Final days on tour - United through Sport and Tango

The tour party enjoyed a long return from Mar del Plata in our luxury double decker bus and on arrival in Buenos Aires 15 of us set off with Eddie from UTS on a short trip to Barracus - a combination of 3 shanty towns on the edge of the city. We were met by Alejandro, a part time manager of the charity who took us inside for an explanation of what he does at this site. Basically the site offers food to up to 50 families five times a day, this is an exceptionally poor area and for many the food distributed is the only food they are able to get for the day. Whilst the parents are inside the charity looks after the children and offer sporting activities, project based work and even English lessons. This is the part of the charity work that UTS want to grow and the tour party met volunteers from Australia, New Zealand and the locality who were all trying to make this experience as normal as possible for the young children. Our boys had the opportunity to mix with the children and pretty soon they were lifting the children in the air (like a line out) and running around having lots of fun. We were very proud of the boys and they staying with the children for the best part of an hour and a half. Alejandro showed us what he is planning to do with the money that was raised for the project and the tour party left after an incredibly uplifting experience. A couple of hours of free time followed after which the boys were treated to a three course meal and a brilliant Tango show, which showed how the dance has progressed through the ages into the dance that we can all recognise today. The following morning we had a very entertaining final tour awards meeting where awards were given for Players player of the tour - Charlie Pargeter, best forward - Alex Lundie, best back - Campbell Swanson, coaches player of the tour - Rory Jackson and best tourist - Finn Bendit. There were also some humorous awards which I am sure the boys will tell you about on their return. Final thanks were given for an amazing experience before last minute shopping time was allowed before we head to the airport for our trip home. Many thanks for following this blog, we look forward to seeing you at Edinburgh airport on Thursday. No mas blog por el momento. Muchas gracias The tour party.