Internationalization – a reason to stay home or go abroad

During the past decade I have seen way too many times written down the word “internationalization” in strategy papers, guidelines and other rather formal documents. But in the end, no concrete plans were made, or at least no actions were taken. That is a shame if anything.

I have changed for a while the life of traveller to a more steady life. It is really strange to have an own apartment after over two years, time to have hobbies and just time to turn my back to an alarm clock if feeling like it. Really weird. And then again my head and my heart – they long for travelling and living abroad all the time…

During the spring term I was working very intensively as a trainer for work related issues. This was time without an apartment again. I mainly sit in a car and in hotel rooms, planning and collecting materials, also during my days off. So you can imagine the change for my current post in the University of Helsinki, where I have an own office. And when I close the door in the afternoon, the work stays in the university and does not follow me to the airport, ferry terminal, sauna etc. as the old work did. Amazing

My current work forms a part of the internationalization that takes place in the universities. I guide international master students, plan their programme and alongside try to influence also to other issues regarding internationalization at home as well. Perhaps, as I see myself as an exchange student in Spain, course member in China or master student in Sweden when I look at our students, I feel homesick. Homesick in a way that my heart is lost somewhere outside the Finnish boarders and I should go and try to find it again… and again…

Just yesterday I had a nice encounter with a very international group of junior chamber members and other international friends in Teatteri, Helsinki. Between serious talks, changing ideas and laughing together we realized that many of us felt somehow lost. We tried to find out which exactly was and is our identity? Where do we say we come from? Always good to hear that you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings, but at the same time confusing. For some of us the idea and actions for internationalization have gone so far that we are home where ever we go, however, at the same time we feel urgent desire to move around all the time, seeking for a new feeling of home. World citizens? I really can’t say, You decide.

 

Just 4 days and 1 work meeting to go…

So the time has flown… On this Friday the airplane will navigate back to Finland, through a short stop in Frankfurt.
This means that I will change the quite chilly Argentinean spring (We had last weekend a couple of nice, warm days, but now the mercury doesn’t rise much above zero in the night times and mornings again… And Mendoza and San Luis have snow…) to Finnish fall weather which is also getting colder… But at least we have sauna! That will save my day during not so nice cold weathers…

Last weekend I had also my last movie experience, when I went to see the latest Meryl Stree movie Julie & Julia. The movie for sure is not the one for men, but as it tells two true stories of cooking ladies and their lives, was a perfect choice for a person like me. After all, already as youngster when others filled their luckages with candies, stronger liquids or clothes, I always wanted to head for local food stores and fill my bags with nice new products which we didn’t have in Finland… And I still tend to do that, even though the not so clever rules for airplanes concerning liquids make things slightly harder. As never again I want to have oil or red wine bottles totally smashed inside 3 layers of clothes and two plastic bags – thank you for the careful handling of the luckages…

I have already also said bye to the most locals I have gotten know during my time here. Today for instance I decided to go once more my nice Fancy Hair hairdresser and have the final cut because again in Finland there is no way I can afford to go getting highlights or cut my fair in a decent hairdresser – way too overpriced there! And at the same time I had some joy for the eye, heh.

Last week we got an Australian young couple with their 18 month girl to live downstairs and the past week was all in all quite different as 2-7 kids were running around here actually most of the days… And I was happy to have my room upstairs Even though I like kids and they tend to have a ton of things to tell me, but it’s nice to be able to have the time and place for yourself as well, especially if you are trying to work.

Otherwise the life has been extremely peaceful after the trip to Patagonia. I have done all the work that has been given to me so now am just waiting for the last work meeting in area called General Paz, which should take place on Thursday. In case the date doesn’t change again… As originally the meeting was supposed to take place last Friday, and then today… We’ll see.

So more or less the chapter of Argentina is getting closer to the end now… My luggages have been done for almost a week (oh yes, had a bit too much loose time during rainy days ). Today I went to buy one more belt for the bag and I keep my thumbs up that all of my bags will travel safe and be in sound condition (and on time) when I get back to Helsinki-Vantaa.

Chau mis amigos!

 

Tennis hero and greetings from Patagonian whales :)

Yeah, just yesterday I came back from a nice relaxing weekend trip to northern Patagonia and a small town called Puerto Madryn. Really appreciated the change and some time off from the work. And had a unique ooportunity to go to one of the Unesco World Heritage places as had a day tour to Peninsula Valdes area.

