So I had an awesome day of Spanish classes, ate this amazing vegetarian style lunch with Jane, Jussier, Elaine and Milton, and went to La Universidad de Salvador to listen to a private lecture on the structure of and problems with the Argentine judicial process. The lecture was just so incredibly fascinating. Apparently, the lawyers submit written arguments to the judges, then the judges just read the material and make a decision. Also, there is no use of precedent, and each case is considered anew on its own merits. Also, only one province employs the use of juries--but even then, the people are too afraid of the reprecussions to actually show up when summoned. And to put the cherry on top of the cake, the whole process takes 3 to 4 years on average. Therefore, people are just held in prison until the judge reads and decides their case. Consequently, many individuals are held in prison for years more than the allotted punishment for their crime--which results in serious overpopulation problems within Los carceles. It's just all really terrible.

But now...I'm just settled down for the evening because it's all rainy and cold outside.