Back from a whirlwind 36 hours in Buenos Aires. Great city but showing the signs of economic strain just like everywhere else. Numerous stores, particularly at the high end are failing (see picture) and foot traffic seemed light.
Prices are good as the peso is weak against the dollar (there are not many currencies you can say that about) with each dollar buying 3.9 pesos - a grande latte at Starbucks is $3 and McDonalds value meal is $5.50. Better value is the local fare. Excellent dinner with two glasses of wine was $27; my hotel in the heart of Recoleta (perhaps the nicest district in the city) was $145 including breakfast and free internet - try and find that in most major capitals (See my review on Trip Advisor); and taxis are clean and a 45 minute ride to the airport is only $20.
I did enjoy the job creation scheme of having "manually moving" advertising boards (see picture) that are presented to drivers as they stop at a red light (obviously would not work in Boston!).
Of course the best things about Argentina are the steaks and the wine and based upon my unscientific sampling - all is well.
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