Touring B.A. in 110 F heat; observations about AR money

                                          Raquel and Dario, at the next table at dinner last night. 

The breakfast room at my hotel in B.A. 

Walking across one of the plazas in B.A.

The Congress building of Argentina.

 Day 2: Heatwave in B.A. plus rain showers is not pleasant! Where there is air conditioning (restaurants, hotels, shopping areas), it’s a welcome relief from the 99% humidity. Lots of walking = lots of sweating = need to drink lots of water.

I bought a ticket for the yellow tourist bus ride around the city. For US$ 30, you get to take the bus around the circuit stopping at 20 different destinations. I hopped off at the Galerias Pacifica, an upscale mall in a beautiful old converted space with frescoes on the ceiling. Had a delicious hamburger and salad for lunch, then back on the bus to scope out the stops that Amanda and I might visit when we’re back in B.A. together on Feb 18-21.

I’ve become “Argentinian” about the money exchange rate, checking the rates daily and trying to find the best deal for my US $. There are two official rates for the US $: the government rate that’s 10% lower than the Blue Dollar. Everyone follows daily news about the Blue Dollar. On Friday I received AR$ 1,100 per US$ 1. Saturday it was down to AR$ 1,000. If I can’t find an exchange booth that pays the Blue Dollar, I can lose up to 10% at another money changer or risk being given counterfeit. Crazy.

Calle Florida (Florida St.) is a pedestrian-only shopping zone, very busy this Saturday, with money changers every 10 ft or so calling out “cambio,” seeking customers for their pesos. I’ve been told to stay away from them since some accuse them of selling counterfeit. While at the Galerias Pacifica,  I tried out the official exchange booth but the cashier would accept only $US 100’s. Well that won’t help me: I brought mostly 10s and 5s. My search online before traveling said to bring US$, but most restaurants and stores expect to be paid in local currency; how can I do that if no one will take my 10s and 5s? 

Plan B is to change as much as I can at the tour bus cashier booth since they pay the best rate.

Dinner tonight is at an asado place (grilled meats) 2 blocks from my hotel. Their air conditioning is out, but I stay anyway, guessing they need my business. The salad is good, but the beef ribs are tough and hard to cut with the dull steak knife. Won’t come back here!

No flan today!