Before my trip, the Argentina went grazy (in a positive way) as Del Potro in his twenties won the U.S. Open. During almost a week the nation mainly only talked about this “tower of Tandil” who went and won the big stars and brought somelight to the sport nation after all the losses in the field of football. And the street sellers were of course more than happy as it was the time to sell more flags, cards, socks, caps etc. than ever, which had a picture of name of Del Potro in them. So a happy time for this business too

I also got some genuine feeling of not having much water in the house, just before my trip, when because of some emergency case the water pressures of the houses in this area of San Isidro were down… I am actually used to be without shower and so much water, after all, I got a normal shower to my home when I was about 15 years old, before that old fashioned sauna without shower was the place for us. So I wasn’t shocked, even though I desperately wanted to do the everyday teeth wash But Fabian, a bachelor living in our Bed & Breakfast for some weeks, was then double shocked because he had to have his every day morning shower and coffee… Actually, I feel, that it would be good to every single person every once in a while to get to know how it feels not to have normal running water, and especially warm water, which we are so used to in modern cities. When you miss something or lose something, you actually learn to give value to it.

But well, after the slight water problems was finally the time to get my bags and travel towards Patagonia. I decidedto travel by bus bot ways, even though the one way journey takes almost 20 hours. But it was cheaper, I had a chance to see some villages/cities and views during the road trip and what was the absolutely best…had a unique chance to try how was the 1st class bus travelling. And it was really nice, I have to say We ate so well and the dinners were even way bigger and versatile than in air planes (where I am always eager to see what they bring for us to eat). And the dinner was served with nice Argentinean while and champagne. We also saw both ways three movies of which I luckily had seen only one so new experiences in that way as well. On the way to Puerto Madryn we even had a cute and nice bus host Carlos so I enjoyed my time very much

During the weekend I had luck with the weather as on Saturday and Sunday the sun was shining in Puerto Madryn. And especially the Saturday I spent walking on the water line and sun bathing in the beach, at the same time watching 5 to 6 whales playing in the close by water. Unbelievable I have to say

On Sunday we had a group of 5 people (including a nice young couple from my old hometown Oviedo having their honeymoon) plus the driverand the guide, who headed early in the morning to the Peninsula Valdes natural park area. As in the early morning the weather was too windy to take off from the shore to see the whales, we first drove around the area to see a huge sea elephant colony and some sea lions as well. Sea elephants especially were amazing. And the difference between the cute babies with their long, black hair, and the huge adult males which might weight about 3000 kg, was enormous.

In the natural reserve area one can also see all kinds of wild animals and plenty of sheep eating grass alongside the roads. I even almost got some emus captured to a photos but unfortunately only their behinds from far… As the cuties had their morning jogging a bit too far away from the road. But I really loved to see all these animals in their normal environment.

On Sunday evening we finally had the chance to put on the life vest and take off with a small boat called Deep Blue, to see the whales from close by. And my own whale watching experiece still continued during Monday, when I again spend hours walking on the beach and watching thos gigantous animals enjoying their time. And we even had 3 flamingos (probably a bit lost, heh) who decided to have their own many hour walk tour on the beach as well. So I can tell you, if you enjoy the nature and for instance taking photos, Puerto Madryn is a place for you. I for instance ended up taking about 800 photos during about 3 days… As when you take hundred photos, might have 10 really good ones How I love the era of digital cameras. Because when I was younger I always kept counting during the trips, how many photos per day I can take with my films No need for that anymore. Just need to take care of the fact that you have batteries left when is the time for the Perfect Photo.

Now I am back to Buenos Aires again, and have about 9 days to go here… So not much anymore… I guess it feels again kind of funny to get back to airport and head to Europe and Finland. Have just started to think again, where will I head next… Time shows, I guess.

Take care and catch you up later again!

 

3 weeks to go and a trip to Patagonia planned for next weekend

Almost two weeks since the last post here, uff.
Well, anyhow I was mostly recovering from the flu the first week of September, after our work meeting in Chascomús. No H1N1 but too much air flow in the car though… But staying mostly inside my room and drinking loads of hot tea and mint chocolate finally helped. And now we also have the sun & warm weather back here Good timing for that.

