zoo days zoo days

rolly polly zoo days....
we visited the zoo today. i dont generally like zoos.. but you know.. it was really incredible. this place is special. its beautiful.. and the animals quarters.. albeit wayyyyy smaller than they would naturally have, were beautiful. Landscaping was fantastic. they have rehabilitated over 2300 animals in 4 years.. many are native.. many from africa. i saw the most beautiful tiger today.. who gave us a swimming show. literally just under my nose. and turtles... and alligators.. and a condor... and the most beautiful squirrels... and well.. i saw bat genitals.. im amazed at how similar they are to humans!! their wings were amazing.. as they curled up and tried to rest while we all stared at their privates....
really it was just wonderful to walk around inthe sunshine. Each day here in argentina (at least in these parts) has been gloriously sunny.. perfect weather... blue skies...flowers are still blooming.. butterflies are wondering... im in sandals and light pants.. every day. the movie was one of those crazy 360 degree cinemas.. where you stand upa nd just turn and turn to watch...and they had props of monkeys coming out of the wood work... icicles hanging from the walls.. and a seal that popped out for a moment (all mechanical.. but great effects).

then we went to a place called biogenesis. whew. that was a bit intense. its a high security vaccine and antibiotic manufacturer for animals. they have massive decontamination procedures for anyone that works with the diseases.. really high tech place. they provide all of the viral vaccines for all animals in latin america.. if not beyond. the US is considering having them do some work... as our folks recently came for a visit. no threat to humans to be there.... but if you work in the biohazard chambers.. you need to sign an affidavit saying you will not go near any animals for 72 hours after leaving the facility. pretty serious stuff. i have to admit.. at the same time im grateful to western medicine for its ability to prevent viral outbreaks and remedy horrible bacterial infections.. i was a bit scornful that one of their branches produces massive antibiotics.. likely the ones they have to feed animals kept in concentrated animal feedlots (CAFO´s).. where animals need protection only becuase they are forced to live in such filth... and are fed the same antibiotics as the infirmed (humans) which is ultimately causing a decline in antibiotic effectiveness in hosptials. But.. until our government decides that CAFOs should be banned.. not much will change on that horizon. Despite my antithetical philosphies...the visit was definately interesting. Alas.. to more positive thoughts....

Our host family is just sweet as pie.. and reminds me a bit of my long island and east coast friends and families.... Alberto is our host dad.. and he is smart and funny... and kind... and loves ice cream. Marta is a travel agent and has helped Vicki a bunch with her Iguazu Falls adventure. They have fed us emanadas... have i mentioned.. that i just LOVE empanadas!!.. and did i mention that they deliver empanadas and ice cream anywhere in this country?? Somehow these folks manage to stay relatively thin.. though id like to get a peak at their cholesterol levels....

Tomorrow we will go to an icecream factory ... meet the mayor of Escobar..go to a Japanese Garden then give our presentation to the Rotary Club. Yeah.. some days are just so full i could pop. I´ve gotten much more used to just going with the flow. ive also learned not to eat too big of a breakfast.. cause there is surely an enormous lunch to follow.. and to refuse ice cream, wine and cafe. I was flying through my bottle of lactase pills.. and i think i need a break. my head hurts a bit every day.. but i think its the humidity. it seems to rain here in teh evenings on occasion.. bursting the thick hot air.. and cooling the evenings down. though tonight.. i dont think that will happen. rest and sleep and zorro help. im reading the story of Zorro by Isabelle Allende.. Chilean writer.. its pretty good.. and its a great way to just check out for a while.

A few days ago Kelly and I spent time with Leandro and Valeria in downtown BA. They were super duper sweet and really quite the in love couple. We slept in their living room that they turned into a bedroom for us. it was great to have time with people my own age.. who gave us a bit more of the sobering realities of Argentina. The people here work hard, long hours.. with not much pay. they cannot travel outside the country due to high costs of airline tix. many have never even seen the south of their own country.. Patagonia.. where i would have loved to go. i feel for them.. and it makes me so appreciative of what i have in my life. i love my job.. i love my home.. and my friends.. i have an amazing boss who supports me in this adventure.. pays me well. and lets me work 4 days a week if i want to. i have an amazingly loving family.. albeit.. way too far away..if there is one thing im realizing on this trip..its that family is the center of everyone´s life here.. and i really miss mine.. and i want my own. i feel enormously gratefull.... so here´s to all of you in the united states that make my life the treasure that it is!! Salud .. abrazos y besos y mi corrozon,
Eecole