When The Streets Are Empty

There are few occasions in the world when big city streets are completely empty on a weekday afternoon. I can only think of after an earthquake, during a heavy snow storm and when there is World Cup football on TV.

It's hard for non-football nations to fathom how important and big football is in the world. For many people, especially in Latin and Northern European countries, it's the biggest event - ever. There are people that live, love and die for football, everything else is secondary.

The success in the World Cup means glory and a solid boost to the cultural and national self-esteem and is talked about for years, even decades. France win against the 5-time champion Brazil on their own soil in 1998 gave the French ego a super boost.

A losing result is on the other hand devastating. Just look at The Netherlands loss against West Germany in 1974 or France - the World Cup holder - not even getting to the round of sixteen in 2002. Both countries experienced a state of national chock and humiliation that is far from forgotten.

The streets in Buenos Aires turned empty yesterday for the very same reason. It started already at lunch, when we noticed that one of our favorite lunch restaurants were sporting empty seats due to the Portugal - Mexico game. Most people on Avenida Santa Fe were crowded outside electronics stores to watch the TVs in the windows. You might think that it was only young male, somewhat drunk and loud aficinados with football jerseys on. Oh no, footboll in Argentina is as serious as religion. It could have been a Sunday mass they broadcasted.

Later on, at around 4pm local time, when we got closer to the usually so bustling Palermo Viejo we realized yet again that the streets were empty. This time due to the Argentina - Netherlands game. We could not find a soul outside. Everyone and their uncle were either at home or at a restaurant / bar watching the game. Even the few stores, that were actually opened, had the staff congregated in front of a TV.

And on Saturday we have the classic Argentina - Mexico game at 4pm. Since we are now in the round of sixteen Argentina needs to win to continue to the quarter final against either Germany or Sweden. Those games will surely once again empty the otherwise so crowded cosmopolitan streets.