What has happened here in between? Well, first of all I went to see the Argentinean movie Anita which I was waiting for, and really liked it, and being in the first set had the whole movie theater again for myself… Afterwards I also went to see another Argentinean movie (Las viudas de los jueves) as it was highly advertised, but well, wasn’t amazed even though this one was still way better than the French movie Cous cous, seen in August

During these two weeks Argentinean football hasn’t had its best time, as the team has lost for both Brazil and Paraguay. And most of football lovers off course blaim Maradona for that… So not the brightest year to Argentina, concerning the coming World Championships…

I have also continued my walk tours in the near city parts in order to get to know the neighbourhoods. And I have found both the most expensive and biggest houses ever with walls of several meters plus numerous safety cameras… Impressing but also highly impersonal. Have to say that I have felt better, happier, when walking after that in the poorer blocks where the laughing children and curious dogs have gotten closer and pure Argentinean music has travelled to the streets from the open windows together with extremely nice cooking odors

During the colder week when I was recovering from flu the nature has also changed a lot. Everything is way more green now and the beauty of flowers is obvious. So has been good time for some camera clicking again.

I have also had some more “sophisticated” cultural experiences as I visited Villa Ocampo just two blocks of my house. I say more sophisticated as the beautiful, huge house with its gardens is currently owned by UNESCO and represents the places of cultural heritage. Next week I will then see some more UNESCO World Heritage areas as I will head to excursion to Peninsula Valdes and Patagonia. Setting my cameras ready for some sea elephant and whale watching!

Some hot topics of the past weeks have been road safety (there is going on a project to strongly punish the drivers, both private and professional, who don’t respect the red light), the strong storm near Brasilean border and of course football… So H1N1 seems more to be forgotten, just some small writings here and there… And it was time to go forward in life in my opinion.

I have less than three weeks to go here in the country of tango and mate. And only one more bigger work seminar to go, in General Paz, as last Friday we had a successfull seminar in General Belgrano. This means that only one more very early wake up during my stay here… But still some work to do anyway. And jobhunt going on…

Till next time!

 

Warm weather, visit to Uruguay and other August activities

Again has passed a couple of weeks… And now, at last it seems that I am even able to update my blog here from home, yippiyaiyei

The last weeks of August were really warm, even hot in the end, with more than 30 degrees. The locals kept telling me that normally in the winter season, in August, the temperature doesn’t arise to 30. So I felt myself even more lucky. After all, by coming to work here I did miss the nice and warm summer season of the north…

And what has happened here meanwhile. Well, actually, quite a lot. We have now had for instance already two big work seminars, in the smaller towns/villages of Pila and Chascomus. Have been both interesting and succesful. And has been really interesting to talk about possibilities and problems both in here and in Europe. This is something I call as true culture change which really can open the eyes of people and also help them to understand more not only their own countries and living areas but also the larger international, global aspect of things.

I have also kept going to the movies. Saw the newest movie of Cameron Diaz, Sister’s keeper, which I really liked. The topic of the movie, as well as of the Argentinean movie Anita which I saw last week, are quite complex to handle but in these movies the crews have succeeded, at least in my opinion. However, between these two movies I went to see a French movie, which in Spanish was called Cous cous, la grande cena. Uff, I was told that it would be a good movie and it had gotten even 4 stars but I have to tell that I remembered why I never liked French movies… There were a few ok moments in the movie but all in all it was made in a way that got me to check my watch about every 5 to 10 minutes, especially because it was prolonged way too much. The movie of about 2,5 hours could have been carried out in 1,5 hour and then perhaps it would have been more interesting. But well, experience as itself.

I also have had finally chance to meet my Dutch friend and her friends already few times. First time was in the Feria de Mataderos, almost two weeks ago. I told them about this great market area with all kinds of programme (there was even a show of traditional gaucho race, of which there are some photos in my other blog http://liongirl80.blogspot.com/). I myself ended up helping some sellers, whom I know from my first visit to the market area, and tourists during the 4 hours I spent there. Was able to hear interesting histories of some people and got even mate invitations from a couple of sellers, which in here is a really wonderful gesture. As having mate with a buyer/tourist is not common as we are not in Turkey now…

As what comes to the Argentinean hot topics at the moment, the newspapers don’t talk much about H1N1 anymore so the interest to it passed. The hottest topic about two weeks ago was the new decision of president and other administrators to free the broadcasting of national football and help the common channels through money donations. An important gesture ir a country which has football as the national sport. We have also now heard a lot about the drug traffickiing problem as well as active programmes against road accidents. Issues internationals but also here very central as for instance when deaths occur solidarity actions are something really profound here, more than in any place where I have stayed a bit longer. And talking about solidarity I also went to see the place of the past club República Cromañon, where they had a big, tragic fire with 194 victims, in 30th December 2004. The reason why this case has been discussed a lot as well now, after about 5 years is, that they finally gave convictions in the case which caused strong emotions in people affected by the death of the mentione 194 people. I have to say that seeing the past club burned, and to see the emotional messages of familiarities and friends, together with the names of the victims written on the wall, was touching. As these type of places are telling about the true near past and culture of the place, and is not a touristical act as old buildings or statutes are.

