BsAs FAQs

Hola! Happy first day of spring, NE Corridor Friends! It's gorgeous here as well, and I am heading out tonight to a happy hour on the river. Life is good :)

I thought I'd take this opportunity to provide you with my first installation of BsAs FAQs, accompanied by some photos.

Q: What is affordable/cheap in BA and what is not?
A 1.25 liters of beer at the grocery store (roughly a 40 for all you Olde E fans out there) costs approximately $1.37USD . Mmmm Quilmes. The Budweiser of Argentina.  A bottle of really fantastic wine that might cost $40 in the US in a store, and more in a restaurant, might set you back $8 USD here.

A. Coffee in a cafe. $12-$25ARS, which is $2.75- $5.75. Not that great.
A. Steak dinners at una parrilla (restaurant known for steak and other cow parts/sweetbreads). I had the best steak of my life the other night, and a bottle of wine, and a starter, and a dessert and tip for $27. Amazing.
A. The subway and bus. Even though the price of the subte went from $1.10ARS (25 cents US) to $2.50 ARS (.57 cents USD) per ride on Jan 6, it is still a great deal for us gringos. However, it's important to remember that inflation is a huge problem here and that equates to a 115% increase for Argentines. It's the same thing if the MTA in NYC raised the price from $108 for a monthly pass to $232! (Can someone from the IIR marketing department please check my percent change formula :)) On top of the inflation problem, salaries here are VERY low, so this 115% increase in the subte (and everything else, for that matter) is a real hardship for people here.
A. Reformer pilates. $20 USD a class in NYC, $38 for the month in BsAs. A-mazing workout too.
A. Beauty procedures (is that the right phrase?). Pedicures for $8-12, Pro-stylist haircuts for $30, etc. The list goes on. Good quality too. These are a people who take pride in their appearance ;) (Next up: Pics of People At Gym. I kid...kind of).


Q: How many dogs do people tend to bring around with them?
A: I have seen upwards of 18 at one time, but didn't have my camera. Here is a guy being dragged along the street by quite a few dogs nonetheless. Crazy!

Q: What are some of the popular songs?
Well, besides Adele dance remixes, David Guetta, anything Pitbull and the like, here's what I've been hearing in stores/restaurants/bars/etc:
-Ai Se Eu Te Pego from Brazilian Michel Telo. It's been out awhile but I am Digging it.
-La Gente Esta Muy Loca. Do yourself a favor and download it
-Shakira: Rabiosa
-Phil Collins:

Q: Jill, in your esteemed opinion, what are the biggest differences/things to get used to in BsAs?
A: In no particular order:
      -Tiny Garbage cans. I literally take out the trash 3 times a day. Not.even.joking.
      -Garbage on the street: Let's just say their trash service isn't the same.
      -Service at restaurants: To thoroughly enjoy your visit here, you need to 100% let go of your US sense of service. It doesn't happen here, and that doesn't mean it's bad service. They are not on a timeframe here, and will not rush you for your bill. However, that means that if you need something, you might be waiting quite awhile. As soon as you give up your NYC/American sense of time/rushing, you will be fully liberated :)
       -Nightlife: WOW. It's insane, in a good way, but it's hard for this 29 yo cuerpo to adjust to GOING OUT at 1am. PHEW. But it's probably the best nightlife in the world, along with places like Ibiza, etc.
      -ALERT: Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. Learned that the hard way. Good thing I got a travel insurance policy!