Fin

I just ate really suprisingly good airplane food and watched 5 movies and the flight map non-stop.

Thanks to all my loyal fans (cough: omi : Cough) This is the end. Ciao

Whimper

Of course the word for pack is "empacar" I don't know why I even bothered to study this language.

Las Ultimas Dias...

I've been spending my final days in a whirlwind. I just want to be with my friends a few more times, chill tranqy with Cristina a little longer and leave saying I've seen this city. I've sure tried.

• I got a 10$ haircut from a 20 year old barber
• I improved at Argentine Tango and Ochos after my second visit to La Viruta
• I ate fried rice and bought socks in Chinatown
• I visited Parque de la memoria
• I toured the inside of the casa rosada
• I went to a Buenos Aires Boliche (my favorite bolcihe is still in Iguazu)
• I started watching non Argentina games in the World Cup
• I shopped in Once
• I went to La Continetal one final time...
• I went to Calle Florida far too much
• I ate empanadas, helado
• I saw Fuerza Bruta (indescribeable) and Las Bombas (overrated)
• I said goodbye at both La Alameda and my garden

And soon I'll say goodbye to it all : (

Sexual Harassment

There are some things I will not miss about Buenos Aires. The concept of me as a walking piece of meat is one of them. From daily Piropos, to the very worst- when a guy took advantage of our being packing tightly for a concert and used the opportunity to shove his boner into my back.

Its hard for me to feel more open minded and/or more worldly when I know that Im closed minded about stuff like this. And rightfully so. I have high expectations of humanity- based largely on the positive experiences in my home country. I don't understand why I shouldn't hold men in other countries on the same level as I do in my own.

5 more days

This came on as I was leaving La Alameda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kycwcZZi6eU

Boa Noite

May I reiterate that I am done? Obrigado. I am thrilled.

Today I went for a sad second to last trip to La

Alameda where I took cute pictures, ate battata, made a flyer, and played newspaper futbol with the kids. One last time.

Then it was home to drink my Frizze, watch Big Bang Theory and attempt to learn a little Portuguese.

The girls came over to watch Malaparida and an old school pirated copy of Sex in the City 2.

All around a good night.

TERMINO

I promised a post about my essays and now that I am down with EVERYTHING academic I will "cumplir" with my promise.

For my class in UBA I wrote a group paper of 25 pages about the current situation of systematic slavery of bolivians in textile factories in Buenos Aires. Our conclusion was that it was a system based in discrimination with the textile managers recruiting specifically bolivians, exploiting their countries economic situation, the large joblessness, the process of immigration, and their culture. Many of the managers currently are bolivians themselves who were formerly slaves and are rising to the power in the only system that they know.

Nota: 9

For my Castellano class I wrote a short 4.5 pager (1.5 spaced) about how Los Abuelos de la Nada was successful in the context of the change in the political environment in 1983 after the last military dictatorship

For my independent study for methodology I surveyed 20 people to learn more about their tendencies in giving money to beggers on the subway. In general more give than don't both in my non-empirical observations and in this study. When asking questions about their reasoning I found that no matter people's opinions about how to better help, their opinions about the role of the government in aid, or their knowledge of child exploitation in this context- they still gave. I came to the conclusion that the lack of thought or influence of thought in their giving meant that this action was a porteño custom.

From the prostibulo in Liniers

Jardin

Boo I couldn't wake up to go gardening! And I must admit I'd been looking forward to it lately. The thing is I went to bed at 2:40 (working on my essay- 9.25 pages down so yay) so waking up at 7:40 was just something my body refused me. O well, next week or the week after.

The garden grows lots of veggies and is grown as a continuous activity for local youth- to keep them engaged in something proactive. I don't think that many youth come... but I've met a few. You can kind of pick them out by their baby faces and tendency to only beso girls and handshake guys jeje

Usually when I go my job is to sacar yuyos (weeds = pronounced "shushos" with the silly argentine love of SHHHHH) I've also raked, prepared planting pots, watered, and drank lots of mate : P

P.s.
My mate addiction is getting out of hand. I now drink it EVERYWHERE I go. At home. At la alameda. At the jardin. Jaja next will be in class.

