Page 18 - Priorities 65

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Argentina
An International Experience
Over the Easter break, 14 Priory seniors traveled to Argentina for a whirlwind adventure filled with glaciers, music, and to-die-for Patagonian chocolate. The trip all began in Buenos Aires where the group spent the day doing community service with the organization Decir es Poder, which means “Speaking is Power.” The students learned about the organization and how it helps illiterate adults in the neighborhood to learn to read and write from the neigh- borhood children and educators. The directors of Decir es Poder and a famous Argentine folk musician named Leo Gieco took the students around the neighborhood to meet and talk with the residents and hear first-hand about the program. The day ended with a mini-concert in the neighborhood by Gieco.
The following day the group went to the delta region that is located just outside of Buenos Aires. They enjoyed a boat tour through the delta and then returned to the city to experience a traditional Argentine party with folkloric music and traditional Argentine food such as empanadas and barbeque. On day three, they were able to watch a tango show and a city tour before flying off to their next destination of Bariloche. Over the next few days in Bariloche, students took a 10 mile hike to an extinct volcano and a hidden valley that had an amazing view of a glacier and waterfalls. Then they kayaked on the El Tronador Mountain lake followed by a mountain bike excursion around the area. During the evenings the students enjoyed great Patagonian food and lots and lots of delicious chocolate as that region is known as the chocolate region of Argentina.
Day six was a bit calmer with travel to Calafate where students enjoyed a tour of the historic town. They also were able to visit a Patagonian sheep ranch where they saw a tradi- tional sheep shearing, rode horses, and enjoyed a traditional meal of lamb barbeque. The trip concluded with a hike to the top of the famous glacier Perito Moreno.
CULTURAL TRIP