Interesting things about Argentina...

I am a bit out of order here. This is in reflection of our stay in Buenos Aires. We are now enjoying the jungle of Brazil..more to follow!:)

H and I compiled a list of somewhat interesting facts about Argentina (well, interesting to 2 old retired people!):

1. The majority of people on the street don't smile or make eye contact with you.
2. Many men wear Keds shoes. Women and children too for that matter..
3. 75% of cars on the road in B.A. are taxis, who don't always observe the traffic lights. Neither do most pedestrians. I was surprised we did not see anyone of the 12 million people squashed like bugs by a taxi.
4. Aside from the traffic issue, B.A. seems like one of the safest cities we have been in. Even at night, H and I felt very safe aside from La Boca, which we only found out later was a possible threat.
5. Polo is the #2 sport, with soccer being #1.
6. Dining in B.A, as I mentioned, is very late at night. Dinner is around 10:00 or 11:00 at night. It is not unusual to see sidewalk cafe's packed at midnight, especially on the weekends. Service is mostly very slow, dinner is a 2 hour experience..at least..They serve bread when you sit down probably so you don't get crazy as it may be an hour before you see your meal. Water is never served, you have to order water either "sin gas" or "con gas", which cost a few pesos. We finally figured out how to order "Agua canilla" (tap water, which tasted the same to me!)
7. There is a "cover charge" when you sit down for a meal. This is so they fold a napkin in your lap and the bread, we  guessed..
8. Speaking of slow, people on the streets walk very slow, I may have mentioned this? :) This seemed especially true as we tried to worm our way through them while we ran!
9. B.A. Is a young city, compared to the rest of the world. Only a few of hundred years old.
10. The only American TV we saw in Argentina was very dated American movies and really bad random TV series'.
11. There are parks, statues, monuments, museums scattered throughout the city. They are frequent and many everywhere you look.
12. Everyone kisses each other on the cheek to say hello and goodbye, even men to men. Men, women walk arm in arm or holding hands with each other. No homophobia here!
13. Steak is cheap compared to the US. A rib eye may cost only $10 US.
14. Beer and public transportation is dirt cheap also.
15. If you stand on a corner looking at a map long enough, a local Portena will ask if you need help.
16. There are hundreds of tiny boutiques on the streets of BA I have no idea how they make it. Often they are totally empty.There are shoe stores, beauty/nail salons and pharmacies on almost every block in the city center. 
17. Did I mention the shoes were über cheap too? I bought a pair, I wish I has bought two!
18. "Afternoon" means anytime from 6:00 PM to nightfall.
19. There were amazingly no bugs in the city of BA. I have no idea why, there are trees lining the streets but the flies and Mosquitos don't like residing in them I guess. No snakes either.
20. Nothing, nada is open on Sundays, well except the "Supermercados". Movie theaters too. We saw 3 movies during our month stay. Some have "assigned seating". We did not know that it is better to buy tickets online before, but we never figured out how to do this..
21. Portenas for the most part, we're incredibly thin! If you look at their diet of streak, French fries and wine-you would think obesity would be a problem. There are however, thank goodness; many, many Mickey-D's in BA. So glad the US has gotten their piece of cholesterol building services to Argentines! Heaven forbid they stay healthier than Americans..even Starbucks has found its way here, although I must confess I am happy about this..love my Starbucks!
22. Everything is ala carte in the restaurants. If you order just steak, you get just steak! Vegetables are rare as a side dish. Mucho carne y fritas.
23. As you walk along the sidewalks of the city on a hot day, you will feel drops of water raining on you, everywhere! Looking up to see where the rain is coming from in a cloudless sky, you will see that it is just the air conditioners pouring off excess water from the apartments above. Yuk!
24. The Italian food in BA is outstanding! This must be from their European influence as most of the locals are of European decent.
25. I do not believe I saw one SUV in the city, or a Prius for that matter. Most of the taxis were stickshift. Many run on Ethanol, to preserve the environment, imagine that! :)
26. "Ciao" is the universal "goodbye" in Argentina.."Que tal?" is their version of "whasssup??" in English.

Basically, what you have in Buenos Aires, AR are:

People who look French, act Italian and speak Spanish. 

Ciao!