Let me elaborate. There are traffic laws here, apparently, somewhere, in some sort of legislature, but you might as well call them guidelines. Like, the only place where you can really expect cars to be following the rules is at traffic lights, and even then, you're still putting your life in someone else's hands. Like, it says you can cross safely, but no one told the car turning right that you were crossing, and obviously they have the right-of-way, because they are a giant car that could kill you. So basically you better pay attention.
Otherwise, there are hardly any stop signs at smaller intersections, and you can expect that no one will stop at those. The only road signs there are are to direct you not to park somewhere or to tell you where you could end up should you continue following the road you are on. And sometimes (which as a pedestrian who doesn't know this city well yet is incredibly annoying) there are no street signs! Like, trying to get home, maybe there will be a sign that says my street name, and about 80% of the time there won't be. It's basically one big guessing game. So that's fun.
One thing I do appreciate about this city is its public transportation. You can basically get anywhere you want to go for between 6 and 7 pesos a trip which is between 40 and 45 cents in US dollars. So that's a good time. And it gets cheaper the more trips you take, which is also a good thing, I think. We took the subway today, which is fun, because I've never used a subway before! I'm pretty sure I'll be an expert at navigating things when I'm done here. At least that's the hope.
Back to scarier things, another important thing to note when being a pedestrian is that you also don't have to obey the traffic signs. If it says don't walk and there are no cars coming, you better be walking, you snerb! Otherwise the local people will definitely know that you don't know what you're doing, and the most dangerous thing to do as a pedestrian (surprise, I know, is not to get hit by a car) is to look like a tourist! Because then you're an easy target for people to rob you.
Also, you're not allowed to help anyone, because it could be just a ploy to rob you. So be careful if you're wandering around Buenos Aires, and all of a sudden someone drops all their bags, because they could just be the distraction for you, and you could be getting robbed if you stop to help! That's what we learned about pedestrianism from our orientation class.
Okay actually going back to two paragraphs ago, you can obey the traffic signs ONLY when you're trying to cross a giant road. Now, maybe you think giant roads are like, three lanes, four lanes, like a high way, but no. In fact, they are TEN lanes wide, but have crosswalks through them?? And if you cross without the signal because it looks like there are no cars coming (like we may or may not have done today, no one will tell you for sure) it turns out that the reason no cars were coming was because the light a little farther down was red, but lights can change, and suddenly you're only halfway through the intersection and cars are racing at you like literally accelerating even though they can see you because they are in charge of the roads here, so you better run you fools! Also, these roads are like, only one way streets, so that means once you finally cross, you have to cross another same size road going the opposite direction.
I'm honestly surprised that I haven't seen anyone get hit by a car.
Also, it seems like maybe in a city where all of your people mostly walk everywhere, you would want to keep nice sidewalks and stuff so the people don't have to walk in the road and die all the time. But no, I was walking home from the subway today, and apparently all of the sidewalks that had been fine just yesterday were torn up and crushed into holes and rubble overnight? What the heck? So there were just people wandering in the streets and walking through the car lane that was vaguely reserved for pedestrians, and all the car people were mad that they couldn't actively hit people who were in their lane, because there were more police officers hanging around, and also some barricades, although I've seen those be more effective in keeping people away from firework launches than keeping cars off of makeshift sidewalks.
So, in general, it has been a pleasant experience, and no one I know has died or even been injured from cars, but there is still plenty of time for that, I suppose. The basic rule of navigating sidewalks and other public transportation in Buenos Aires is that there are no rules. Or maybe, for something more concise, DON'T DIE. (I feel like that's how a lot of my blog posts end. I'm fine with it. It's good advice.)
PS: The food list!
- Avocado
- Quinoa
- Something that is basically a large empanada?? but I don't remember what it's called! It starts with a 't'
- A drink with the brand name Paso de los toros I think, that was basically grapefruit flavored pop
- Eggplant (probably the weirdest vegetable I've tried)
PSS: Here is a picture of Xander my bunny friend on my fan, keeping cool in this heat!
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