Argentina 8

The most important question: YES the toilets DO flush counter-clockwise!

What do you say to someone who thanks you with “gracias”? Normally it´s, “de nada,” right? Well, in Argentina, it´s “no, por favor.” That is, please don´t say thank you, it´s “no problem,” as younger folks say in the US. It reminds me of Orlando Karam who always graciously says “al contrario” when I say “gracias” to him. (It means “to the contrary, it is I who must thank you.”) I just love that. (I don´t like “no problem” in the US because it implies, “you didn´t bother me,” which sounds anything but gracious.)

Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquín Sabina (together, at last!), Spanish song-writer singers had a concert here last night at the Bombonera (the candy-box fútbol stadium). They´re from “my time” when I was a student in Spain. Here´s a video of each:

1. (the way I remember him) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcEiwtCvi10
2. (JMS today)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vyl4m1Vz2M
3. (Joaquín and Joan singing one of my favorite songs)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BKnDA04zzI&feature=related

Observation: We haven´t been here long enough to learn anything with any certainty or profundity, but it appears that there isn´t the practice of the botellón (using cell phones to bring together suddenly a large crowd of young people for the sole purpose of getting plastered with Kalimocho=1/2 coke, 1/2 cheap red wine ). The economy doesn´t permit the luxury of that sort of behavior, but I’m sure there are other non-conforming practices here—e.g. the cumbia villera, which is amusing to say the least. Cumbia originated in Colombia, is music of the lower , working class practically everywhere—especially in Mexico ( and on El Patrón radio in Atlanta—105.3). But here it has a punk rock edge—who knew cumbia—CUMBIA!—could be anti-establishment! I´m stripping gears!

Serious note: The local news/soap opera is about Febres, accused, and found guilty of extreme torture during the military dicatorship here. He was found dead of cyanide poisoning, and his wife, children, and their spouses have all been arrested for passing the poison on to him right before he was to be sentences for his crimes. Isn’t that the same behavior pattern of some of the German Nazis after Nuremberg? Remember Germany’s association with Argentina during and after WWII…

The pidgeon shit trick--This afternoon, while walking back to the hotel to pick up the SPSU goodie bag for Mr. Mascarenhas, we experienced something like the following:
The Old Mustard Trick: At a food stand a brazen thief will kindly point out mustard, ketchup, or ice cream on your clothes, and help you wipe it off. Never mind that HE put it there. You’ll never feel him “dip” your pocket or handbag as he expertly distracts you. From: http://www.bobarno.com/hunters.htm
In our case, they threw some gross stuff on us and said it was from pidgeons. They didn´t get anything, but left us stinking. We went back to the hotel to pick up the SPSU stuff, wash the stuff out of our clothes, and change clothes for the dinner. Then, as a result of the brouhaha, we took a cab to the restaurant to meet Mr. Mascarnhas, I forgot it in the taxi. All the SPSU goodies are in a cab belonging to somebody named Chamorro…and I even forgot to get a receipt. Stupid, right?
Mr. Mascarnhas is absolutely delightful, as was his wife, and daughter, SPSU student María Agustina was able to join us, having recently arrived in BsAs. He has taken on the SPSU project of getting connected in Latin America as if it were his own.

The image of the US isn´t good here. People are resentful, feel bullied on the one hand, ignored (until the US WANTS SOMETHING) on the other. In spite of that, I found the people here absolutely delightful. They are going through the economic crisis as best they can (Mr. M., for example has been unemployed since 2001). I believe that they will be better for the experience. Never again, I think, unless their politicians have short memories, will they fall prey to easy credit by the World Bank and the IMF. Even now there is a scandal brewing with US money purportedly being sent from the FBI with a Venezuelan American to the presidential campaign of Cristina Fernández Kirschner in order to buy her influence against Chavez, in favor of the US. She has already announced that she is independent and will maintain diplomatic relations with all of Latin America, including Venezuela. On the other hand, Argentina is beholden to Venezuela because it needs its oil. The issue of oil is seen to be the motive behind Bush´s involvement in Iraq. Between his assuming office and today, the price of oil has doubled, and they know he is in the oil business.

Well, this is the last journal entry for this trip. To sum up SPSU options: either Santiago or BsAs has options for our students, depending on their interests. There other options must be developed by Rich B during his trip here in March 2008. So far as SPSU options regarding recruiting Argentine and Chilean students, those also depend on Rich B. There are many possibilities, because of economics in Argentina, perhaps more in Chile than in Argentina, but both should be explored. I am certain that he will explore exchanges, 2+2, 2+3, dual degrees, and what ever other formats. The ground is fertile here, and ready for his arrival.

That´s all, folks!