Los Campos Contra El Gobierno

For most people who tune into the nightly news or news online you're sure to be updated on the War in Iraq, China/Tibet situation, Serbia/Kosovo unrest, or even Britney Spears' debut as an actress. However, for anyone interested in checking out South American news lately, you may have noticed the latest political unrest in Argentina. Since the beginning of March, the government, under recently-elected President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, has raised export taxes on soy, beaf and wheat products. This increase in export taxes on the farmers has been described by many locals and supporters of the farmers as crippling. The export taxes on beef and soybeans are now at 40% and 45%, respectively. Today is the 14th consecutive day of the farmers´strike and the effects are now being shown in supermarkets not only here in the capital but the rest of the country as well. The prices of meat, eggs, chicken, bread, etc. have jumped noticably in the last week alone in my mercado visits. Once again, the Republica de Argentina is politically unrest with its government practices.



President Fernandez addressed the country on this current lockout last night on live television. ¨No me voy a someter a ninguna extorsion,¨ declared the president (literal translation: I´m not going to submit to any extorsion). She defended her position as claiming that the agricultural sector is one of the country´s most profitable with world demand growing for Argentine wheat, beef, corn and soybeans. Her position is that the government will use this extra money for wealth redistribution such as education, infrastructure, etc. However, Argentina is one of the world´s top exporters of soya, wheat and beef and any prolonged conflict will definitely effect potential export earnings.



Following the President´s speech, the majority of the country erupted into protests. Here in Buenos Aires, I was very content staying inside as the housemates and I could hear the pots and pans banging through the streets. The largest gathering in the city was at Plaza de Mayo (plaza in front of the President´s home Casa Rosada) where protestors made their voice heard through the night setting off fireworks and banging pots and pans. Protests have taken over all over the country especially in the farmlands, campos, where highways have been closed or shutdown slowing traffic due to angry workers. See pics below

The local people I have discussed the issue with tell me this is the largest protest in years. I had a great conversation about this with my students tonight to get a better understanding of what the middle class is so upset about. Leandro, Emilio, and Rodolfo all agreed in sync that it's not so much about the tax increase for the rest of the middle class, they just don't trust the governments' redistribution policy. The money to be redistributed by the government from this tax increase is disgressional, therefore nobody knows what it's used for. For example, the rucous crowds at Plaza de Mayo started out at only protestors only later to be confronted by people supporting the government. Funny thing is the people supporting the government are the poor people with no employment. Supposedly the government pays them in subsidies such as paying them sums for representing the government in times of political unrest, sounds like the tax increase and redistribution of funds is going to a great cause right? My students also told me there is a saying here in Argentina with a rough translation goes something like "Don't feed the fish, feed the bait that catches the fish." The bait in this case would be the middle class people who go to work everyday and pay their due taxes.


It could get even scarier if neither side budges not only for us Argentines but for the rest of the world demanding beef, wheat, corn, etc. I´m hoping that our newly elected President can at least put down the strong front and just have a sit down with Eduardo Buzzi, President of the Argentine Agrarian Federation.


If this doesn´t happen, we may not be seeing any meat, eggs, chicken, wheat, etc in our markets anytime soon, then I´ll either be booking my ticket back home, become a vegetarian, or take part in our own version of fight against hunger.

A Case of Writer's Block

I am a victim or am I the cause of my own disease? It has been some time since my thoughts, initiative or concentration have spurred me to jot down some information or insights about my new lifestyle. No light bulbs have suddenly sparked my neurons to upload any witty posts or interesting revelations. Yes, if any of this sounds familiar to you, it is nothing more than a serious case of writer’s block OR better yet….. laziness, perhaps.

Justifying my lack of blog initiative by writer's block is a mere cop out, as if nothing interesting or informative for readers has come over Buenos Aires like a dark cloud. Speaking of clouds, it has been rainy season here in the Argentine capital. Maybe it was the Seattle-like weather here clouding my imagination or initiative to write. Ha, yeah can't you just hear Bill Gates and Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, laughing at this accusation. Both residents of Seattle.

