Blogroll
3 Mar 10 Hot days, never ending nights in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a city that at times seems to be in terminal economical and moral decline: the economy is a mess, there is no shortage of scammers, robbers, crooks and not least dodgy and corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. At the edges, the city seems to be falling apart in slow motion.
Yet inevitably the city gets under the skin of most people that visit it.
The locals have a rare gift for putting their everyday worries aside and living, really living. There is a rhythm and passion to the city that is hard to describe to someone who hasn’t been there, yet everyone who has been there knows what I am talking about.
Buenos Aires is the only place in the world where I have been out partying until 8am, to then go and have a meal at a filled restaurant with other party-goers before finally retiring “for the night”.
Maybe the city’s fall from grace and all the financial crises are part of the reason why the locals have chosen to embrace life like it’s their last day on this world and it requires a celebration. Maybe it’s a latin thing that a person from a culture that has no discernible body language will never be able to fully understand.
Whatever it is, Buenos Aires is a city to fall in love with, and a city in which to fall in love. The best comparison I can think of is a Paris in decline with added melancholy situated in a warmer climate.
Buenos Aires is the only place I have ever visited where I have made so many friends, become familiar with neighbours and locals in such a short time. I’ve gone to parties where almost everyone greeted me with a warm smile, knowing my name the moment I stepped through the door.
I’ve eaten at corner restaurants and had my neighbours and new friends walk by and stop to talk to me or even join me randomly.
I’ve probably built a social circle in Buenos Aires in 2 months that is bigger than what I managed to build in my first 2 years living in London. That speaks a lot about the people living there, and those who go there to visit.
The city, despite it’s warts and faults, is a city I have fallen irrationally in love with. This was my first visit, but it will definitely not be my last.
