Hello Again! For those of you unaware, Argentina has been facing some political conflicts resulting from the rise of the new president Miele. With Miele’s sudden budget cost and his approach to free previously constrained insurance prices, many Argentinians have found themselves unhappy with this new approach. Economy now in free fall, a general strike was planned for today, May 9, causing many businesses to close. Because of this, our educational excursions were canceled. Instead, we had a debrief session, clarifying our many talks on the health care of Argentina while also hypothesizing what is next for this system that is seemingly struggling. We spoke of how the unions, now powerful may swing to a weaker position much like in the US. We discussed how the common ideal of solidarity and subsidiarity is keeping the public system afloat. 

Following our talk, which soon turned existential with talk of human flourishing technology and the downfall of society, a group of us decided to visit the Japanese gardens located here in Buenos Aires. I was very surprised to find such a large exhibit of Japanese culture in the middle of a city with mostly European architecture. We were able to buy Japanese goods not often found in the US. Plenty of pictures were taken in front of the blooming flowers, the koi pond, and other attractions. Afterward, we headed to Barrio Chino, or Chinatown where I was once again surprised at the vastness of Chinese cultural influence. The area spanned several blocks with gift shops, boba stores, ice cream shops, and restaurants. We were able to stop in a place to try my first-ever hotpot- a delicacy I did not expect to be trying in South America. Stores in these neighborhoods had an abundance of imported goods not available in the US, even in areas with Chinese influence. We were able to try special flavors of pocky sticks and peach Oreos. Overall, despite the supposed city shutdown, we were able to explore and see much of Buenos Aires, get a new look at Argentina’s cultural background, and have some fun while we were at it.