The End ....

I guess this marks the end of my blog. Thank you all for your interest in my trip. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Thanks to Helen, a really wonderful leader, and Liz, Karen and Jamie. You are 4 of the most wonderful people I have ever had the privilege to spend a month with. If I was stranded on a desert island, I know who I would want with me.

Thank you to Rotary and the Rotary Foundation for this wonderful opportunity.

And most of all, I want to thank the wonderful people of Argentina who I have had the privilege to meet in the last month. You were so welcoming and warm. I am already thinking about when I can come back and see you all again.

Steve comes through

Steve comes through
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

My sweet husband met me at the airport with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers ... and a smile, hug and kiss I won't soon forget.

On the ground in Springfield

On the ground in Springfield
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Maria Laura and Andrea are THRILLED to be in Springfield and officially start their month in Rotary District 6460.

The painting!

The painting!
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Several people in Argentina and Chicago now know ... do not mess with Liz when it comes to her painting.

Adrian and Alvaro

Adrian and Alvaro
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Adrian and Alvaro chat in the Buenos Aires airport before departure to the United States.

Maria Laura and Jamie

Maria Laura and Jamie
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

On the bus to the airport.

Headed to the airport in B.A.

Headed to the airport
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The two teams were finally together and headed to the airport in Buenos Aires.

Our last supper

17
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Helen and Enrique exchange gifts during our last supper in Argentina, a wonderful asado held at Enrique's weekend home near Rosario.

Goodbye to Firmat

Goodbye to Firmat
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

We were headed to Rosario for our last night in Argentina as we said goodbye to our families in Firmat.

Jamie does the Tango

Jamie does the Tango
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Who knew Jamie learned to Tango during his afternoon free time! Here he shows us his new knowledge as he dances with his 'Mom' in Firmat.

Our crazy dinner table

14
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

(back row) Walter, Liz, Tiffany & Georgina (front row) Helen, Karen & Paula at the district conference dinner.

Georgina & Tiffany

13
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Georgina made it to the district conference dinner and we had a great time dancing!

What a great team!

Conference dinner
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

A 5-way pinkie swear of the D-6460 team. What we were swearing to, I don't think we were really sure.

A little Samba action

A little Salsa action
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Armed with napkins, Tiffany, Liz and Karen were able to make Jamie blush in 1.3 seconds flat.

Outbound team

Outbound team
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The D-4880 team was introduced at the district conference. What a great-looking team!

Inbound team

Inbound team
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The D-6460 team had the opportunity to tell those gathered at the conference what a great experience we had in their district.

Visiting Nestle

Visiting Nestle
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

We were ready for anything as we took a very imformative and interesting tour of the Nestle plant in Firmat dressed as marshmellows!

Tree planting

7
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Here Liz helps plant a Ginko tree in the square in Firmat.

Wine tasting

Wine tasting
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The owner of a great wine store in Firmat opened his doors to us for a night of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and live music.

Town #9 - Firmat

English institute - Firmat
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

I had a blast going to class at the English institute with my 'sister' Agostina in Firmat. Agostina and her classmates, all 15-years-old, asked me great questions while they practiced their English speaking skills. They all spoke very, very well.

Town #9 - Firmat

Firmat school
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

I was hanging out with my little sister, Sofia (front, next to Sister Eva) at the Catholic school in Firmat while we waited for her older sister, Agostina (back row, far right).

Leaving Venado Tuerto

Leaving Venado Tuerto
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

We said goodbye to the wonderful people of Venado Tuerto and got ready to head to our last new town for the district conference ... Firmat

Town #8

Venado Tuerto
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Venado Tuerto Rotary meeting
Helen raises the U.S. flag and Jamie raises the Peace flag at the beginning of the meeting.

The same everywhere

The same everywhere
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

While taking a city tour of Vedado Tuarto, we saw these cute men sitting on the square. They were so funny!

Leaving Casilda

Leaving Casilda
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

It was difficult to leave the wonderful people in Casilda. They gave us a warm welcome and it was a sad goodbye.

Jamie leaves them in the dust

futbol
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

We had a lazy afternoon at the golf club in Casilda. Jamie was playing futbol with the kids and they were all having a blast.

Rotary meeting - Casilda

Rotary
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The people of Argentina have made us feel so welcome. And so many clubs have had a champaign toast in our honor. Here, Helen clinks glasses with the president of the Rotary Club in Casilda. His wife is seated in the middle. They were the host family of Karen.

