I am really amazed at the impact the visit of Westminster students has had on our school community. There were two Atlantians in our class in Level 4 and their contributions were outstanding. My students are much younger than the kids who visited us, so it was a great experience for them and they are all very enthusiastic about both hosting foreign students next year and participating in exchanges in future years.
It has also been very positive as regards teachers who do not teach English. They had always been reluctant to have exchange students in their classes because they feared that the discipline would be disrupted or that kids would waste time. I have met several of them after the people from Westminster left our school and they have all said that they really saw how important this experience has been for our students, how amazing it was to have these almost stars integrated to our school community for two weeks and how much the kids form Westminster have learned about our culture during their visit.
Two thumbs up for the successful and enriching experience! Let's keep our fingers crossed that this program will go on for many years!
Miss Noemí

(Written on Sunday, June 15)
I can't believe that the trip is over. It feels like we've only been here for a couple of days. Saying goodbye to our Argentines was one of the saddest things that I've had to do and I can't wait to see them again in February. This trip has been absolutely perfect, it really was an amazing experience. Every minute was so much fun, the time few by.
Allie and Lindsay

(Written on Sunday, June 15)
Although these two weeks are over, the memories will carry on. Sharing music and dance moves, late night boliche adventures, meriendas, 2 week crushes, and helping give birth to a young calf are a few among many experiences I will never forget. Although far apart, we are all very similar and have become family.
Bill

(Written on Sunday, June 15 - Photo: Matt and Fer)
Right now, I am miserable. Why? Because I am leaving paradise. I am sitting in the Buenos Aires airport after the most emotional and heartfelt goodbye 2 days ago in the minute Rafaela airport. I won't go into all of the rough details, but I personally cried my heart out more so than I ever have in my life. I can safely say that between the exchange students and the hosts there was scarcely a dry eye.
On the other hand, this has been one of the best experiences of my life. These last two weeks I have built friendships and made memories that I will never forget. 7 months. Only 7 months until we see our Argentine brothers and sisters again. Maybe sooner for some of us who are going to try and convince our parents for a trip over Winter Break (Mom, Dad... please.)
The last two days in Bs As we have felt NUMB due to our sorrowful goodbye and the lack of sleep from our 48 hour social gatherings the last 2 days in Rafaela where I got a combined 4 hours of sleep. I sincerely don't want to leave... I'd stay all summer. I miss my family, but like I said, it's paradise. Soccer every day, infinite amounts of delicious food, being treated like celebrities in school and having fun all night long til it's time for breakfast and a quick nap before it starts all over again.
I have probably gained and lost 10 pounds from eating non-stop, then dancing and walking everywhere. The only down side here is the social unrest, the road blockades, and their consequences. Last night we heard riots, drums and protest fireworks from people here unhappy with their government. This entry is long enough now, but I could write for days about this trip and how much it has meant to me. I will miss not only my Argentine friends, but our Westminster group as well, because the bonds we made in this short time are so strong. Love, Matt

Group shot at the goodbye party: Rafaela hosts, exchange participants, Westminster students and Walker kids.

We are back in Buenos Aires. We arrived at 9 am after stopping over in Santa Fe for refueling. Fortunately, our hotel rooms were ready and breakfast was waiting for us. After a long night of dancing and goodbying, the students are sleeping until 3 pm now.

The goodbyes at the Rafaela airport were so sad, and painful. A sea of tears. Heartbreaking.

Today is the last day that we are in Rafaela. We wrote goodbye cards for our host families and all the students told us that this exchange program should be longer than two weeks. We will see what can be done in the future. We sent bouquets of flowers to our host families, as a token of our appreciation, but we have no words to describe the way the whole town has opened their hearts and homes to our Atlanta contingent.
Our host families have been outstanding, offering everything and then some. At La Plaza school we could not have felt more at home. Everyone here, young and old, has seeked every opportunity to interact with us, and learn about our schools, our city, our culture, and our country. There is great expectation in Argentina about the impending US presidential election. Much is at stake for the US and for the world, and the world is watching.
At the same time, we have learned about Argentina, Rafaela, and La Plaza school. We have seen, first hand, the consequences of unresolved conflicts between the Argentinian government and the farmers. For two weeks, we have lived in an environment where things are different: not better, not worse. Just different. And hopefully we will come back with a better understanding of ourselves and others.
Tomorrow, at the crack of dawn, we are scheduled to fly to Buenos Aires. After a long night of dancing, they will probably all crash as soon as we get to the hotel :-)
- Agnes and Don

