Here are some of my observations (some are just plain phenomenons) with the locals here in Buenos Aires:
- Store Front Magnetism: When walking along any of the many Avenidas with storefront windows, I stop to look at the window display and without fail, and within twenty seconds, there is some woman who has also stopped to look at the display. Immediately after, a second woman stops to look, until eventually a crowd of people are standing in front of the display. I have tested this phenomenon many times, and it is quite strange. Some days, this is my activity of choice for the day because I enjoy the feeling of being a store front magnet.
- Lovers Quarrels: On several occasions I have been witness to an obviously private conversation between a twosome in public. The quarrel will last anywhere between one to one and one half hour. What usually happens is that the couple is happily cuddling or holding hands, and then it is quite obvious that the male half of the couple is desperately trying to explain something to the female half. The female half is entirely disgruntled, but not completely disassociated, as she continues to hold his hand or accept his kisses. By the time they both come around it is as though none of this has taken place.
- Coffee and Grilled Ham and Cheese: I have never been one to complain about either of these items, but I must say that this is one of the most ordered food/drink pairings in this city. Except, grilled cheese is not called grilled cheese, it is called a tostada, which means toast, but the cheese is somehow implied, as well as ham. The coffee is not drip coffee, it is espresso, and it is almost always accompanied by an equal portion of soda water in a small, clear glass cup.
- Getting to the Other Side of the Road: As a pedestrian in a city of 3 million people (11 million, if you include all of the various barrios within the actual city of Buenos Aires), you begin to feel that it might be impossible to cross the street. For example, a street such as 9 de Julio, which requires crossing sixteen car lanes to get to the other side, might seem daunting because it is rare to cross this Avenida with the help of one light. Add to this the fact that there are at least two or three people who have emerged from behind a large crowd of waiting pedestrians just to come and stand directly (uncomfortably) in front of you. Often times, it is necessary to actually stand in the road with the oncoming traffic in order to stand any chance of crossing the street in this town.



