Friday, October 29, 2010

Argentina, always something going on.

Buenos Aires is a modern, cosmopolitan, stimulating city. But maybe a bit too exciting. Here's what has happened in the two and a half weeks we have been here.


1. 60,000 people (according to a left leaning news show) peacefully marched down the enormous Avenue 9 de Julio, protesting the police handling of the murder of a young dissident.

2. A two day garbage strike left mounds of garbage on the street just outside our door.

3. The country virtually shut down when the national census required everyone to stay home for 12 hours on a Thursday so they could be counted.

4. The beloved but controversial ex president Nestor Kirchner, died suddenly and the country was in three day mourning. On Friday, we were en route from Iguazu' Falls and were trapped at the airport for several hours because the roads into the city were closed for the memorial.

Argentina's economy is expected to increase by 8% this year and 5% in 2011. But a local told us that the price of beef doubled this past year. It's an interesting country.

2 comments:

  1. #4 was well-reported by NPR, including some interesting parallels with the Perons.

    #3 is about the most bizarre methodology I've ever heard. Didn't realize the ramifications til I saw your flickr post. Hunh.

    #1 Only 2K at Seattle's offshoot of Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity" this morning. One sign said "Less Cowbell, More Reason". Maybe that would work in Buenos Aires too. Or less reason, more tango?

    Have fun helping their economy grow!! :)

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  2. Argentina is definitely an interesting country!
    I don't think it's a place to live, but it's an amazing place to visit.
    I stayed in an apartment for rent Buenos Aires with my family and had a wonderful time!

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