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12- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 11, 1997 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Argentina exchange leaves local man hungry for travel By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star When Josh Coffey mapped out his future a few years ago, it included a career with the police force's canine unit. Now, the Port Perry High School stu- dent has changed his mind. After spend- ing a year in Argentina as a delegate of the Port Perry Rotary Club, Josh plans to enroll in the three-year Aviation Flight Technology course at Seneca College before enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Later, he hopes to sign up with a Canadian airlines company. "I want to see the world," Josh said in a recent interview. "After being in Argentina for a year, it's given me the yen to travel more, see more of my country and more of the world." During his year in Argentina, Josh lived with five different families in Parana, the capital city of Entre Rios, located between the Parana and Uruguay Rivers. Josh, who didn't know any Spanish before he left his home in Sonya, said only one of his host families spoke English. "This definitely forced me to learn Spanish, and now I am totally bilingual," he said. "Within a couple of months I could understand what they were saying if they spoke slowly. And after four months, I was speaking Spanish along with the rest of them." He arrived in mid-August, which is winter in Argentina. The mercury only dropped as low as 5 degrees celsius. In mid-December, their summer, tempera- tures soared as high as 41 degrees. 4 -- ------------ i] -- EMERALD : Special functions are accommodate I 7daysaweek ~ please call for information. Our new menu arrives November 19th plus the tantalizing favourites you've come to love. . KITCHEN OPENS AT 5:00 PM During his year's visit, there were seven other Rotary exchange students from other parts of the world visiting Parana, too. While one student was from India, two others were from Australia and the rest hailed from the USA, Holland, and Denmark, and another Canadian was from Brampton. Because Josh knew a year away would cost him his year at PPHS, he didn't attend school often. Instead, for the next 11 months, he enjoyed the cuisine, lan- guage and customs of the world's eighth largest country. In Parana, the businesses and schools open at 6 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. "Everyone goes home then forlunch, but their lunch is like our big, family dinners," he said. Then it's time for a siesta until mid- afternoon, when the workforce returns to their shops until the late hours. During the year, Josh participated in a few trips planned by the local Rotary club. One of these jaunts took him to the Iguazu Falls that border Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. "Much like our Niagara Falls, they consider these falls as one of the seven wonders of the world," Josh said. When he was living with his last host family where the father was an air base commander, Josh was flown all over Argentina and saw several areas he nor- mally would never have seen. Visiting Argentina was definitely a positive experience for Josh, who plans to return someday. Josh will be speaking about his travels in Argentina at a Rotary Club meeting in Port Perry soon. CHRI oe Whatever the occassion... o Staff Parties ¢ Family Gatherings * Friends Ci =3 A year-long visit to Argentina was an eye-opening experience for Josh Coffey, a Sonya resident who traveled to the South American country on a Rotary club exchange. He said his experiences have left him with the desire to travel and see more of his country, and the world. He'll share his experiences with the Port Perry Rotary Club soon. TMAS PARTY =; 2 ESR omm ag Sew TIS THE SEASON TO BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY * Christmas Holiday Parties * New Year's Eve Dinner -2 rooms to choose from - = ---- ©| RIGHT HERE! | Enjoy our famous ©» All-You-Can-Eat Buffet or €- have your meal tailored to "Your group or special event. / Reservations preferred. Staff parties, business luncheons, family get togethers or ~~ &F whatever the occasion. osrear BLUE HERON CHARITABLE CASINO & BINGO Where Fun is the Namo of the G38" 73 ne ISLAND ROAD, PORT PERRY Perr; 1-888-29-HERON or 905-985-4888 GP LS Sea ev = . Ng a DS CW mde D2 (€ YN al DLE SL Seating for up to 40 or 60, private bar setup, festive decor. 5 pkgs. available from ro person (includes all taxes and gratuities). ' i Q ~ 985-2000 ~ ~ 985-2257 ~ 151 Queen St., Port Perry Restaurant and Wining Lounge Canadian and Butch Cuigine