It would be impossible to walk around Buenos Aires or almost any city in Argentina without noticing the graffiti. People spray artwork, political messages and promos for their band or website on sidewalks, in parks and plazas and, most commonly, on the sides of buildings. Argentines seem more aware of day-to-day politics than any people I’ve ever encountered, noticeable in conversation, nearly daily - sometimes more than one a day - protests and graffiti proclaiming anger over specific event or general condemnation of the president (Cristina Kirchner), the immediate past president (Kirschner’s husband* Nestor) or capitalism. On a previous trip, there was also no shortage of anti-Bush graffiti, but almost all of that seems to have washed away.

*Yes, for the first time ever in democratic history, the spouse of the elected head of state immediately followed their partner in holding the position. He was President from 1999-2007; she won election (though people are quick to tell you all the things wrong with the race) in 2007. She´s also the first elected female president of Argentina. Double Sorry, Bill and Hillary!