Another radio interview

radio
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

If you have ever wondered how long 7 minutes is, Helen can tell you. It's an eternity when you are being intervied on live radio. But, as usual, she did a great job in Casilda. The Rotary Club president in Casilda is the one in the middle standing.

TV interview

TV
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

At least this one was not live! Helen is doing a great job with interviews. So is Jamie. It's very interesting being a 'local celebrity.' Helen was walking down the street and someone recognized her from the TV interview the night before!

Unique opportunity

steelmill
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Our team had the chance Thursday to visit a steel mill. It was amazing to see the hot steel and then see the final product.
The steel is made from both scrap and iron ore from the south of Brazil.

They make bars of steel and thick wire. They don't normally allow photographs but went out of their way to make sure I got good ones.

We all had to wear hard hats, goggles and ear plugs.

Sleeping peacefully

dog
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

There are many, many stray dogs in Argentina. They are all friendly and nice to both people and each other.

I saw this one in Villa Constitucion taking a nap in 3 different places while I walked around on the main street. But when I saw it napping here, I had to stop and take its picture.

Rotary Club of Villa Constitucion

villacon
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Each Rotary club has a bell to signal the beginning of meetings. This bell is different than many I have seen while being here. It is dedicated to one of the first members of the group, which was begun in 1938.

Helen and the club president chat before dinner Wednesday night.

Small House

orphans
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

There is an orphanage in Villa Constitucion which now has 28 children with a capacity for 32.
Here Karen talks to 2 of the children in a small chapel at the facility.

Artists

lizart
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

We vistited an after school art program on Tuesday after we got to Villa Constitucion.
Here Liz talks with a teenager about her painting. The children have a lot of talent and are encouraged to try several mediums.
The program costs about $30 pesos per month.

Gaucho - Argentina´s cowboy

gaucho
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

At the Rotary meeting just outside Rosario in a town called Villa Gob. Galvez, a gaucho performed for us. He played and sang Argentine folk songs. He had a really great voice ... and a great smile!

The Paraná River

parana
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

This is a view of the Paraná River from Parque Espana. The columns are part of the park.
The area we are visiting here is based in agriculture, much like our region at home. The Paraná River is important to transportation of goods as the Mississippi is for us.

New friends in Argentina

friends
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Sunday we went on a tour of Rosario. Georgina, who is in Roteract, went with us. (She's the one on the far right)
During the tour we stopped at her house where she lives with her parents and sister (middle). We had an awesome lunch and sat and talked for a long time. Her aunt, uncle and cousin (far left) were there, too.

Evita's grave

e_peron
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Here's Liz, Jamie and Karen taking photos of Eva Peron's grave (Evita) in an awesome cemetery in Buenos Aires last Friday. The cemetery is huge and all the moselums are different. And my Grandma Hermon would love the place ... it's full of cats. The cats live there and walk all over the cemetery. They are fed by the caretakers of the cemetery.

Learning English-Rosario

Learning English
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Karen, Liz and I visited a private school today. The school teaches in Spanish in the morning and English in the afternoon. Here, a girl in 2nd grade is writing Elizabeth´s name as she spells it. The teacher is showing the girl the visual reminder for the letter A.

Recess-Rosario

Recess
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The kids at the private school at recess, they loved having their pictures taken.

Town No. 4 Rosario- Flag Monument

Flag Mnument
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

The Flag Monument in Rosario is the biggest monument in the country. It is the place where the national flag was created.

There is a flag-raising ceremony every morning just after 8 a.m. We were invited to attend and Helen to raise the flag. We were very honored to do so. To raise the flag, the flag was attached to the wire, the military band came out and palyed a song and Helen pushed a green button which started the motor to take the beautiful blue and white flag to the top of the very large flag pole.

(Said flag can not be seen in this photo)

C-Section

C-Section
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Before we left Las Parejas Tuesday morning, Jamie and I had the opportunity to accompany our host mom as she performed a C-section. She is an OB doctor.

Who can pass up THAT opportunity!? You might have, but I sure couldn't. It was amazing (that I didn't pass out). Seriously, it was a great experience. The mother's name is Claudia and the baby is a girl. It was great.

Las Parejas-Helen is intervied on the radio

Radio Interview-Town #3
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

Las Parejas-Casa where I stayed 3 days

Casa-Town #3
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.

chicos in Las Parejas

chicos-Town #3
Originally uploaded by tifhermon.