Kyle Berg

After taking a wrong turn the day before and staying put in a different part of Puerto Madero, I headed back Friday in search of the Colombian ship that was in town for the week. It was a beautiful day and the final chance to see ARC Gloria before she departed Buenos Aires. While I went with the intent of taking pictures and seeing something new, the day ended up turning out even better.

After taking a detour to pay for my upcoming D.E.L.E. exam (which I couldn’t complete because they required payment in euros), I found my way toward the docks. With the massive Colombian flag in the distance, there was no doubt I had found the right place. The visit aboard the ship was free and only required signing the log book. The crew couldn’t have been nicer as they offered help, smiled, and posed for pictures. The Gloria definitely had an aura of professionalism.

Once upon the ship, I was a bit perplexed as to how I ought to photograph it. I decided to apply the same principle as with any other large object–shoot the details to give a better feeling of “being there.” In fact, I tried too hard to do this, and forgot to take a wide shot of the entire ship! Oh well. While taking pictures, a man of approximately 40 years of age approached and asked if I spoke Spanish. He had left his camera in the hotel room and wondered if I would be willing to email him my pictures. Naturally I said “yes.” As we continued talking, Javier introduced himself and mentioned he was originally from Colombia. He moved to the United States seven years ago, eventually settling in West Palm Beach, Florida, to work for Jarden Consumer Solutions. (I had never heard of the company, but knew many of their subsidiaries such as Oster, Crock-Pot, Java Log, Marker, and many others). After this, the conversation switched between Spanish and English for a bit and eventually stuck on English. We spent another 30-45 minutes aboard the ship taking pictures and talking. Using the fellow Colombian slant, Javier even obtained permission from the admiral for a quick visit to the engine room. The bar area below deck was also opened for us as well as other visitors.

Sometime between 6:30 and 7, we headed down toward the restaurants of Puerto Madero. During the next three hours, we enjoyed some excellent lomo with potatoes, lousy customer service, and interesting conversation. We chatted about learning a foreign language in another culture, foreign relationships, poverty and how very little of it exists in the United States, and many other matters. Even better, we got to poke fun at the Argentines the whole time! Javier even offered to help connect me with some friends in Colombia shout I decide to travel that far north. He mentioned they would be able to help me set up a stay at a coffee plantation as well as guide me as to what parts of the country to avoid.

We parted company about 9:15 and I promised to email him lots of photos (which I’m actually doing right now as I multi-task). I returned home happily surprised to have made another friend in an unexpected fashion.