Bargain

Yesterday I made the time to see the halls and classrooms where the writer Jose Maria Arguedas had studied in, so I took a bus to visit the Universidad de San Marcos, which was originally founded in 1551.
I was denied access to the building housing literature, art, philosophy, among others subjects since the students had taken ¨toma¨ or rather taken hostage this building for the duration of the day. This in order to protest the arrest of one of its students which happened on a previous student demonstration destined to end in congress.

As much as I tried to persuade the two students behind the main gate which sported a link chain and lock, that I was a neutral party and had limited time on my hands to visit, I was not let in based on principle they said. I did politely take the time to inquire on their philosophy as well as what the prospects for a graduate student were at this time in such unstable economy.

This state run university is in dire need of repairs, and there is an obvious heavy leaning to the left. As I observed these philosophy and psychology students speak fervently about their ideologies, and what they perceived preference in the work force for private school graduates. On one hand they said to be groomed to be critical, free thinkers, while the private sector groomed automatons. I felt a deep sense of despair.

This was caused by an internal conflict, because although I understood their stance, the hard cold reality of the world is that money makes the world go around.

In my intent to convince them to let me enter, I tried to reason with them that one also needed to be flexible in life, pliable like a wire, yet unbreakable. This was said in my gringo accented spanish, and they looked at me as if I had been speaking in Chinese. As if I had been contaminated by the North.

I desisted and smiled softly. I wanted to tell them that life is simply a game, and one must learn to play it. One needs to reing in fear and walk the different corridors of life. Be it a seedy part of town, or uptown, one will find crooks in every social stratum. One has to endure breaking fast with the hienas and vultures, while similing congenially and watching one´s back.

I wanted to say so much more, that mere zealous ideology does not put food on the table. But surely time would take care of showing them hard cold reality, as surely as it will mark its passage eventually, on each and everyone.

Then again, who needs a buffet while the spirit is annihilated from trading ideals to support the illusion of affluence? It is a matter which needs deep reflection, and perhaps alteration with the added responsibilities accrued later in life.

Well, my venture was not a total loss. Outside of the University, there were street vendors offering used books, and I was able to get a bag full of interesting books for a bargain.

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