We can't believe it is Thursday already.... these are the fastest two weeks ever. I snatched this photo from the Walker blog, because I wish I had taken it myself. The flag in the picture is coming home in my luggage :-) This group shot was taken the day we went to Rosario, last week. We are in front of the monument to the Argentinian flag.
Today was a day of rural tourism, and it included the delivery of a calf. It clearly was the highlight of the day for many or our students who had never had the chance to see such an event outside the Discovery Channel. I am sure you will be regaled with their digital pictures when they are home.
At this point in the exchange program, many of our students, as well as yours truly, have been under the weather, mostly due to lack of sleep. There is just so much stuff going on! We will be returning to Buenos Aires on Saturday, and we will leave the country on Sunday night. As tomorrow there is no school, our students are likely to go out tonight, as well as tomorrow night. Do not be surprised if when we get to Atlanta on Monday morning, we all crash for at least 48 hours straight.
Did any of you have a chance to hear the radio program today?
From Rafaela,
- Agnes and Don

One more exciting day in Rafaela!
Two local radio stations contacted our exchange program in Rafaela, and invited a few students (and chaperones) to speak on the air about their experience here, at school, and with their host families. Here is the link of one of the radio stations, Radio San Patricio, where you can hear fragments of the program tomorrow Tuesday, from 9am to 9:30am (Atlanta time) and again, from 12:15pm to 2:00pm (Atlanta time) when you click the words La Radio en Vivo. The radio show we were on, el Sexto Sentido, was broadcast live today, but parts of it will be rebroadcasted tomorrow. Of course, it is all in Spanish :-)
The program conductor told me that she will give us a CD with a recording of the show.
We do not have too much time left here, and we need to make every minute count.
From the chilly Pampa,
Agnes

Chilling at school.
Chilling at school also.
Today we went to a musical instruments Museum. The man who owns it gave us a hands-on class. Then, the local TV came to record it, and the newspaper sent a photographer. The museum is not open to the public yet, so we were able to enjoy a very special preview.
We also took a tour of the town, while Rodolfo, the High School Principal, and also a History teacher, explained who founded the city and when all took place. You can see that everybody seemed to be hanging in there quite ok, except for Glenn, who stayed home because he was under the weather. He is on his way to recovery as I write this. Three more Westminster kids were sent home sick yesterday, but they all seemed much recouped :-)
Best from the Argentinian Pampa,
Agnes

This weekend was so much fun! On Friday we went out at 9:30 to Piero's weekend house which is only about 15 minutes away from his regular house! We all sat around at a huge table and had asado, which is similar to a bbq. It was soooo good! After we ate, we all listened to music and danced for a couple of hours. Then, we went to one of the boliches and we didn't get home until about 6:30 am! We had so much fun! Now everyone is exhausted.
:-) Mary Caroline and Hannah :-)

I don't want to repeat what the entry above stated but I would definitely say that this past weekend was one of the most exciting of my life. It literally passed so fast I could hardly believe that it was already over as I laid to bed last night. I would like to spend all of my weekends here with my amazing new friends and plan on missing each of them terribly when I return.
- Glenn

Today we teachers went to the 'campo' for an 'asado' with my host family. I took these pictures. The kids went to another campo for another asado :-) Hopefully they will be able to blog tomorrow. Agnes

Hola amigos y amigas. Our first week here has gone very well. Our students have integrated quickly into both families and the school. Agnes, Brad (teacher from Walker) and I have become hits at dinners with parents. Parents who didn't book us for dinner are now calling to see if we can squeeze in one more dinner or lunch. Dinner conversations for us with parents are wide-ranging and always go late into the night. Like the kids we are eating like royalty. Discussions of the current political situation and the character of Argentine politics in general are always stimulating and filled with laughter. Agnes's passionate castellano is fun for all of us and adults frequently ask her to speak like she does in Spain. The accent here is much different than the rest of Latin America. The students have done a good job differentiating the new sounds and making sense of Argentine specific words. Tomorrow we are all off to asados (large bbqs). Agnes, Brad and I will be in the countryside visiting the farm of her host family's. Don

Hi!
This morning was dedicated to the elementary school. In this picture, you can see Mary Caroline, Jordan, Lindsay, Hannah, Allie, and Caroline teaching the Teapot song to the second graders. Later in the day, some of the girls taught the Electric Glide to the 4th grade class.
Speaking in front of a class, especially in front of high school students, is not easy, and our students have done a very good job. With every presentation they do, they accumulate experience and they fine tune their presentation skills.

This weekend is so full of planned activities, that it is very likely that we will not write any new postings until Monday. Many of us will be having big family meals and gatherings that will go on for hours, and plenty of fun weekend events are in the agenda.
At the same time, we are keeping an eye on the farmer and trucker protests. It is a very educational time for all of us to be in Argentina right now. Best,
Agnes

I'm so excited for this weekend. I can't wait to
go to the Boliche! It's been a really fun week, but I'm really tired. This morning we taught the Hokie Poky to the most adorable 2nd graders and they were so excited that we were with them. I'm having so much fun.
-Jordan

(Jordan and Allie at the computer room with 5 senior La Plaza girls :-)

I am having a lot of fun. The food is amazing. I can't wait to camp and disco party.
Love,
Bill


(Partial group shot in the canteen.)

