At a meeting yesterday with Dr. Esteguy (one of the judges) in his chambers, the topic of conversation somehow changed from law to music. Actually, the judge changed the subject. He wanted me to know he loves ¨musica black¨ of all types--jazz, blues, and rhythm and blues, and he was very proud that he has 8500 CDs, all originals. I told him how much I love the blues, and asked him who his favorite blues artist is. B.B. King was his response. I shared that one of my favorite blues CDs is one with B.B. King and Eric Clapton singing together. He knows the CD well, and has a copy. Then he added, rather matter of factly, ¨Eric Clapton es el Dios blanco.¨ In English, that means Eric Clapton is the ¨white god¨. How wonderful! Judge and lawyer formally dressed in conservative judicial chambers could not stop laughing at that one. We really connected on a totally different level. I will never again be able to listen to Clapton without thinking of Dr. Esteguy´s white god.
Then, at the Rotary meeting and dinner last night, which was a combined meeting of four clubs in honor of the GSE program, Dr. Esteguy got up and gave a little speech about how much the judges enjoyed my visit, and he presented me with a gift from them all. It is a beautiful book on Patagonia with wonderful photos. I was both honored and flattered to know that our exchange was as special to them as it was to me.
Today, Friday, the team visited the local lab where food is tested by the government. Unlike the US, where the USDA inspects food before it reaches restaurants and homes, in Argentina the government does surprise spot checks in restaurants on a fairly regular basis (at least at the ones that have a history of problems) and analyzes samples of food at the lab. Discussion of our differing systems was very enjoyable. The director of the lab, who is a veterinarian, said his real passion is working with race horses, and he invited us to the stables next Wednesday. Too bad we won´t be near here to take him up on the invitation.
After a wonderful parrilla lunch (Argentine BBQ), we visited the offices of the Jenny Craig/Weight Watcher equivalent in Argentina. At least it sounded that way to me. However, the Argentine Rotarians insist that the head of the company is the pioneer in Argentina for a healthy lifestyle and is committed to changing the Argentine diet to include more fruits and vegies, etc. That would be good, because many of the people we are with don´t seem to believe in eating anything but meat, cheese, more meat, bread, more meat, wine, and dessert. At a Rotary meeting at a fancy club on the river the other night, we were served a dinner of breaded and fried flank steak with french fries, bread on the table and ice cream for dessert. Not a vegie in sight. Can´t really complain, though, because the food is generally pretty darn good. And it is apparent from conversation that, at least in theory, the Argentine people are slowly accepting that they could have a more healthy diet.
Tonight we are off to a dinner at a restaurant owned by one of the local Rotarians. It specializes in fresh pasta. The Italian influence down here is very strong, and many of the Rotarians I have met are of Italian origin. They love that Kelly´s name is ¨Fregulia-Smith.¨ I am looking forward to this dinner especially because it is simply a social affair, without any Rotary meeting, and we don´t have to wear our uniforms!!! I am going to put on a snazzy outfit and have a great time.
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