Buenos Aires was also the global city of Tango again this year, through the programmed weeks of Tango Mundial 2009. I also lined up a couple of weeks ago to get some free tickets to evening shows and succeeded. Last week, on Thursday I then took my friend and we headed to a cultural club Konex in the area of Abasto in order to see some tango dancing and here tango players. A nice touch of culture and there really were a lot of interested people taking part, both younger and elder people, who even started a tango karaoke when hearing the songs obviously very populars in the area. Too bad that I had to leave before the end the programme, after a bit more than 2 hours, in order not to miss my last train home. Even though the Argentinian birds have decided to poop on me already couple of times here, which should mean luck, I can’t purely count on my luck with these things

Last weekend was finally something I really expected and luckily the weather was good till Sunday night, when I arrived back home from my weekend trip to Uruguay. I had to use the chance to visit Uruguay and Montevideo as I live this close to this small country of about 3,5 million inhabitants. I was first thinking of staying overnight in Colonia, closer to the boarder but in the end decided to take a bus of 2,5 hours after the boat tour in order to reach the capital city Montevideo. And I am glad I went a bit further, because I had really good talks with some locals I met, enjoyed seeing the fishermen and football players enjoying the good weather as well touring around the Old City part. The only unfortunate issue during my trip was the boat trip back to Buenos Aires, because for some incredible reason the 1 hour boat was 1,5 hours late so basically we all missed our last trains, busses and metros. Lucky were those people who took their cars on board or had them waiting in the harbour area of BA. As we others had to line up of taxis and especially me, coming all the way to Beccar, had to pay a fortune for to do that. But well, had no choice as had to leave early in the morning to Chascomus, where we had the second work seminar… Life is life. Also from my trip to Uruguay I put just some “moment pictures” to the other blog as still the photo adding syste0 doesn’t work to this address with the low velocity internet connection… Just in case you want to see a bit how it was there

So as you can see, quite some things has happened during past two weeks. Oh yes, and yesterday I even went after 10 hour seminar day (more than 5 hours always goes to the journeys with the car) with my friend and her classmates to see a percussion band called La Bomba del Tiempo to the same culture club Konex where we visited also during the tango weeks… I really have to say that was a really great experience and if percussion music with several different kinds of drums etc. interests, you should google this group. They really seemed to enjoy as well playing as performing And me too remembered why I have longed for own drums for so looooonnnnng… One day, one day, heh

Till soon my friends.

 

New waves, hot waves and bird poop…

Long time no heard…

The life has lately been really relaxed and no big events or tours. But I did give some extra treatment for myself for my Birthday with a new haircut, a nice buffet lunch in “Tenedor Libre” restaurant in center of Tigre as well as a 2 hour river boat tour in the rivers around Tigre. Was really nice to see the area from the different point of view and realize that here the big yachts actually cruise in the weekends. In Finland I am so used to see them mostly only on the riverside standing still because the owners can’t afford to pay too many hours of use of their expensive yachts…

This week we also finally had the first big meeting concerning the project of Megacity, which is the main project right now in this area. So finally the life is getting back to normal after all this H1N1 sircus. Also one can hear the happy chatting of children again in the neighboring schools. For weeks the parents tried to entertain their children inside 4 walls, more or less, so both parents and children are now enjoying again to have some more normal activities.

Thursday was also a good day. I have now accommodation and excursion for my whale watching weekend in Puerto Madryn, northern Patagonia, in order. And next week I will go to buy the bus tickets. Still thinking if I would finally once try the 1st class bus ride with extra care like better chairs and food service Something that doesn’t exist in Finland – in the country of more efficiency and less service… After sorting out the trip issues I followed the line of people to the Culture House and got some free tickets for World Tango Event Concerts/Workshops Hopefully I find my way to one of them, with or without company. Buenos Aires is going to be the rest of August the city of World wide tango lovers and professionals, thanks to Mundial de Tango 2009.

