Tuesday, August 12, 2008


How To Move Around The City
  • El Subte
Buenos Aires has exceptional mass transit service. The apt is well located to several lines of the underground subway system or El Subte. I often use it to go to distant events. As El Subte closes around 10pm, the options for returning to the apt are either the bus or cab.

El Subte has booths below ground where you can buy a pass of 10 rides or a single ticket. Check the Internet for subte line routes or get a small map provided at the ticket booths.

  • Colectivos
The bus or Colectivo system is quite good, though in the wee hours, you may have to wait a half hour versus 5 minutes during normal times of the day. There are many buses that pass close to the Obelisk so if you use it as your reference, you will have more options. Interestingly Colectivos are independently owned and operated. In the lower left corner of the windshield is a placard detailing the buses route.
  • Your Guide
In order to navigate the city it’s worth investing in a 10 peso
Bus Guide called the Guia “T” de Bolsillo Capital Federal. They sell them at Kiosks or cheaper yet, on the street corner in front of the McDonald’s by the Obelisk. (There is also a tourist office next door on Corrientes offering assistance on navigating Buenos Aires and other providences in Argentina.)

The Guia “T” is quite good. First, in the alphabetical street index, find the page number corresponding to your street of departure. Go to that map section and find the quadrant of your point of departure. For example, if it was quadrant C-4, then review all the bus numbers that pass through that quadrant. Now find the address and quadrant number of where you are going. If it was quadrant H-5, then review all the bus numbers passing through that quadrant. If you find matching bus numbers represented by the departure and arrival quadrant, then you know which bus number that you need to take. If there is no match, review adjoining quadrants and you will soon find a bus. Subte routes and stops are also noted on the maps. There may be a stop close to your departure and destination coordinates.

At Bus stops you will usually find posts with signs reflecting the bus number and the major streets on its route, thus re-confirming where you want to go. You must flag the bus down. Inside you tell the bus driver your destination by cross streets and he will tell you how much money to pay. You put your money in the coin slots and you will be given a ticket. Save the ticket until you get off. Buzz the driver after he leaves the stop just before your stop. The buzzers are by the back door where you will normally exit.

There is also a listing of bus routes by number in the Guia. So Once you know the bus that you will be taking, you can review its route, street by street. Spending an hour with the Guia will help you enormously in navigating the city. Riding buses to their ultimate stop is a great way to familiarize you with the city and its different barrios.

Both the bus and the subway are a bargain at less than one peso. With the subway you can change lines without paying again. With the buses you will pay each time you change buses. Always have exact change for the bus.

  • Taxis
It is highly recommended that you only use  Radio Taxis. The taxis are black with a yellow roof. The name is always on the side or roof. You can call them for pick up in front of the apt. In the late evening when you are leaving a milonga, you can ask the person guarding the entrance to call you a Radio Taxi.

Radio Taxis have a meter. The driver will set the meter to about 3.5 pesos before you begin your journey. You are charged by time and distance. So remember if there is lots of traffic even though you are going a few blocks it could be expensive. Typically a 15-minute cab fare will run about 12 to 15 pesos or US$4 to 5 dollars. In that time you can cover quite a distance.

Unmarked Taxis may not use the meter and you will negotiate a fare.  There are stories of unmarked taxis being used in kidnappings and robberies. In fairness I will say that I have used unmarked taxis and have never experienced a problem.  If I'm the least bit apprehensive, I'll wait for another cab.   And  I would never get in any taxi where there are more people than the driver.

Wave at the taxi with the red Libre sign. Give the driver the direction by nearest cross streets, then the actual address. Many streets are one way so as you get familiar with your barrio, you’ll find that walking a block might save you a $1. Tipping is not necessary, but rounding up is a thoughtful gesture. Remember there is little coin change.

Fares going to and coming from the airport are a flat rate. I can put you in contact with reputable individuals who offer airport service. Never take the service of men from the airport that hustle foreigners to their private cars. Some taxi drivers are also available for a fee to take you dancing for the night at the milongas. Though some might be, most tango taxi drivers are not sex escorts. Some are exceptionally good tango dancers that will show you the ways of the milonga and guarantee you some memorable dances as well. Some speak English well and you can arrange to have them take you sight seeing around the city.

