paro en la UBA (among other things)

every wednesday, i have class for four hours in UBA from 5-9. every day in class i have to sit in the front row and fight to hear my professor speak. because there is no air conditioning in the building, the windows are left open to allow some air circulation. but because it's during hora pico (rush hour), there is a ton of noise coming from outside. and when one porteño honks his horn, for some reason every other porteño nearby feels the need to honk as well. So needless to say, it is very difficult to listen to my professor lecture.

Last Wednesday when I got to the UBA Ciencias Sociales building, there was a huge mass of people standing outside the entrance. Someone was standing on a chair with his mate in one hand and a megaphone in the other. I fought my way past the crowds and into the building so that I could climb the 3 flights of stairs to my classroom. However I soon realized that this wouldn’t be possible. The stairs and elevators had been blocked off with desks and chairs. There was no way to get up. So I went back outside and began talking with some people in my class. The building had been taken over by students.

The ciencias sociales facultad of UBA is divided into 3 or 4 different buildings, all of which are in very poor condition. About 5 years ago the government promised to build one new building for the Ciencias Sociales department. But since then, nothing has been done to build a new building or even improve the conditions of the current ones. A month ago part of the roof fell on a student while he was using the bathroom. There aren't enough desks in many of the classrooms, and so often students have to sit on the floor. The buildings would certainly not pass any kind of fire code inspection. So basically last Wednesday and the Wednesday before, students took over the building to protest. If professors came and wanted to have class, they had to give a "public class" in the street.

It was really interesting to talk to my friends in my classes about the paro. Nearly all of them agreed that the building is in horrible condition, and that something needs to be done. But most of them didn't think that protesting like this would actually accomplish anything. It is fairly ironic when huge groups of students, who are fighting for their public education, forfeit two weeks (or more) of their classes to protest. And it will be astonishing if the administration actually takes notice and does something to improve the building conditions.

Last saturday, i went to a rugby game in San Isidro. CASI (Club Atletico de San Isidro) was playing against La Plata. I had never watched rugby before last weekend, so I was definitely a little lost. But after my friend Frank explained the rules to me, it was really cool to watch. And CASI won! Yay! Vamos Casi!

the past week i have also gotten to hang out with a friend from virginia beach, meg, who has been living here for almost 3 years. she studied in the same program as me (COPA) several years ago, and then after graduating moved down to BA to live and work. she has been playing soccer for the women's River Plate team, but recently tore her acl. she is having surgery a week from Monday, so please be praying for her! last sat. night after church, i hung out with her and some of her closest argentine friends from the church. it is hilarious cause after church on sat. nights a ton of people from the church go to burger king to hang out.

this is the front of UCA. (the Catholic University)

It is so hard to believe that I have already been here for two months! The weeks fly by. Today is Día de la Primavera! Finally, spring is here!

I wanted to share this song with you all as well. It is called "Divine Romance" and it's by Phil Wickham. It is a simple song of praise and thanksgiving to God. Check it out. And if you haven't heard of Phil Wickham, definitely listen to his stuff. It is great!

Love,
Caro