Sick= more blog posts

So, the first protest I went to was wednesday night. (I found out about it earlier that day) The goal was as a union to protest the dressmakers union SOIVA. Weird right? The reason is because SOIVA hasn't been acting on their workers behalf. The protest was asking for a 35% raise on salaries. The current salaries of the dressmakers are 1,800 pesos per month- 459.60 U$S. The 35% raise would bring that number to 650U$S... still not much to live on. And these numbers represent the legal textile industry here. The protest was really well run I think. We didn't cut off the street completely (Soledad directed traffick behind the group) and there were drums, chants, and banners- but no violence and anarchy (except for the lady next to me whos all bust in the door)

Should be Studying....

Instead I went to a PACKED cafe this morning to watch the Argentina-Nigeria game. I woke up a little late so was I walking toward the cafe when the first (and only) goal was scored. It was euphoric. There was a communal grita and the entire street harmonized. Women and teenagers ran out to their balconys and waved to me while jumping up and down. I turned a corner just in time to see a bottle rocket shot off from the sidewalk and appreciated waking up to a series of smiles.

When I got into the cafe there was barely any space but the waiter moved a table for me to join in and arranged it so that I was facing the tv. (without my asking, which amused me) They had GIANT mundial specials with orange juice, tostadas, cafe, and fruit salad for 18 pesos. It was mouthwateringly good but way too much food for my small cuerpo.

There were two televisions in the cafe- one slightly delayed from the other. I was on the side that was temprano and we got a good laugh hearing all of our reactions echoed. Every sigh, woooo, OH!, and VA VA VA, repeated a few seconds later on the other side. I enjoyed the company of the waitstaff, two girls behind me, and an older woman who also came alone. I didn't feel alone at all. We were all in this game together. Kind of the way it should be huh?

Sleepy Becca is Sleepy

Upcoming Attractions:

1. The Vestidora Protest at SOIVA

2. Becca learns to garden

3. Mundial GOLLLLLL

4. No Chains launch party o yeaa

5. Accounts from my ex-slave Bolivian friends

6. My essays

This/these post/posts will be written when I am not asleep and feel like putting off my final papers.

Protesting for Liberacion!

A protest I know that I am behind 100%. La Alameda organized a "liberacion" protest outside of an illegal whorehouse which contains enslaved women, some of whom are minors. This whorehouse was ALREADY denounced upon inspection and therefore should have shut down its operations by law. However, one girl escaped to La Alameda and informed them that it was in fact still operating. Now, considering that this location, a house btw, was already denounced, the heads at La Alameda informed the police so that they could handle it within in the limits of the law. However, knowing that the police would not follow through they also organized plan B: a "liberacion"protest.

This is where I was tonight.

The plan was to let the police go first and potentially do what they were supposed to do and shutdown the operations of the whorehouse. I think that this is fair. Then, we were to follow behind and if they did not comply we were going to protest outside of the whorehouse until 1 of 2 things happened: 1 they freed the girls 2 they allowed journalists inside to prove that operations were indeed shutdown and there was no reason to pursue the lucha (fight). Neither of these things happened.

Instead, 5 policeman blockaded the door to the whorehouse- blocking everyone who was inside... inside. Other policemen ventured inside the whorehouse. One of these proceeded up to the top window, opened it up, and started videotaping us

marching outside. I can't imagine what they would do with that footage- nothing legal thats for sure. This moment certainly sealed my understanding of the police corruption. The police were actively preventing the escape of women of an ALREADY LEGALLY DENOUNCED WHOREHOUSE. How horrifying to not be able to trust your

police forces!

I say this especially because both judicial support and police support is THE KEY to stopping the international slave trade. We can NOT do it outside of the law or without law enforcement's support. It's important to A. protect those who were liberated B. criminalize those who's wretched souls gave them the idea to exploit the life of a fellow human. Law enforcement and the judicial system allow for things like search warrants, and evidence collection. It allows for concrete recognition of this problem and concrete con

sequences.... assuming it's not corrupted.

And in Buenos Aires... it is DEFINITELY corrupted.

