Asado

So we took off last evening on buses for the Argentine Asado - which is a ranch bbq with horses. The journey took 2 hours and 15 minutes by bus in rush hour traffic in the city. The ranch was 80 kilometers outside the city. When we finally arrived, thirsty and hungry, the sun was just setting. We had four horses for riding and the ranch had cows, horses, chicken and all sorts running around.

We had wine and appetizers on the lawn and many students (and professors) took turns riding the horses. I chose not to. It was really breath taking. We were hosted by a Tufts graduate and his wife, he is a local businessman from Buenos Aires. There was more meat than you could imagine served over the course of the evening. Lamb, pork, beef, chicken, sausages, blood sausages and some unknown meats. I was seated at a table next to an Indian vegetarian who ate lettuce and coleslaw all night.

The evening was finished off with the class singing "Don't cry for me Argentina" and then some solo singers emerged. A Mexican classmate who shocked us all, he could be a professional singer. A Kenyan student sang his national anthem in three different languages and a student from Turkmenistan sang a Russian song. It was great fun. We did not get back to the hotel until 1.30am and today everyone was exhausted but it was such a wonderful night.

Last day of classes was very long but we made it through. Next time we see each other we will have completed our thesis and be preparing for graduation. It is an exciting milestone ahead.

This two weeks has been amazing and I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in this journey. Flying tomorrow AM to Miami. Nighty night....

Class photo

From last nights event.

The morning after the night before

Sitting in trade economics class, on this our last day of classes. 9-5 classes on both trade and macro economics. It will be a long day.
We had a wonderful night last night in the country at the traditional Argentine asado. More details later when I get a chance.

Bernardo O'Higgins

Casa Rosada - the "Pink House"

This afternoon we toured the Pink House which is the official Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires. The current President is Cristina Kirchner, her husband Nestor Kirchner (also a former president) died suddenly last October last year. It is widely believed that he still ran the country and while her popularity increased immediately after his death, it is now not certain that she will win the upcoming elections later in 2011. She comes to work each day in a white helicopter, apparently because of the traffic and for security reasons. The recent Wikileaks drama put some strains on US/Argentine relations. Secretary of State Clinton was quoted asking the US Ambassador here to find out what kind of medicine Cristina was on, and whether or not she was bipolar or depressed. Not a great diplomatic moment I would assume.

The Palace is very beautiful and is the same place that Eva and Juan Peron became so famous. We actually got out on the balcony that Evita stood on, as did the Pope when he came to Buenos Aires. We saw Eva's desk and many beautiful paintings and interiors. I also came across a painting of Bernardo O'Higgins, who founded the Chilean navy and was a liberation fighter - his father was from Sligo, Ambrosio (Ambrose I assume) O'Higgins. Please feel free to drop this piece of information into conversation this weekend at cocktail parties and sound informed....on me. We also saw the change of the guard which was great and how these poor fellas wear their gear in 95 degree temperatures is unknown. Photos to follow.

We had dinner out this evening with my team in a very traditional Argentine restaurant. Tomorrow evening we have a traditional Argentine asado at Estancia el Cencerro
(http://www.estanciaelcencerro.com.ar/). Should be fun. It's impossible to believe we are almost finished our two weeks. Time has gone by very quickly. Nighty night.

Grandmothers of the disappeared

Another great day in Buenos Aires today. Class in the morning, lunch with the Grandmother of the disappeared (see below) and four hours of International Trade Economics in the afternoon. I then went to the spa for a massage and feel completely relaxed now.

Best part of the day was the lunch.

Our speaker, Ms. Enriqueta Estela Barnes de Carlotto is the President of the Asociación Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo [Association of Plaza de Mayo Grandmothers]. This organization was established in 1977 in response to the forced or involuntary disappearance of hundreds of children following the military coup in Argentina in 1976 when hundreds of children were either abducted with their parents, or born in clandestine detention centers for young pregnant women. Ms. Barnes de Carlotto joined the Association in 1978 in her search to locate her own daughter, Laura Estela, who disappeared in 1977, and her grandson who was born in detention in 1978. Since then, Ms. Barnes de Carlotto and the Association have located missing and kidnapped children and restored them to their rightful families. It is also helping to ensure, by demanding the punishment of the culprits and advocating the rights of the child at both the national and international levels, that these abhorrent violations of children’s rights will not be repeated.

In carrying out her humanitarian work, Ms. Barnes de Carlotto personifies the admirable actions and efforts of the grandmothers of more than 400 abducted children whose fate is not yet known.

In sharing her story she told us that she never found the body of her daughter and has yet to locate her grandson, now in his 30s. Most of these children were given to military families and do not know they were abducted. Each Wednesday (for 30 years) the grandmothers march around the Playa de Mayo in the centre of Buenos Aires. An incredible story of strength, determination and bravery. Puts perspective on the issues de jour.

Ciao

Jameson at the Embassy

Students get tucked in to Jameson.....