Today I took the bus again to meet Margarita over by where she lives because we were going back today the same school we went to on Tuesday which is in her neighborhood. First I stopped at McDonald's for an Egg McMuffin and coffee to go...I admit that it is becoming a habit, stopping at McDonald's...That is because it's the only place I've seen big-sized coffees to go, and so now I seem to be stopping there more and more...It is also one of the few places with a free public bathroom that is easy to access...I noticed that earlier on as well.
We headed to Belgrano Day School again, and I was able to observe a 1st grade class during an English lesson. The students were so cute, and I loved being able to watch the teacher with them. She was great! They read a book about a tiger and his big "roar". The kids loved it, and they followed along with the story. I also had the opportunity to talk to them a little bit, which was great for me because my favorite grades to teach are the lower grades with the little ones. So, I told the students about myself, and then I had a chance to teach them a song that we sing at my school in Frisco during morning assembly...It is called the "Turkey Tango", and since Argentina is famous for the tango, I thought it would be perfect for them to learn. I am attaching the video of us singing in class...excuse my horrible singing!
After that, Margarita and I left to go have lunch in a cafe. I had a grilled chicken sandwich and a diet coke. After lunch we still had some time to hang out before we had to be back at school, so we went to another place for coffee and a "conito", which is like a big cookie, shaped like a Hershey's kiss, covered in chocolate, but filled with dulce de leche (of course). By now I was feeling stuffed and it was time to head back to the school.
We arrived back at school, and we went to spend time in a 5th grade English class. I presented my information to them, and they had many questions for me. I was also able to visit a classroom and see the students reading "Magic Treehouse" books. The teacher was talking to them about the "thinking maps" they were using to analyze the text. This lesson was all done in English. I was very impressed with their class, and I told them that we read the same books in our school, and that we use "thinking maps" as well. I also commented about how smart they were and how great their English was. It was a lot of fun.
After the class was over, I went back to the bus stop with Margarita and said goodbye and jumped on the #80 bus to go back to the other side of town. This bus was completely packed, and I started to feel kind of "carsick". It was really hot on the bus, and I had my clothes on, a sweater, a jacket and a scarf, because it was a cold day. I started to feel dizzy, but luckily I made it back to Mercedes' print shop without getting sick...It's fun going to "work" again in busses like I used to when I lived in Mexico City, but at the same time, I am thankful that it is just a vacation for me this time, and that soon I'll be able to go to work in my car.
I arrived at the shop and got on my computer and wrote more e-mails and checked Facebook to see what my friends and family were up to. When the shop closed (around 7:00 pm) Mercedes and I went to a sports store and I was able to buy a few soccer jerseys, and then we went back to the house to get ready for the Rotary Club dinner for the changing of officer presentation of Margarita's group, the lady who had been leading me around everyday.
We arrived at the event after 9:00 and people were just starting to come in. I greeted everyone I had already met before (with kisses on the cheek), and then Margarita introduced me to some other people who were there. The program started and we found our seats. While the officers at the head table spoke, the waiters came around with drinks and then appetizers. There were empanadas, little quiche-type things, cheese and meat on a stick, and many more snacks to try. While the officers talked, the waiters kept coming around with more and more appetizers...It was like nothing I had ever seen!!!
Finally it was time for the main course, which again, was very good. It was like a pork cutlet with mustard sauce and potatoes. We ate and then the presidents participated in their official "changing of the presidency" ritual while we continued to eat. After the main course a historian spoke about the independence of Argentina and told a little bit about this important event in history. When he finished speaking it was midnight, so he asked us to all stand and sing the national anthem. I couldn't believe it was 12:00 am and we were barely half-way through with the presentation. After all of the speakers, they served us icecream, fruitcake and coffee. Margarita also received a very special award for her service in the rotary, and I was very proud of her and please to be part of the festivities. Toward the end of the evening the new president asked me to come up and exchange Rotary flags, and we took pictures.
We stayed talking for a while with the Rotarians, and then around 1:30 am it was time to head home. I went straight to sleep and slept in late!
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