Rio was awesome. I spent most of the week on the beach, sun baking and body boarding. I went to a soccer game, which was fun. But for the most part I relaxed on the beach. It was nice to wear shorts and a t-shirt again, especially after throwing away my jacket in Buenos Aires, not expecting it to be cold in Montevideo (oops).
Anyway I'm home now, getting ready to go back to school on the 29th. I dont plan on updating the blog while I'm at school unless there's some particular reason to, however if I am accepted to study abroad in Granada, Spain for second semester, I will resume it then.
Thanks for following!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
Cultural and economic reflections from Buenos Aires
This city is amazing. The parks are numerous and lush, the streets are packed with upscale shops, and the plazas are wide open and well kept. I find it hard to believe that it isn't more often included on the planet's short list of posh cities, that which normally includes New York, London, and Paris.
One of my greatest surprises in South America has been the discovery that many trades, including real estate, express their worth in US Dollars. Even street vendors and restaurants gladly accept American Dollars.
The use of the American Dollar is curious considering the current rates of decline on the international stage (specifically in reference to the Euro and Pound), but it may be related to the prominence of American businesses and American culture here in Buenos Aires, as well. It's common to see two McDonald's 100 yards apart on the same street (apparently Starbucks has yet to invade South America), roadside ads for the new season of "Grey's Anatomy", and American sports team apparel like the Chicago Bulls jackets and New England Patriots t-shirts.
Not to say they don't have a culture of their own, they certainly do. This is the home of the tango dance, and former Argentine soccer superstar Diego Maradona is worshiped like a god. This would be blasphemy in any other South American country, but in restaurants and bars you'll often see Maradona's picture up among the rafters where, in other countries, you might see a picture of Jesus.
Of all the places I've been so far, throughout Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, Buenos Aires is the place that most reminds me of a big city back home. A street corner in Buenos Aires could just as easily be one in New York or Chicago back home.
One of my greatest surprises in South America has been the discovery that many trades, including real estate, express their worth in US Dollars. Even street vendors and restaurants gladly accept American Dollars.
The use of the American Dollar is curious considering the current rates of decline on the international stage (specifically in reference to the Euro and Pound), but it may be related to the prominence of American businesses and American culture here in Buenos Aires, as well. It's common to see two McDonald's 100 yards apart on the same street (apparently Starbucks has yet to invade South America), roadside ads for the new season of "Grey's Anatomy", and American sports team apparel like the Chicago Bulls jackets and New England Patriots t-shirts.
Not to say they don't have a culture of their own, they certainly do. This is the home of the tango dance, and former Argentine soccer superstar Diego Maradona is worshiped like a god. This would be blasphemy in any other South American country, but in restaurants and bars you'll often see Maradona's picture up among the rafters where, in other countries, you might see a picture of Jesus.
Of all the places I've been so far, throughout Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, Buenos Aires is the place that most reminds me of a big city back home. A street corner in Buenos Aires could just as easily be one in New York or Chicago back home.
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