My Time to Play... Their Time to Work

This weekend was a pretty good weekend. Friday was the last day of class for the week. After the long five hours, I went out and about Buenos Aires for the afternoon with Nikki and Clarissa. That evening, after dinner, Clarissa and I met up at Clarissa's house to get ready for the night. At around midnight, we headed out to a bar that the rest of our group was going to. A couple of hours later, we headed to a night club. Since Nikki is a very thin, attractive blonde, she, Clarissa and I were able to get in for free while the rest of the people in our group had to pay the 50 pesos. The music, unfortunately, was a bit boring. It was electronica, which I don't mind, but it was the same beat over and over. I danced and had fun, though.



The next morning, I was planning on taking a trip up to the river delta "El Tigre." Unfortunately, though, it was raining so that is on the list of things to do this upcoming Saturday. Instead, I poked around Buenos Aires with some friends seeing the neighborhood and sightseeing a bit. At night, Clarissa and I got ready again and headed out. We went to a club/bar first, called Sugar, (I posted a picture) which has become a favorite since there is no entry fee. Afterward, we headed to a club called INK, which wasn't exciting. The night life here is a bit dull it seems during the summer time so I'm going to do some research this week to find out where there are still some exciting places.



Sunday was a day of rest, as it should be. Clarissa and I headed to the park and relaxed since it was so warm during the day. Afterward, we headed to Clarissa favorite restaurant, CBC Burrito. It just opened 2 weeks ago so the first time we went it was EMPTY. However, we have been 4 times in 5 days since Clarissa is such a big fan. Hahaha. I have only eaten there once but usually accompany here. The burrito-makers know her name already. It's funny. Afterward, we studied at a cafe for our Spanish exams and then headed home to plan out things to do in Buenos Aires before my last 2 weeks here are up!

As for some things I've been thinking on lately, I want to reflect on the child workers that are so common around here. Today in class we read a passage about how prevalent child workers are in Argentina and the effects of their jobs on their childhood. Most of the child workers in Buenos Aires are cardboard collectors. They run through the streets after people put their trash out looking for cardboard. They are paid for the cardboard and it is recycled. This is a new job that came about after 2001, when Argentina's economy collapsed. Before, paper was cheap to buy. Now it is very expensive and needs to be recycled.

However, the children go to school during the day. 96% go to elementary school. They attend because they receive a free lunch every day. Unfortunately, only 48% go to secondary school. In the afternoons and evenings, they work and do not have the opportunity to work and play. Oftentimes, they collect the cardboard only to have the money taken by their parents or guardians with nothing given back to them in return.

All around, there are children working. When I walk on the subway or train, children try to sell flowers or pass out flyers or advertisements hoping for change in return for the paper. Many times, children run around in the streets with tatters of clothing, overgrown hair, and no guardians in sight. It's a sad thing to witness.

Saturday, some of my friends were in the park around midnight. Some little girls, around six years old, walked up to them to sell flowers and they said no. The little girls grabbed beer bottles and threw them at them and started yelling "motherf***ers" in English! This is something that seems so atypical for little children to do! But it shows how much poverty can really affect children.

It's incredible how many benefits children in the United States have. Children here have almost no protections or rights. While they may technically have them by law, practically speaking, there are few ways children can find clothing, shelter or food if their parents cannot or do not provide for them. As I see each and every child begging or working in the streets, it really makes me think of how lucky I was that as a child I was given the basic right to my necessities (food, clothing, education, shelter and love) as well as the time to play and live out my infancy! It's interesting to think about while I spend my money and relax, these children are working without ever having a chance to enjoy their lives.