Buenos Aires, Argentina
I flew American Airlines flagship business class from Dallas to Santiago using mileage points. It was significantly cheaper in points and dollars, $2,000 less, than flying directly to Buenos Aires. I like to fly business on long-haul flights (6+ hours) since they offer lie-flat seats that convert to beds. Being able to get good sleep really reduces jet lag for me.. I met up with colleagues and flew the next day to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I stayed at the Mine Boutique Hotel for three nights and it was lovely. The hotel is located in the Palermo Soho neighborhood which has tons of restaurants, shops and a bohemian vibe. Buenos Aires is called the 'Paris of South America' and it really did have that sensibility, probably because the early city leaders sought out French architects to replicate their aesthetic in the country. The streets are lined with chestnut trees just like Paris, so that helps with the comparison. Like so many Latin American countries, Argentina has had its fair share of military coups and dictators - Eva Peron, Argentina's most famous first lady was married to one.
Tip for Roaming
If airfare is high to your destination city, check airfare to nearby cities- it could be significantly less, even after paying for a ticket to get to your desired destination. Plus you get to visit another location in the process.
I was invited to a birthday party where I got a chance to meet Black expats living in the city. The joke was that I was meeting all the Black people in BA at the one time since they were all at the party-- Most of these folks work for American oil companies. I took a city tour with a history professor who explained that Argentina did have slaves, but most died from Cholera or while at war - they were told they would get their freedom in exchange for fighting for Argentina, most did not return because they were sent to the front line. The country has a reputation for being racist and it did harbor Nazis after WWII. Their Constitution has a very liberal immigration policy that cannot be changed. Ironically, Argentina has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and the U.S.
In Buenos Aires Tango (and mate) is life so I took a Tango lesson at a milonga, a Tango dance hall where locals go and dance until the sun rises. People of all ages tango, I met a 75 yr old seamstress who comes to the milonga every weekend, since her husband died, it gives her something to look forward to and keeps her from being lonely. It was really cool to see Tango culture in action, body language plays a huge role and there are specific rituals that are a part of the experience.
Food and Uber is cheap in Buenos Aires. At the time of my visit, Argentina was experiencing 55% inflation so there are weekly protests happening, but I didn’t see any. The Argentinian peso was so devalued that it was better to change currency each day since the value decline happened on a daily basis.
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