We just made our way over to Microcentro, Buenos Aires's financial district, and we're standing in the middle of the widest street in the world. Back in the 1930's, someone decided to cut a 460-ft wide swath right through the city in order to alleviate traffic. Thus was born Avenida 9 de Julio (July 9 is their July 4), a monster of a thoroughfare that holds 18 ridiculous lanes of traffic. To cross the street, you basically have to wait for three lights... or you can do it in 2 if you sprint really really fast, but then you run the risk of becoming Buenos Aires roadkill. 
The wifey and I think better of it and stop at the median, where smack dab in the middle of the world's widest street is El Obelisco... a giant phallic symbol?? Nah, it's a twenty story monument built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city... but they did manage to wrap a giant pink condom around it to celebrate World AIDS day back in 2005. Funny. Hope they remembered to squeeze the tip. It's a pretty grand sight, actually, to see all the activity going on in the area. Kinda reminds me of Times Square... with a giant penis. 
As we make our way up Calle Florida, a pedestrianized shopping street, we're bombarded on both sides with the hard sell coming from what look like used car salesman wannabes trying to get us into their stores. "Konichiwa! Want to buy some leather? We give you good price!" Ugh. I think it's best to walk in the middle of the road and not make eye contact, especially when the store's name is Maybe Leather and Fur. 
Kinda brings doubt to the whole sale, don'tcha think? The interesting thing is though, Calle Florida is just like any other pedestrian street we've encountered around the world... a bunch of people selling the same stuff. In this case, lots of leather goods, mate cups, and t-shirts. The chance to people watch is awesome, though.
We find refuge, however, in the the Gallerias Pacifico, a beautiful century old landmark building converted into a high-end shopping mall. I dunno what it is, but there's always something comforting about being in a mall. Perhaps it's being in a foreign country or not being able to speak the language that makes us long for something familiar. An group of Chinese tourists walk by us and we hear a tiny semblance of Cantonese. Ahh, sometimes it's just nice to hear a familiar sound. Random Stuff:
The Argentines are still bitter about the Falkland Island War with the UK back in the 80's. So much so that they renamed everything British to something more Argentine. So as we're admiring the British Clocktower, we're wondering if we should be calling it the Clocktower Formerly Known as the British Clocktower.- Enjoying an alfajores at Plaza San Martin. Alfajores are cookie-like snackies filled with dulce de leche. Yum.
- On Avenida 9 de Julio, there was a human billboard. This guy held up an advertising sign in front of the stopped cars during a red light. When the light turned green, he walked back to the corner. Talk about getting in your face.
Human Billboard
Argentine Flag
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