Weekend in Review

A lot has happened since Wednesday!

On Thursday morning, I went with some classmates to La Alameda, an organization for workers against slave labor. They do a lot of anti-sweatshop activism and provide resources for workers. They have their own library, a comedor, a communal eating hall, classes to inform workers of their rights, classes for workers and their children in ceramics to teach them a skill, and their own little factory making shirts and bags. I learned so much at the visit, and really enjoyed myself. Most interesting for me was our guide's use of the term "victim." La Alameda provides many workers with hidden cameras so that they can document their mistreatment in the sweat shops. I usually do not like using the word victim, as its connotations can rob people of their agency. When I asked her about this, her explanation of some of the horrible working conditions made me realize that these workers are victims in a global system of slave labor. For more information and to see their products: http://www.mundoalameda.com.ar/

On Friday, after a day of Spanish class and our last class of Argentine history (so much information- terrorismo de estado, Menem, the crisis of 2001! in two hours), Jamila and I made a trek to satisfy one of our cravings- spicy burritos. We took a subway to the microcentro to California Burrito Company, a small chain like Chipotle with burritos, tacos, salads. We picked the most spicy sauce, which, unfortunately, was not very spicy at all. However, it was a much needed snack and very delicious. I spent the evening playing with Rocío, my host granddaughter, and went to Club Araoz for reggaeton night. I could only make it to 4:30 am!

Yesterday was more of a lazy day full of wonderful and interesting conversations with my host mother, Elvira. In the evening I went to the house of my friends Michelle and Denise Frenkel for a Rosh Hashana dinner. The apartment was filled with family and so much food! One of their grandparents is of Syrian descent, so they practiced a lot of Sephardic traditions, which were new to me. We ate candied squash, dates, beans, a tortille (omelette) of leek and one of spinach, each having different meanings (I don't exactly remember, but something about having no enemies in the upcoming year, prosperity, etc.) The food was delicious and I had a really nice time.

Today Jamila and I went to San Telmo, a bohemian area famous for its antique fairs on Sundays. It was really cool, with all sorts of things from old seltzer bottles, jewelry, leather, original artwork, old telephones, street signs, buttons, etc. If you are interested in antiques, please let me know if there is something I should try to pick up for you.

Tomorrow we are off to work at a school outside of the city, making crafts in honor of the first day of Spring tomorrow. Should be fun!

Update

It's been a long week of Spanish classes, a history seminar on Argentina, homework and visits.

Some highlights:

-Finding hilarious Rosh Hashana postcards at the fair at Plaza Armenia. My favorite was of a man drinking mate out of a shofar, the ram's horn blown on the holiday, which said: "Mate amargo. Año dulce. Shaná Tová." (Translation- Bitter mate, sweet year, happy holiday!)

-Watching a DVD clip of Eva Perón speaking. Her voice is really powerful and entrancing. No wonder people love her. Also, it is interesting to see how she is remembered amongst people of different classes. While my family is not wealthy, Elvira is a lawyer and the house has wifi. She does not care for Eva Perón. Jamila's family, a little more working class, adores her. Obviously, it's not a universal truism, but we had to ask our families how they felt about The Peróns and the answers really differed depending on our neighborhoods, education and class of our families.

-Moving up a level in Spanish. It feels much more appropriate!

-Getting my laundry washed, dried and folded for 8 pesos ($2USD).

-Learning some hand gestures to accompany my Castellano.

-Eating as many vegetables as possible at dinner! In Argentina, the food is good, but it doesn't have the spice that I love. More than anything, I am currently craving some Mexican food. I am looking forward to checking out California Burritos, a small chain.

-This isn't a highlight, but should be noted- today I went to Mansión Seré, a clandestine prison site outside of the Capital Federal used during the terrorism of the state of the 1970s and 80s. We learned a little more about the history of the period, but the prison was demolished, leaving only the outlining bricks. I wanted the experience to be more moving, more profound. I hope to go to a memorial or monument somewhere in the city and maybe there I can feel a better sense of the scope of this genocide. Note: Before I came to Argentina, I had heard this period referred to as the "Dirty War." However, my professor explained that a war often implies equal fighting on both sides, and a more appropriate term used now is "terrorism of the state."

-Playing with Rocío, the granddaughter of Elvira. She is two and I can hardly understand her but she is so cute! Her family calls her "terremoto."

Also, Jamila found this and I find it quite relevant: http://glimpse.org/stories/view/top-5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/

That's all for now. I will keep posting.

Emily