My Thursday turned out even better when I finally found some nice bags I have been looking for Luckily I had my findings in plastic bags during the way back to the station because I got still some extra luck (or so they say) as out of the blue came a bird and decided to poop exactly on top of my red jacket and my bag Well, the bird is lucky, because I didn’t curse it to the lowest place that can be found but instead decided to take its sudden action as a lucky sign. After all, it’s nature product and washing machines function…

On Friday, the first meeting in Pila was quite succesfull. Am glad that it was, because me and my companion from the work spend more or less 6 hours all together in a hot car when travelling back and forth…
Anyhow, I am already concentrating pretty much to my trip to Uruguay as there is only 2 weeks to go for that one And today also enjoying the very nice, hot August wave(about 28-30 degrees)…

 

Culture adventures

I had a perfect Sunday last weekend, discovering culture, having first hand experiences with Argentinean Tango and enjoying the sunny weather. Oh yes, it seems that the winter almost gone and the spring is here. At least the spring flowers are giving beautiful colors to the neighbourhood and the temperature is getting higher.

Most of my days lately I have been sitting in my room with the laptop, working, and partly just reading in the garden while sun has been warming the area or taking it easy. But on Sunday I decided to have a true culture day and ended up walking more than 4 hours in different areas of Great Buenos Aires.

In the morning I succeeded to miss a train with about 3 minutes so had to wait a while, but fortunately the trains are going frequently also on Sundays. Again from my station, the people had a free ride to the city center as the ticket office as well the machine were not functioning. So nice

My journey continued with a subway directly from the main station to Estaccíon Constitución, from where I still had to walk about a half an hour to reach the colourful culture area of La Boca. The music of tango with its dancers and players filled the area and also I got my first touch to Argentinean tango with few rounds with a nice dancer and posing in some photos with him. I actually would like to return to the area during my stay to dance a bit and have a nice dinner, we’ll see.

The area of La Boca is famous for the colourful buildings, which (in the old days) the marines have painted with the colors of the boats. And also the famous football team of the area, Boca Juniors, has gotten the team colors (blue and yellow) from the Swedish flag, once seen on a boat entering the harbour. How I love traditions and funny coincidences

After spending quite some time in La Boca – for instance talking to a young man who had Finnish friends and knew quite well many bands from Finland – I continued my walk towards to the area of San Telmo… I knew I reached the area when I saw the first big second had fair area in one of the big park areas in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately no nice surprises found there this time, but on the market area of the artisan fair I did do some nice findings, for instance to the coming children of my friends J It’s always much nicer to buy things to other people and think how they feel when receiving a present one day.

Part of my time during my Sunday tour I spent with some nice shop and fair workers explaining my background (many people here seem to think that I am German, heh), Spanish knowledge and talking about current hot topics. That is actually the best part of the days – getting connections with locals.

This time no shoes broken during my walk so I had the chance to pass by the shopping area (finally, but really, spent just less than 5 minutes in the shops – my way to do things) and enjoyed of the most perfect Mc Flurry ever (I always try different kinds of McFlurrys when I am travelling around and this boy in the Mc Donalds will see me again for sure J)… Thank you for the movie IceAge 3 for inspiring Mc Donalds to invent this flavour! But before this “food” experience, I changed my earlier walking plan as I heard some really nice music and saw a bunch of polices standing nearby Plaza del Mayo. And what I found was even better than I thought. As Bolivia has its independence day on the 6th of August, there were several dance groups with colourful traditional costumes dancing along the big street. Perfect culture experience for this special day!

On my way home, I thought I will just have a normal train ride home with my book. Well, I almost had. But two stops before my home station, for some reason I started to follow a couple of persons on board and I totally passed one station… Didn’t even realize that the train stopped in San Isidro and saw the text Beccar outside when the train doors were closing again. One of the funny moments in life for sure… But luckily the next station is only about 20-25 minutes walk from home and I had already spend some time walking in the area of neighboring zone of San Fernando, I didn’t feel lost. And as I had only been walking for some hours in the city center, I had some more fresh air – before taking it really easy for the rest of the day.

This is something I will really try to remember in the future: we should have this kinds of culture days every once in a while, just in order to relax and perhaps to make some unexpected findings.

Take care my friends! Suerte!

 

Dreaming and planning…

Mysterious are the ways of technology… That can be seen fro my last writing, which I already once posted to my blog pages here but obviously did not succeed to do it well…

Anyway, the past week has been quite relaxed, even though I have sat in front of my computer moer than I wanted. But have also gotten some work done at the same time.

