Olá from Buenos Aires

It is wonderful to be spending a week in the fabulous South American summer during the second week of December. Christmas decorations flutter in the late spring breezes and colorful blooms decorate the walkways and flower boxes admist holiday signage and songs in the many stores I've visited.

There are many many highlights of this trip, but the most profound thing to me is how gentile are the people. Things are changing here - the younger people are sporting jeans and tees, but more of the folk in the street are dressed for going out. It's not uncommon to see people wearing suites while shopping. And, when people meet, they greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and a kind word or two. I vaguely recall similiar customs from my very early childhood. I think we lost a part of our humanity when these habits became outdated.

Nothing's perfect and in Buenos Aires you must be on your guard against purse snatchers and pick pockets. One woman in our party had her purse ripped off her shoulder by a passing motorcyclist, which is quite common here. Yet, this is something you can protect yourself against, unlike a street thub mugging common at home in the U.S. I hope our present does not become the future for Argentina.