  • Seats In An Upright Position
If you’ve not arranged for anyone to pick you up at Ezeiza International airport, then you have several options. As you leave the secured area, there will be many people waiting to pick up their friends or fares. You will see people holding signs with names on them and your driver would have been waiting for you here. Just beyond the crowd there is the Ezeiza Taxi desk. You give them your destination, pay your fare in advance, including expressway fees, and are then introduced to your driver. This would be my first choice. In approximately 45 minutes you will be at the apt.

A second service offered by Manuel Tienda Leon Bus Company costs half the fare of a taxi. I’ve used them twice when I had little luggage. It takes longer but is reliable. You go to their ticket office inside the terminal and then proceed out front to wait for the bus with others. Buses depart every 30 minutes. You will be taken to their mini bus station diagonal from the Retiro train station. They will transfer people by street address to small vans and take you to your door.

A third option is to take city bus #86, which goes downtown and stops at Palacio del Congreso. From there you can wave down a taxi or walk to the apt which is about 8 minutes away. Refer to my custom Google map, Sights and Transportation, for locations of Congreso and Retiro to the apt.
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Safety Issues

Buenos Aires is a city of 13 million. Enjoy your stay but be vigilant. Common sense includes always being attentive to your surroundings, proceed purposefully, and avoid conversation with strangers should they approach you on the street.  For added personal safety, consider a shrill-producing pocket alarm.  I think noise is as effective as mace without the risk of being overpowered and the weapon used against you.  A loud voice or shouting  is a time-honored defense.    

Carry only a photocopy of your passport doc /visa entry stamp pages and small amounts of money, when you are off exploring the sights. Keep expensive jewelry out of sight and cameras are best kept in your backpack until you are wanting to use it. Pickpockets love the crowd opportunities at tourist sights,  around street performers, and the subway at rush hour.

Pickpockets often work in groups of threes. One will bump you to get your attention, another will remove your wallet, and then pass the wallet onto a third person. It happens quickly and they are gone. And it often is the person that you least suspect. It can be the little old lady, the cripple, or the well dressed couple. You just never know. One of the more common ruses in the last few years is for the thief to spray a substance on you that looks like pigeon doo.( Often it is colored mustard.) Another person will explain your bad luck, pointing to the trees above, then offering to wipe off the mess suggesting that you remove your purse or set down the bag that you’re carrying. You are so distracted that you fail to notice a third person picking up your purse. If this scenario ever happens to you, hold onto your belongings and insist loudly that no one touch you. Unlike the USA, it is very unusual to hear of someone being beaten up, stabbed, or let alone shot. I personally feel a lot safer in Buenos Aires than I do in New York, LA, or Chicago.

I’ve often walked home from a milonga at 2 or 4 am. You will be surprised at how many people are walking the streets or in restaurants eating large meals.  I feel safe in my neighborhood, but I often wonder when people sleep.

The apt is located 1.5 blocks from Corrientes on a well-lit street. In the wee hours I recommend to any woman that she have the taxi wait until you open the door to the building. Normally they do, as Argentine people are very thoughtful.
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Shopping

On Sarmiento in both directions from Talcahuano are small stores, basically mini markets, to buy veggies, cheese, milk, wine, and snacks. Located less than three blocks away, on B. Mitre near Parana, is a “ Safeway” sized, one stop grocery store, named Coto. Other large supermarkets in the area include Carrefour and Disco.

There are 2 good mom and pop veggie/fruit stands close by. There is one on the left side of Talcahuano after B. Mitre toward Av de Mayo. There is another near the corner of B. Mitre on Uruguay on your way to Coto. You can change dollars at Coto but you will need Pesos at the Veggie locations. There are kiosks everywhere to buy sandwiches, phone cards, cold drinks, and candy. They often have a few phone booths. You make your call and pay by the length of the call. A couple of minutes or so of talk time will cost under a peso.

There are also several bakeries, pharmacies, optical, hardware, book, copy shops, and CD stores within minutes from the apt. Fax and postal service options are nearby as well. Did I mention the hundreds of interesting little restaurants and coffee shops within a 5-minute walk? You’ll feel like you’re just off Broadway in New York.

In the pharmacies you will be able to fill prescriptions and in many cases obtain drugs that you need without prescription, such as antibiotics. I would recommend bringing an eyecup for those windy days. Recently there seems to be a lot of construction going on all over the city and the dust can be an irritant. You can buy eye wash solution easily, but cups are hard to find and expensive, as they are packaged with antibiotic solutions. I would also bring a few pair of earplugs for the milongas or theatres where there seems to be no sense of reasonability when it comes to suitable volume levels. Some of the buses can be quite noisy as well.

