I thought since I didn't have much news to pass along that I would relate to you a few observations I've had regarding Buenos Aires life and the culture in general here. Argentines, especially young Argentines, are completely enamored with American culture, especially with our brand of English. For many years Argentina has looked to Europe as an example of high society and was dominated buy English businesses, but in the past twenty years all that has changes and today the United States is their key example. Numerous times Argentines have asked me with some awe why I chose their country to study, as if the States was such a magnificent place that no one would ever want to see any other nation, much less Argentina. This strange cultural phenomenon is both good and bad. Good in that nearly anyone under the age of thirty has learned English eagerly and bad in that I can't see how an immense love for something one imagines to be superior to oneself is very healthy. The reality is that Argentines have a great deal to be proud of, and perhaps if they looked at other nations a bit more critically they would see more clearly ways to improve their own. As it is, all they see is a flawless green lawn on the other side of the fence.

Universities are another place one can find cultural differences. The concept of a "campus" just doesn't exist in Latin America. My particular university is an eighteen-story skyscraper and little more than six or seven houses used for administration. None are located anywhere near the others. Our sports field is so far out of town that one has to ride a specially bus to get there that only runs three days a week and takes an hour each way. Dorms are totally unknown. You either go to a university near your house or you rent an apartment near it.

Above are a few pictures of the city that I took from the university. I took them both within five minutes of each other, one looking into the sun and one looking away. In the later you can clearly see the smog reflecting the sun. Pollution here in Buenos Aires is a problem. The city is enormous, expansive, and almost everyone travels by bus or car. Sunsets are fantastic, but everyday along with the weather report in the paper is included a carbon monoxide chart from the day before.

I've also added a photo of the main room of our apartment as well as a shot of the outside. We rank as one of the smaller of the apartment buildings in the neighborhood. Our d�cor is a bit old fashioned, but I think that's because I'm living with an elderly couple and not because it's the going fad these days. For those of you who want to find our place, remember that the first floor in Spanish is always called la Planta Baja and floor one is what we in the states would call flore two. Since we live on the third floor, you can find our apartment on the fourth level.

Also check out the shot of Avenida Cabildo, taken from the intersection with Aguilar about sixty yards from our house. Cabildo runs into downtown (after changing names) and is like Crossroads Mall or Pentagon City on steroids.

I hope life is treating you all well back there in the States. Study hard amigos, and I'll see you soon.

Love,