Census Day: Wednesday, October 27

Today is Census Day in Argentina. So it is a National Holiday, and all businesses (sort of) are required to be closed from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening so everyone can stay home and be counted when the Census Taker shows up at their door. It also turned out to be the day that the former President and spouse to the current President of Argentina died of a heart attack. I walked Florida Street, the main pedestrian street in the city all the way in to the Government Plaza. It turns out there must be some flexibility with the rules for Census Day, because all of the souvenir shops were open for business, the street vendors were set up all over the place, the news stands were open, and I found an open Pharmacy, which was fortunate as I needed some decongestant and throat lozenges to deal with what feels like a oncoming cold. The most interesting business exception was that the many quick-mart type stores along the street were closed to customers entering, but were staffed and were selling products through the closed gate. Maybe that is a loophole. Below is a picture of the Presidential Palace from the day, with flags at half mast and people gathered in front mourning the loss of their former President and current First Man.