And more than work I also got another pair of my shoes broken when I was touring on the other side of San Isidro, by the Hipodrome (horse racing area) for about 4 hours last weekend. So now the local shoe repair store got a good deal reparing both my shoes so that I can use them still at least during my stay here, without having feet baths or the heelpieces whirling around like merry-go-rounds.

Unfortunately the Argentinean movie Anita, which I was waiting to come to the movie theaters on the 30th, did not yet find its way there so I changed my movie option to Ice Age 3. I really found my age group with all the school kids and their mums But anyway, we grown ups do need to remember to guard the child inside us. After all, life is not always so serious even though it may seem like it many times.

Otherwise, it seems that at least we will not have snow here in Buenos Aires. It is still quite cold but as the sun is shining it seems like the spring is really coming closer. And along with the spring my travel plans to Uruguay and Puerto Madryn come closer. From Puerto Madryn I expect to have some good photos of grate whales and other nature beauties

Dreams keep us alive my friends…

 

Loosing shoes and gaining experiences…

(written in 22nd of July)
Right now is probably one of the coldest weeks of this winter in Buenos Aires. And yesterday as we headed for a work meeting in La Plata, the rain kept the streets floating as rivers all day long… In BA only yesterday was counted that 80 ml of rain came down during the day… Hasn’t been raining like that for quite a while here…

But so, last Sunday I headed to the cultural Feria de Mataderos and got to know again a different part of the big city. Of course I had to visit the harbour area and see how does a bridge of woman (puente de la mujer) really looks like… And well, it actually was more masculine in my eyes but had an interesting technology. But worth more photos were really the nice old wooden sailing boats decorating the area around the bridge.

After a subway ride and 1,5 hours of walking I finally found (and smelled already about half a kilometer earlier) the Feria de Mataderos. Argentinean music embraced the whole area, different types of traditional dances were presented in the middle of area, covered with little craft stalls with beautiful and interesting handicrafts.. Absolutely a place worth visiting while being in Buenos Aires, at least I will certainly go to the Feria before heading back to Finland.

My original plan was to take photos from the area of San Telmo after visiting the Feria de Mataderos but…As always, I had bad luck with my shoes because of so much walking and my toes got themselves an extra airconditioning whole to the bottom. So instead of walking one more hour around I hopped into a local bus and headed back to the railway station. But well, when visiting the city center the next time I will head to La Boca and San Telmo in search for buildings painted with interesting colors and hope also to pump into some dancing performances.

What else since last time? Well, quite a lot has happened. First of all, one of the football teams in the area, Estudiantes, won the American cup and got people dancing and shouting in the streets of La Plata for hours in the middle of the night last week… After this I had the first chance to see in my own eyes the area of San Blas where our fundation is helping to build the drinking water network. We faced somed problems when trying to get to the area, as they again had problems with the electricity and the commune had basically cut most of the streets leading to the area as thei were digging up the ground for the plumming and also electical system installations… One of the areas really in need of a functioning water network. But at the same time, despite all the problems with the sanitary, water and for instance garbage systems, we saw also ducks swimming in the river and the children were playing as any children, with a smile in their faces

On 18th of July the news were filled with a wholly different kind of topic than the victory in football, as it was 15th anniversary of a serious bomb attack in the area. One that attacked against the judes… How much suffering and death we have faced in the whole world because of the grazy thoughts and actions of as humans in the name of religion and race? I say you that way too many!

Last week I also had my first try out for the local small movie theater and for my surprise (and probably thanks to the overwhelming precautions of H1N1) I had a totally private movie experience! I guess this was one of those once in a lifetime experiences, heh. Today, when I am heading again to the movie theater I expect to have at least some other people sitting there with me…

I have to say that time really flies when you get older… As now I have stayed here in Argentina already for more than three weeks… I realized the time flying as I started to plan my trip to Uruguay and to the eastern part of Patagonia the other day and was searching for good weekend for to do them. There are not so many weekends in total in these a bit more than two months to come. But I hope there is enough time for the weather to get at least a bit warmer… Yes, always the same dream… Next time I should head to Thailand or Costa Rica to work probably

Wish you all the best for the summertime!

p.s. Finland got some time in the news (of course in the part of amusement) as the world cup of the swamp football was showed to the Argentineans, heh – I wonder how they feel about this type of football

 

Mate, culture and surprises…

I know it has been a while since the last time, mostly because of all these weird connection problems. Still don’t understand why I am not able to upload texts to this blog with my computer but well, that’s how the cookie crumbles.

