Dale che

My camera has been broken since Bolivia, and I am realizing that it is much easier to write blogs when I have pictures to help narrate.

Dale. (means "okay," "alright," "right on," or more specifically in this case "let's do this")

Instead of writing a fluid narrative of the past month, I'm just going to free flow for a bit. I have sat down at the computer a couple of times now, and whether due to writer's block, being busy with school or whatever, the words just haven't come.

So here I am, in the attic feeling loft area of my apartment. I've been living with an Argentine actor named Fernando. I don't know his last name and I think that's because he goes only by Fernando. And yes, you should read the name as though it is said very passionately. Ferrrrrnaaaaaando. Great guy, and big fan of the show LOST. Apparently the show just ended and according to Ferrrrnaaaaaando (make sure to roll the 'r' gringos), it ended still a quilombo (a mess.) It's been great living with an Argentine, and we've organized a group of guys to play soccer on Fridays. Half Argentine actors and half International Relations students from various Universities. A couple of Americans, Australians, a Puertoriqueno and a Brasilero. So far the group of IR students have won more times than the Argentines, and although I'm secretly very happy about this feat, we do have the Brazilian guy on our team. Woah! Easy there with the stereotypes....I mean he's good, but as I've told him on various occasions he has more of a 'Canadian flare.' Woah....again with the generalizations...what does that even mean! Well, in the soccer world, I'll tell you: Cananda is not a good soccer team and therefore one does not want to be characterized as having 'Canadian flare.' This not so secretly makes me laugh, and after various of these pseudo compliments, my Brazilian buddy, Mauricio, finally reacted with a "They don't even play soccer in Canada!!". Nothing like soccer to bring people together. I'm so happy to be playing down here.

Next up: Critical Mass

This picture was taken at the most recent 'Masa Critica' (Critical Mass) in Buenos Aires. I attended the mobilization and am in that mass somewhere, but I haven't been able to find myself. (I'm either somewhere off to the right of the picture or behind someone.) Basically Critical Mass is an 'unorganized gathering' of mostly bikers who collectively (power in numbers) take over the streets and ride through different parts of the city. People take part for a variety of reasons, and I would say the overarching objective is to promote alternative and more earth friendly modes of transportation and to promote biker rights in cities. The revolutionaries in the group revel in the protest nature of the ride while others join just to meet new people. Either way, it was great and left me feeling very connected to people and to the city in general. We covered quite a bit of ground, starting on the famous Avenida 9 de Julio, then into Puerto Madero, down to La Boca then back up through San Telmo and Constitucion, cruising through the 'Microcentro' and ending at the 'Independent Book Festival' in Barrio Norte. The day before Critical Mass I had gone to the same book festival, which has strong anarchist roots, and interacted very minimally with others. However, post Critical Mass ride I was waayyyyy less reserved and had a great time conversing with many friendly anarchists. Funny how that happens. SO, critical mass takes place in cities all over the world and I highly advise you check it out....especially if you're new to a city!

Next: Birthdays and People

On May 24 I turned 28 years old. The following day Argentina turned 200! Well, the official independence day is on July 9th, but their 'May Revolution' ended on the 25th and there were massive celebrations for 5 days straight. The 'Avenida 9 de Julio' was absolutely packed with people all the way up and down, and as you can see in the picture it is a massive avenue. After a great day filled with parks, dodgeball and wine/celebration on Avenida 9 de Julio...my friends threw me a birthday party! This is a nice little segue into talking about some of them....

My fellow classmates are from the US, Ireland, Brazil, Belgium, Norway, China, Australia, Finland, Canada and of course Argentina. Very interesting group of people, and their fascinating experiences/mostly well rounded humor complement the masters program very well. I've been to a couple of birthday parties now, and the traditional "Happy Birthday" song is usually sung in 4 or 5 languages...one after the other. Quite interesting, but getting old. Kidding! I love the diversity in people and in quality of singing. Most of the birthday songs have the same tune, by the way.

As for my fellow Rotary Peace Fellows.....I could not be happier with the group! In descending order according to 'peacefulness': Keely is from South Carolina, Ouida is from San Francisco, Jeremy is from Australia (north of Taree I believe), Sarah is from Washington D.C., Julia is from near Porto Alegre, Brazil, Sinead is from Ireland and Steven is from Texas. This does not tell you a whole lot about them, of course, and for the record they are equally and extraordinarily 'peaceful.' Once again, I feel lucky to be surrounded by interested, interesting and kind people.

So, in a couple of hours I meet with my thesis advisor for the first time since early March. My first trimester of classes ended yesterday, and after attempting to synthesize a very large amount of content on International Cooperation, Conflict and Development theory, International Relations theory and Peace Studies.....I've again arrived at: Citizens Diplomacy! Only now, understanding the international 'system' in only a slightly more sophisticated way, I am starting to understand better where CD fits into the system, and it' s real potential for democratizing it.....empowering voices from bellow! At any rate, in terms of investigating CD projects, I have found some interesting work in Israel/Palestine, Colombia and Cypress. Who knows where I'll be come January when I hit the field!?

I'm still waiting for summer, by the way. Perhaps this means I'm a stubborn person, but my whole life May means warm! June means even warmer (amongst other things, of course)! But here, we are entering fall, and although I love the smells and being able to wear highly technical water wicking, and most importantly tight fleeces, I still find myself waiting for summer when clearly it is not coming. My last blog was on language and meaning. I'm in the process of changing the meaning of May and June in a sense. This to me is one of the beautiful things about living in different geographic and cultural settings....reflecting on meaning. The external determinants of meaning...and the fluid nature of meaning! Ah! Un quilombo. This is what has me reflecting so much on language, including non-verbal language. Where does the meaning we place on all forms of language come from? Is it externally or internally determined? In other words, how much 'say' do we have in the meaning of anything. And, how and why does meaning change in different contexts? The importance of these answers are enormous, I believe. If we are not the creators of meaning, then who/what is? Sure, the meaning of 'toast' may not have large social and global ramifications, but the meaning of the 'other' does. For those non-Muslims: What does, say, 'Islam' mean to you? And where did that meaning come from? The news, conversations on religion with Muslims, and/or after having read the Koran yourself? Passively accepting meaning (both negative and positive meaning) can be a dangerous thing. However I don't believe in 'accurate' meanings, although I do believe in more accurate interpretations. But does this assume an 'objective reality,' or a 'truth.' Hmm. Either way, reflecting on your meaning for everything is trying and difficult, but perhaps makes you more of the owner of your own life, to the extent possible. For now, my 'meaning' of having an open mind would be allowing for 'new interpretations, or, new meanings of knowledge" ....through critical self reflection, dialogue, art, citizens diplomacy, etc, etc, etc, etc..........

I'll hopefully be able to return to those thoughts in a more coherent manner....but hey, that's freestyle!

I also hope to soon get my camera fixed and expose you all to some of the beautiful places and people I have encountered in this massive city.

Until then....chau!