That's our Mama!

Earlier today, our host mom, Elina, invited me, Christine and Dan to hear her give a talk about her recent book! Elina is a professor of Public Policy at the University of Buenos AIres (la UBA), and she has edited several books of her research findings (she oversees a team at la UBA). Her most recent book dealt with the reign of the Kirschners (past president Nestor, and his wife Cristina, current president).

So, this afternoon, Christine, Elina, Elina's daughter Laura (currently getting her PhD in Austin, TX but here for a visit) and I piled into the car. We ended up going the headquarters of the Justialista (Social Justice) Party (modern-day supporters of Peronism) in el centro, where about 70 people came to hear Elina speak! Elina said that she never was a Peronista (Peron supporter) and isn't now, but this group invited her to speak, and she came to give a non-partisan, researchers point of view about things.
We arrived at the venue at 6 (Dan met us there) and of course, things didn't get rolling until 6:50. Of course, my roommates and I were the only gringos in the place, or maybe the only gringos that had every been in that building!
There were four speakers before Elina, basically introducing her and describing the history of the Justialista Party as well as the economic history of Argentina. And while I have really been bemoaning an economics class that I am taking here, what I learned in that class TOTALLY helped me understand what the speakers were talking about! From concepts down to specific vocab that I can recall looking up in frustration, I could very much follow what was being said.

After about an hour, Elina spoke. It was so cool to see Elina in her element! I usually see her in front of the stove or sipping tea, but now she was a knowledgeable political pundit! She spoke about her 5 year long research project of democracia formal vs. democracia social, and how that culminated in her book. It was funny to so her use the same tones of voice, hand gestures and occasional English phrases that she uses at home in a public forum. As Christine, Dan, and I stood up with the rest of the room clap, I leaned over to them and said "Thats our mama!"

Afterward, Elina took all of us and some of her friends out for pizza and beer. What a great way to end the night.

And yet again, another unforgettable experience here in BA.