The latest life of Robin here in Buenos Aires includes running the urban jungle of Buenos Aires, being 'schooled' on the field playing futbol with Argentines and Europeans, testing my rhythm taking salsa lessons, becoming more fluent in Spanish, testing new diets and much more.

Yes, in case you were wondering I will elaborate in more detail on each of these plus more on the English teaching front, by the way, teaching employees Business English has more perks than the lavish peso wage. Much more to come on the blog, thank you for your patience with my latest disease of .... lazynitis.

Ok we're back to reality!

Running the Urban Jungle of Buenos Aires

You want to give your heart rate a nice jump to break a sweat and kill some stress or maybe you just have too much damn energy. Many prefer the gym, treadmill, or a nice run at the park. Yet, there are times when you're trapped in the center of the urban jungle and find yourself a bit too frugal to shell out extra cash for the gym membership. At times like these, you must face the sheer excitement of running the urban jungle.

And this is no normal jungle, Buenos Aires delivers some personal characteristics no other urban landscape provides in the same volume, dog crap

For anyone who has walked or ran this particular urban jungle, you may have noticed the massive amount of dog droppings on the sidewalks, don't blink or you might step in the landmines. This obstacle is the most known and feared in this urban landscape and calls for full attention when striding in your daily run. What is a run through this commotion and chaos like?

Strap on your shoes, prepare yourself to run through the jungle. You take your first step out to the streets and instantly smell the exhaust fumes being spit at you by the city buses-colectivos. Then the smell of pastries and empanadas take over from the nice lady across the street, at this point you know you better start jogging or you'll be derailed for a quick empanada stop. One block into it and the first obstacle comes, crossing Avenida 9 de Julio which happens to be the widest street in the world. You wait for that green light and do your best Forrest Gump impression to get across the 18 lanes in one light, first task accomplished. Now the fun begins, as you start the 11 block run down Ave. Mexico towards Puerto Madero. You take a deep breath then hold your breath for several seconds to avoid inhaling fumes as buses pass you by. It's sometimes like doing tantric breathing exercises while running, quite a difficult task. You hopscotch a nice dog dropping here, one there, you weave between the little old lady leaving the market and the kid innocently running along side of you. At this point the sidewalk is at full capacity you take the run into the cobblestone street and focus your steps one by one as to avoid twisting the ankle on any loose stones.
BEEP! A taxi goes whizzing by you from behind warning you to get back on the sidewalk as if this small one way street has no room for crazy runners. Back to the sidewalk to go for more spin moves, side steps and long strides/short strides to avoid adding dog crap to the soles of your 'jungle kicks'. You've broken a sweat now, breathing harder and harder only to hold the breath again as two more colectivos spit fumes in your face. You cross two more big intersections to arrive at Puerto Madero, ahhhhh. Observe the beautiful sight the port offers, for now, you're out of the chaos.

Take a deep breath, you've now arrived at a point of some fresh air and space to run a straight line along the river. The stretch along this beautiful river provides a literal escape from the jungle. You find yourself humming 'Break on Through to the Otherside' by the Doors. Now, the muscles are getting tired and the sweat beeds down your forehead and you're ready for the return home. Take three very deep breaths for you are about to enter the urban madhouse once again. Eleven more blocks of human weaving, jucking, jiving and dog crap hopscotching brings you back to the front door in sheer exhaustion. Congratulations! You've completed the urban jungle, a clearly spontaneous form of cardio exercise that somehow makes you keep coming back for more. Not to worry, the dogs will continue to plant more unexpected landmines for the next 'jungle run.'

Let's Mate!

Sip, sip, hmm; it tastes like grassy, organic green tea and provides the kick of coffee without the jitters and negative side effects. This is the effect felt while sipping yerba mate (pronounced mah-tay). Yerba mate is a plant found mainly in Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. You can find anyone in these countries sipping out of wooden gourds filled with dried, chopped leaves in a powdery mix called yerba. It is very common to drink mate socially at parks or anywhere, it is the health culture of these South American countries much like the North American health kick now turning to Acai, a Brazilian fruit. I have always been a health-concious individual, so I was very open and willing to sample yerba mate. The leafy taste was a bit much for me initially. Then I learned that not all mate tastes the same. Many different flavors are sold in stores and I have found Orange-flavored Mate to be my favorite.

