.

One of the sister carrots is staying with the children of Ortiz de Ocampo!

The other is traveling to the USA with Broccoli Bob!

They are all great friends!

The first carrot you see above is our friend for UPES!

She's a little bigger than her sister who is staying in Argentina with Sra. Carrizo!

Broccoli Bob and the Twin Zanahorias are working hard to spread the news

to all children about:

1) Staying Safe!

2) Eating Fruits and Veggies!

3) Being physically active!

4) Treating others with kindness and respect!

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Argentinean Gaucho!

The Historic and Modern Day Skills of the Gaucho in Argentina!

The Traditional Gaucho = A nomadic and colorful horseman of the Argentine and Uruguayan grasslands, who flourished from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century and has remained a folk hero similar to the cowboy in western North America.

Today, many of the same traditions and talents are used by gauchos on modern day ranches. Gauchos are expert cattlemen and even more important, they are master horse trainers and riders.

The Pampas is the region of Argentina where the gauchos are most abundant. The Pampas cover one fifth of the country. The Pampas was named for an Argentinean Indian word that means, "level land."

There are still many Gauchos today, but their way of life has changed dramatically. Their lifestyle changes are because the large ranches they used to work on became fenced in. They work hard mending fences and branding cattle. They round up herds of cattle and tend sheep.

Gauchos must care for the health of the cattle. If a cow is sick or in need of care, they use their horses to steer the cow (or several cattle) to a location where the animal can be helped.

Today, a ranch requires one gaucho for every 400 cattle. Each gaucho requires a minimum of five trained horses to work on the ranch. Horses are used hard. They work one day and rest for two. The ranch horses are highly skilled and trained specifically for each need the gaucho has during his workday.

Gauchos enjoy meat and they during yerba mate which is the Argentinean tea-like herbal drink. The mate has historically been served in a gourd and sipped through a silver straw called a bombilla.

Gauchos carry one weapon, a single knife called a boleadora, which is bound with leather strips.

Many years ago, Gouchos traveled the grasslands and didn't have a specific home. Due to this traveling nature, they carried their wealth and status on their belts. Above you can see a beautiful antique gaucho belt with silver coins attached and a large buckle that is inscribed with the owner's initials.

Gauchos wore a unique style of clothing. They wore a fringed poncho which was a square of cloth with a hole for the head. They also wore broad-brimmed hats. They wore long-sleeved cotton shirts and loose baggy pants called, "bombachas." Gauchos wore spurs and had a long knife at this side. Today, gaucho apparel has changed some from the traditional dress. Sometimes now, gauchos wear jeans instead of the traditional bombachas.

These videos show Gauchos as skilled horse riders. Everything demonstratefor Dr. Patschke are skills actually used on the ranch to care for the animals. The cattle have a strong respect for the horses. You'll notice that the horses are specifically trained to "sandwich" the cow and guide him where the rider intends him to go. Pay attention to how the horses lean into the cow.

Pretty awesome!!!

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Let's Meet Sra. Carrizo's Family!

Welcome to 921 America Ave!

Many UPE Students asked to learn more about Sra. Carrizo's family and home!

Are her dogs friendly? What is the name of the street she lives on? What does her family look like?

Who lives at her house? Does she have flowers at her house?

Sra. Carrizo's dogs are adorable!

They are friendly and playful pets!

Above is Mitzy again! Isn't that smile adorable!

This is Santiago, Sra. Carrizo's son. One of the family's favorite food is grilled meat which is called, ASADO. Below is Santi cooking the meat for dinner.

One side of the grill has the metal cooking area and the other side hosts a wood fire.

Hot coals are taken from the wood fire and placed under the meat!

Many Argentinean homes have these large grills build into patios!

Luisina is Susana's daughter. She lives in the city of Cordoba. During Dr. Patschke's visit Luisina was spending time studying for her final exams. She is working at the University to become a veterinarian for large ranch animals.

Below is Susana's brother, Luicina (daughter) Patricia, (friend), with Dr. Patschke & Sra. Carrizo!

Susana's brother owns a store and sells leather products such as belts!

If you look closely, you can see some in the background of this photo!

Santi works as an agricultural specialist for Novagro. He oversees the processing production to assure top quality products are released to international customers.

Some of the food comes to the USA!