partly because some of its pristine lakes, rivers and natural areas are threatened by dams that a Spanish corporation claims to have a right to build. I would contact environmental groups trying to protect this region, and visit the threatened areas. They could be altered forever. It would be great to visit them before that happens--and contribute in some small way to it not happening.
In Argentina and Buenos Aires, I would be interested in the innovative ways that people survived the great World Bank/IMF meltdown--harbinger to our own problems (or ours and the world's problems) in this Bushwhack Financial 9/11. Argentina went belly up. I don't know that much about it, and I'm sorry that I have no contacts to recommend, but, from what I've read, workers took over businesses that went bust, food coops were formed, and all kinds of cooperative arrangements were made in many neighborhoods. I would be VERY interested in that. The people really rallied and recreated their economy. Argentina went through several failed governments, in rapid succession, until they elected leftist Nestor Kirchner, who stabilized the economy, with help from Venezuela. The leftist Chavez government extended easy term loans, and barter arrangements (beef for oil, for instance) to Argentina, to help them get out from under ruinous World Bank loans. I believe Argentina has paid off their debt, and is well in its way to recovery. I'd be interested to ask Argentinians about all this, see how things are going now, and meet with leftists and go to leftist lectures, to get the full rundown from local people.
The Bushwhacks, of course, have been trying hard to demonize Chavez, and to sully the Kirchner government. Recently, Nestor Kirchner's wife, Cristina Fernandez, was elected president. She is a VERY impressive woman, who is solidly part of the leftist democracy movement that has swept South America--and so is her husband--extremely admirable politicians. If I were going to Argentina, I would look for an opportunity to hear her speak. The trumped up Miami trial, where the Bushbot U.S. attorney has tried to slander both of these leaders--Chavez, and Cristina Fernandez--may be a big item in the news (especially the corpo/fascist news) in Buenos Aires, and may be on peoples' minds. From what I can tell, it involved an FBI/Miami mafia caper to put $700,000 in cash in a suitcase, get it on board a private plane carrying Venezuelan oil execs, and have it 'discovered' in the airport in Buenos Aires (which it was), thence to claim that the money was intended from Chavez to Fernandez, for her presidential campaign. The absurdity of this tale was pointed out by Venezuela's VP, who said that, if they had wanted to give money to Fernandez, they would have carried it on Chavez's official jet, with diplomatic immunity. (Chavez paid an official visit to Argentina that same week.)
Anyway, the Bushwhack U.S. attorney and the Miami Herald have been carrying on about this incident for half a year. The U.S. attorney prosecuted some people, who were allegedly involved in covering up the purpose of the money in some meetings in Miami, for 'failing to register with the U.S. Attorney General as agents of a foreign government.' Thus he has involved the U.S. government in a matter that is strictly the business of Venezuela and Argentina, and its leaders and peoples. You might want to read up on this absurd trial, before you hit Buenos Aires. (I would recommend www.BoRev.net--hilarious AND informative! --as a start). I would expect that most Argentinians consider it an insult, and would want to know--and might ask you--what the hell the U.S. government is doing!
In Chile, if I could go there, I would want to visit the northern port area, where Chile's left-center president, Michele Batchelet, has negotiated access to the sea for Bolivia, at long last. (It is an age old dispute). This port area will also likely see substantial change in the coming years. Brazil and Venezuela have put up the money for an immensely long new highway across the continent, from Brazil's Atlantic coast, through Bolivia, to Bolivia's new seaport in Chile, on the Pacific. Bolivia will thus become a major trade route from Africa/Europe across South America, to Asian markets, and up and down both coasts. These leftist governments are all cooperating with each other, in remarkable, historic accord, for mutual benefit. This is another reason why the Bushwhacks hate them. Their "divide and conquer" tactics have not worked.
Here's an article about the Chile/Bolivia sea access issue from June. I believe an agreement has been reached for Bolivia to use the Chilean northern port at Iquique.
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSN1934127820080619Another topic worth investigating would be the U.S.-backed Pinochet dictatorship. Trials are still on-going to bring the torturers and murderers of the 'disappeared' to justice. I would look for museums and displays on this subject, and perhaps join a demonstration of remembrance, if those are still happening (and I believe they are).
There are lots and lots of tourist things to see in Chile. I wouldn't miss Easter Island, and you have your pick of grand national parks with spectacular views. Chile's glaciers would certainly be interesting. And I absolutely love port cities. A road trip down Highway 1 along the coast in northern Chile would be fabulous. The southern "fjord" area (Puerto Montt) is another suggestion, and, or course, the "bottom" of the world. I don't know how far you're going to range. Do report back on all that you see and do--especially the political news and views on the ground in Chile and Argentina, from local people.
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