We were in Resistencia in the North of Argentina, in Gustavo and Andres' home, making breakfast. Clap Clap Clap !, someone clapped outside. Pauline continued making coffee. Laurent was setting the table. Cecile checked her email. And I was helping Laurent. Three successive hand claps outside in the road do not need to be explained. In fact, I'm sure we didn't even consciously hear it at the time. Clap Clap Clap ! again. Again the foreigners ignored it. Why shouldn't they ? We don't generally go investigating every sound of unknown origin. We're not cats.
But Gustavo stuck his head out the window. "Yes ? I'll be right down." Apparently Gustavo and his unknown friend had created some private doorless knock.
Later that month, we were in nearby Paraguay, staying with our friend Tim and visiting his Paraguayan friends in the neighborhood. We reached the property, which had a gate enclosing the front yard. The house was set back 15 meters. Clap Clap Clap ! clapped Tim. "Tim, what are you clapping for ?" And he explained this very efficient messaging system which translates roughly as "Hey, I'm here. Are you here ?" to anyone within a small range all within a second. No electricity needed. No need to walk all the way to the door to knock, I can knock from here.
While still in Paraguay, we found ourselves quickly adopting this wonderful clap-knock. We'd walk into a shop whose owner was out of sight. No need to raise my voice and holler, "Anybody in here ?" I just Clap Clap Clap !, and out she comes. "What can I do for you ?"
But Gustavo stuck his head out the window. "Yes ? I'll be right down." Apparently Gustavo and his unknown friend had created some private doorless knock.
Later that month, we were in nearby Paraguay, staying with our friend Tim and visiting his Paraguayan friends in the neighborhood. We reached the property, which had a gate enclosing the front yard. The house was set back 15 meters. Clap Clap Clap ! clapped Tim. "Tim, what are you clapping for ?" And he explained this very efficient messaging system which translates roughly as "Hey, I'm here. Are you here ?" to anyone within a small range all within a second. No electricity needed. No need to walk all the way to the door to knock, I can knock from here.
While still in Paraguay, we found ourselves quickly adopting this wonderful clap-knock. We'd walk into a shop whose owner was out of sight. No need to raise my voice and holler, "Anybody in here ?" I just Clap Clap Clap !, and out she comes. "What can I do for you ?"
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