los últimos tres días en buenos aires fue esclarecedor. 🌟
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| Argentina's flag in front of Casa Rosado. |
I did NOT do any research before I came to Buenos Aires, and I did NOT know at all about the economic crisis. I vaguely recalled knowing someone from Argentina, whom I met from another friend in Seattle. So, the few days before I arrived I sent him a message on Instagram, and he informed me NOT to withdraw cash from ATMs or the banks. I thought to myself, that's strange... BUT I had no choice since I wasn't carrying any US dollars.
After I arrived at 4:05AM on Monday, September 19th, my friend picked me up from the airport and we drove around doing a little sight seeing before I could check into my accommodation. I also did NOT realize the place only accepted cash, so this really messed me up!! The ATMs charge US$10 to withdraw cash, and I had a limit!! This led me to look up more information about the economic situation in Argentina. I found this one article by the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/06/business/inflation-argentina.html.
The inflation prices have been sky rocketing. Like no joke... My friend and I went to a poke restaurant in Palermo Tuesday night, and when I looked on Google photos at the menu, the price of the Ahi Tuna Bowl that I wanted was $1400 Argentine pesos back in January 2022... when I went this past week it was $2300 ARS. Even when I went to the ATM each day to collect the cash I needed to pay when I check-out this morning, the ATM fee charge was $1450ARS on Monday, and by Wednesday it was $1550ARS. 🤯
I definitely was not prepared, but most restaurants will take credit card... but they charge at a higher rate. They said it's better to pay in cash. I am just not used to a cash society... growing up in the states I learned that credit and credit cards is key to building my credit score, blah blah blah.
Besides the crushing loss of taking cash out of the ATM, I really did enjoy my time in BA. I felt safe, and I walked around for miles!!
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| Mafalda characters in San Telmo |
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| El Caminito in La Boca barrio. |
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| Buenos Aires widest street~ |
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| Bookstore inside a former opera house!! |
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| I was craving pho!! |
Next time I come back to Argentina, I'll do my research... and I hope I can explore some of the natural sights as well... There's so much to explore and experience in this world!!! I'm pretty damn lucky right now to be on sabbatical and can travel... ☺❤
muchisimas gracias buenos aires por visitirme estos ultimos dias.
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