Full Speed Ahead

Today I saw just about the last thing I expected to see in one of the plazas of Buenos Aires. Holly and I were sitting on a bench under some shade trees, finishing up some Spanish homework. We heard some American voices shouting to one another and, when we looked up, we saw two morbidly obese Americans in Panama hats whizzing through the plaza on their Rascal(TM)-brand motorized scooters. It was a sight to behold. That got us to thinking many thoughts. How did they get here? Did they fly on an airplane? Did they have to get two seats (four total)? Where were they charging their Rascals (because the plugs and electrical currents are different here)? Why were they so intent on hauling ass through the plaza?

I watched them for a while. After first whizzing through the plaza, the couple took refuge in some shade and waited for their able-bodied guide to catch up. Then the guide told them about the Plaza San Martin and the statue, and they began whirring around the plaza again. This observation gave me pause to ponder even further what life would be like in a motorized scooter. When I am sightseeing, I like to take my time. I don't run full tilt from statue to statue. I don't think I would drive my Rascal full tilt from statue to statue either. I also think that motorized scooters have been de-stigmatized somewhat in the United States. I wouldn't have looked twice if they were in the U.S., but no one here rides around in a power scooter. I suppose this is a good thing, because one of the first things Holly said to me was, "I guess you really can go anywhere in one of those. They should be on a brochure for the Scooter Store."