Simply Argentine

I have continued my list of things that are normal and special to Argentina, but may be strange, different or even weird to an expat. For those of you who read my blog religiously(THANK YOU, and I LOVE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT), this is an addition to the other post(Ponete las pilas...) about random Argentine ways- remember the packs of dogs, men who kiss men?).

1. SUGAR: My favorite thing, besides cafe's, are the sweet shops, or Panaderia's. They are all over the place in this city and always stocked up with delicacy's such as wheel bread, dulce de leche everything, mini, medium and large alfajores(Yes I will bring some back!), and every other yummy thing you can imagine with sugar dripping all over it. It actually boggles my mind how a country as a whole could be so thin, when every single thing served is pure sugar. For breakfast at the hostels, they give you white(non nutritional bread, fresh of course) and dulce de leche to dip it in. They serve cafe con leche"(full fat milk) and real sugar to add to it. It's my paradise...Rose, you would die. So yes, The sugar is almost as popular as futbol in this country. EVERYTHING has sugar in it....including the people! They are always as dulce as can be!

2. FRUIT: Fruteria's are another amazing thing about Buenos Aires. The fruit stands on street corners, down tiny streets, and in hidden plaza's are so beautiful and tempting. It looks like the forbidden fruit from the bible because the perfectly red apples, fresh grapes, and impeccably ripe peaches look so fresh and delicious and are dirt CHEAP. It almost seems like a trick of some sort...

3. KIOSCO DE REVISTAS/DIARIOS: These are newspaper and magazine stands that overflow all over the streets and underground in the subtes. These stands are bizarre to me. First of all, they have them at almost every single block- okay, that's fine because people need to read the newspapers, but it's a little much because they take up a lot of space on the already too thin sidewalks. It creates such a traffic jam and you must push others to try and pass by. The strangest and most comical thing about the kiosco de revistas is that they sell porn magazines. I must see about ten huge boobed, HUGE assed, naked women on magazine covers every day. Not only are these porn magazines visible to everyone on the street, but they are displayed at the bottom of the rack at eye level for little children....totally inappropriate and strange, yet hilarious.

4. BANCOS: The banks all over the city have a personality of their own. Some are extremely popular while others are forgotten about and overlooked(poor thing...no pun intended). On any given weekday around 2-4 there is an insanely long line coming from the bank entrances. Every single attractive businessman and woman stand in line to get cash, and to exchange paper money for monedas(the most desired money(coins)in the city used for the colectivo/bus). I still don't fully understand why it is so important to do these things at the exact same time every day, but who am I to judge, I speak their language like a five year old and am probably missing out on a thousand other things.I am just a random foreigner trying to make a living in the city...and who knows, I bet there is a much easier way to live it. FIZX THIS

5. RADIO TAXI: Well, I got jipped my first hour in South America going from the aeroport to the Road house. I have since learned that it is NOT necessary to tip taxi drivers, one should only round up to the next peso. This is the most exciting thing to me! In DC, I think I tip taxi drivers 20% like I do for waiters...I'm an idiot...It is totally unnecessary to tip a taxi driver this much. I love riding in Taxi's here because they usually play fabulous reggaeton music, drive crazy fast and it's a great way to practice my Spanish! Aint no complaints here, DC is strange...not B.A!

6. THE F WORD: The F word is an obsession here. It is used extremely vulgarly because Argentine's just like to say it all the TIME! In the bars, I think I hear it more than I hear anything else. Its the most spoken word in Buenos Aires in my opinion.

7. TIENDAS/LOCALES: aka "stores" are all over the place making this city a hot spot of temptation for me. I go shopping almost every day because there are boutiques everywhere. The funny thing is, and I learned this in an awkward way...most boutiques are locked until you knock, or ring the bell. Everyone must ring the bell and only then the store clerk buzzes you in. Very strange, but I guess it's a great way to be safe.

8. HAND GESTURES: There are MANY hand gestures used when an Argentine speaks. At times I thought I was seeing Spanish sign language being used, only to realize they were just using hand gestures for emphasis. I wish I could show you some of the hand signs because they look to be vulgar, but are not of the sort.

9. STREET LIGHTS: The street lights change from green to yellow to red and then from red to yellow to green. I love it because I always know when the light is about to change to say "go" or "stop"!

10. GARAGES/ ESTACIONES: I think the mayor of NYC should take note of the parking situation here in B.A. Whoever thought to have garages underneath apartment buildings was a genius. Cars drive up onto the sidewalks and then HUGE garage doors open up and the cars park underneath the buildings saving SO much room on the streets. There is an OBNOXIOUSLY loud beeping noise and flashing red or green light right outside the garage door that goes off when a car is about to enter or exit onto the sidewalk. Many times I have almost been hit because I had my Ipod in and didn't hear it. Thank goodness for aware drivers...

11. LAUNDROMAT: I love the laundry system here. One must bring their clothes to the Laundromat, the clerks take your clothes, wash them, fold them PERFECTLY and then charge you about AR$20 for two loads. It's incredible, and the smell, although VERY strong, is quite fresh.

This is all for now. There are many many more things to talk about, but I will save it for my next post!

Chau!