So why yerba mate instead of green tea or coffee? According to scientists, mate contains 196 volatile compounds, of those 144 are found in green tea. Mate has 11 polyphonols which are phytochemicals antioxidants that help prevent numerous cancers much like lycopene in tomatoes, flavanoids in blueberries, etc. According to a 2005 study at the University of Illinois sampling 25 different types of mate, mate was found to have more antioxidants than green tea, http://www.yerba-mate.com/health.htm. Mate does have some caffeine in the leaves but is found to provide the mental alertness coffee does yet is calmer on the stomach. In my personal experience of drinking mate, I have found to have a kick of energy without the jitters I get from that Starbucks espresso. The distribution of yerba mate is as widespread as coffee here in South America, the same can't be said for North American distribution. Though mate is making its way to North America slowly, it may soon be a health forced to be reckoned with, if society is accepting of the mate-drinking process.

How is mate prepared? In a summed up version, the cut up dried leaves are poured into a wooden gourd about 2/3 full. Then, water is heated and poured into the gourd a little bit at a time. Then a metal straw is inserted and sip away. It is debated between countries on the proper way to prepare mate. For example, in Uruguay they only pour a very little water in at a time to preserve the flavor of the mate. Here in Argentina, they fill the gourd every time with the hot water. However, the water can not be boiling as it will kill the flavor of the mate and give you bitter-mate-face. For a more detailed explanation of how it is prepared please see ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_%28beverage%29.

I can not forget that the process of preparing mate might be a little too much in the fast-paced, fast food American lifestyle. Yet the culture of it all has found a way to my liking and I hope to bring it back to my friends and family. I now find myself drinking mate every morning, a great substitute for waiting in line at Starbucks. The energy and alertness I feel in teaching my students is attributed to yerba mate. Maybe someday the yerba will make its way to your tasting and then I'll bring the gourd and thermos to share in our new cultural past time. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but now I must get back to my mate for its getting cold.

Power Tends to Corrupt; Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

I remember the day sitting in my squeeky chair my sophomore year of high school thinking of the plans for Friday night. It was the class before lunch, which many of you remember in high school not much was retained in our learning process at this time because of the hunger-caused impatience. There stood one of the most well-known, respected instructors of our high school, Mr. Sanger, in full animation spouting off history to actually make it sound interesting. Then he said what he claimed to be the most important phrase to remember from his class, "power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." This was originally quoted by Lord Acton, an English historian and moralist. Mr. Sanger rebuked our clueless responses by promising that if we didn't understand it then, we would come across this realization someday.

I encountered the phrase again the other day as I was watching a well-touted streamed video on the internet. The video was recommended by several of my good friends and their description definitely caught my attention. If you have a free two hours in your busy lives, take a look at www.zeitgeistmovie.com. Those who created this film offer interesting insight on the truth of religion, September 11th conspiracy, and the underlying and scary potential of the Federal Reserve Bank. To stave off any potential religious debates, let's focus on the latter two. Quite simply the message of the film claims that the parties invested in the Federal Reserve Bank, which to my surprise or ignorance, is a privately run institution created by the nation's wealthiest, among others being the Rockefeller family. The money supply generated by the Federal Reserve puts the U.S. in position as the primary borrower of loans from the Fed. The minds behind this film offer bits of evidence to show that those vested in the Central Bank have been involved in provoking wars to cause the country to take out large loans to fund the war. The evidence shown in the film claim that these motives are what provoked our entry into WWII, Vietnam, and our current War on terrorism.

In lieu of not spoiling any more of this must-see film, I'll leave the rest up to you to decide the truth. Personally, I don't feel informed enough on all sides of the research to offer a legitimately informed opinion either way. This film has definitely sparked my interest to do more research on the true relationship between the central banking system and the world's political leaders. Also important for us to remember is where we receive our information. Many of our news providers today are under government control through the FCC, thus, is it possible that our nightly news is tuning citizens in to stories tailored for covering up the Federal Reserve's real intentions? It may seem like a stretch, but we should see that it's worth further personal investigation, in the least to be more informed individuals.

So what would you do if you had absolute power, would you be subject to absolute corruption? A great question to ponder for any of you future leaders.

