This diverse and strongly European-like country was fascinating to discover. Although many people in the United States assume all of Latin America is the same, each country is definitely distinct. Argentina is no exception. Traveling through the rural areas, speaking with growers and ag professionals, I quickly got a sense that this is a strong, stable people that work hard and honor their tradition.

Argentina has recently gone through a major crisis, and yet growers seemed optimistic and steadfast and have survived with very little modern technology or government support. In actuality, the strength of Argentinean agriculture is part of the reason why the government has placed a 20% tax on all grain exports to help bring the country out of its 2001 financial crisis. Cattle, soybeans, corn and wheat are the main staples of Argentinean agriculture, soybeans being the most profitable grain at the moment.

As a result, a growing number of cattle grazing acres are being moved to marginal lands or cattle placed in more confined feed lot operations to make way for more soybean acres. Everyone we met was friendly, helpful and inquisitive. They were well educated and very open to the exchange of information and knowledge.

I had the benefit of also getting to know Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Buenos Aires is a dynamic, modern, metropolitan city which preserves an old-world flavor reminiscent of Europe. There appears to be a bit of discord between urban and rural dwellers. The rural population maintains a more traditional lifestyle while in the city another world is being created daily.

I had the privilege of attending a traditional tango show and folk music performance! It was fabulous. The accordion, piano and elegant partner dancing of the Buenos Aires born tango was complimented by the drumming and stomping of the more rural folk music of the gaucho. Music is a wonderful way to engage with the flavor and spirit of a country's people.

In closure, I feel very fortunate to have had such an amazing opportunity to travel and learn about each of these countries first hand. Not only did I travel as an agronomist, reporter, and interpreter, but as a world citizen expanding my understanding of humanity. In so doing, I created an awareness of the fact that we are all the same people with different expressions.