I love Argentina

I Made it to ARGENTINA!!!!

Dear Julian, Ivan, and friends,

What a fantastic trip I am having! Viola, Jordi, and I love Argentina! No wonder you like it so much! I know that when you went last you were small, and you may not remember much, so here's a little bit of my memories for You!

I'll try to throw in some facts for you along with my photographs. Can you believe it?? I made it to ARGENTINA!

Here I am with Jordi..posing ;) What a great guy! He's been making sure that I see as much as I can!..and also a pic of one of my favorite snacks! Do you remember these? Really thin sandwiches with jam and cheese!

Hey can you find me in the pic below? :)


There was so much to see! My eyes just couldn't wait for the next thing!

The architecture was so beautiful!! Here are some pics of some street performers and a few buildings.

Argentina, meaning "land of silver," is a rich and vast land—second largest (after Brazil) in South America and 8th largest in the world!

Its heartland is a broad grassy plain known as the Pampas (pronounced PAHM-pahs). Here Argentina's gaucho, like the U.S. cowboy, has galloped into the country's folklore.

And I got to meet one!

I noticed that the kids all wear the same thing when they go to school... Do you remember seeing that on your visit? Sometimes they wear these white coats over their normal clothes instead of a uniform. It is called a "guardapolvo"..it's like a smock. Cool eh?

And speaking of school ... Did you know that they learn many languages here.. typically all the kids learn English..but if you walk in the capital you will see that people speak all kinds of languages, some include: Spanish, English, Italian, German, and French! Can you imagine?

I also saw this great stree artist..

but I didn't get too close because I was worried that I might fall into one of those paint cans. haha

I just cannot believe all of the cool things here... every time I turn around there is something beautiful to look at!

Did you know that Buenos Aires is often called the “Paris of South America,” It is because of its soaring architecture and European heritage. But the city and its people, known as porteños, are a study in contrasts: European sensibilities and Latin American passion; wide boulevards and cobblestone alleys; steamy tango and romping rock and roll; sidewalk cafés and soccer fanatics; bejeweled ladies draped in fur coats and children rummaging through garbage for cardboard scraps.

There is a little bit of everything here! But if you are going to remember one this it is that Argentine's LOVE SOCCER! or as it's called here "Futbol"

Second on that list would be Tango I think... It's amazing! It has been around forever! And is still danced in the streets today!

You should ask your grandfather to teach you a few steps...he knows them well!

For now I've got to go.. internet gets expensive on these travels so I need to keep my notes short.

I can't wait to see you in February!! We'll take lots of pictures and tour Arizona!!!!

For now,

Chau!

Bob

Beautiful Brazil

Dear Julian and friends,
At this moment I'm in Brazil with Viola and Jordi and ofcourse Iwant to tell you something about this beautiful country.

Brazil is one of the biggest counties in the world. It's about the size of total United States. At this moment there are 188 milion people living in this country but sadly a lot of them live in poverty.



A lot of people are so poor they can't afford a normal house and therefore live in special area's they call farvelas.

We went to visit some children at the farvelas and we brought them gifts and money so that they could go to school. Can you believe that there are children that can't go to school? We wanted to help so much! I know that one day you will be able to help me help them too!!

The language they speak here is different than you are used to. Brazilians speak Portugese because hundreds of years ago the Portugese conquered this county. Their language and there way of building houses is still popular these days.

Brazil is mostly known for there big cities like Rio de Janeiro, the Amazone, Carnaval, and powedery white-sand beaches lined with palm trees.

My foto album will show you everything! I will post a few more pics below! But you must must must check out all my pics!

Here is a map of the Island that I am visiting
I had so much fun here!! It's gorgeous!


This is Kelly, she is from England. I hope that one day I can travel with her too! jejeje


I thought this was cool.. it was actually taken at the Airport on the way to Brazil.. I felt special ;)

Next time i'll tell you about the country of your background, Argentina.

Miss you all,


Bob

Amsterdam

I absolutely fell in Love with Amsterdam! What an amazing place to be!
This is where I fell in love with someone else... her name is Viola! She and her boyfriend Jordi are going to take me on their worldy travels! I am so excited! I am leaving my first two travelling buddies Florencia and Carla. They are the ones that brought me to Amsterdam.

I felt instantly welcomed by everyone here! And I only know a little Dutch!

