Halfway!
It is now officially winter in La Plata, and we’ve been experiencing quite chilly weather, with temperatures hovering in the 40s and even dipping into the 30s. The women at the boarding house have told me that this week has been unusually cold for the region, even for this time of year. La Plata generally experiences milder winters compared to other parts of Argentina, with average lows in June and July usually in the mid-40s (°F). Each morning on my walk to work, I bundle up in a coat, scarf, and hat. As a native of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s still jarring, even after a few weeks, to experience wintry weather in late June.
I’m continuing to take Spanish classes and feel that my understanding of the Argentine accent is improving. The other night at dinner, some of the residents joked that I was starting to speak with a slight Argentine accent in some sentences. While unintentional, I’m hoping that’s a sign I’m adjusting to Argentine life. The Argentine accent, especially in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas like La Plata, is heavily influenced by Italian immigration during the early 20th century. It gives the Spanish spoken here a distinctive rhythm and tone that distinguishes it from the Spanish I learned in school and college in the United States.
Speaking of dinner, the other night we had a traditional dessert called chajá. It might be my favorite thing I’ve eaten so far during my trip. Chajá originates from the Uruguayan city of Paysandú and is named after a native bird of the region. It consists of a fluffy sponge cake layered with dulce de leche, peach chunks, and meringue.
This week I also visited the Cathedral of La Plata with my roommate Clara. Construction of the magnificent neo-Gothic building began in 1884, shortly after the city of La Plata itself was founded as the new capital of Buenos Aires Province. The cathedral was inspired by European churches like Notre-Dame in Paris and Cologne Cathedral in Germany. It wasn’t officially completed until the 1990s, after decades of interrupted construction. We took the elevator to an observation deck at the top of one of the cathedral’s towers and were able to look out over the entire city. At 367 feet (112 meters) tall, it’s the tallest church in South America and offers incredible panoramic views of La Plata’s carefully planned layout, with its grid-like streets and diagonal avenues.
This week marks the halfway point of my experience in Argentina. I’m so grateful for all that I’ve learned so far. That includes gaining insight about the work of the Commission in the Argentine prison system, as well as learning Spanish, exploring La Plata, and becoming acquainted with Argentine culture. I’m looking forward to visiting Buenos Aires next weekend and will keep you updated on my adventures in the office and beyond!