What’s Advanced? What’s Real?

When I was in Argentina, a friend texted me:

“ What are your impressions of Argentina? Its economy is in dire straits. The U.S. is providing substantial aid in dollars. ”

I understood where her comment came from — news headlines often shape our view from afar.

I replied, “Every country has its strengths and areas to improve. I enjoyed and learned from the experience. I’ll share more when we meet.”

Here are three stories from my time living with a local family in southern Argentina.

If I were to pick one food and one drink to represent Argentina, they would be empanadas and mate.

Every Friday evening, the family hosts a small Shabbat Shalom (peaceful Sabbath/ day of rest) dinner. Together we make baked empanadas with beef, onions, and eggs — and take turns giving thanks for the week.

I loved not only the food but the spirit — the family stories, and the culture woven from Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, and Indigenous roots.

While making empanadas, I learned about Argentina’s free public education, the balance between public and private healthcare, and, of course, how to properly make and drink mate:

• Tilt the herbs (yerba) to one side of the gourd.
• Insert the straw (bombilla) on the other side.
• Pour hot water on the straw side so the herbs soak in naturally.
• Pass the mate around — never place it on the table.

You might wonder, “ People share one cup and straw? ”
Yes — and when you’re there, it just works. Mate flows with conversation, laughter, and an unspoken trust, respect, and camaraderie.

One day, I stopped to compliment a man repairing his door — I loved his triangle-shaped house, designed so snow could slide off easily. We began chatting, and he invited me in to see his garden. He handed me fresh kale, mustard greens, and herbs after learning I was vegetarian.

Later, I met his wife and two daughters — and of course, we shared mate.
His wife turned out to be a professor and scientist studying the region’s lakes, while he ran a small business and built much of their wooden home himself. Both had also served as volunteer firefighters for over a decade.

When I asked why they volunteered, she said,
“ If we don’t do it, our neighbors might die — or we will. The town can’t afford to hire people, so we train twice a week and help each other.”

He showed me photos of training drills, climbing through smoke-filled windows, and his worn helmet — a retirement gift after 35 years of service.
That’s also where the couple met.

In my last Shabbat Shalom dinner, the mother of my host — a doctor — came in and handed me a small bag.

“I don’t know if you can take this back…” she said with a smile.

“What is it?” I hesitated.

She encouraged me to open it and pull the mystery out…

Inside was a small branch with a nudo (knot) that will grow into llao llao, a local edible mushroom that looks like yellow pearls. It was beautifully wrapped with tejar (knitting) and barba de diablo (Spanish moss). Hanging on top was a tiny mate made of alpaca (nickel silver) — a material deeply valued in Indigenous culture.

What a gift — filled with creativity, cultural and geographic meaning, and most of all, her intention.

What’s advanced? What’s real?

Every country has its strengths and areas for improvement.

Next time you come across something or someone different from your experience, custom, or belief — be Curious. Ask Questions to Understand.