You’ll want to bring an extra set of glasses, if you depend on them. I was surprised at how expensive they are compared to the USA. Don’t forget a quality pair of UV rated sunglasses.

For souvenirs and leather goods the pedestrian streets of LaValle and Florida have much to offer. There you will find a wide assortment of competitively priced products and clothing items. Galleria Pacifico is an upscale shopping mall in the area.

Another shopping mall that I enjoying visiting is the Abasto Shopping mall on Corrientes. It is similar in quality of goods to be found at Galleria Pacifico. There is also a good movie theatre in Abasto Shopping and a neighboring street is filled with tango related businesses. Review the locations of Abasto and Galleria Pacifico to the Apt on my Google map, Sights and Transportation. The link is: Señor Kent Tango House Buenos Aires_Sights and Transportation

For lots of boutiques and “SoHo” like fashion, you will want to visit Palermo Viejo. For high end fashion the stores along Santa Fe, both directions from Callao’ will satisfy your taste.

If you are looking for antiques, from old colored glass soda bottles to European made furniture, then San Telmo on the weekend is the place to go. There are also lots of entertainers performing in the cobble stoned streets as well as vendors selling art and other handicrafts. Throughout San Telmo you’ll find many quaint restaurants. Around Dorrego Plaza in the early afternoon Tango dancers perform. Later in the plaza there is an outdoor milonga and an opportunity to join the locals for dancing.

For music I highly recommend Zival’s at the Corner of Callao and Corrientes. They have listening posts so that you can actually listen to all the tracks before you commit to buying a CD. Not only do they have a large selection of tango, folkloric, and jazz, but also their prices are good.
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Eating Out and Tipping

Probably the best value in any restaurant is a hunk of quality Argentine beef. Myself I tend to eat lower on the food chain, and there are now many more options on the average menu for guys like me. There are also quite a few vegetarian restaurants, salad bar options, and health food stores serving meat free hot dishes and sandwiches. What I miss the most is a good veggie burrito, Thai and other SE Asian dishes. Hot and spicy is not the Argentine way! But only in the food department! Chuckle!

Tipping is generally not customary in most bars and restaurants. When you do tip, leaving 10% is highly appreciated. Be prepared for unexpected charges as well. For example, I’ve been charged for the linen on the table when I didn’t ask for it. My general practice in the smaller restaurants with no prices listed is to verify the cost before I order. Nothing sours a delicious meal like a highly inflated price because you are a tourist. You ordered a sandwich not a dozen.
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Laundry Service

There is Laundry service 5 minutes away on Talcahuano and Uruguay between B. Mitre y Rivadavia. If you choose to wash things by hand, there is a plastic tub and a drying rack for your convenience. Things dry very quickly on the patio. Note that most laundry soap has bleach, so read labels carefully. I use the soaps formulated for washing machines.
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Soon It’s Gonna’ Rain

Not likely that it will rain for days like it does in the Northwest. Buenos Aires tends to be sunny most of the time. Yes, storms roll in. They do dump buckets of water, make lots of noise, and light up the sky, but they don’t seem to last long.

More importantly is the reversal of seasons to the United States. Our summer is their winter. Spring begins in mid September and fall begins in mid June. January and February are their killer months, hot and humid. I actually enjoy these months. Buenos Aires can feel deserted as many families take their month long vacations during the these months at coastal retreats on the Argentine and Uruguayan coastline.

It’s a humid cold in the winter and that can make the day feel much colder. Bring sweaters to keep you warm. When it’s really cold, I wear long johns, as people tend not to keep their businesses and homes heated. The best investment is a wool hat and an insulated jacket. A Gortex jacket with a fleece liner will give you a garment, adjustable to the temperature of the day. Even on a sunny day, the winter shadows of the buildings can be cold.

In the summer Argentine people don’t wear shorts in the city except on the weekends. Foreigners do and are easy targets for the pickpockets. Expect it to be hot and humid and bring light, airy clothing. A windbreaker is perfect for the evening. Umbrellas can be bought for under $4., but even if you get soaked in an unforeseen cloudburst, you’ll dry within minutes on hot, sunny days.

From Thanksgiving to the End of February is the weather window for Patagonia in the South. It’s the perfect season to visit the end of Highway 101, the last dirt before Antarctica, Penguin City—Ushuaia!

