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Published: June 10th 2006
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25 de mayo
VAMOS ARGENTINA Although Dany Mandlebaum delivered a camera to me on June 4th 2006, sent along with peanut butter, pictures and jasmine tea from home, it could not possibly capture Sunday afternoon, no matter how many mega-pixels.
After a brisk fall stroll from home to Belgrano's (our neighborhood’s) main plaza, we visited the afternoon fair. Artists stood smiling behind their creations, toques, painted rocks, incense sticks, wooden carvings, leather belts, glass masterpieces, etc. Children ran around like wild geese laughing at the street performers tricks, chasing filthy pigeons with grand determination and grabbing on to people's legs, terrified to realize it wasn't the leg of their dad when their eyes glanced upwards. Old women and men holding hands on benches watching the world wander by, young couples kissing on the museum's steps with confidence and passion, best of all the smells of fall warm in the air. We sat outside an old building and had a café con leche and share a panini with eggplant, carrot, cheese and tomatoes. We also shared our ideas, plans and concerns about what will come next after Argentina and even more difficult; after graduation. Lindsay and I put our faces up to the sun, listened to
lindsay and cafe con leche
having a coffee and enjoying the sunshine the clear notes ringing from the electric guitar and smiled, glad to be in Buenos Aires, in the sun, and for now, carefree.
Many exciting events have happened and arrived in the past weeks. Most exciting has been the start of the FIFA World Cup. Televisions have been brought from home to every corner of the city to watch the games. In barbershops, schools, Internet cafés, flower stands, fancy restaurants and anywhere where there is not a TV there is a radio on, full blast. Everyone is buzzing for the Mundial and confident Argentina will win. Of course. Today at 4 is their first game against Cote D'Ivoire, I am worried what will happen if Argentina is defeated, probably not much, it's only the first game, but in Argentina, fútbol runs through the blood of almost every woman and man, boy and girl, it will be an exciting month!
Laura and Chuck have left the country. We had such a wonderful visit with both of them, and especially when Laura was staying with us up until last week. Our apartment hosted three disorganized wild women and didn't even complain at all. We had no problems and had lots
Fabrica Lavalan
Today in the Fabrica Lavalan, our 'guide', one of the workers chatting with the students of laughs. The highlight was definitely the birthday party of Berta Mandelbaum, Laura's 70-year-old Grandma. It was fabulous, the food, the Jewish traditional music and dancing, the Magician who arrived with doves and tricks after three in the morning, the chocolates, candle lighting, wine and conversations.
Also my hope has been restored in humans, at least for this week. Our sociology class visited
The Lavalan Wool Factory. Lavalan is run by a cooperative of 22 workers who share all profits earn the same wages, and all follow the same rules. In 2002 the factory was closed down after the economic crisis Argentina suffered, but the workers wouldn't let their jobs and dignity go down with the business after the owner fled debts and accusations of un fair wages, unpaid salaries, etc. Anyway, we visited the factory and learned more first had about the movement and the cooperative. I have attached some photos from our day there and here is the website if anyone is interested, (maybe you have seen the movie THE TAKE, this factory and collective were interviewed in it). www.fabricasrecuperadas.org.ar
Ok, so many more things have been happening, but I am hungry and getting tired of
New York New York
Dany and the girls and Berta's 70th Birthday writing. Some other adventures include the 25th of Mayo in the downtown of BA with 300,000 people, 'supporting' the president Kirchner. (This is a whole other story of political propaganda and craziness; it will have to wait until next time). We are continuing with our volunteer hours, and have fallen a bit in love with the kids, here are some pictures of some of the kids.
What else? Nights out, meals out, studying, reading, meeting, greeting and trying to make the days last longer. We only have three more weeks of school!
Anyway, the pictures describe what we've been up to, or at least some of the things we've been up to. Thanks Dad & Mom for sending me your camera and for the PB!
Muchos Besos, Peace and Love and Dancing Empanadas,
Jenica International, signing out.
PS The photos are a bit unorganized, (shrug)
PS ¡¡¡¡¡¡VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!!
PS Congratulations Michael Harris on your graduation from SFU, watch out world!
And also congratulations to my querido hermano Greg Frisque on your Graduation from RSS,
You survived! you thrived! I love you!
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el "countdown" empieza....
solo quedan unas semanas, que rapido pasa la vida a veces, tan rapido que me da miedo! disfrutan todo, ya mismo acabara! las quiero un monton, que guapas, inteligentes y asombrosas que son mis amores. cuidense! besos y abrasotes de mexico!