For more information go to La Alameda's website: http://laalameda.wordpress.com/?ref=spelling

Mala muy mala mala malparida

Dale:

-2 informes .... Make that 1 informe : )
-1 parcial
-1 monografia by myself w presentation
-1 monografia grupal w presentation
-1 6 pg monografia w presentation

Until the morning of Juen 29th

Then:

+free Andres Calamaro concert
+free trip to see Fuerza bruta
+my mom coms and we take on the town
+I leave for a grand grand trip to Chile!
+Back to the USA

Respira...respira....respira

My Playlist (more or less)

Besame
Que Suerte
Diego Torres- Guapa
Mundial en español
Celebra la vida
Parrappapa
La Pollera Amarilla
David Bisbal
Para tu Amor- Juanes

Conspiracy Theory's

I don't know if this is the norm or not, but in my experience I have encountered a lot of porteños with conspiracy theories.

My Castellano professor- To measure crime you first have to define crime, you would describe it as petty crime of robberies but I would focus more on the systemized crime of oppression through the government and businesses. While I agree with him- and he's right - that IS a crime, petty crime is ALSO a crime punishable by law. While the circumstances putting people in situations where they resort to these crimes should also be addressed you can't just negate our ideas of crime to fit your agenda. Also, how argentine to just want to overhaul the system to create change rather than consider how one can create change using the system of law already in place.


From the cutie studying to be a nuerophysicist on the 152- 9/11 was a hoax. That kind of damage can't be caused by a plane. He told me to go to a conspiracy website that I'd actually heard of before, but I forget now.

And Today from the magazine vendor who bought me a coffee: Three bombs were dropped in World War II, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Ogasawa. That's not what I heard...?

Poesia

Shopkeeper no point
washing sidewalks all morn long
Dog poop will return

Children scream bloody hell
Sitting this long causes death
all an adventure

Butterfly jumps off
Crashing waters snarl and hiss
Reappears, giggling

Already shivered once
No tengo ganas nada
Two winters is cruel

In news someone dies
every day. In novelas
more or less the same

Iguazuuuuu

Photo credit: Sarah Janisch

Argentine Feriado (Holiday) el Bicentennario con Familia

Haha I feel silly talking about my north american food exchange without ever having talked about my Argentine food exchange. I came back from Iguazu on tuesday the 25th. Right away Cristina and I scrambled to turn in her Visa application (it has to be completely filled out in under 20 minutes or it times out.... its VERY difficult) As soon as we finished- the doorbell rang. Cristina had invited her family over for locro- a traditional Argentine gaucho stew meant to be eaten with family. They were lovely all of them, very comfortable to talk to, friendly, curious. and to top it all off- the locro (a traditionally VERY meaty dish) was made in a vegetarian style. For me becuase "la nena no le gusta carne" It was really very sweet. Hanging out with the family I learned the word fanfarron (fanfare) and ratoncito (toothfairy). Oh! And i spoke only Spanish the entire day. I think spending the Bicentennario with an Argentine family really was the way to go. : )

Also, despite my camera being broken- they wanted a group picture. This is what resulted:

Ok fine.... a post.... only because tonight was such a success

So, of course every good student should cook a traditional american (norteamerican) meal for their host family. An exchange you know. So tonight we had a very VERY typical american meal in my opinion:

TACOS.



After much debate over how tacos exist, Cristina let me put the ingredients on the table rather than have the tacos pre-prepared. When we started eating she quickly understood why. Cristina regaled my guacamole, but we did have a moment when she exclaimed "or you can use mayonesa!" Oh argentines will you ever learn! I also taught my Argentine host mom new SPANISH words. jajaja.. This is a TACO and this is a BURRITO.




I also showed her pictures of chipotle to show her what gluttons north americans are. The only thing I'm lamenting is mentioning sour cream..... she has no idea what it is and is determined to find out... by making it.

Dear Omi (who reads this blog)

I will probably not be able to post as frequently on account of the likelihood of my not being able to finish the semester. Sorry for the inconvenience.

New countdown

Create your own MySpace Countdown Counter Today!

Bazooka

...makes no more sense in Castellano than in Hebrew or English.

Con Paciencia... como la uva

No tengo paciencia con la uva! Uvas are grapes, and here they have seeds. It is an EFFORT to eat them and as my host mom says... it requires patience. Pero vale la pena (it's worth it). Argentines in general are very patient. We were taught the very first week about "Argentine time" which is approximately a half an hour after any aforementioned time. We had to learn to simply be patient and go with the flow... or be perpetually frusterated. When wondering about the source of this attitude- I think grapes. The simplest things require patience here, living without it would simply not work.