North by the Brazilian border it is more jungle like, hot, and humid. The rainbows at Iguaçu Falls are spectacular. To stand in one place and turn your head 180 degrees and only see waterfalls is breath- taking!
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Change Money! Change Money!

There are places to exchange money at the airport. You can also use an ATM. I usually change a US$50 bill and ask for some of the exchange in smaller bills. Buy a bottled water with a larger Peso note, if you think you’ll need even smaller notes or coin change. A taxi from the airport will cost about US$25 including the freeway tolls and about US$20 to return. Remember when you depart the country you will need to pay US$18 which can be in both pesos and dollars.

There are ATM’s at that the corner of Uruguay y Corrientes in Banco Del Ciudad and Banco de Frances. Bring some dollars (newer bills, not tattered, no writing) as the machines sometimes are empty or may limit withdrawals to 300 pesos per transaction. I am able to get 1200 pesos by doing 4 transactions in a row. Know that not all foreigners are successful in doing multiple transactions. There is a reputable money exchange house near that corner on Uruguay. Never change money on the street. There are false bills. We will go over this when you arrive.

I suggest that you check your debit credit card and ascertain the % charged on International cash withdrawals. 1% is reasonable, 3% is usury! I almost exclusively use my debit cards. Contact your bank or credit union and let them know the time frame of your travel and which countries, you will be visiting. With a stay of one month, you might go to Uruguay for a night or two. Double check expiration dates of your passport and credit cards. Are they current for your entire stay?

Coins can be a problem. There seems to be a shortage. In some countries the value of the metal is worth more than the face value of the coin. You will need some coins for bus fare, snacks, phone calls, etc. If you don’t have change, then you may find yourself making generous tips from time to time. Coto is a good place to ask for a few coins for the buses when you are shopping for groceries.

I always carry small bills in addition to larger bills so that I can handle spontaneous purchases from food vendors and artisans. It’s not uncommon either for taxi drivers and kiosks to not have change. If a restaurant doesn’t have change, and they have to send someone out to get it, you might want to order a second cup of coffee.
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Staying Connected

There is a phone in the apt, free for local out going and incoming calls. There is also an answering machine so your new friends can always reach you. Cell phones can call you, but the phone company restricts calls to cell phones. Thus you need a cell phone to call a cell phone or you must go to a Locutorio to call a cell phone. Locutorios are in almost every block and where they are not, there are the kiosks with telephones. You can also make long distance calls using a prepaid phone card from a locutorio as well as the apt.

If you would like to bring a cell phone, it should be a GSM, Quad Band, unblocked. You can buy a sim card from Movistar and prepaid phone cards are available at Locutorios. There is no deduction of time on incoming calls. Text messaging is used a lot and inexpensive. A “no frills” cell phone can also be purchased inexpensively from Movistar. For under US$50 you can buy a cell phone and some talk time once you arrive in Buenos Aires. There are other companies besides Movistar but many people use them and calls are much cheaper if you call Movistar to Movistar. I’ve used them for 2 years and buy prepaid phone cards. They always seem to have some promotion where I get double the talk time.
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Shocking

You’re bound to have something that plugs in a wall and that you’ll want to bring with you. It could be your laptop, iPod, or hair dryer. If so, you need to know that the electrical current of Argentina is 220 Volt. This means that a transformer may be required to reduce the current from 220 to 110 volts for some appliances. Others will require a transformer that will convert the electricity to 12 volts as is standard for most laptops. You may have everything that you need all ready. You need to check the labels on your equipment and transformers. Plug adapters are usually the one item that you will need to buy. Fortunately any parts needed are easily bought inexpensively in the neighborhood. I may even have an extra adapter that you can borrow.
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Ouch!

Yes, some of those shots feel like you’ve been kicked by a mule. Could the sickness be any worse? It’s important to plan ahead for potential health issues. If you recognize how adventuresome a traveler you are, then you can decide which shots and medications are appropriate for your trip. I myself have taken Hepatitis A And B series which offer some protection from feces contaminated food(A) and blood(B) viruses. You can’t be asking every street vendor if he washes his hands after visiting the loo or whether that blood transfusion is risk free. Of course the best approach is to only eat in restaurants or from vendors who have lots of customers. Turnover of edibles is good! And if you look both ways when you cross the street, realizing that motorists do not subscribe to pedestrian right of way, you lower your chances of needing that pint of blood. The Hep B virus is also sexually transmitted and is supposedly easier to catch than HIV. To stay healthy, cover up! It makes sense to bring reliable condoms from home than take a risk with brands having names like “Buena Suerte”(translated--Good Luck!)

