When I was in Colombia the locals would stare at our pack of gringos as we roamed the streets, even going so far as to request photos of my pale self to accompany their dark faces.
Nothing changed as I went south to Ecuador. And just last year while riding a bus to work in Lima it was pretty clear which one of the riders was not a local.
However the Argentines are an eclectic bunch. Like the United States, Argentina is a multiethnic society serving as home to those with roots from Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, and France. Una crisol de razas – a melting pot.
As a result there is no standard looking Argentine. You’re equally as likely to find a blond with fair skin as someone with dark hair and features.
So on the streets of Córdoba my brown hair and blue make me no different visually than any other Argentine.
Looking like everyone else certainly has its pro’s and con’s
Pro – Locals pleasantly surprised when they find out I’m a foreigner
Con – Locals assume I speak Spanish and start talking at their normal speed
Pro – Slightly lower threat of getting scammed or targeted for theft
Con – No novelty factor from appearance
Overall I think looking like everyone else makes me more at ease. The threat of targeting while obviously still existent is definitely less and makes Cordoba a more comfortable place for me.
Now if I could just learn to speak like everyone else…