Today was such a fun day! It began by sleeping in, which for me is always a good start to the day, and much needed since I’ve been staying up way too late here. Slept in, got some breakfast, and then took a stroll with Gina along the city canal. We returned just in time to catch the taxis to the futbol game.
A local futbol team stays at our hotel, and A.J. talked with the hotel staff and scored the entire IBM team free tickets to the match this afternoon (go A.J.!). This was a friendly game between two local second tier teams, at a stadium we later learned was built for the 1978 World Cup games in Argentina. The crowd looked huge from the outside, but once inside, the stadium was not even half full. That could be related to the recent regulations only allowing season ticket holders into games due to violence at a game in Buenos Aires.
There is a lot of enthusiasm for the local teams, with singing, chanting, clapping, and jumping up and down. It of reminded me of a U.T. football game, especially when the sun shifted and we were all baking. After a game, it is common to set up grills in the parking lot and grill bratwurst (for personal consumption and to sell), similar to post-game tailgating! The smell reminded me of Best Wurst on 6th St. Here are some pictures of the IBM group (top row: Atilla, Henk, Gina; bottom row: Jayan, Edwin, Tina, Roman, Desh), A.J.’s enthusiasm for the home team, and Tina and me hanging out with local fans.
After soccer, Henk, Jayan, Roman, and I met up with our ADEC co-workers, Isabel, Daniel, and Paula. It was a little confusing trying to coordinate with Isabel to pick us up, mostly because we are totally unfamiliar with the area and the stadium grounds are massive, but we managed to find a street corner a bit away from the stadium where she came to meet us. We then headed to a great little café, which could have easily been in the U.S. or Europe, for coffee, tea, and delicious desserts. Many of the ADEC team and IBM ADEC sub-team members are around the same age, so we have a lot in common and I’ve really enjoyed spending time with them all. We already have plans to meet up again tomorrow night and take a day trip next Sunday for some hiking.
To end the evening, the four IBMers all squeezed into the back of Daniel’s small car for the ride home. Talk about getting to know your team members! Good thing we are all young. Too bad the pictures of car ride didn’t come out.
#ibmcsc argentina