Today was a culturally focused day where we got to explore many areas in Buenos Aires. Our morning started with a bus tour, where we visited the communities of La Boca, San Telmo, and Plaza de Mayo. La Boca is a vibrant town filled with color and artwork. We saw many murals and learned about the history of the area. While in San Telmo, we visited a market and historic houses. Plaza de Mayo features the Pink House, which is where the president works. Throughout the bus tour, we also visited two beautiful churches and a bookstore. After a break for lunch, we went on a graffiti tour. This tour took us mainly through Palermo and surrounding neighborhoods, where we analyzed styles of street art and the meanings behind them. Art holds much of the rich history of Buenos Aires.

When comparing the history of Buenos Aires and the United States, there are many similarities and differences. Some similarities include the fact that both countries have elected presidents, making them democracies, and both have experienced waves of immigration from people seeking better lives. The Pink House in Argentina and the White House in the United States serve similar purposes as the official workplace of the president. There are also some major differences, including the nature of conflict between citizens and the government, the origin of each country, and their economic histories. In Argentina, a major conflict occurred during the military dictatorship, when people “disappeared”—kidnapped by the government due to uprisings and political conflict. Mothers and grandmothers of the disappeared still march around Plaza de Mayo every Thursday, fighting answers about their lost loved ones. In the United States, although we have experienced uprisings and wars, the government has remained a democracy. This is a key difference from Argentina, especially during its years under a dictatorship. Another distinction is colonial history: Argentina was colonized by Spain, while the United States was colonized by Britain. The final major difference, still visible today, is the economy. Argentina’s economy is constantly fluctuating due to changes in political leadership. While the U.S. economy also has its challenges, it tends to be more stable overall. This trip has really opened my eyes to the struggles other countries face, and I’m excited to learn more.

See you tomorrow!!