Day 7
Our day started as we boarded the bus to head over to a soup kitchen in a more rural area of Mar Del Plata. Even as we parked, children lined the fence cheering for us to get off the bus. Sister Marta, the director of the soup kitchen, emphasized her work at this establishment as a place to cultivate richness within despite the lack of resources. That fact was prevalent in the personality of each kid. None truly spoke English, and despite that they didn't hesitate to communicate and interact with us. They cartwheeled, played ball, and some even danced for us! The bond between all the children ranging from 2 to 12 years old was evident, as little girls trained the little 2 year old to kiss the guests. It was a dismay to all of us to have to depart the kitchen, and travel back to the hotel. That experience was perhaps one of the most enriching ones we´ve been rewarded with on this trip.
After the children sang us songs to bless us for visiting, we drove to another school, also in Mar del Plata. After eating lunch, we learned more about the school and its students, who are in grades K through 12. We then learned more tango and even a bit of salsa dancing. After this, we joined the students outside during break and divided into groups for gym class. After splitting into groups to either play soccer or hockey, we gained first hand experience about how the Argentines play ¨futbol¨ and field hockey. While competing on integrated field hockey and soccer teams, we had the opportunity to learn more about Argentinian teenagers and to practice our Spanish.
After leaving the beautiful forest behind, we traveled along the beach back to the hotel. Now we have some free time to shop and explore Mar del Plata and we will be heading to dinner at 8!