Review recommendations with your Doctor and give him your itinerary. If you are going to a tropical zone, you may need additional shots. Shots that may be required are a polio/tetanus booster, Yellow Fever, Cholera, and maybe rabies. Usually Malaria tablets are recommended for Iquazu Falls, but I’ve heard enough stories about the negative, uncomfortable side effects that I’ve never taken the tablets. I always carry them, however, when recommended. I myself would avoid any area that was experience an epidemic or malarial problem, even if I was inoculated. There are plenty of other places just as interesting. The point is always check what is happening in the area you intend to enter, before you go. And when you are there, ask again. Local knowledge is highly useful from health issues to off the beaten track excursions.

Many areas, like around the falls, only have malarial outbreaks during certain wet seasons. If your investigation uncovers news, for example, that wild monkeys are dying mysteriously, you might want to think twice about going to that region. In March 2008 such an incident occurred in the Misiones region near the Iquazu Falls. Monkey autoposy reports confirmed that they were dying of yellow fever. Remember that was March so that information is dated Still a Yellow Fever shot might be a good investment. Contact your international travel clinic.

Lomotil, a popular anti-diarrheal drug, is usually recommended for minor stomach issues. Should you continue to have diarrhea, your doctor may recommend that you take along some antibiotic, such as Cipro. It is amazing how quickly it works as well. I’ve taken Cipro in Myanmar and in less than 15 minutes I could tell that I was on the road to recovery. A triple antibiotic skin cream is always useful as are pain pills should you have an accident and have some distance to travel for medical assistance.

You will also want to bring along some Deet-based insect repellent. Sunrise and Sunset is the time mosquitoes feed. They can carry Malaria and Dengue Fever, neither of which you want as a souvenir. Surprisingly even in Urban Buenos Aires you will find mosquitoes. And you mustn’t forget a protective sunblock lotion. Anything with a factor of 30 or above should keep you from sizzling. I’ve actually gotten a bad burn through a t-shirt, so dress smarter than me and use that lotion.
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Gulp!

I had an opportunity to review an analysis of water from downtown Buenos Aires tested in the U.S. The water measures up quite good, lacking in both protein and body. Chuckle! However unlike the delicious wines of Argentina, it is highly chlorinated. If you’ve heard just one too many “don’t drink the water” stories, you are welcome to boil it or, if you are in a hurry, buy bottled water. It can be found just about everywhere.

I rinse all my fresh fruit and vegetables in the city water, then I dry the produce with a fresh towel or peel what can be. This is good technique for visits to rural areas. Add some freshly squeezed fruit juice to Aqua con Gas if you are craving some flavor.

Remember that it’s important to stay hydrated on those hot, humid days. Avoid caffeine and alcohol which are diuretics. If your feeling sluggish and your urine is deep yellow, get yourself saturated. Drink an electrolyte mix and plenty of H2O. You’ll will find bottled electrolyte drinks at most kiosks and packets of E-mix at most pharmacies.
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Chao

Don’t be sad. You know you’ll back. You’ve made lots of new friends and been treated more like family than a foreigner. You’ve taken some Spanish lessons and dance classes. You’re Spanglish has improved and people back home will comment on your tango embrace. And you’ve overcome your initial shyness. Hugging and kissing just about everybody on the cheek is not inappropriate. In fact it’s so contagious, you’ll continue when you get home.

So now you’re back at the airport and ready to depart. You’ve got your $US18 departure tax in pesos, dollars, or a combo. You’ve also got your receipts and items ready to show inspectors at the the Global Tax Refund Counter. Yes, all those gifts that were made in Argentina are entitled to a tax refund of approximately 20%. There are rules to follow like minimum purchase amounts at designated stores only, but they are everywhere. If you do the math, it’s a healthy discount off the purchase price with less hassle than rounding up postage to mail in a bar code. I always opt for cash at the airport. They will pay you in pesos, however, so you can either spend the money in the tax free shopping zone or change it for dollars. Find out all the details at Global Refund Tax Free Shopping.
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So Many Choices

Besides exploring the barrios of Buenos Aires, the milongas, museums, and and shows, you may find yourself wanting to explore nearby communities, other regions, and even Uruquay. I’ll just name a few places of interest that you can begin to search on line. Feel free to ask me questions, once you have a visited these areas, perhaps you can share your experiences in this section. We can develop it together.