Thank you James Geary

Cogito Ergo Sum= I think, therefore I am

or more literally

Cogito Ergo Sum = I shake things up, therefore I am

Felicitaciones

Congratulations to all of the recent graduates! In Argentina we would celebrate by all gathering around you and dumping milk, vinegar, mayonaise, eggs, flour, and other food products all over you.

This post needs a picture...

I judge pasaperros (dog walkers) who are walking less than twelve dogs- amateurs

Dancing with the Stars

So the dance off show "videomatch" has now premiered in Argentina and its really really impressionante. It's american equivalent is dancing with the stars, but they are not comparable at all. While that show fed off of talent, hability, and practice... this show feeds off of petty fueds, harsh criticisms, flamboyant showiness, hypersexualized bodies, hypersexualized movements... and ass cheeks.

I had the unfortunate luck of watching the reggaeton episode where one judge, Alfonso, fought with the contestants, fought with the other judges, and always had something to say. On the boludismo news here the large story was over how she said that another one of the judge's mother commited suicide because of him. CHE who says shit like that!?!?

Apparently, reggaeton "good" dancing is the dancing with the most sexualized movements possible, and the most machismo masogynistic violent movements possible. Every dance included the girl with her ass in the air and the guy smacking it gratuitously to the beat. It was sick. Honestly I would've been slightly more comfortable with it if I saw the girl slap the guys ass to the beat once in awhile- but that never happened. It's not like you can justify it with incorporating martial arts into dance (which is very legitimate in a lot of dance) No. This was simply violence put to a a rhythm and it made me feel really uncomfortable.

This is why I like Cumbia....

Dia del Trabajador - May 1

The other night I went to an assembly of the sindicate of textile workers and cartoneros (essentially recycling collectors) run by my internship. There were fun parts to the night, listening to folklore and drinking with the Bolivian women, but there were also impassioned speeches about the state of slavery and workers rights in Argentina and where the fight to overcome it is going. What fascinated me about the speeches I think will fascinate you as well:

They were all centered around the strikes in Chicago. Have you not learned much about this? Because I hadn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_Chicago_Teamsters'_strike

The reason that the "Dia del Trabajador" is on May 1st is to commemorate these strikes and what they stood for. ARGENTINES are commemorating the 8 hour day gained from these strikes but AMERICANS aren't? I must admit I felt silly being taught my own countries history by argentines- even if it did make me feel proud to live in the country that hosts their model of humane industry.

And yet it got me thinking- yes for the most part we can boast fair working standards and safe working conditions- but slavery still exists in the US as well. I'm not only horrified by this fact, but embarrassed. Other countries look to us as the model of opportunity and fair circumstance but that just isn't the case.

One of my friends at La Alameda cooked and cared for children in Bolivia before she was enslaved in Buenos Aires. She cared for discapacitated kids, mute kids and deaf kids (she taught me a little Bolivian sign language.) She really would like to go to america one day and was asking me about job opportunities there for her to work in child care. I told her the truth that it exists and that there are opportunities especially for someone as qualified as she is. But then I got to thinking about all of the problems she could run into- worst case scenario she ends up in a slave situation in the US too! Domestic help is one of the top 5 sectors of slavery in the US. The thought that this could happen to her AGAIN and in my country made me sick to my stomach quite frankly. And then other scenarios- what if she moved to Arizona and was subject to discrimination there because of the color of her skin. What if she was discriminated against for having a spanish accent on her english! These things still happen!

US- we have so much work to do.

For those of you who speak spanish and would like to learn more about my internship here's the website:

http://laalameda.wordpress.com/?ref=spelling

Suspira

A bad day can be turned around- with the unacceptable orange in ones closet : )

Colonia, Uruguay

Somewhere, beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me- my love it stands on golden sands- and watches the ships that go sailing....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJswbSZgXrg

What a linda time!
- old timey caballero foto
- running to pick it up
-picture with backyardigans
-lovely views

-pictures of the sea
- the buquebus- the most lavish boat ever
- just walking around talking with good friends : )
-random rasta parade "para bailar"

21 Could've been anticlimactic...

But we had fun : P

PB+J Sandwiches, Bruschetta Pizza, Vino

Cake (Gracias a Cristina)



Fuck Sarkis. They wouldn't let us eat only ice cream. They forbid it- even though we'd waited 45 minutes.
So we bought helado elsewhere. Hmph

Then onto the Cantobar. They interviewed me about the us, had all of the cumples sing "La vida es un carnaval" we sang bohemian rhapsody and the lion sleeps tonight, sean won a dance contest with a chair, there was a funny bachelorette party with a very happy bachelorette who hugged me, conga lines, cumbia.... all things good


The night ended with Helado at my new casa. At 6 am. As it should be.

