Saturday 26 May 2007
So, not much was going on yesterday for the big revolution holiday, but boy did we get our fill of patriotism today!
Our friends Elysse and Jacob called us up and asked if we wanted to go to a "military display." We thought this meant a display of old tanks and guns, which they love to do in museums and stuff here, and figured why not. But when we arrived at the designated corner, and found ourselves at a polo field full of 19th century soldiers, we realized we were in for something more than just some dusty old guns.
It turned out that it was a kind of mini-reenactment of all the major battles in Argentina's history. The Creole Spaniards fought off the British, then the Argentines threw out the Spaniards, probably a hundred horses charged across the field led by the hero San Martín, modern soldiers fired machine guns and zoomed around on motorcycles. Probably the most dramatic of all, however, was when they brought out a giant Argentine flag, laid it on the ground, and six men (who had probably jumped a while ago) precision-parachuted onto it.
What followed was a long-winded booming voice going on about how "The Malvinas are Argentine!" and the glory of the nation and the courage of the fallen and lots of adoration of war in general. It was all a little too "glorious" for me, but a neat show.
So, not much was going on yesterday for the big revolution holiday, but boy did we get our fill of patriotism today!
Our friends Elysse and Jacob called us up and asked if we wanted to go to a "military display." We thought this meant a display of old tanks and guns, which they love to do in museums and stuff here, and figured why not. But when we arrived at the designated corner, and found ourselves at a polo field full of 19th century soldiers, we realized we were in for something more than just some dusty old guns.
It turned out that it was a kind of mini-reenactment of all the major battles in Argentina's history. The Creole Spaniards fought off the British, then the Argentines threw out the Spaniards, probably a hundred horses charged across the field led by the hero San Martín, modern soldiers fired machine guns and zoomed around on motorcycles. Probably the most dramatic of all, however, was when they brought out a giant Argentine flag, laid it on the ground, and six men (who had probably jumped a while ago) precision-parachuted onto it.
What followed was a long-winded booming voice going on about how "The Malvinas are Argentine!" and the glory of the nation and the courage of the fallen and lots of adoration of war in general. It was all a little too "glorious" for me, but a neat show.
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