We will have asado 2 times this weekend. I feel like a 5 year old girl when I am eating with my family, because even my younger sister eats 3 times more than me. The food is incredible.
- Dillon



(Dillon is journaling while Lindsay takes a quick nap during recreo--fruit break.)

Hello, everyone!
I thought that it might be a good idea to show you a few pictures of what Rafaela looks like. I have posted 3 photos of random streets. I made a point to not show the characteristic areas, such as the main plaza, or the cathedral, but rather give you a sense of what most regular streets look like. As you can see, residential streets are relatively quiet, and parking is generally ample in all neighborhoods other than downtown. These pictures were taken just 4 or 5 blocks from the city center. Enjoy the weekend :-)
- Agnes

Gaucho dancers in action :-)

Hola, Atlanta!
Today was a day of presentations. All our students had prepared one topic to present to students here in La Plaza, and since Monday, they have been scheduled to meet with different grades and talk about our school, Atlanta, US sports, and music. Westminster students have had to engage elementary school students as well as junior high and high school kids, and they have done very well. Presentations will continue in the days to come.
Today, La Plaza invited a dance group to perform for us in the morning. We enjoyed gaucho dances, and were amazed at the skill of the kid dancers. I am sure you will hear about it from your children. Tomorrow we will all attend a class on Argentinian history.
I hope that tomorrow we can find some time for at least one of our students to post on the blog. Don is doing well, and keeping me sane. He is the best chaperone.
Hasta luego,
Agnes -

Right now we are on the bus on the way back from Rosario. We've been stopped 2 or 3 times by the farmers who are protesting the situation in "el campo." Fer is explaining the problems going on in Argentina and Leo is letting us listen to Argentine music on his phone. I really liked Rosario and I thought that today was a lot of fun.
Jordan -

Today we went to Rosario, which was really interesting. But we were out late last night and are so tired. We had a lot of fun shopping and hanging out during our free time. We love hanging out and talking to the Argentines. They are all so nice and are good about helping us with our Spanish. We've been talking about it and our Spanish is starting to come more naturally. I even think my English is getting worse... We've stopped speaking in full sentences. It'll be interesting to see how we are by the time we come home. Adios,
Allie

What up Padres?
Today is our second day in school. I like it a lot more because we don't do anything but talk. Everyone loves their family and we have made so many new friends. Yesterday, after school, we went to Carlos' house and hung out. Tomorrow we go to the city of Rosario. I love Rafaela. Everyone is so nice. It has been pretty cold. We're all safe. Don't worry. Peace out, Caroline.

(I have been unable to post photos due to internet bandwidth issues. I will resume pix as soon as it is possible. Agnes)

Nothing could´ve prepared us for the reception we received at the airport last night! Our hosts had signs and posters to welcome us and the cheering and applauding could only be compared to the reception of a foreign celebrity. Although Rafaela is definitely colder than Buenos Aires, my host family could not be more warm and frienly. The students at the school are all very kind towards us and the classes are quite an experience on their own. It´s been great getting to be with all the students who came to Westminster last February as well. The trip has been unforgettable so far and I´m sure it´s only going to get better.

-Glenn

Last night we had the best pizza baked on stone at Los Inmortales, and then we headed for a movie. After the flea market (see posts below) we took a little bitty airplane from BA to Rafaela. The plane was really small (Don took pictures, but he is sleeping now, so hopefully I can post one tomorrow.) Luckily we did not have turbulence. You will not believe the reception we got when we arrived in Rafaela. It felt like the whole school was waiting for us! Cheering, and hollering, and posters with "Welcome" and student's names! It was amazing! I want the students to write this for themselves tomorrow. Best, Agnes

Dearest Parents,
We finally got to sleep in today. We met in the lobby at 11:30 before we all took taxis to a museum. The taxi drivers are awful drivers. Dillon and Glenn went to the art museum while everyone else went to an open air market. The girls bought jewelry and the boys bought different gifts for their wonderful mothers. Brooks got a man's boomerang stuck in a tree. Afterwards we all caravaned to a cafe for lunch. We then went to get our luggage and headed to the airport for Rafaela. Bill

Today was awesome! We went to the flea market and bought a lot of very pretty things. The people were so friendly! Jordan, Hannah and I all bought really cool peace sign rings. We had been looking for them for a while, so we were really excited when we found them. Now we are at the airport waiting to get on the plane to Rafaela. I'm very excited. Mary Caroline and Hannah

Today we went to a flee market in Buenos Aires. It was so much fun and we got so much cute jewelry and souvenirs. It was also good to get good experience speaking only Spanish. Now we are getting ready to meet our new families! I'm really excited but also a little anxious, but mostly excited. Lindsay