No trip to the island would be complete with a trip to El Gouchos. Argentinian for "The Cowboys" this restaurant lives up to its name with hearty portions of the best Argentinian beef on the island. The service and the portion is amazing. Our favorite waiter, Jose Luis "Chi-Chi" Rameriez, remembers us year after year and has the uncanny ablilty to recal every detail to each order placed without writing down a single word. This in itself is amazing coming from a culture where we seldom get an order as we placed without repeating the details over until we practically loose our appetites.

As usual, Jose Luis was on the mark and happier than ever to see us. We had made our usual reservations for the second floor where "Chi-Chi" works his station with his crew conducting a culinary symphony for the tastebuds. The restuarant is nestled in the back streets of Orangestad in an unasuming little corner establishment. By far the most famous restuarant on the island, it is always a good idea to make your reservations early as the waiting line forms early and lasts well into the night with expectations of tasty delights to come.

This particular trip to El Goucho was special as it was Hyun-Ju's birthday. Asians track the days and months by use of the lunar calendar which can become confusing to western trained thinking. Basically, there are thirteen months of 28 days each in a year. So trying to compare time in western minds can leave you scratching your head. June 12th on a lunar calendar doesn't match up with June 12th on a western calendar. Nor will it be the same from year to year as the dates from asian to western calendars do not coincide thus making it a learned skillset to remember one's birthday in eastern time. The solution: I use the birthday on her American liscense.

In passing conversation at our dinner table we had made mention of our celebration never thinking that anyone had made much notice. Much was it to our surprise that at the end of our meal, the lights had dimmed and Chi-Chi and his staff approached our table with a slice of triple chocolate cake with a single candle singing a chorus of "Happy Birthday". After the first few notes the entire second floor had joined in singing to celebrate the birthday of a total stranger. What a joyful memory. Again, thanks to Jose Luis "Chi-Chi" Rameriez. You're the best.