October 27 was officially the Census Day. A day when everyone is required to stay in the place of residence until being censado (censused). All businesses were mandated to be closed until 8:00 pm - grocery stores, restaurants, offices, theaters, cinemas, etc. Only medical services and garbage collection were some of he few areas allowed to stay open. I really have to question whether it's efficient to completely shut down a country for a full day and accurate to limit it to one day. But those don't tend to be two qualities at the top of the Argentine government's agenda. This was the solution to the 2000 census that was suspected of being faulty...
Streets were as quiet as during the World Cup. There were people riding their bikes in the middle of the 6 lane Avenida Córdoba. As I got closer to the parks, people started to appear – everyone was out without any entertainment provided for them – groups of teens with fútbols, foreigners with frisbees, families on bikes, couples paseando (strolling), groups of friends drinking mate. It was a very unique experience to see everyone out on a Wednesday afternoon with absolutely all businesses closed (except one café on Avenida Libertador that somehow was open and bustling with customers pining for their midday merienda (snack)).
The day began with a somber sentiment (or elated, depending on your position), however, as the recent ex-president and husband of the current president, Néstor Kirchner passed away at 8:30 am from a heart attack. The country is divided in their support for the Kirchner regime (Néstor was the president from 2003 to 2007 and followed by his wife, Cristina, and it was intended that he would regain the position in the upcoming 2011 elections).
Here is a sampling of some of my friends’ Facebook statuses to demonstrate the array of opinions:
Argentines
A cada cual..le llega en su momento justo.
To each comes their just moment.
Hoy me levante con una sonrisa tremenda, la censista estaba tremenda y encima murió el HDP del N.K.
Sera que a la Argentina le queda prendida una velita de esperanza?
Falta que se muera la yegua de la mujer y salgo en bolas a festejar al obelisco!!!!
Sera que a la Argentina le queda prendida una velita de esperanza?
Falta que se muera la yegua de la mujer y salgo en bolas a festejar al obelisco!!!!
Today I woke up with a tremendous smile, the census was tremendous and on top of it all the SOB of N.K. [Néstor Krichner] died.
Can it be that a spark of hope remains for Argentina?
All the remains it that the whore of his wife dies and I’ll party naked in the Obelisk!!!!
Vamos mierda.... la pagaste con la vida hijo de p...
Vamos ahora faltaaaaa la otra yeguaaa!!
...uno menos!!!!!
Un montonero menosssssssssssssssss
Viva la Patria Carajo!!!!! Un Montonero menos. Viva, Viva, Viva. Carajo, Mierda. No le deseo la muerte a nadie, PERO UNA LACRA MENOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s go little shit...you paid it with your life you son of a b****...
Let’s go now only the other whore is left!!
…one less!!!!!
One guerrilla lesssssssssss
Long live the Patria Damn It!!!! One Guerrilla less. Long live, long live, long live. Damn it, shit. I don’t wish death on anyone, BUT ONE LESS CURSE!!!!!!!!!!!
cuanta tristeza compañeros, union y mas union en estos momentos, que la batalla es eterna
eternamente un pueblo agradecido: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkXKNgObmUc
how much sadness friends, united and more united in these moments, the battle is eternal
a town eternally thankful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkXKNgObmUc
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Consternacion! No era santo de mi devocion, pero hay que respetar. Fue presidente electo por el pueblo Argentino, en democracia. Mis pesames a la familia Kirchner. Nestor Kirchner, QEPD.
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That’s in English) Constarnation! He wasn’t a saint, but you have to respect. He was the elected president for the towns of Argentina, in democracy. My condolences to the Kirchner family. Nestor Kirchner, RIP.
Ex-pats
Lamentable noticia: El ex presidente Néstor Kirchner ha fallecido
Sad news: The ex predsident Néstor Kirchner passed away
RIP Néstor Kirchner
R.I.P. Nestor
It's going to be interesting to watch what happens
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