SaltShaker

 Before the Spanish banned Inti Raymi in 1572, this winter solstice festival was the biggest event on the calendar of the Awantinsuyu Incan empire. It occurred at the time of the sun’s rebirth (around June 24th on our calendar) in Cuzco, Peru, the Inca capital. Native residents gathered to honour the Inca, the first-born son [...]

 Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth or pigweed, is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are presently recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia. Although several species are often considered weeds, people [...]

 I am a wine drinker. I drink ouzo too but generally I do that before dinner or else in Lesvos where it is more of a tradition then wine due to a blight that wiped out the grapes several hundred years ago. But my favorite activity is eating in a taverna with my friends and [...]

 The global importance of the Middle East is that it keeps the Far East and the Near East from encroaching on each other.”
- Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President
Buenos Aires - On to the third post of last weekend’s whirlwind of dinners, and a private dinner. Now, originally, they’d simply booked out the second night [...]

 Pioneer 10 will continue to coast silently as a ghost ship through deep space into interstellar space, heading generally for the red star Aldebaran, which forms the eye of Taurus (The Bull). Aldebaran is about 68 light years away and it will take Pioneer over 2 million years to reach it.”
- NASA, The Pioneer Missions
Buenos [...]

 Etymology: Middle English whirlegigg, from whirlen to whirl + gigg top
Date: 15th century
…
3 a: one that continuously whirls, moves, or changes b: a whirling or circling course (as of events)
Buenos Aires - Yup, that’s been me this week. A little whirligig. Three Casa S dinners in a row, and all with completely different menus. I’m [...]

 Venice combined business prowess, backed by naval power, with her unique form of republican government to create the most enduring independent state in history. The Most Serene Republic of Venice was the world’s longest enduring independent state, far eclipsing all others. The Dutch Republic has existed for 214 years. The United States has endured for [...]

 In the ’90s we began to blossom and feel proud of ourselves, of our architecture, our designs, our cultural heritage - and our food. The secret ingredient to this whole revolution was believing in what you have. Loving it.”
- Gastón Acurio, Peruvian chef
Buenos Aires - Sipán should not be confused with Saipan, the largest island [...]