True Tales of Argentine Life

Schooling under the Menemist era

The 90’s was a tough decade for many of us. Awful outfits, primitive and huge computers only comparable to the size of the bikinis Luis Miguel’s girls wore, selling spree of grandma’s jewels . But the 90’s was also the decade for private enterprises to thrive under an undercover liberal president. This fact was precisely the reason why the 90’s were extremely difficult for me.

My school had the Menemist spirit written all over. Posh and new-money families filled the enrolment lists eager to buy an education that would give them access to the privileged class. It was a time of growth for the private sector and specially for private schools. A neighbouring school, San Francisco Javier, decided to take advantage of this economic environment and decided to enlarge its enrollment lists by admitting girls into their boys-only school. Although this was good news for the owner’s pocket, from my nine-year-old girl perspective, this was a tragedy. Since girls were given a significant discount, parents decided to enroll their daughters (my beloved friends!) at San Francisco Javier.

I spent the next two years meandering around the school, finding an occasional play-mate who invariably turned out to be a spoilt and selfish child. During my solitary break-times, I began to visit he school chapel. I have never been a devoted Christian nor has my family, so it was not religion that took me to the chapel. It was the quietness and peacefulness that drove me every lunch break to the knees of Virgin Mary. It was the only place I had to grieve and desperately wish for new friends.

By the time I was twelve, I had pretty much lost hope. I was destined to solitude. However, as you may know, Destiny does not allow us to doom ourselves, that is his job. On my first day in seventh grade, I decided to pay my regular visit to the chapel anyway. I was right in the middle of my soliloquy when the door burst open. Two girls who had just joined the school entered the chapel and interrupted my sacred moment. They bluntly started asking who, what, when and why questions about the school. I was a bit upset about the way in which they had stormed into the room, but as soon as I took up the role of the expert, I completely forgot my soliloquy. I did not go back to the chapel that year, nor the next

I would not call my friends a miracle no matter how wonderful they are. I firmly believe that all the energy I spent during those long hours at the chapel bore fruit. My arguments were powerful and my determination fierce. Destiny had to listen to me. Anyway, the truth is that this summer, ten years later, I am heading South with these same two girls!

If you're feeling reminiscent of the 90s and your childhood you must watch this video

SCs&AWRs