“Oh?” countered Gramsci. “What was it then, that struck you?”
Dogs,” admitted the Cow. “And men.”
Gramsci nodded. He’d also noticed the somnolent strays sleeping silently in intersections, on pavements, in doorways, scattered randomly throughout the city centre. Always alone, and never aggressive, it was hard to tell if they were even alive – unless one held a steaming empanada within range! For the price of a crust, their allegiance and devotion was yours for life! “Amazing, isn’t it,” he offered, “how healthy and fit they all look – no signs of disease or malnutrition, and many of them are clearly pedigreed, rather than the pavement specials back home!”
The Cow agreed. “Apparently most of the strays are first generation,” she added. “Bought as puppies, raised lovingly until their owners tired of the responsibility, and then turned loose to their own devices. No wonder they’re so tame, and so placid!”
“Unlike the men!” Gramsci sighed. “The constant whistling at women, the open ogling – it’s a far cry from the polite political correctness one gets used to elsewhere!”
The Cow shrugged. “I’d hesitate to call it a macho culture, though,” she began. “The whistling and ogling are just that – there’s never a hint of threat or entitlement behind it, unlike back home. Which is rather strange, in what is clearly a culture of conquest. The buildings – both the colonial edifices and the modern skyscrapers – are nothing but imposing; the monuments and statues all celebrate conquistadores and libertadores; the streets everywhere are named after a small pool of national heroes, and even the metro stations celebrate the history of conquest and independence! It’s all about subduing, resistance and victory.”
“And it’s all male,” insisted Gramsci.
“Indeed,” shrugged the Cow. “Which is why the number of women in positions of power – from the President down – seems somehow anomalous.”
“Not really,” Gramsci chuckled. “Perhaps the men have just learned a thing or two from their best friends, the dogs. Just chillax and let the world take care of itself, and sooner or later some kind turista will come along with a pat and an empanada for you!”