On sons and fathers

As a rule, I find the fathers are more interesting than the sons. Is it just me, or has someone else noticed this too?

Had a very nice coffee this evening with one of my father's friends, who brought his lawyer son along -- both extremely nice and affable, but again, same dynamic. Learned a lot and had a good time. Absolute gentlemen in every sense and very generous with offers of assistance and introduction. So far can't say I've met an Argentine I haven't liked (well, ok, one, but that was years ago).

As in Bolivia, though, there are some very interesting political views/tendencies, largely conservative, among the upper middle classes with regard to things that happened in the past. It's not just a tendency and it's not just conservatism. I suspect it's an attitude that replicates itself among a large portion of the population in any country that has gone through violent and repressive periods, with sharp ideological divides. I heard it in Chile, in Bolivia, and now in Argentina. It ought not be a surprise, but it always catches me a little off guard. Something to keep in mind when researching and interviewing; cast the net wide, I ought not limit myself to the preachers and the converts.

Though a bit late, I just got back from a run. Wore my snazzy REI flashing shoe light (oooh, aaah) so I wouldn't get run over by what appear to be very determined Argentine drivers. Got stopped twice by other runners who thought it was tres cool and where did I get it? Also met two of my neighbors. Juan, on my floor, and Bernardo one floor up. Both seem very nice. I think I like having an apt in the city with a doorman and (quiet) neighbors. Tita (the owner) also stopped by with an iron. So I suppose I'll be ironing?

Note to S, Bono in on the cover of the Rolling Stone (at least down here).

Tomorrow more research and maybe I'll finally make it to the museo of bellas artes. Most of the guys I need to speak to are on vacation until March anyway, so it's a good time to do my background research and do a little sight-seeing.

B.