Fiesta de pijamas

Mexican Food the next morning

Oh yeah.

Mi casa es su casa

My Old Casa: Lectures about staying up late, lectures about how much I use my computer, lectures about supposed pen thievery, lectures about "how good it is to have friends and how I should go out more", problems with my being in the computer room where they like to be "alone", no access to the balcon or living room, no cookies- ever, no friends or family coming over for me to meet, no events that we did together, 2 hour long dinners, not allowed to use lights, windows open always letting in cold air.

My New Casa: Met friends, she likes my friends, have cookies and tea, computers are a-ok, music is a-ok, lets me use her hammock, near everything, patient, doesn't hate television, likes naps and sleeping in, doesn't mind my partying within reason, likes reading, bigger room, best view of the city ever, actual conversations, hugged me for queen

Hoyts Cinema 21

International Movies
Coming soon to a theatre near you:

Cumpleanos feliz de Becca (Becca's happy happy birthday)

La muda de Becca (Becca's big move)

Becca tiene un pasantia (Becca has an internship)

Becca va a Colonia (Becca goes to Colonia)

y mas...

Dulce de Leche

I know I always say that Argentines are lovely and Porteños (buenos aires dwellers) are not. However, Porteños really made me smile today:

1. A colectivo driver waited for me! He waited : )

2. A man saw me and the other girls eyeing the desert at the cafe today, so he bought one for us! The waitress brings it over- "un regalo" we blushed and scarfed it down. It was so delicious- rich and chocolately. It really made me smile.

3. The students in my class are lovely. Theyre always asking if I understand and trying to engage me in conversation. Today I found out that one girl is a fan of House and Lost. Haha I appreciated it.

Salta

-23 hour bus ride!
-Humitas y empanadas nom nom

-Met french people at the hostel and played kings with them. Mouse Master!
-Slept in the hostel without sheets... o hostels

-Rafting in the ANDES. Everyone fell out of the raft on my side except me. I was pushed out later.
-Canopy in the ANDES. I got stuck. Needed to be saved. Did not want to make out while being saved to the dismay of my heroe.
-Went to a Pena with group sing alongs and constant toasting- QUIEN DIJO SALUD?

-On the rainy day we took a gondola up a mountain. We couldn't see anything, but we were on a mountain in a foggy cloud. It was nice.
-I bought a rad well made escher style artesan bag
-We went to a mummy museum and saw one of the best preserved mummies in the world- I saw the one on the right
http://www.argentinaevt.com.ar/ar/circuitos/03-001.jpg
-We went to the Salta boliches and were hit on by silly fourteen year olds
-Rocked out to Black Eyed Peas
-Woke up and went to Mass. There was a stray dog under my pew licking my feet. Joey doesn't think I have rabies though.

-Bought my first easter egg
-Cut it close with getting to the bus stop. At the bus stop was the same stray dog!
-Another 21 hour ride home... this time I slept very very well : )

Mendoza

See Map in the previous post:
_13 hour bus ride
-EXXXTREME Bar. I tried Fernet, Gancia, and Caperini, Fruize
_Learned some naughty spanish words
_ Wine and Bike tour : ) it was lovely. 3 vineyards, and olive oil factory, and a liquor factory all with tastings
_Amy tried Absinthe
_Home cooked Asado. I did eat meat :/ but refused morsilla. got my ping pong on

_Mendozan Boliche Alquimio. 4 levels of different music. We like the reggaeton cumbia room and we rocked out til 5 am
_Didn't sleep
_At 7 we ran to the bus station to catch a bus to the Precordillera (the pre mini mountains before the andes mountains)


_ Climbed a mountain
_Saw breathingtaking indescribeable natural beauty
_Taught the mendocinos words such as "boy toy"
_Translated 50cent into spanish
_13 hour bus ride home : )

My Argentina

Where I've been in Argentina :

Travel stories to come !!!

