...the truth is, we have to leave you! :(
Sorry. Yes, I went there. And we went here - and stayed for a month! As we packed-up and prepared to leave the new-found rhythm of our local apartment, with the exception of daily consumption of the Mate tea, we now feel a little like Porteno's.
Some final thoughts on Buenos Aires:
- The people are warm and wonderful when you get to know them, but until then, they give you polite space. We always felt safe and respected (and pretty much perfectly ignored) even when in economically-depressed neighborhoods. But we’ve also met a few new friends along the way
- It is a very beautiful and proud city wistfully holding it’s breath and wondering what will happen to it’s economic future. As our new friend Mariano stated; “We have everything here, from un-ending agricultural land, ports and waterways, a world-class city, great wine and food and beautiful women; why are we not a bigger economic player in the world?
- The Americano perception and obsession with all things Evita, Tango and Gaucho’s would be our course similar to the tourist in the U.S. focusing on Marilyn, Elvis/50’s Rock n Roll, and Cowboys. Fun and interesting cultural icons, but nothing to do with current everyday life. But sometimes, you just have to be a touristica! :)
- It was good that our first stop was a complete month, but we’ll start shortening our visits to 2-3 weeks going forward. We hope to get the “gist” a little faster and move along. While we got to know B.A. pretty well in the first few weeks (especially after getting off of the tourist track and renting a car for a week), it would obviously take years to know it like a local. So going forward we’ll try to “speed learn” new cities and take advantage of this unique trip and see more of the world. I think we are finding a good balance for our family as we go.
Off to the Middle East. Ciao!
- Miguel
Sorry. Yes, I went there. And we went here - and stayed for a month! As we packed-up and prepared to leave the new-found rhythm of our local apartment, with the exception of daily consumption of the Mate tea, we now feel a little like Porteno's.
Some final thoughts on Buenos Aires:
- The people are warm and wonderful when you get to know them, but until then, they give you polite space. We always felt safe and respected (and pretty much perfectly ignored) even when in economically-depressed neighborhoods. But we’ve also met a few new friends along the way
- It is a very beautiful and proud city wistfully holding it’s breath and wondering what will happen to it’s economic future. As our new friend Mariano stated; “We have everything here, from un-ending agricultural land, ports and waterways, a world-class city, great wine and food and beautiful women; why are we not a bigger economic player in the world?
- The Americano perception and obsession with all things Evita, Tango and Gaucho’s would be our course similar to the tourist in the U.S. focusing on Marilyn, Elvis/50’s Rock n Roll, and Cowboys. Fun and interesting cultural icons, but nothing to do with current everyday life. But sometimes, you just have to be a touristica! :)
- It was good that our first stop was a complete month, but we’ll start shortening our visits to 2-3 weeks going forward. We hope to get the “gist” a little faster and move along. While we got to know B.A. pretty well in the first few weeks (especially after getting off of the tourist track and renting a car for a week), it would obviously take years to know it like a local. So going forward we’ll try to “speed learn” new cities and take advantage of this unique trip and see more of the world. I think we are finding a good balance for our family as we go.
Off to the Middle East. Ciao!
- Miguel