vocational days y mas

With the extra time tonight we get to catch up on the blog. This has been a great month for me and hard to believe it's time to return. We've done and seen so much that the nights and days really have blended together. I didn't know exactly what to expect before coming, but the trip has certainly been much more than I could have imagined. We'll all have to write down more specific thoughts later. We all look foward to returning to see our families and friends

I just wanted to mention I've enjoyed the vocational days I've had. This Thursday I was able to visit one of the power companies in the city and talk with several of the engineers and managers. We usually have someone acompany us around but I was on my own this time since the offices I visited were fairly close and I could walk. I wanted to visit some of the downtown facilities but wasn't able to work that out. In the afternoon I met with the President of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Council. This is a council set up by the government to help oversee and provide direction for the energy sector. This was especially neat to discuss the past history and future direction of Argentina's energy situation. In some ways they are very advanced in areas, yet face many challanges as well in others - especially politically. We all have really been given special opportunities to meet people and companies geared toward our own professions.

The rotary meetings have also been very rewarding to share more about our state with the rotary members. We've had several mention they thought they would like to visit someday. What a great program exchange program this is and I'm glad I got to part of it.

I just wanted to mention one last thing about shopping. If you like to shop, Buenos Aires is the place for it. There are stores, shops, and malls everywhere. Even Don and I have come along way. Don bought a nice Argentine suit today and I've picked up quite a few things for my wife and kids. We'll never, however, match Jen, Beth, Alecia. We are all going to return to one last market area (the recoleta) tomorrow to get some last minute items. We're all anxious to see how our suitcases get packed tomorrow.

Adios, Bryan