Public Health Care

A Hospital is no place to be sick.
Samuel Goldwyn (1882 - 1974)

So my dumb face didn't buy malaria pills or get vaccinated for yellow fever in the United States. Yay for trying out Argentine Health Care/ NOT Yay for trying out Argentine Health Care.

Yellow fever was easy to obtain. There is a building (a shack more or less) that says "Ministerio del Salud del Gobierno" near one of the universities. Inside there was nothing except a line waiting for yellow fever vaccines. That was it. I showed my passport and had Sarah talk to me and ba da bing ba da bum it was done. Vaccinated. And yes- I saw her take out a new needle.

Malaria Pills. In the US one would need a prescription. Like a true pelotuda I assumed the same applied here. I got up at 6 am to recieve a "turno" to then wait at the public hospital to see someone. I waited and waited and waited for 5 hours. FIVE. I was the second to last person to be called. When I got inside the doctor told me it was his birthday, asked me to be his novia, and promptly informed me that he couldn't write me the prescription. I went home and cried.

Then I talked to Graham about how it works in Guatemala. He thought that maybe I'd be able to simply obtain the pills at the pharmacy sans prescription and told me the name of the drug. He was right. The cost was only 40 pesos (10 US dollars) which is 1/7 of what everyone spent in the US.



So what have we learned:
- The reason the wait was so long was because there were a lot of people from Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru who all come to Argentina to use the free public healthcare. I wonder how this will play out in the US
_ I wonder about malpractice suits here. One needs a specialist for a vaccination that is clearly warranted but the generalist doctor was not able to prescribe me one. In the US we LOVE to sue. I also wonder how this will work out.
_Argentina provides free and easy yellow fever vaccinations... almost no questions asked. Are there any vaccines we should provide for free in the US. And while this was a nice service and I'm grateful on a personal level, is it the best use of funding?
-I wonder hope appointments will be organized in public health care in the US. I imagine a similar turno system will have to exist because it wouldn't make sense to triage non-emergency services.

Pictures courtesy of Sarah Janisch will be added soon... stay tuned kids

How Argentina Works

"Tienen que pedir los apuntes que están en una carpeta que dice "INES COPA", allí están todos. Lo que puede pasar es que la persona diga que no los tiene, pero uds ¡insistan!

You can ask for the notes in a folder that said INES COPA and here is everyting you need. What is going to happen is that the person will tell you that he doesn't have them- but insist!

"Socialismo o Barberie"

Ifsa rule #1,071 Never go to a protest. Ifsa rule # 1,072 Never go to a protest alone. You can imagine my anxiety as I approached the Plaza de Mayo on an empty Subte A today. The walk up to the outside was a bright ascent through a gate. It was the stereotypical image of death and fitting for the rate of my heartbeat at that point.
Walking around the Plaza de Mayo there was a substantial crowd with flags and banners but not the Kilombo (crowd) I’d imagined. Everyone was smiling, and chanting, and laughing. There were hot dog and chorizo vendors as well as Simpson doll vendors. There were Argentine flags, “nunca mas” flags, and 6-7-8 scrawled on everything from flags to shirts to children. Most noticeable however, were the hearts. They were strung together and hanging from every tree, bandstand and chorizo cart. Each heart was white and represented a life that had been stolen. It was very profound and se me llene los ojos de lagrimas.
At some point the chatter was drowned out because firecrackers were being shot off down the street. I looked up to see a giant mass approaching the plaza. The marcha had begun. I walked up into the heart of the masses and found myself surrounded by banners and groups in matching shirts. The shirt of the group HIJOS was the most common. It said “Me pongo la camiseta” and debajo “juicio and castigo”. Justice and Punishment. I found some of my friends and we just watched in awe as drummers passed us, the young socialists, the Che foundation, the young peronists, the young communists, CHA for lgbt rights, and so many others. “Ole Ola, … donde estas, no te ve, vas a buscar!”

We ended up near the stage to hear words of wisdom from the Madres of the plaza de mayo. The lead madre had a way of speaking that I can only compare to the dali lama. It was just so gracious and hopeful- stern when necessary but really just appreciative of the day and the hope it brought. From the bandstand others would yell “Companeros de los desparecidos donde estas.” “Presente!” “Para ahora…” “Y SIEMPRE”

My favorite chant was for the madres though. “Madres de la plaza de mayo las invito. Su pueblo las abrazo!” (Madres of the Plaza we invite you, your city offers you a hug … more or less) It was all around a very profound experience. I’m surprised that I found words to describe it at all. Granted – I did borrow a lot of the chants.

