familia es feliz

The definition of family and friends is a little different here. A family is a group of people who share lineage, a last name, holidays, homes and a few other things. But here in Argentina, they share it all.

Every Sunday in Buenos Aires, all the shops close down so the families can get together. Hundreds of families convene for rollerblading, BBQ, boat rides at the rosedal (park) . Parillas (BBQs) are ignited at houses, apartments, and parks across Buenos Aires. Teenagers sober up from Saturday, divulge from their rooms, and come home from their friends' homes to give grandma a hug and eat dinner with the family (hormones are not an excuse here in Argentina).

Not only do they dedicate one of their weekend days to family, they pay tribute to this sacred structure every day. My host mom talks with her sister every day at 8:30, shortly after her parents call and often her sister calls back again. Even my host mom's sister's mother in law calls a couple times a week. I don't think my mom even knew her sister's mother in laws name or city of residence. My host dad eats lunch with his parents every single day and still goes on Sunday. One of my friends openly calls her sister her best friend and I have yet to see them without the other. Another friend's best friend's mother was her mother's best friend, and this has been going on for 3 generations.

The size of the family here is also of note. They're big, and always getting bigger. You don't have to become pregnant or even sign adoption papers to ad someone to the family, you just have to "consider" them family. I know people that have brothers that were later revealed to be "brothers". My host dad spends copious time with uncles, holds dinner parties for cousins he's never met visiting from Italy, and calls me hija. The bigger the better.

Part of the reason this can work out is that people don't move around a whole bunch here. People seem to move to the city, but rarely move out. I mean why would you? ;)

Whereas n the US it seems, the family structure has reduced in importance with divorces, people moving around all the time, and the fact that our culture just doesn't allow time for family (all the Italians didn't manage to diffuse it out to all of us I guess), we're way too busy with other things. At least we make up for rare visits and infrequent phone calls big gifts on xmas?

Anyways, the whole family structure itself is bigger and stronger. And I like it. I'm importing a few trends to the US: drop crotch pants, mate, long cafe chats, and the value of family.