Respect

Argentina has been one of my favourite countries for a long time, and I have had the luck to have had several Argentinian friends and work colleagues. What is difficult to comprehend is how on earth this resource rich country with a well-educated population is in such an economic mess, and how that mess just seems to get worse.

The current 100% inflation and other problems are possibly unavoidable in a country nobody trusts with money for the last 20 years, but more than likely they are worse than they need have been, due to corrupt and incompetent politics. There must be a risk that the country falls into chaos.

It is with that background that I say I deeply respect those who keep this country going. Yesterday, I had a chance to meet an outstanding example, a doctor who works at the tiny hospital in El Chalten. We went there because Lola twisted her knee. At first, we sat in the waiting area, and I noticed an AIDs prevention poster. Hand drawn! That moved me, as it's a topic Flo has worked on for over a decade.

We were seen about 20 minutes after we registered . The doctor asked about what happened, he analysed, diagnosed (tendonitis), and advised. He took his time, and he was empathetic. Bravo!

After we waited to pay, and when the bill came, I couldn't believe it, only $2. That must mean the staff here earn very little, and sadly, it probably explains why we met so many well-educated Argentinians working in Australia.

Some people, however, stay, and they keep this country going, for now at least, respect!

Epilogue: Lola was finally out with all of us today. She did half of a 6km walk wearing her knee support. See the photosEn savoir plus