Day dos
Trip Start
Oct 14, 2008
1
2
28
Trip End
Nov 07, 2008
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The weather was beautiful today. Warm and 75, no humidity. Itīs a lot like SF minus the wind. Itīs sweltering right now in this cafe. As it turns out I am a magnet for old men who want to talk someoneīs ear off. I was walking down the street trying to find this bar and I was stopped by this guy Ricardo who demanded to know where I was from, etc. Apparently I look ultra American (surprise surprise). He took me by the arm and insisted I have coffee with him. People here (like Europe) linger over coffee for hours talking, talking, talking. I barely got a word in edgewise as he told me of the countries history and its troubles. He expressed his concern over our administration and passionately told me how our mistake (repeatedly electing G. Bush) had global consequences. He said I looked like a wasp and thought for sure I was republican. I told him I live in SF where it is illegal to be a republican and he laughed. He told me that the world is watching the US and we better not f%&K up again this time. People are passionate here. Like he said...they talk like Italians, think like the French and have a sense of humor like the English. I told him that he better watch The Office if thatīs the case....Iīve gotten to speak French a couple of times now which is kind of fun.
I continue to have struggles with paying for things but Iīve got my tricks to get around it - like always having a piece of paper and pen in hand when I need them to write down the price. Saves time when there is a line. Iīm kind of shy about being an outsider, but thatīs my own hang up.
Homeless problem is nothing like SF (from what I can see so far) but there are little kids asking for food and money which of course is heartbreaking. This little guy came up to the table when I was sitting with Ricardo. He was probably about 7. Ricardo gave him our potato chips in a napkin and he wandered off. I realized that you donīt really see kids begging in San Francico. Something I had never considered before...I wonder why given there are so many adults on the streets.
OK amigos....I am off to try to find some places. Hopefully tonight I can avoid being detoured by old guys.
Buenos noches!
M
