The Argentine Difference

I have been living in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two weeks now. Although, I do continue to get lost in this city on a daily basis I have gotten comfortable enough in my surroundings to pay attention to a lot more than street signs and direction. I am able to gain a deeper understanding of some of the craze of this city. With my eyes more open to all that makes up this massive city I have become aware of many aspects that set Buenos Aires apart.

1.       The streets: Traffic patterns & traffic lights are only mere suggestions

There is no care given to the lines on the road. Where there is room you squeeze

If the light is red, but you can make it, why not take it?

Pedestrians are not important objects to avoid. If you are in the way you better hustle or say your prayers.

A car horn is the universal voice of the road.

                Biker, I am right behind you. Honk

                Move. Honk

                This is taking forever to get a foot. Honk

                Oh, you’re good looking. Honk

                I’m bored in traffic. Honk

                Hey, I know you. Honk

You get the picture. The streets are LOCO. (the #1 accident city in the world)

2.       Green light, yellow light, red light, yellow light, green light

An extra yellow light is used from the switch of red to green. The reason: a quicker go from the starting line

3.       Laws exist but not practiced

It seems that the thought process of the Argentines (as well as law enforcement) is that if you are not hurting anyone you are a free man.

4.       Police and emergency vehicles drive around with their lights on constantly

5.       To be a part of the military is not valued by the public

There is no thank you given for their service. It is a “why did you do that?” more or less.  

6.       Soccer is bigger than religion.

Imagine what people do for religion, there are wars fought over such. Now, imagine what people do for soccer. Hundreds die every year during soccer riots and disagreements.

7.       Food here is not so different from the United States (however, they value meat more, every meal is not complete without a crazy large piece of meat on your plate)

8.       Spicy food can never be found

9.       Time is no object. Tranquila. To be late is to be on time.

10.   Service in a restaurant is nonexistent to how we define it in the states.

There are no introductions or care given to the customer (every once in a great moon you will find such). You must ask for your check at the end or you will sit there for an hour.

11.   If you go into an electronics store. Everything is on display for you to see, however, you cannot touch it what so ever.

So, that camera you just bought, well, you don’t even know if it takes good pictures.

12.   Men here are very vocal towards women. A stereotype very much proved true upon my arrival. (Machismo)

13.   For all you cigarette addicts in the states, I recently noticed a pack of cigarettes is about ARS $ 10,60. That is about USD $ 1.30.

Everyone smokes here. More people than not.

14.   Platform shoes are a thing. Every woman has a pair of platform shoes on.

Don’t know if I will conform to this trend.

15.   People walk SUPER slowly.

Rushing around is rarely seen, unless your chasing after the bus you just missed

16.   Every Argentine, little kids to the silver hairs, are very politically active and have great knowledge on the world they are a part of.

17.   Argentines are Americans. We are all part of the Americas.

In school, kids learn of North and South America as one continent.  They understand   the globe as having six continents, not seven.

18.   McDonalds here is romanticized

To go to McDonalds is a treat. All the McDonald I’ve seen are at least two stories and I have seen up to five stories. People go to sit for hours in a McDonalds.

19.   Public displays of affection are not avoided by any means

The whole nine yards can be seen in four blocks.

20.   Get to the club before two in the morning, you are early. Go home before the sun is rising, you left early

21.   The bus system is EVERYTHING

The idea of a public bus system was first thought of and put in play in Buenos Aires before anywhere else in the world. The characteristics of the bus are very interesting to me. One must always go to the back. If there are seats in the back one goes to the back. Plenty of room to stand in the front, well one will head to the back. No matter your age, if there is a little room in the back you still head there before sitting or standing up in the front. It is a very interesting thing to observe every day. The whole thing takes me back to the hierarchy of bus seats in middle school.

Buenos Aires continues to amaze me every day. I have definitely gone through many emotions since my arrival in this big city, but all that are making this experience what I want. Learning the language is difficult and frustrating; however I know I will surpass this, as I have already made progress. My life here is wonderful, easy, spontaneous, difficult, and enlightening all wrapped up in an empanada and washed down with vino. As I follow my heart and let the adventure unfold with each new day I realize this opportunity is shaping my ideas of living, deeply and permanently. If I promise to be strong nothing can disturb my peace of mind. For, where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think one can go wrong. It feels good to be lost in the right direction.

Much Love