This summer I received a Renewal Grant to Argentina. The experience was phenomenal and I was impressed with the chaos and the beauty of its principal city, Buenos Aires. I chose Argentina because one of the novels I teach in the 8th grade is set in Buenos Aires. In the novel, the city stands as one of the central characters with equal importance with the human protagonists/antagonists. When I visit a new country/city, I like to explore and discover the cultural heartbeat of the place. I learned that Argentina takes its soccer, music/dance, and politics very seriously. Images of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi (soccer), Pope Francis, and Eva Perón dominate the Buenos Aires landscape. Another omnipresent feature is the tango. One evening, I ventured out to a milonga, one of the many dance halls that exist in Buenos Aires where one can stop, meet friends, and dance the tango and its variations.
Another feature that impressed me with the culture of Buenos Aires is the strong presence of feminism in the city culture. Women, especially the younger generations, are keenly aware of this and navigate their worlds freely and boldly. One event in which I participated was el asado (the art of grilling). The Asado Experience is a business started by and staffed/operated by women. They host cooking classes/demonstrations available to the curious tourist. Many Latin American countries are ruled by the code of the machismo so it was refreshing to see a thriving business owned and run by women.
I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to Argentina - thanks to the senior administration and others who make this opportunity available. While I feel that I merely scratched the surface of this magnificent country, I felt at home and comfortable navigating the plazas, mercados, and other spaces. My renewal came in visiting a Spanish speaking country, speaking Spanish 24/7, and experiencing Buenos Aires; this was important to me especially in providing some cultural context for the novel I teach. I wholeheartedly recommend Argentina as a travel destination to anyone open to an adventure and an interest/penchant for history, music/dance/art, and a superior cuisine/drink. Gracias.
AFS