Seeber Asado Buenos Aires


	In Which We Have Asado at the Seeber's with Joel Chusid, His Friends and Family

	Joel Chusid, Jean Chusid, Ricardo Seeber
	During our 2003 trip to Buenos Aires, Paula and I bumped into Joel Chusid while changing planes in Miami. Joel works for China Eastern Airlines, but I knew him when he worked at American. I found out that Joel loves Argentina, has many friends there and visits so often that he bought an apartment in Barrio Norte after the devaluation of the Peso (clever fellow). Joel arranged an invitation to the annual asado held in honor of his birthday at the home of Ricardo Seeber outside of Buenos Aires. Here's Joel's account of how the tradition got started: "Ricardo Seeber came to Dallas in the mid 1980's for a six-week course in law, and we've been friends since then. At the time AA did not even serve South America. We kept in touch over the years and Ricardo would usually host an asado at his home just outside of Buenos Aires whenever I was in town. In fact for a significant birthday, he staged a really big one. Today Ricardo is the local attorney for American Airlines. "
	The Seeber house from the rear--a very pleasant abode. The asado was prepared on a built-in grill on the patio--very handy for the popular Argentine pastime.
	When planning our 2004 trip, I contacted Joel to ask him about the apartment market in Buenos Aires, because Paula and I have been considering following Joel's example and finding a small apartment. Joel offered many suggestions, among which was to take a look at his apartment as he was going to be there at the same time we were. So we did. Click here to see a few views of Joel's apartment.
	Ricardo Seeber chatting with Jose Luis Ferrecio (in plum sweater with back to camera).
	Joel also invited us to the annual asado at Ricardo Seebers house outside Buenos Aires. Ricardo is an attorney with the Argentine law firm Estudio Beccar Varela. Ricardo and I corresponded via e-mail and he made it clear that we would be very welcome in his home and among his friends. Because he lives in an out-of-the-way place, he sent a remise driver to pick us up at our hotel.
	Tending the asado is Gustavo Chaparro. His wife Silvia helped with the organization.

	The asado! Asado means cookout, or barbeque or grill. Those things on the left that resemble plums are blood sausage. I haven't had the courage to try that yet, but I tried the delicious items just to the right of the blood sausage before I found out that they were prairie oysters, or testículos.

	This is Santiago (Santi for short), Ricardo's second eldest son, Richie (Ricardo, Jr.) being the older of two fine looking young men. Richie was at the asado with his girlfriend, Martina Alcorta, but they left before I could get a picture of her.

	Pilar, Ricardo's daughter, was a very present, warm and gracious young lady. Here she is taking a little break from being the hostess for the gathering.

	This lovely portrait hung on the wall. The subject is Marcela Duggan de Torres, Ricardo's grandmother


	Front table, clockwise from 12 o'clock: Pilar Seeber, Sharon Douglas, Marcela Sicardi, Al Martinez, Horacio Fernandez, Juan Sicardi, Jose Luis Zapata, Adriana Picot. Rear table, clockwise from far left: Paula Dowers, Ricardo Seeber, Joel Chusid, Joyce Hartsfield, Jose Luis Ferrecio, Susana Ferrecio, Jean Chusid, Monica Zapata. Not shown: King Douglas (the photographer)


	Jose Luis Zapata and Monica Zapata

	Left to right: Pilar (sitting on floor) Jean Chusid, Marcela Sicardi, Juan Sicardi, Joel Chusid

	Left to right: Joel Chusid, Juan Sicardi, Jose Luis Zapata, Monica Zapata

	Clockwise from left: Jose Luis Zapata, Monica Zapata, Susana Ferrecio, Adriana Picot (partially hidden), Juan Sicardi with arm over shoulder of Pilar Seeber, Ricardo Seeber (in background) with Jose Luis Ferrecio, Sharon Douglas, Paula Dowers (partially hidden in doorway), Joyce Hartsfield (sitting)

	Clockwise from left: Susana Ferrecio, Jose Luis Ferrecio, ? (family dog), Pilar Seeber and Sharon Douglas (seated).