Going Down

If we are hoping that life in Lima has improved since Theroux wrote in the late 70's, the same is true with regards to certain aspects of life in Buenos Aires since Miranda France wrote her book, Bad Times in Buenos Aires. It is a fascinating account of post-war Argentinian politics written by France during a year in which she spent in the country's capital and one which brings vividly to life the complexity and confusion which led first to Peron and onwards to the military dictatorship and the disappearances. All of this is in the past, of course. However, the aspect of life to which I am referring and which I hope has changed for the better is one of France's startling statistics. Not only are there 3 times as many analysts per person as in New York and 300 brands of condoms on sale (although only 8 are said to be effective), according to France there were (are?) two deaths a day in lift accidents in the Argentinian capital. Taking the stairs seems very attractive.