We don’t have rats in Alberta. Over 50 years ago the provincial government waged war at the border to keep out rats traveling from the east where they disembarked European ships after WWII. I saw my first rat en vivo surveying the trash banquet one night on Av. Corrientes. It didn’t particularly bother me – because he seemed to be minding his own business. But, when I saw the silhouette of a rat skitter along the outer edge of my 13th floor balcony through the open door of my bedroom I became uneasy. I understand that rats are extremely resourceful creatures but how do they get up to the 13th floor – elevator? The balcony door is the only access route for fresh air into my stale, sweat-oven apartment and when the A/C broke down I had to leave it open overnight. Luckily, no visual memories of horror films including rats are etched upon my mind and the only midnight intruders challenging my vigilance were mosquitos – and their bites are annoying enough.

I think the rodent that I caught a glimpse of out of the corner of my eye as it scooted across my floor tonight was just a mouse . . . but I’m not sure. whatever size it was – there’s not enough room in here for the two of us.

I’m looking forward to returning to Alberta. Our government may not be as intelligent as the rats but they have bigger guns and they’re not afraid to use them.