Que Tal?

So what's new with the working life in Buenos Aires Robin? Well, I must say it has been an interesting work experience the last three weeks. The English teaching has been very slow due to summer vacations here but is expected to pick up beginning in March. Therefore, I went looking for work elsewhere. I have one job offer with a legitimate web-design company based out of San Francisco. Problem is the offer begins April 15th, after tax season since it's a web design company for CPA firms in the states. Then I started working for a finance company that I found on Craigslist.com that supposedly paid $2500-$10000/month. After four days of working here, something didn't seem right about it. Not that it was necessarily 'Boiler Room' type work, but it wasn't right in my head. I could go into more detail but it kind of makes me sick that people are still working like this in this world and other people are foolish enough to buy stock from crooks like this. Again, I'll spare the details on this and let us move to something more positive.

Needless to say, I'm no longer working there and I now am back to the drawing boards of why I really came here, to teach English. So the pay isn't that great, I am now looking to start marketing myself to companies that need one English teacher for numerous employees. From what I have found in my numerous classes here is that the market is here and open. My next goal is to continue working with my language institutes to help me with my lesson plans. I will also talk to all of my students about companies they might know who are looking for my services. I am also looking at different mediums of marketing other than classifieds and craigslist. The more I talk to the students and locals, the more success I'll have marketing my services. For now, it all starts with the first steps and then I'll adapt and adjust to the barriers and challenges that come with the process. Until then, my first steps are under way.

Closer Look at Emotional Attachments

Do you ever feel that sting that comes from missing something or someone that you have become so comfortable with? Emotional attachment has always been one of the larger causes of depression, confusion, and resistance to what 'is' for human kind. I've started analyzing emotional attachment more than anytime in my life just in the last two months since it has been harnessing my happier emotions. The first two apartments we resided at here in Buenos Aires were very cozy and provided incredible comfort. Though, we only lived in each apartment for a month, I developed a strange attachment, especially our last apartment. Maybe it was because of the experiences that came in this home. We had our girlfriends from San Diego visiting for about three weeks, which also brought a very strong sense of 'home'. Their departure left me in a slight depression from the feeling of home and comfort the girls took with them. It's funny analyzing your own emotions and why you may become attached to some things and not others. It seemed I couldn't walk anywhere in our neighborhood with out rehashing some funny experience that we had with the girls. Maybe it was because the feeling of home and comfort the girls provided was more intense since we are in a completely flipped world. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying any of these emotional attachments are bad or searching for pity, I'm only trying to analyze the actual entity of emotional attachments.

A week ago, we moved out of our awesome apartment in Palermo to a large house that hosts 8 other international students along with Mike and I. Thus, time to battle the attachment of leaving luxurious Palermo for Montseraat, an area of the city that's a bit more dangerous at night but more cultural than 'posh' Palermo. I've never really been an emotionally attached type of person until my move to Buenos Aires, so closer analysis on my part has showed me that there is really nothing wrong with this. Things phase in and out of our life and my latest experiences with emotional attachments to places and people has provided a learning experience and an opportunity to gain a better understanding of myself and others. I think it is merely human nature to find attachment to something or someone that provides love, care, or comfort. I've yet to meet a person who has been able to bounce through relationships or changes without some discomfort or sense of loneliness. Perhaps, maybe this is one of our positive traits as it shows that we care enough about something or someone to develop some attachment. However, becoming attached to the idea of that something or someone may be where we go south with our emotions.

My latest reading is a book called Cut Thru written by Doc Lew Childre and it goes through the science of care and over-care in humans. He notes that all things that humans become attached to starts out with a sincere care to that entity, then some how turns into an over-care (attachment) and we become victims of our own care. Analyzing what makes the care turn into attachment is the basis of what I've been attempting to research through others and myself. If you've felt some sense of attachment to someone or something and have resisted the change that succeeded that feeling, you're not alone. Everyone experiences this, take a closer look at why your initial care developed into some sort of 'over-care'. Just remember, what you're attached to now will probably not be the same person or thing that you'll be attached to years down the road, so just sit back and be the spectator of these emotions in order to fully understand your emotional patterns.