La Plaza Roma

Tranquility surrounded by madness, at one end colectivos (buses), semi-rapidos, taxis and autos, on the other skyscrapers, businessmen and delivery motorcycles. This is the business sector of Buenos Aires. Lovers in the park, kissing, caressing and cherishing their partnership, pigeons are collecting the leftovers of passer-by´s. A young guy sits down a few feet away from me. Smokes a cigarrette, and watches the same park scenes unfold. Do you want a cigarrette to help inspire you he asks? No, I say. "This is place is hell," he explains sitting beside me. But I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to other countries and there is something I alwasy miss about Buenos Aires. This city much like the people here, Porteños, is all about love and hate." This phrase echoes in my mind. A boy falls asleep face down in the grass as a couple walks by to take some photographs. Clouds now roll over the tower buildings, a hint of moisture touches my arm, as Nortur tour buses pass by with amazed blank faces peering out the sides. Friends talk on the sidewalks and a man stumbles along the park path looking down at his cellphone. Birds play in the trees. "Everyone's in their own world," the guy next to me says, "In this area of town everyone becomes crazy!" He converses with me about the joys of travel, then wishes me luck and walks away. A man on crutches with one leg hobbles across the path of a woman dressed in balloons. I look at my cellphone clock, it's time to go.