Viva South America

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Though I´ve been in South America for just 10 days, I am already starting to realise that we back in Australia live in a police state of sorts. Those fatcats in Canberra infringe on our liberties and inalienable human rights at every turn, with their ´laws´, ´rules´and bureaucratic nonsense.

What I´ve seen thus far in Chile and now in Argentina leads me to believe that Australia is some sort of experiment in social engineering with big brother watching over us at every turn.

Can we take a ride in an apparently poorly maintained bus along a thin, steep, winding, and shodily paved road through a dramatically jagged mountain range, semis cruising past the other way at 100km/h, without the restrictiveness of a guard rail to stop us from plunging over the sheer 200m cliff only a metre away? No, the fatcats would never allow it.

Can we drive through the streets without the straightjacket-like restraint of a seat belt, or down a bustling street in a busy city standing on the tray of a ute with the wind ruffling our hair? Can our scalps be kissed by the sun as we cruise the roads on a motorbike, free from the unecessary imposition of a helmet? Can we be served by street vendors, bank tellers, cooks, shop clerks, taxi drivers and hotel conceirges while they satisfy their craving for a smoke? No, no, no and no.

While I´m on the topic of roads, how redundant are road rules when you really think about it? I mean, so long as people know what side of the road to drive on and toot their horn as they turn a corner then everything will work itself out, won´t it? Of course it will - South American roads are testament to that.

Are we greeted every morning as we walk to the station by hordes of friendly (through probably rabid) stray dogs? No, these amiable fellows would be quickly shipped off to the lost doggies home and be dim sims within 48 hours if no-one claimed them.

I tell you, these South Americans really know how to run a functioning society. Just keep the rules to a minimum (perhaps their elected representatives just hide under a pile of coats every time they enter the legislative chamber), let people go about their business, and everything will turn out alright.

If you want to see any photos of this libertarian paradise at any stage, see www.harleythomas.dphoto.com. I will endeavour to update it regularly.

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Comments

[rodrigo carbone]

live and let live
i really liked this post with your observations regarding anglo and latin societies. i can't say i disagree with your views (i'm a chilean raised in the US midwest who still maintains sentimental ties to chile). chile is actually one of the better, if not THE best run country in latin america, and with argentina and uruguay, the most developed, so these little differences you've noticed between australia and where you are now will only become more evident further on in your travels (i don't know where you're going). i find latin societies to be more permissive of just about anything, so long as it doesn't harm anyone, than some of the more supposed "free" countries we live in. you've picked some good countries for a first time backpacker. good luck with your trip. (and by the way, "the man" in the previous story sounds like a total ass, but i think you know that).