Becca has been eating lots of calabasa (squash) lately...

Play by Play:
Meant to be read in the voice of a locutor de futbol:

Oh look at her go! First one colectivo, then another, then another! Count them 92, 99, 24, y 29!!! Becca has now successfully ridden 4 Colectivos. GOL!!!!!
And what a professional tourist she is too! First plaza de mayo with “don’t cry for me argentina playing in her head the entire time!” A tourist like none other! Then onto the obelisco! A tango class, the feria de san telmo, Evita's grave in Recoleta, and la boca! Can nothing slow her down? Will she ever start acting like a local? Stay tuned to find out!

AND the extranjera is doing the local thing!! What an unexpected turnover! Becca went to the konex to see the Babel Orkestra just like any Argentine her age! She eats empenadas like its her job. She drinks mate in class. MATEEEEEE. Did you hear that. The local drink! She stays up all hours of the night, goes to the local feminist protests, and moves on argentine time. We need to keep an eye on this newcomer. She is starting to really make a name for herself in this city.

Plaza de mayo always has veterans from the war of the Malvinas. They’re pissed. I need to learn more about this, but as of now it just seems like a territory war. That is so last century.

The oblesico is an obelisco. It looked like a mini Washington monument. Yay pointy monuments. Keep a lookin up.

The feria de San Telmo was like most that Ive been too. Nothing special. I think Ill stick with my local feria from now on. I did buy colored pencils for really cheap though! I was probably far more excited about this than I really should be.
La Boca was so beautiful and so tragic at the same time. On the one hand its painted extremely bright colors that excite the eye, on the other hand the materials that these bright colors are painted on is tin! Tin houses. It’s horrifying and the juxtaposition of the century. The colors were the idea of Benito Quinquela Martín a local artist and orphan.


The protest was really interesting! It was for the Dia Internacional de La Mujer and the holiday started as a response to women’s rights movements everywhere. A lot of the women wore purple – the color of the movement and had signs for various causes. Some were protesting the abortion law (its prohibited), others were protesting prostitution laws and attitudes, others gay rights. One group had a sign of women’s faces and the dates that they had disappeared! They were all post 1992! I don’t know if the women think that these women are desparecidos of the government or of human trafficking but in either case it’s despicable and personally horrified and shocked me. This is why I want to be an abolitionist. This shouldn’t occur.


What’s in store next for Becca? Can she keep up with the energetic argentines? Don’t change the channel to find out!!! But here it’s time for a pause. After all:

Art, like morality, consists of drawing the line somewhere.
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G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

Cuentos de la Gente- todo de Hoy (all from today)

From my radio language class:

We all had to read our essays about "our relationship with the radio" on the radio today. (I haven't gone yet thank god) The peruvian student went up for his turn and read his essay. He had been living on a boat near an island off the coast of peru for 5 years, and his relationship with the radio was a beloved one because it was his only link to the outside world. However, the song that it always played was Karma Chameleon! Of course all of the rest of the Argentines had to start singing it when they heard this. Imagine: five years of karma chameleon?!? I couldn't do it.

From my cafe:

My cafe is owned by a father/son duo and the father loves telling stories. He's hard for me to understand though because he's from Galicia, Spain. I'm not even used to the Argentine accent yet- forget Spain. One of his stories today was describing the fervor two Japanese poker players on the tv. Both of the women put tons of money onto the table at the same time in a final push and this amused him. His amusement made me smile.

From my trip to the museum:

I went to the Museum with my new Argentine/Californian friend Marcelo. Marcelo lived in the US for many years and told me today that he had met Tupac in a hotel in 1994. My reaction of course was a deserved raised eyebrow but he said that they were in the same hotel and met. He also doesn't think that Tupac is dead... but that's something else altogether haha

Palacio de Papas Fritas

What does superman put on after his shower? SU PERFUM!


Ode to the Colectivo (bus)

No Speed Limit Sign
Crosswalks Don’t Stop Anything
I Fear for My Life

Ode to Mosquitos

You always bite me
I think you are glutonous
A plague on your house

Ode to Empanadas de la Continental

Never dissapoints
Sabores de la cielo
If only no bad breath


Ode to Globilzacion

Damn English Music
Nike say you can do it!
Se Habla espanol?