Since the Independence Day dinner has happened again this and that. I had my first work meeting last Saturday together with my other colleague and more than 10 other persons, for instance from the local Red Cross. The meeting took place very close to one of the poorer districts about half an hour from my place and going there was an eye opening experience as such already. As we met the situation where the area hadn’t had electricity in about two weeks, and most of the streets were turned over so that we could in most places barely drive through and in some places the only way really was to turn and choose another route. And this was done in order to draw new electricity lines to the locals. But the problems of the area didn’t end here, in close river areas we could see the problemacy with not existing recycling and garbage collection systems, as the garbage bags were more or less covering the stream of the river. And based to this all there is probably know need to explain why we with my co-worker were taking part in the meeting, representing the organization helping to build a working domestic water network to the area.

The meeting as such was interesting, especially as I started to examine the communication methods of people and score them in my mind. It is really funny in a way to see that the problems in communication seem to be the same all over the world. I base this to my own experience especially in different parts of Europe and in China. Also in this meeting the youngster with about 16 to 17 years were actually the ones I saw communicating the best as they didn’t build any walls around themselves and tried to be open to suggestions of others as well. This we all many times tend to forget when we believe in our own aims and work – we might not see that the others have the same aims but just use slightly different kinds of words. The atmosphere of the meeting could be described as somewhat chilly, but not because of the discussions. More because of the fairly cold weather outside (and the windows still have only one layer of glass to protect from the wind and coldness) and there was only one small warm air machine trying to keep us all warm. That was also one of the main reasons why we decided to gather the big group to one tiny room, because the more people the warmer it normally gets.

After the meeting of Saturday I also got to know some more family members of the family of my landlady. Now I know at least the ones living here in Argentina and it feels nice to have a kind of second family – or actually third as few friends from my time in Spain feel like my second family – around me, helping if anything is needed. So there I was sitting around the table and food plates kept floating in front of me again J Speaking about hospitality, this family is really one of the best examples of it!

I was also supposed to have another work meeting last Monday but surprise, surprise, because of the precautions for the H1N1 virus they limited the number of people taking part to the meeting so I gained one more working day at home. Would have been really nice to go to the meeting but well, this is the way things are here right now. And speaking of the precautions, the media has even developed a new way to greet people instead of giving a kiss to the cheek (which still is used by the people in this area especially and the others who don’t scare at the moment their every step). This new custom is to tenderly hit the elbows together. Hmm, speaking of weird inventions…

What other there is under the sun of Buenos Aires? Well, first of all this week, every evening the mediating organization here offers me a 2 hour lecture of Argentinean culture. Seems like a long time but well, a big part of the time so far we have fought with the technical problems with the programmes and my internet connection. Surprise again. Still, this culture exchange has taught some new things about Finnish culture to my teacher and I have had a deeper look for instance into the history of tango, gauchos and “el mate”, which is fairly interesting habit here, connected to friendship and hospitality. I wish I find a nice mate cup for myself too before heading back to home J Perhaps I will for instance from the “Feria de Mataderos”, a fair taking place every Sunday on the other side of the big city center of BA and offering a closer touch to original culture. Let’s see, because I was planning to go and find this fair area this Sunday if the weather just turns out to be ok.

I also have, for two weeks, a Mexican man living under the same roof, so that is again another kind of chance for me to have some more cultural exchange, mostly during the breakfasts. And in the first morning we already were able to cover as well hobbies and studies as deeper labor market issues. Unbelievable how much one can cover in 10-15 minutes

I am looking forward on one hand to get some of my work here done this week (the translations from Castellano to English for the websites) but on the other hand to discover still in first hand experience some more about the culture of this huge country! At least I have a plan to go and check what movies they have in a local cinema and enjoy the low prices of the tickets… I am also feeling eager to try different kinds of food combinations and dishes as I just enjoy the more normal priced food here compared to Finland. And after all, for instance all the orange trees all over the city area are full of oranges so it’s literally the time for fresh fruits. It’s always also nice to have a happy surprise on the counter when the salesperson tells you how many percentages (normally 10-15 %) of reduction to the price this time you gained still when using either bank or credit card. I like the system! Life is many times really like a wrapped gift box – you just don’t know what you will next find by opening the wrapper…

Suerte!