All finished.... almost!

I was the first of 23 presentations today-- and it is really nice to have it over with. I think it went will, but I was pretty nervous to present all of my 4 weeks of work in 20-30 minutes.... and make sense. In the end I wrote a paper titled "The right to say "I do": Marriage as strategy in the gay movement of Buenos Aires".

I was lucky enough to talk and interact with people who are really important in the movement, and when to what was supposed to be the wedding. On December 1st, two men were to be the first gay couple married in all of Latin America and the Caribbean. However, at the last minute, a judge appealed the decision of the lower court-- and the supreme court against gay marriage was upheld. It was a huge disappointment that we were all waiting there for a few hours to learn the news. The couple held back tears as they left the civil registry... empty-handed in a way.

Emily also presented today on her final project related to the Sephardic Jewish community in Buenos Aires. This community, as compared to its cultural counterpart Ashkenazi Jews who speak Yiddish, speak Ladino. Ladino is very similar to Spanish... there are many versions of this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ji0oHhA7I. Open your closed doors.

This weekend Emily and I will be attending a Ladino concert... she was invited by one of her interviewees.... so in a way she is obligated to go. But why not? When in in Rome (or Buenos Aires) as I always say!

Yesterday was a holiday here... Day of La virgen something something, which is culturally the day to decorate with lights or put up christmas trees. Most people don't have natural trees, at least I have never heard of any, which is a little different from the states. Emily and I helped her host mom, Elvira put on some decorations on the tree. The cat also helped by pulling of one of the fake branches and playing with it.

CEDES, the building where are program is headquartered was close for the holiday, and since Emily and I had finished most of our work, we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day and check out more of the city. We went to the Facultad de Derecho (University of Buenos Aires Law School) and then to the famous Flor (Flower) metallic sculpture literally next door. After that we went to the Recoleta fair which we had been to before, but we walked away with a few more gifts for friends and ourselves.

That night we were invited to a surprise party of Luis, Michele's boyfriend in Belgrano. Belgrano is very nice neighborhood, and it was interesting to see a more wealthy part of the city. We hopped on the 93 bus to get to his house... and missed the stop by a lot, so we got into a taxi to take us. After a few minutes, the taxi just stopped, I guess something was wrong with the car. The taxi driver gave us a discount, and then we hailed another one off the street, which is not the most ideal situation-- it was already pretty dark. Luckily enough it was a safe taxi, and we made it to the party.

Luis was surprised, so I think the party was a success! Overall the day was pretty successful as well. Any day where I don't feel like I have been ripped off is a good day. Also, recently many students in our program have been pick-pocketed or robbed. I hope not to join this club of such a terrifying encounter.

PICTURES TO COME!