So we flew back from Trelew to Buenos Aires. We didn't get to see a tango show, which I really wanted to do, because my sister and I both got sick.
But we both enjoyed the warm spring days in Buenos Aires. We walked around to see parks, walked down Florida street, and visited shopping centers. We didn't really shop that much though. We also went to see San Telmo, where lots of antique shops abound.
On Thursday, we made sure to stop by Plaza de Mayo at 3:30 to see Madres de Plaza de Mayo. These are mothers of 30,000 people who were taken by the military governments about 30 years ago. They have been protesting by silently walking around the Plaza, demanding the return of their loved ones or to know where their loved ones are. After protesting, one of the mothers made a speech in front of Argentine president's work place.
Although I do love eating beef (they have the BEST beef in Argentina... and I haven't been eating beef in US since the mad cow disease came out) and fresh fruit (all of them tasted sweeter), I have to say that I'm glad I am living in the United States. People in Argentina seem very disillusioned about the government, and some say that it's no use thinking when the government simply take away (kill?) all intelligent people. I guess I'm used to political stability, despite differences in this country. Not to say that US is perfect -- the leak of the CIA agent's name is deplorable. But I think the difference is, I don't live in fear that our government will mass murder everyone who is opposed to its policies. Even now, we have an investigation to bring those who leaked the CIA agent's name to be tried.
Anyway, I hope that the mothers will some day find out what happened to their loved ones. They look rather old now, and I wonder who will march in their place 20 years from now.
On a lighter note, I took some random pictures that I posted below. I REALLY wanted to take a picture of typical Argentine men... because they were really well dressed, well groomed, and frankly looked quite handsome. Unlike men here, I don't think there are any connotations that men who dress well are gay. Men's hair length was longer, they wore shirts they fit and showed off their body, etc. So ladies, if you wanna see well dressed men, go to Argentina and just sit yourself down at a cafe. =P
I also wanted to take a picture of water going down the other way because we were in the southern hemisphere. Soo... I took a picture of water being flushed down the toilet. Well, what can I say?? I wanted to capture stuff I couldn't see here.
There were dogs everywhere in Buenos Aires. And there were lots of dog walkers. Although I love dogs, I didn't enjoy walking around with dog poops all over the sidewalks.
Did I mention I love their beef?? Argentine cows eat grass, not corn/chicken/other animals like US cows do. Everywhere I went, I ordered beef and they were all yummy. Apparently, Argentines love meat and eat very little vegetables or fruit. We always had to order a separate salad because when we ordered entrees, it would never come with any vegetables.
Another observation, people smoke quite a bit. It turns out the cigarettes are cheap there (especially if you convert US dollars to Argentina pesos).
In all, my sister and I had a good time in Argentina. I wish I had taken Spanish in high school so I could converse with folks more readily. It's the first time I traveled in a country where I didn't speak the language, so it was quite an experience trying to get around. It's a bit frustrating. But I still enjoyed what I experienced in Argentina... I would just never take Lan to fly anywhere ever again.
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