Maybe it's just because I've never lived in a really big city before, but to me Buenos Aires is a place of movement. Every day I'm amazed that there are so many things happening---all the comings and goings and how this city is like a big mixer, everything goes in and then gets spread around.
I'm sure those of you who have lived in big cities will say to yourself: ¨well sure Chelsey- that happens in other big cities too,¨ but you must remember that BA is the 1st big city I've ever spent any extended amount of time in. At times I enjoy the energy and chaos of the city but I know I don't belong in a place this big.
After 5 weeks of life in the big city though, this is what I can tell you about everyday comings and goings:
When you live in a city like this you learn to appreciate your feet. They are your most trusted mode of transportation. The majority of my days I get around by walking. Blocks, more blocks, and then more blocks. I've learned to appreciate my feet and what they can do for me. You can't just jump in your car here and get anywhere easily. And if you take a bus or the subte you still end up walking some distance. Occasionally I see people who have difficulties walking out in the streets with the rest of us. I admire them. It must take them ages to get where they are going.
Another thing is that you learn to move quickly as it can take a lot of time for you to get somewhere. Instead of my normal inattentive mosy, I've acquired a quicker more attentive pace. There's just too much going on here to get lost in your thoughts. There's traffic of every kind...human, bikes, cars, taxis, buses, etc.
Traffic is crazy here but I've become accustomed to things and have lost most of my fear of busy streets. Imagine streets- some very wide with lots of lanes, others not nearly as big, but all crammed with cars. The drivers of these cars pay no attention to lanes, they just weave in and out of each other in a kind of crazy dance. Occasionally I see bikers too, who are moving alongside of traffic. I can't decide if they are brave or crazy---it's probably a bit of both.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, you're bound to have interaction with the others.
If you opt for taking a bus, rather than walking you have many to choose from. There is an army of buses. I've never seen so many buses in my life. To understand the bus system you need to buy a ¨Guia T¨ the handy but complicated bus guide. I think they should offer a class for us foreigners. You have to look at what buses are in your quadrant, then look at the quadrant you want to go to and see if the same buses go there, and then you have to locate a bus stop. They aren't listed in the guide, you just have to wander around the quadrant to find them. Oh and most of the streets here are one ways so you have to make sure the route you want goes in the right direction. Once you've figured out all that, you've got it made. A bus can take you anywhere you need to go!!!
There also is a large fleet of taxis. It's still a bit strange for me when I can walk to a corner and flag a taxi within a few minutes as we don't have many taxis in Utah.
There also is a decent subway system here. Though with the humidity, on a hot day the subte is more like an underground sauna. You climb in a crowded car and sweat right along with everybody else.
Other things I find interesting about getting around in this city:
- The lights turn yellow before they go green too. I think it's a good idea. So it's red, then yellow, then green, then yellow, then red again. A nice little cycle!
- There are street performers at some street lights. The majority I've seen have been jugglers. They pop in front of traffic, do a perfectly timed mini show, and then make their way down the line of cars with upturned hats asking for change as traffic begins to move forward again. It must be a lot of fun for the kids who live here to drop a coin out the window as they drive by.
- There are also people who walk in between cars and sell the most random things. This I'm sure is typical of other big cities, but it's my first experience with it.
Overall I find that there's never a dull moment here! I take the greatest of delights watching people in all aspects of life and a big city is such a great place to do that.