20:10pm
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cheeee
As of tomorrow I leave Argentina, and fly over the Andes for at least two hours to arrive in Santiago, Chile. What seems like a short time in Argentina - 14 days - feels like a months-long journey. Reflecting on the events, I have experienced quite a bit, however, I can only wish to stay longer as I have a one-way ticket out of here. But perhaps not too far in the distant I future I will be returning here. The political situation has stablised, but I did say along the way that if things were to escalate I would be back quick - this may still happen.
Last weekend I took a stroll to the famous San Telmo markets, in the heart of the city. These markets were incredibly huge, they stretched too many city blocks to count. Not soon after arriving I bumped into some friends I made at hostel: Luke, Anthony, and Joseph, three Welsh lads that are traveling through Latin America for a few months. We all wandered around the markets, stumbling across various street performers, who were amazing on their own merits. There were tango dancers, big bands, and one performer that I found very cute who danced with a life-size doll.
The week began just like any other week: with a rally! There had been recent negotiations between the countryside - there had been a rural strike for over 20 days, which cut all major routes to the city, thus stopping all supplies of primary commodities - and the government. However, on Tuesday the government organised a mass rally, to demonstrate its support base. Over 100,000 people - and me - manifested in the famous Plaza de Mayo. The rally was short, about 30mins, with the president being the only speaker. The following day, the strike was suspended, as previously arranged. So this is what I mean that things have stablised. Now, supermarkets have been supplied meat, and dairy products; although this would have been better served a few days before, as I cooked up my spagbol minus the meat - I´m not that much of a cook to be able to substitute a key ingredient.
The day before the rally, on Monday, I had left Stef and Caroliña, who had put me up for 5 nights, and were very hospitable and amicable, to move in with a new couch surfing buddy, Martin. Martin resides fairly close to the centre of Buenos Aires, conveniently enough. He is a literature student - over here to be a university student means to be studying for at least 6 years - and he is a very politically conscious person. He is an individual that is very knowledgeable on Argentina, and Latin America. For a few years he was an activist in the Socialist Party, and thereafter in the Communist Party, but for one reason or another (take a guess), quickly became disillusioned and left; but still maintains his political convictions and engagement. We have gotten along extremely well, and will more than likely maintain contact after I leave.
On Wednesday, I ended up an hour south to this colonial town called La Plata. First thing when I got there, I decided to go the Museum of Natural Science, which had been recommended to me by Martin. To my disappointment, it was closed due to renovations. However, I did enjoy a tranquil walk around the park, where the Museum is located. Ample tree-lined roads provided for a nice walk. Some how, having some John Butler and Jose Gonzalez playing on the mp3 amplified the atmosphere of the place. Around here I started thinking how awesome it could be to share this moment with my friends - a small sense of longing for loved ones drifted in temporarily.
In La Plata, I went to the monumental, Gothic cathedral, located in the city centre. Underneath the building they made way for a historical museum of the place. It´s amazing how long they took to construct this thing: beginning in 1884 and nearly fully completed by 1999! The main structure was completed in the thirties, but the two mega towers took the longest, for various engineering issues. I was able to take a trip up to the towers for a sweet, birds eye view of the city. The interior is magnificent. The Gothic interior, with its high roofs, and columns, would be cause for some neck pains.
In the next few weeks I will writing an article for Green Left Weekly
