October 6, 2014 at 9:30 am

Gierlowski-Kordesch Teaches Limneology Course at University of Buenos Aires

By Elizabeth Gierlowski-Kordesch
Argentina Blog, Sept. 26, 2014

The night before teaching the short course at the University of Buenos Aires, Dr. Cecilia Benavente and I went to Chinatown. It is only over two city blocks, but the entrance gateway is impressive.

Chinatown in Buenos Aires

Chinatown was composed of shops with Chinese and Argentine trinkets along with restaurants and Chinese grocery stores. We ate at a restaurant called “Chopsticks.” Having eaten in Chinese restaurants in various countries, it is noteworthy that the Chinese adapt to the eating customs of the host country. There was no exception in Argentina! We ordered garlic chicken and vegetables and they were not mixed together! Meat is “sacred” in Argentina and is usually served alone. Any vegetables or starches are usually added on the side. The Chinese followed this custom. It was surprising but still very tasty!

The short course began on Monday morning (9/22/14) and faculty, instructors, and students (18 total) came to class. Graduate students can get credit for taking such classes toward their thesis or dissertation program. There were students from all over Argentina – La Plata, Cordoba, and San Luis, in addition to Buenos Aires. It was advertised widely. Most were interested because they were studying lake sediments or planned on studying them in the future. We spent five days discussing lakes and their sediments. In addition, Cecilia and I brought thin sections (30 microns thick) rock slices glued to glass slides) to show typical fabrics under a microscope of different types of lake and associated river sediment from the geologic record. This was a popular activity since we applied the knowledge from the classroom directly in great examples.