from briefcases to babies

* this entry from 2/6 *

from briefcases to babies, around Centro
The subway train car is made of wood. In a strange way it makes me think of an old western saloon with its wooden walls, windows, and doors that must be manually opened and closed.

Before deciding to hop aboard this underground vessel, I promenaded around Avenida de Mayo with its metropolitan ambiance -- collared shirts, rolling briefcases, and cellular phones. Further down this street, stands the National Congress Building (inaugurated in 1906, built by Italian Architect Victor Meano in Greco-Roman style).




Accompanying me on this venture, Tintin.

I pop above ground at Peru, a street that transitions into Florida, an avenue well known for its boutiques and shopping. Amidst the swarm of people carrying bags of freshly purchased goods, a little girl carries an infant in her arms and begs for money. This same scene -- borrowing babies -- was witnessed in a train station in New Delhi, and is unfortunately a common concept used to strike empathy cords and encourage donations.


Florida Avenue

In 2001 Argentina suffered from an ecomomic crisis. Unable to pay back foriegn debt, government spending was cut, social services cut, wages cut, causing unemployment & poverty rates to grow. Although the crisis has since been recovered, it's believed that many of these street kids are the result of this. And with the Global Financial Crisis going on today, to what degree will its effects be?


* * *

Sun Rays cascade through a stained glass window high above the alter. Dust particles glimmer like little stars. It looks like a tiny universe. In this daydream, someone taps my shoulder. He wears thin framed glasses, holds a white plastic bag, a newspaper can be seen through it.

"[insert Castilian Spanish words], hora?"

I shake my head and smile.

He points to his wrist.

Oh yes, yes, I say, it's eighteen o'clock.

He laughs, you mean six o'clock.

He goes on to ask where I'm from, what I'm studying, and if I'm aware that I'm sitting in Buenos Aires' oldest church.


He continues to talk -- repeating himself often and slowly -- sharing bits of Buenos Aires' church history. He watches me write notes in my little journal, points to where comas are needed, at times even takes the journal himself and corrects my mispelt words. At the alter he folds to the image of Jesus Christ. He asks a gentleman with a key around his wrist for a phamplet of the church's history. Enthused, they both share more history about the surrounding area.

Here's my attempt at translation (should be checked for validity): The Parroquia San Ignacio de Loyola, in the streets of Bolivar and Alsina, was built in 1675 and took 300 years to complete. Before the advent of Recoleta's cemetary in 1822, poeple were interred beneath the church. Some parts of the church still has its original colors -- blue, mauve, and gold. Across the street, is the Catedral, technically the oldest church in Buenos Aires, but was bombed and reconstructed.

As we make our way across the street to visit La Catedral, a distant crowd of people and flags come into view.


He explains that they are part of a left party and the MST (moviemento socialista de los trabajadores). While chanting, beating to drums, and waving flags, they appear to express great support for the struggle of workers.



Before spilting ways with this kind older gentleman, he writes his full name (including his mother's maiden name) in my journal. Later he looks at his hands, as though they are bothering him. He says it's his work -- the work he does in houses for most of his life -- that makes his hands like that. He pauses and shows me his palms.

at the moment...
It's 14:34, am sitting at a table at Free Style Hostel. The internet connection is awesome here and the views from their lounge area are panoramic -- the Beagle Channal and snow capped Feugian Andes Mountains. About to get some food, then off to Hotel Albatros, the meeting point for travellers aboard Quark's Lyubov Orlova - an ice strengthened ship which will set sail for Antarctica tomorrow. Looking to finish the rest of the BA entries tonight :)