Argentine visit includes novel foods for Greenwood High School exchange student

Margaret Fravert, a senior, has returned to the quiet routine of Greenwood High School after a summer with the family of Ing. Fanor Lopez in Salta, Argentina. There she had a sample of living in an Argentinian city of 300,000 people.

The Señor Lopez was in charge of the largest government-supervised plantation, the Colonia Santa Rosa, which produces bananas, oranges and sugar cane with experimental work in cross hybridization. It was winter, with morning temperatures in the 30s but never freezing. Ripe fruit was gathered from the trees, making it a staple at meals rather than baked sweets, such as people here are accustomed to.

Miss Fravert’s exchange family included three brothers and a sister, as well as the Señor Lopez, a grandmother and an aunt. Tia, the aunt who is 82 years of age, sang and danced when she arose in the early morning. She did all the cooking for the household. Not counted as part of the family were a chauffeur, a maid and a governess, who accompanied the younger ones, including Margaret, to evening events.

Food included rice, rather than potatoes, as a main dish. A flash of her blue eyes and facial expression explained Mrs. Fravert’s appreciation of fried unhatched chicken, fresh octopus and boiled hogs head, served in her honor. You could open the hogs head mouth to get a slice of tongue! On the other hand, Miss Fravert brought a supply of dulce de leche (a sweetened milk product) home for her family to enjoy.

School was in session which delighted Margaret. College teachers were on strike, so schools were closed or there were demonstrations or a holiday. It was about four blocks walk from the apartment where they lived during the school year. The Colonia was about 200 miles away from Salta. Miss Fravert did help out at college level for a daughter of the Director of Fellowship, who taught English. She made enough friends to merit an autographed drum and a riding whip, both of leather.

Among the highlights of her summer was visiting a sugar cane factory in Bolivia to compare with the Argentine factory; and, while on the way, the family also stopped in Ecuador. Margaret was amused with the fact the family has two red pickup trucks and one larger truck, but no family car. It was accepted that the family would ride in the back of the truck. Drivers must be 18 years old and “know how to honk the horn and use the brake,” Margaret said. Longer jaunts are made by bus and plane.

She was quick to learn the shrewd art of haggling in the market. For a few dollars she has several handmade sweaters, as well as ponchos and other articles. Her all-leather shoes cost $2.99. Among her souvenirs, a hunting knife and several native hunting weapons for her brother caused some confusion in customs. She argued and wouldn’t give them up.

“The pilot came to my rescue and kept them,” she said. “He had my seat number written on the knife sheath, but could have written all over it. I wanted to keep them!” she said. Maybe he knew she would be still arguing if he didn’t.

Miss Fravert’s “parents” wanted her to remember the tango was an Argentine dance so “they danced the tango for me,” she said.

Margaret Fravert, Greenwood High School senior, brought choice souvenirs from her summer as an exchange student in Salta, Argentina. The all-leather drum was autographed and given to her by her “English class.” Her host, Señor Lopez, had the purse made for his exchange daughter. Miss Fravert is holding a teacup with a strainer on the drinking tube. (Press photo Sept. 14, 1972)

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