Tips and Tricks

In our last post we mentioned how we two very smiley people must go around this city with uber-serious faces in order to avoid being even more likely targets of robbery. Doing this is the exact reason we attracted the interest of a (somewhat loco) business man. Of course he noticed Jorge and came up to us and asked us, "De donde sos?" Our general rule is to pretend we don't hear anyone when they speak to us. However, this man came within inches of us and it was going to be virtually impossible to ignore him so we answered, "De Canada". This smiley man proceeded to ask us how long we've been here and commented how we must really not like it because we look so sad/angry!?

We just can't win can we? :o)

In other news... Jorge witnessed a man get hit by a bus today (K was facing the opposite direction in the restaurant we were seated in). Said man apparently forgot he has absolutely no right-of-way in this city and didn't cross the street fast enough. Although the bus wasn't going too fast, the front right corner of the bus hit the man in the back and sent him sprawling flat onto his front. Pedestrians were only too happy to look after the victim, but it was very "amusing" how the bus driver barely reacted to the situation (besides stopping and emptying the bus, and making a phone call). In Canada, most people would be having a fit if they hit someone!?

The victim looked shaken up by the whole situation, but he seemed unhurt.

We continue to hone our expert street-crossing skills.

Now we had heard that pedestrians need to be extra careful when crossing the street here in Buenos Aires, but mother of God! Your life literally lies in the balance every time your foot crosses the threshold between the curb of the sidewalk and the street. In Canada, we cross the street like we own it. "Don't you think of running us over Mr. Car, or we'll sue your ass!" However here, the car owns the street. Pedestrians are but bugs to be crushed. Green light in your direction? Think you have the right to cross the street? Well you better have your eyes peeled and your feet ready to move in case a car is making a left or right turn. Honestly, we have never experienced this kind of road danger...