Cordoba

April 07, 2023

Cordoba

Cordoba 26th March to 7th April

We flew to Cordoba from Bariloche to participate in a two week volunteer community project staying at accommodation with the family who organises the volunteering in Cordoba a city of 1.6 million.

The first day we had an orientation talk and a city walkabout. On the walk we were shown the bus routes for trips into the central city area and the main tourist attractions - the San Martin Square and cathedrals among other sights. There is not a lot to do around the general area where we are staying which has proved to be quite good as we have had a good rest and relax. There is a very nice mall with a coffee shop, a few ‘pubs’ and the local supermarket – brand name ‘Disco.’. We can catch #13 or #19 bus to the city centre – they are usually crowded and a bit fumy and hot. There are two or three other volunteers and they come and go as their placements start and end.

Our volunteer time is spent at a community kitchen in a poorer part of the city named La Campana, La Calera, Cordoba. Our placements are from 8am till 12 noon or 5pm to 8pm depending on what’s going on. We travel to our placement by taxi which is about a 15 minute drive. Jim started off with painting in the kitchen and has done some weed eating outside and some mopping and cleaning. I helped prepare and serve meals to families in the community who need support. I have had to earn my place and I am allowed to chop vegetables, hand out fruit and bread – however I did not achieve my competency and be allowed to serve portions! Super lovely and friendly staff who run the community project and Estella and Daniel are very accommodating with our lack of Spanish. Everything here runs on Argentinean relaxed time and effort. They love a good chat and sharing of mate (mar-tee) in-between getting the job done. Mate is a herbal drink that is continually topped up with hot water and usually shared.

The Mayor of the district visited the community centre one evening and we were invited to the celebration because of the new installation of gas piped into the kitchen. Lots of excitement and in true Argentinian style the Mayor arrived about an hour late and we had to send our taxi away to come back a bit later!

We have been for a few walks and visited the city again in the weekend and also went to a few parks - bit of a plain city really with a few gems here and there. The city actually dates back to the first Spaniards and was founded in 1573 and we saw some of the earliest construction.

We went to a football match with our host Pedro and two other volunteers (Nick & Joe – both from the UK) and had a great nights entertainment – score 0-0 however the supporters were amazing with drums and chants that continued for the whole game – escalating when some great footwork was observed or a goal was attempted but missed – 12 times I think? It was the Argentine premier division and a packed stadium.