Contributed by Charley Bible
ProMBA 2015 international trip started off wonderfully with a handful of students who arrived a day early on Friday. Some of us needed to finish P2D1 and then off to dinner at La Brigada where we had Argentinean beef so tender it could be cut with a spoon. We got a good night sleep and then met the rest of our weary travelers who arrived around 9:30 am Saturday morning. We were then briefed by Dr. Gallagher and the Southbridge staff. Precautionary measures and the schedule of events for the coming week were discussed. Then we had a break until 2:00 pm which allowed the weary travelers to shower and nap before an afternoon adventure.At 2:00 pm the group met in the lobby and were greeted by our tour guide. We hopped aboard a bus and off to the streets of Argentina we went. The highlights included:
- La Casa Rosada - also known as the pink palace. This is where the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner works. It is much like the White House only she does not reside there. Her home is about 20 kilometers away.
- We drove by Recoleta cemetery which is where Eva Peron is buried. She is known as a champion of the poor and a nemesis to the rich. She advocated taxes and wealth distribution to help the poor live a better lifestyle.
- We then visited La Boca a neighborhood popping with every color you can imagine. Tango dancers were dancing in the street and street vendors were peddling art work.
- We visited the cathedral where Pope Francis (then Archbishop of Buenos Aires) used to lead mass. This was one of the most reverent places I have ever visited with its beautiful architecture and rich history.
- We finished the day by going to a harbor that has been rebuilt into a high end residential neighborhood and enjoyed an excellent late lunch at La Parolaccia. The food was good but the company was even better.