I've had so much fun! I've been the best tourist ever!!! Here are some pics to summarize my trip!

I was greeted by a sushi picnic in the park.... we sat for hours and all got to know each other...what a beautiful place to live! Everyone was so friendly and the BIKES! I've never seen so many of them! The bikers really do rule the city! The motorists are definitely 2nd to them... I was so impressed!

I remember riding on the back of Viola's bike..and her bell had fallen off the handle bars...so as we passed other bikers and pedestirans she would yell out Brrrrrrinnng Brrrrrrring... hehe Inearly fell off the bike I was laughing so hard!

And talk about their Bikes! They're super cool..basic metal bikes and boy do they take leg power! I held on really tight! I tried riding one myself but I fell ...so I let the pros handle this part of my trip. That is how I toured Amsterdam! The best way to do it.. On a Bike! soo brrrriiiiing riiiing...

You can rent bikes there, but they're really brightly covered and SCREAM "TOURIST" and it's funny to see how everyone stays AWAY from those bikers hehehe..as they wobble down the street.

And when I say a LOT of Bikes..I mean it! and they ALL look alike... well ..to me they did, I'm kinda small.

Goodness.. I even went to a parking lot just for bikes so that I could park mine there.. Insane!!

One of the things you MUST try is the Herring..it's so yummy! Raw fish and onions! Seriously! Super tasty and a great snack in between bicycling trips.

The Dutch have a saying that goes ""Haring in't land, dokter aan de kant," meaning "If herring is around, the doctor is far away."

Ok..so moving on with my adventure...As I was saying, I met some extraordinary people!!!

Everyone wanted me on their shoulders or pockets ..or even in their beers! hehe

I loved every second of it!

I truly saw a lot! Everyone made sure that I tasted, smelled, sat on, rode on, rode in, swam in, Everything Dutch!!! Here are some more photos of my adventure!

I found some of my old army buddies in something called the "red light district"..hmm.. no one would pick me up high enough to see what all the fuss was about.. oh well..moving on...

I also did a little shopping.can you see my Klompen?.. Oh, and don't forget the CHEESE!

"Oude Amsterdamse Kaas" (Old Amsterdam Cheese) - In the Netherlands they looove KAAS! (cheese)

Of course..the Dutch are also known for their Beer (not something I am telling the little nephews...) but I had to try that too!

Actually..I fell in...just a little too much taste testing..

Everything was delish! Cheese and bread and beer ....I've never had it so good!

I've got tons of pictures and I've posted them all on Facebook and MySpace so you should definitely take a look there! I just had to give you a taste of my Super Cool Dutch Experience!

All the rest of the pics are online so go and check them out!!

I miss you all and see you soon!!

Bob

Who is Bob?

Bob is our kid! No really! He is Our version of Flat Stanlely.

I'm sure you've heard of the little flat drawing that kids send to family and friends around the US and have pictures taken..etc...

It is a fantastic learning tool for children, and I must say, Quite fun for us adults!

In the fall of 2008 our Bob Johnson was born. My sister Carla and I were instantly inspired!

He travelled with us to Amsterdam and there he went off with an amazing Dutch couple...they were off to travel Central America and South America...

Here, I will share with you his adventures, as he tells them to me. He sends us photos and sometimes a little history of the towns he is visiting.

Our mission: To have Bob travel all over the globe! For our nephews, Julian and Ivan, to track his adventures and continue to learn about the beautiful world that we live in. And for all of us, the adults, to remember what it is like to be a child again, to use our imaginations...to inspire others...to learn from others...and remember to give back to this wonderful world that we live in.

Our rules: ofcourse we must have rules of travel for our Bob... and here they are:

1. Bob carries with him a small notebook, in it please put your information and if possible andy details of the trip that you take.
   
2. Bob has his own backpack that keeps him safe at all times...lets keep him safe!
   


3. Please no graffiti on Bob


4. Please do not get Bob close to fire..his skin is sensitive
   


5. Bob does not do Drugs. Just Say No.
   



6. No needles of any kind (see #5)
   



7. No alterations of any kind
   


8. And finally, always please stay in touch!

For those of you lucky to bump into our Bob in the future..please stop him..say hi..sign his guest book...find him on Facebook..become his friend... and share with us your ideas!!!