  • Must-do Day Trips 
  1. Feria de Mataderos on a Sunday
  2. Tigre and the Delta Area by boat and train
  3. San Isidro with its colonial architecture and weekend fair.
  4. Reserva Ecologica in Costanera Sur, weekend market, and Puerto Madero
  5. Bike Costanera Sur to Costanera Norte, via the Palermo parks and lake
  6. San Telmo Antiques fair on the weekend
  7. Milongas and Tango Shows
  8. La Boca on the weekend
  9. Plaza Serrano in Palermo Hollywood
  10. Centro Cultural Recoleta and the Cemetery
  • Must-Visit Places
  1. Patagonia
  2. Iquazu Falls
  3. How many days are needed to see Iquazu Falls? I myself spent 3 nights, 4 days. If you’re interested in only the falls, then 2 nights would be sufficient. You arrive by bus or air and have an opportunity to see the falls at sunset on day 1. On day 2 you can further explore the falls by hiking the trails. If you are still able to do day trips or can easily get a visa, then I highly recommend visiting the falls on the Brazilian side. The view of the falls is very different than the view from Argentina. The view of the falls from the Devil’s throat is unforgettable. You can also do a boat excursion to the base of the falls. For the most dramatic photographs and a chance to see some spectacular rainbows, you probably will want to be at the falls as early as possible before the light gets too harsh.

    I rather enjoyed an extra day to explore Ciudad del Este in Paraquay. It is known for its late-night shopping and tempting bargains. There is also the world’s largest hydroelectric dam worth visiting. The surplus power from Itaipu is being sold to Brazil. If you are able to visit the Brazilian border town of Foz do Iquacu, you will want to go to the tropical bird park with over 900 birds. The distances from Puerto Iguazu in Argentina to Brazil and Paraquay are only a few kilometers.

    The climatic zone around the falls is very tropical. You may need a yellow fever shot to enter Brazil, and you will want to consider it for visiting the Argentina side, though it is not required. You can travel from Buenos Aires by airplane or Bus. If you go by Bus, consider a few days in Salta to break up the trip.

  4. Cordoba
  5. Mar del Plata
  6. Salta and Jujuy 
  7. Visit an Estancia for horseback riding and exploring the Pampa
  8. Mendoza and the wine country
  9. Cordoba to Mt. Aconcagua in Chile-climb the highest peak in SAmerica
  • Just Across the River
  1. Montevideo for Carnival, tango, and the weekend market
  2. Colonia del Sacramento and its historic quarter on the Rio del Plata
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You're Living My Dream

I know. It’s crazy. You leave a perfectly good country for another. For me with life so uncertain, where one’s health and financial means can change in an instant, the preferred choice is to follow your dreams. They may take you to a place different than you expected, but each will be an adventure preparing you for the next. So when adventure beckons, I listen. It’s like tango, this living life fully; you discover who you really are and how you are in the world, how you embrace it!

I decided after my first visit to Buenos Aires that this was where I wanted to spend a lot more time. For a city of it’s size, it is still affordable. And such a vibrant city. There is an ever changing offering of world class performances and art. I also love to dance. It was tango that brought me here. It still boggles my mind that I can choose from over 60 different milongas daily. But truly the holding power of the city is its people, their graciousness, and the sense of community and family.

On my second trip to Buenos Aires I decided to explore buying an apt. That put new meaning to the words “expect the unexpected.” What a process! It took me another trip and 4 months to understand the process and find something special that I could call Home! There is no multiple listing service and every city block has a different realtor. There is little cooperation between them and their contribution to the search and closing is minimal. How do you find a property? What do you look for? What’s the local price, not the foreigner price? How do you manage the transaction without being charged exorbitant fees? How do you find a lawyer? Residency requirements? Bank accounts? Will I rent it? Taxes? Who will manage it for me when I’m not there? How do I find honest repair and remodeling people? The list of questions goes on. As so many people are asking me how to do it, I am now offering my services, helping you find your property, doing market research for your new business, and even acting as liason between you and your South American customers. Send me an email. Tell me what you want, articulate your dream, and we’ll see how I can be of assistance. kentw1925@gmail.com

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