2 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

by my warmly clad hosts with a lot of hand shaking, must have looked the height of absurdity. But of course, I couldn't admit to my mistake so I proclaimed myself the lover of really cool weather having been born in Britain. They smiled knowingly.

When they left me at the hotel, I realized my bravado was quite unjustified. It was COLD. Then looking through my suitcase I found I had nothing warm who would pack warm clothes for New Orleans in June? So the first order of business was to go out and buy something, which I did.

Today, I still own a very warm pale yellow sweatshirt emblazoned with a doubled headed eagle crest. It is a reminder that below the equator seasons are the opposite to those above. Moreover, Buenos Aires is quite far south.

However, when I went into town to make my purchase I found the streets full of police. Each corner had a very visible police car and police were patrolling on foot throughout the main shopping and restaurant areas. I vaguely though that the Falkland war had broken out again
After donning my new warm sweatshirt, I visited the General Post Office for some Argentinean stamps. There I noticed, in a wall display, a new commemorative set for the Maldives showing their liberation' by Argentinean forces. However, when I asked to buy a set, the clerk told me that they were not for sale. "Yet!" However, even though he noticed my British accent, it wasn't a threatening, "Yet."

Outside again and the police seemed to have multiplied. They were everywhere all packing side arms and looking very serious. Fortunately it didn't seem as though they were looking for me.

I stood on the corner and looked puzzled. I really was since I hadn't purchased a town map yet but it is always a good ploy in getting help. As in most foreign cities, a Good Samaritan appeared speaking immaculate English. "Good afternoon, can I help you, Sir?"

Help me, he did, in directing to me what he claimed was the best Argentinean beef restaurant in the whole of the country. I would have to eat there this evening he was quite insistent.
He also told me why so many police were in evidence.

The Argentinean national soccer team had lost their match in Columbia, yesterday, and was due home from the airport. It was clearly a national disaster of the order of a major 7.0 Richter-scale earthquake. Moreover, they had lost the game as the result of an own-goal scored by their national hero Maradonna. This was more of 9.5 Richter-scale disaster.

The authorities therefore feared serious and perhaps bloody riots this evening and were prepared to protect Argentinean businesses and property with deadly force. It would be a good time to be off the streets.

Apparently, soccer losses are much more serious in Argentina than just the loss of a war.

Learn more about this author, John Graham.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Travel experiences: Buenos Aires, Argentina?
We want to hear your view. Write now!