Halina Watts

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

This is a message to all the old boys about my year abroad in Argentina which you helped to fund. On 31st July 2007 I flew 2000 miles to the Latino metropolis that is Buenos Aires. This was the commencement of my third year of Comparative American Studies at the University of Warwick, which involved going to somewhere in the Americas. On arrival, I was greeted by some frantic Argentines and a very cold winter morning. After understanding that Air France had lost my luggage I made my way to a man who was holding my name in his hand. He seemed slightly grumpy and was talking to me so fast, all in Spanish, so it was a bit bewildering. This was the start of my voyage into the enigmatic and vibrant world of Spanish America.

Buenos AiresI spent my first month with a lovely family; Yoyi, a political adviser, her studious son Amaro and their fat cat Tomasa. I remember the first day I got there and my grasp of the Spanish language left much to be desired. All these words were being thrown at me and I felt like I had turned into a dithering drip as I spent much of my time nodding, grunting and generally trying to fill in the awkward silences. When Spanish classes began things started to improve and I became acquainted with the rest of the gang from my course that had also chosen the Argentine route. The official structure of the year goes like this – we were to have five months of Spanish classes at the University of Buenos Aires, then we could choose to enrol at the University for academic courses and the rest of the time we had the opportunity to travel. My chosen route went something like this: I stayed in Buenos Aires for 7 months, then travelled from the heights of La Paz, Bolivia to the swamps of the Amazon, to the house of Pablo Neruda in Chile, the wonderful spectacle that is Macchu Picchu and finally to the shores of Brazil and the hidden treasures in Central America.

Palacio in Buenos Aires

Palacio in Buenos Aires

This is a very condensed version of all that happened in what I believe was the most exhilarating and exciting year of my life. So here is a recount of some of the best bits: In my mind, Buenos Aires is synonymous with beef, tango and great nights out. The Portenos, as the people of Buenos Aires are commonly called, have an eye for some of the great joys in life. I enjoyed countless meals feasting on the best beef in the world, with a glass of delicious home made wine while watching a tango show – all done on a very tight budget. The tango is a song and dance filled with sadness and intense emotion. It is the soundtrack to the Argentine capital and a reflection on the city’s history and politics which has endured a turbulent and often violent time. In essence, the passion of this art embodies the Porteno people and much of the time I spent there.

With friends outside University

With friends outside University

Rio de Janeiro was definitely a highlight. Thanks to one of our Brazilian friends we stayed right in the centre of the city, and enjoyed the annual carnival in all its glory. With Jesus, The Redemptor watching over the city, the beautiful beaches and jungle territory provided the perfect backdrop to the bustling cosmopolitan area at a magical time.

Macchu Picchu is a different thing all together. While Rio de Janeiro is a modern feast for the eyes, the Inca Trail is steeped in ancient tradition. Trekking for three days, we walked 25 miles and encountered some of the wonders of the world; sacred sites, breathtaking views and a brief insight into the history and culture of an empire that is no more.

Student Procession

Student Procession

Time spent in Buenos Aires was not all fun and games. Volunteering for a non-governmental organisation called LIFE became a central feature of my life in the city. The NGO provides educational and recreational programmes for children in various shantytowns on the outskirts of the city.

I spent a considerable amount of time in one called Ciudad Oculta which means ‘Hidden City’. Here people live in shacks made out of corrugated iron, cardboard and plastic covers while others live in slightly more substantial dwellings made from an assortment of brick, wood and canvas. Drug addiction and illiteracy is high. Ultimately, Ciudad Oculta is a microcosm of the vast gap between rich and poor, and the intrinsic inequalities present in developing countries. This area and the people that reside there became of great affection to me and subsequently I decided to conduct an ethnographic study about it for my dissertation.

Halina & Tony Watts

Halina & Tony Watts

Living in Buenos Aires and travelling through Latin America, I have developed significantly as a person. I now view Buenos Aires as a second home and somewhere that I could see myself living once again. I have made life long friendships and memories that I hold very close to my heart. My experiences have given me the independence and courage to see through my dreams and now I am on the path to fullfilling them. This is what the Old Boys have contributed to and I thank you very much.

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