Ode to la Plaza Centenario

Popcorn and Puppets
Druggie stop tweaking so much
Quiero tomar sol

Ode to Juana’s Cooking

Mate de la cocina
Never liked eggplant antes
I cherish your plates


Ode to Grafitti

Dice “Malos Aires”
Poetry is art and art walls
“Not much in New York”

Ode to the Konex

Bird cage bar stools: weird
But Argentine Klezmer: fun
We will be fast friends

Ode to my blunders:

Sopa is not soap
One hamberqueso por favor
“Dolares! No Dolores”

Entrevista (Interview)

What have you been eating?

For starters milk and yogurt out of a bag. Green beans con ajo (garlic), and spinach ravioli, salad, and …. Veal. And lots of helado! (ice cream) Honestly, between the regular vegetables and regular ice cream and regular walking I am still undecided whether I intend to engordecer or not (get fat).

Is the Air of Buenos Aires really good air?

No. Irony wins. And I’m always congested.

How is your family?

They’re wonderful! They try and feed me and take care of me and really act like family. My mother, Juana, can talk my ear off any moment and always asks about school and is sweet. She’s also a painter. Alberto is an accountant and is very calm and reminds me of my Italian grandfather.

Where are you going to school?

Nowhere yet but I’m allowed to go to a bunch of different universities. I’ll keep you posted. I’m also doing the human rights track and will have a related internship.

Where do you go?

Mostly the park. The Plaza centenario. It’s the best place ever. Also, other parks, bars, pizzerias.

What do people wear?

Black. Gray. White. Pastels. Nothing vibrant or fun. Orange is out.

What are the plusses?

Cheap taxis! Beautiful Parks, the best helado in the world. Anything you could need is in a small business close by. Really close to the party barrio (neighborhood)

The negatives?

I’m really far from the universities and most of the other students.

Lollipop Ladron

I have arrived and am starting to better understand this mysterious place where I’ll be living for the next 6 months. When I first landed everything was so bewildering that it thoroughly exhausted me. I could barely understand the language, the customs, and the llaves! (keys) However, now I am beginning to find routine.
Buenos Aires is so similar to New Orleans that its uncanny. From the terrible sidewalks, and the safety issues to the style of architecture and palm trees. However, its got fun of its own. There is a lot more graffiti here than in New Orleans and I love reading it! It’s always poetic and rhythmic and with an activist undertone. It’s wild.

There are dog walkers here who will walk 10 dogs at a time. I know this exists in the US but Ive never seen it before, and it amuses me every time. There is an invention in every argentine house called a bidette, that was invented by an argentine. Juana, my host mom seemed very proud of it haha but in my opinion it just takes up space. I can’t say I’m surprised that it didn’t catch on in other countries.

So far I haven’t done… much at all. No part of orientation takes us to actually see the city. Its just us sitting at the Circulo Italiano learning about the city day after day. At least we get really long breaks during which we can explore. During these breaks the majority of my communication with Argentines has been to either ask for directions or purchase something. They’re very friendly but as Emily noted, rarely smile. They’re very helpful too. People are amazing about reaching out. Emily and I have both had change returned to us on different occasions which is even more amazing because change is like gold here! It’s needed to ride the buses and people hoard it.
Speaking of the buses – they go everywhere, and for a faster version that goes less places there is the subte (subway) and radiotaxis. Its nice having reliable transportation- even if its superpacked and I have to hoard coins to ride. It is definitely a plus over New Orleans.
Oh another thing in common! Buenos Aires is green like New Orleans and has many giant parks to bask in. One is very close to my home and I laid out in beautiful sunny weather with Sarah and Beth, just loving life. The park is huge with a dog area, a retired area, a carousel, a stadium, a stage, a skate park, a pond, a playground- EVERYTHING you could imagine. It is my new favorite place, especially with this beautiful weather. I love it!

There’s much more to say and I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but there will be more posts for that. I’m not sure how frequently though… we don’t have wifi in my house and its fairly uncommon. Eek. We’ll see

Ciao Becca Chilbert

Linguistic Tidbits:
Minimarts are approximately the same size as supermarts
Tanghetto – so, the gh sound doesn’t exist is Spanish… for starters
Movistar