Mourning in the City

On Wednesday, former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner died unexpectedly from a heartattack; Kirchner and his wife are a well established political instituion in the country so the news hit the nation hard. All over the city there are images of the political couple embracing during their rallies and signs of condolence hang on every wall, saying, 'strength, Mrs. President' and 'our tears are for you.'

I covered the story for my paper. It was my first extended news piece, written to the wire (I only had a few hours), and it was also the first political article/obituary that I have ever had to write.

In the evening I went down to Plaza de Mayo for a follow up article* on the scene at the presidential palace. It looked more like a political battle ground than a site of mourning, as people waving the Justicialist Party flag marched through the square in lieu of flowers and funeral processions. Of course, the entire centre was blocked off and traffic was at a standstill.

In other words it was like any other day in Buenos Aires, except with ten times as many people.

Paul, the psychic octopus who correctly predicted this year's world cup also died. Both tragedies in their own right - not to compare to the two or anything.

It will be interesting to see what will happen in Argentine politics. Nestor was the favourite for next years elections, and he has also been governing the country through his wife, current president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, throughout her years in power.

Fuerza Cristina

*mine is the prose at the top, Sam gathered and put together the international responses at the bottom of the article.

Sex Talk With 'Dr. K'

In case you didn't already know, Argentina is obsessed with sex. As soon as you walk out the door you will hear one half of the city making cat calls, and you will see the other half proudly flaunting their new boob jobs as they shimmy down the street. Which by the way, come free on private health insurance. Once a year.

However, somewhere amongst the "Holaa Lindas" and the "Por Favorrrsss!" (my favourite) lurks a crippling insecurity. Buenos Aires has more psychoanalyists per person than any other nation in the world. People talk like its their job. And everyone talks.

That's why I wanted to write a story for my paper, The Argentina Independent, on the nation's foremost sexologist, 68 year old 'Dr. K.' I wanted to hear more from this legend. Who wouldn't?

Dr. K told me the secret to a good sex life, and revealed why all Porteños cheat.

I am his biggest fan.

A Family Holiday

Welcome to a Getzels' family holiday. Spirit possession, blood letting, a holy mountain in Venezuela. All in day's work, my friend:

Man mid trance, during cult festival Maria Lionza, Venezeula
(photo by Zoe Getzels)

For an explanation, check out my article, The Cult of Maria Lionza: Summoning the Spirit of Venezeula, for The Argentina Independent.

For a family album, check my sister's image story, The Indy Eye: Maria Lionza.

Happy travels!

Misión Adentro

So, the Chilean Miners have been rescued, and one week on, their lovers and wives who all turned up at the disaster site, haven't yet broken out into war.

On 12th October the world watched on, captivated by the miracle rescue of the 33 Miners who have been trapped underground for over three months. Across the globe, people stayed up to watch the 24 hour live television coverage. Outside the Chilean embassy in Washington D.C. a wide screen TV was set up in anticipation of a large audience. Of course, no one risked showing up.

But down South in Chile, champagne was popped and pinatas were cracked. Any excuse for a fiesta.

All in all it was a joyous occasion, a great ray of hope shining through the many disasters that populate the bleak pages of the news.

However the most illuminating story of all was one I found in a Venezuelan Newspaper. 'If the Miners were Here':

In Ecuador, President Rafael Correa would have jumped in the mine right behind the others,"I defy all those that try to stop me." he would announce holding back the rescue mission. "I will leave this mine a president, or a dead body."

In Venezuela the rescue would be titled, Misión Mino Adentro*, another one of Chavez's mission 'adentro' pet political projects. Still no one has actually made it inside.

In Bolivia the title simply would have been, "Mission: The first to leave."


*Mission inside the Mine

Blading B.A.

Have you ever wondered what a rollerblading marathon was like? Did you even know they existed?

Well, here in Buenos Aires rollerblading is all the rage. The biggest danger facing pedestrians in this city isn't the mountains of foot traffic, or the millions of cars that pass through the center each day. No, it's the roller bladers. Men, women, old young, fully clothed, partially naked, wearing a yellow wig (see below), anything goes:

Today, was the 2010 Buenos Aires Rollerblading Marathon, an annual race 'bladed' by thousands of knee padded, spandex sporting Argentines from across the country.

But no matter how fast paced the event, there's always time for spotting a mullet or two

My First Article

Last week I reviewed a bar for The Argentina Independent's coverage on the Government's list of historic bars in Buenos Aires. Apparently there are 54. I reviewed number 23, which I chose based on the name alone - 'El Tokio.' However I discovered that this bar was so far out that even the extensive BA buses don't go there. I also discovered that there was nothing more behind the name than the mere cross roads.

But all was not lost as I met a local celebrity whilst sipping on my coffee! There was mass hysteria in the bar; all five of the 60 year old patrons narrowly avoided heart-attacks. Click here to see how the exciting events unfolded.

To all my devout readers...

To all two of you: I would like to apologize for my absence of late. Moving to a new country is hard, and you will never fully understand the importance of windows until you've experienced Buenos Aires Craigslist.

However, I finally have a roof over my head, and empanadas in my fridge (though still no windows), so there is nothing to fear. I have also begun my job for The Argentina Independent as a 'journalist' (a.k.a a blathering spanish speaker who mumbles questions to unsuspecting passerbys - with incorrect grammer. You should really try it someday).

I am going to use this blog to keep my fan club (hah) up to date with my articles, rather than provide minute by minute accounts of my life in Buenos Aires. Though I may do that now and then. So when you are really pulling at straws, and have nothing else to do, I invite you to sit back, relax, and contribute to the my online hits... Ciao lindos.