Emily wakes me up at 9:30, I struggle to find what to wear but once I do I barely have enough time to run downstairs and get breakfast. Today we are riding taxis to Club Atletico, a former secret detention center in Buenos Aires. I missed our bus but it was fun to see the streets of Buenos Aires closer to the ground. When Emily, Natalia, and I arrived to Club Atletico, Sara, Ellie, and Ana were already there looking around. I was a little confused. I was expecting a gym, a tennis court, or maybe even a pool but I was met with what seemed like nothing. When Fernando and Dr. Kuperminc arrived they explained to us that what we were looking at was an attempt to erase history. The Club Atletico was torn down but was currently being excavated. Then we went to a museum to read more about what happened. Club Atletico was different than all the other detention centers we had visited before. It was definitely underfunded but it still taught me a lot.
After the detention center, we took taxis back to the hotel. Hours later we had the privilege of going to Plaza de Mayo to march with the mothers of the disappeared. Two mothers showed up. It was an emotional experience, seeing them still marching over 40 years later. I saw my mother in them, knowing that she would also march until her legs wouldn’t let her. One of the mothers spoke so eloquently and passionately, I was inspired. I was surprised the mothers were so heavily involved, especially at their age.
Shortly after we marched with the mothers we visited my favorite cathedral so far. I saw many familiar saints that my grandmother loves to prop up in our home, and even did a prayer for the virgin mary at her alter. As we were on our way out we saw the soldiers who were guarding San Martin close his section. I’m not sure if it was supposed to be a spectacle, but it was amazing.
We ended our day at a tango show and it was amazing! This was one of the times I felt like I was truly immersed in Argentine culture. My favorite part was watching the gaucho section, where they did a dance similar to the zapateado, which I do at family parties in the United States. Overall today was one of my favorite days of the trip!