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Christmas in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Video of the Week

This last year I spent Christmas in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  They celebrate Christmas a lot different there than in the States.  It is tradition to go to church for a Christmas Eve service, and then go back home to eat a big dinner with family.  Just like any other meal in Argentina, we didn't start eating until 10 pm (still early by Argentine standards).  At 12 am, everybody around the whole city starts to celebrate Christmas by setting off their own fireworks in their backyards or in the streets.  Jared, Hayden, and I celebrated Christmas with my friend Eugenia's family.  We had a great time, and when people were letting off fireworks we went into the street so that way we could see all of the fireworks around their neighborhood.  People were letting off fireworks for more than 30 minutes! 

This was very cool to see how a different culture celebrates the same holiday, because where I'm from in the states it is so cold that nobody wants to be outside for more than 30 seconds.  That 30 seconds is running from your car to the house...It was great to celebrate Christmas in warm weather!  Enjoy the video!

Homeless and sleeping on the streets

 

One thing that breaks my heart while traveling abroad is seeing little kids homeless on the street.  This picture was taken in barrio Recoletta, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I took the picture about one block off the main street Sante Fe, in the upscale neighborhood Recoletta.  It was really late too.  About at 1:30 am, so I know that no kid should be sleeping on a street by themself.    I think the parent's of this kid actually stay a block or two away watching to see if any tourists/locals drop money on the bed for him.  I definitely wanted to do something for this little kid, but I hate leaving money for people that are homeless.  I have heard from locals that some parents actually make their kids "work" (beg for money) in order to pay for their family's food.  One way they to put a kid to work is to make him be on the street like this for people to pass by and drop off money.  I always believe that it is better to give homeless people food or a drink so that way you know they can't spend it on drugs or alcohol.  It definitely makes me feel blessed to be able to sleep in a bed with a roof over my head...gracias a dios!!