Buenos Aires - 2002 Reports

Re: AMEX Office

It's just off San Martin's Plaza on 707 Aernales. FYI re: AMEX bank downstairs in the building. You can change your AMEX checks to American Dollars for free N/C. To me this is the best of all worlds. You get the safety of the travellers checks (I get them for no commission thru the local AAA office.) and you get almost the liquidity of cash without conversion charges. As of last week when I was in BA, they were exchanging Dollars for Pesos at 1 to 3.4.

I LUV'd BA and Argentina. Made a few side trips to Patagonia and Iguazu Falls. Fellow members. Take the time and make some side trips. IMHO, you'll be missing the 4th leg of the Argentina - besides the Girls (of course), food, and shopping - the natural sights. It's absolutely breath-taking!

Just heard on the radio that the Argentinian Government defaulted on another round of loans. Whadya think this will have on the exchange rates?

DCRAIN:

1) Small bills: Go to any bank (it is mandatory by law to change money to the public), ask security "cual es la cola para cambio chico?" (what's the line for small change?), wait for your turn and ask the cashier "billetes de 10 pesos y 10 pesos en monedas" (bills of p10 and p10 in coins). I usually change p400 in p10 bills in the first business day after arrival.

2) Beggers: Yes, beggers are organized in maffias. One of the most famous ones were the Romanian immigrants who flooded the Calle Florida by the mid 90s, all of them with the same kind of sign written with the same letter. Police found later that they released the day collection at a San Telmo or Constitucion hotel to a maffia organizer.

My advice is not to give: Spend your money in goods and you will indirectly help the country and the poor.

3) Counterfeit money is pervassive. Look for security measures in bills and be careful.

4) Women are more auburn or dirty blonde than real blonde. Many of them dye their hairs with colors ranging from "platynum blonde" to copper. We jokingly call the fake blondes as "rubias taxis" (cab blondes) because they are yellow in the top hair and black in the bottom hair.

5) Food: There is an EXCELLENT and cheap book about BA restaurants written by the famous Argentine restaurant jury Francisco Vidal Bussi. Buy it and I'm sure that 80% of these places are really great.

Ah! If you have money to burn, go to the BEST restaurant in Buenos Aires: "Tomo I", in the Intercontinental Hotel in front of the Obelisco (well, best tied with the French Alvear Palace Hotel restaurant). The chef is a Doctor in Mathematics and she prepares excellent and genuine dishes. It used to cost $100 per person during the 1-1. Now it may be cheaper.

Hope this helps,

Andres

Just a quick note, excellent advice as always from Andres and DCrain. The banks are certainly an option for small bills, but I went to my favorite cafe each morning for coffee or breakfast, and simply always paid the check with a 100p note. The restaurants always have change, and this provided me with enough small bills to last the day. Each trip I have come home with lots of small bills to spare.

EZE :)

jamesbond,

007 man....great write up about Delores. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. She sounds absolutely wonderful and I can see what you meant about MATURE. Although I don´t mind age maturity, I can see where this is the kind of maturity you want to stick around "afterwards."


FB

Also, b69, just left an email for you.

FB

All right another post.

Yesterday night hooked with JohnGuapo and Jackson the man himself. Gave him my thanks for all he does for the mongering community.

And we did a small tour. Went downtown. First club was Hook. Mainly young chicas and quite a few hot looking ones. Definitely happy to go. Typical cabaret with shows, etc. Nice and laid back.

Then went next door to Cattos. Older girls, apparently with less energy. Older crowd also who goes there. Similar type of cabaret. I personally preferred Hook, since there were more girls, younger ones, and more attractive.

Then we left the downtown area and went to Madahos, with the fresh memory of the day before with such a variety and high quality girls. Surprisingly, there were many less girls and far from having as many hot ones as the night before. Go figure !
Could it be that on Thursday more guys go out (without family) and thus more girls are there to attend ? No clue.

In the end, I chose a nice looking dark haired girl. Good bod. Name is Maria Belen. 25 years old. Has a kid and is single mother. Had to buy her a couple of drinks at Peso 30 each before leaving Madahos.
Very friendly, full of positive energy, sweet and funny. The sex was good but not a GFE. BBBJ but she was not very good at that. Gave me a decent massage afterwards. Peso 200 for an hour. Gave her Peso 300 for two hours.

More to follow. I leave tomorrow evening. So there is still tonight and tomorrow afternoon !!! Fat Bastard and I will hook up later on tonight normally. So another raid!!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vsg888
[i]Re: AMEX Office

Just heard on the radio that the Argentinian Government defaulted on another round of loans. Whadya think this will have on the exchange rates? [/i][/QUOTE]

Apparently the latest default yesterday had no effect on the peso, as it was expected. The pesos is still around 3.5, where it's been for almost six months.

About a week ago the government partially lifted the corralito, the limit on bank withdrawals and the peso spiked to 3.6, then went down to 3.5 again the next day.

But on Dec. 19 and 20th there is going to be a massive demonstration in BA, a year from the date of the devaluation and corralito. Most Argentines, including Dolores who is active in the politicial scene, believe it will be violent, with supermarket looting, etc. Some mentioned that some Menen supporters want to show that the current goverment can not control the situation and that the army should be used to control social turmoil and rising crime.

IF it is violent the peso will probably go to 4 to 1 dollar or more. For the sake of the country I hope it's not violent and the pesos remains where it is but that's the situation.

WARNING:
All mongers should exercise caution on Dec. 19 & 20th, as the situation could get nasty. I suggest you stay in Recoleta during those dates. Last Dec. 19th 28 people were killed in the protest, mostly in downtown and the poorer suburbs.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fat Bastard
[i]jamesbond,

007 man....great write up about Delores. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. She sounds absolutely wonderful and I can see what you meant about MATURE. Although I don´t mind age maturity, I can see where this is the kind of maturity you want to stick around "afterwards."

[/i][/QUOTE]

I wrongly referred to Dolores as a hooker. Actually she is more in the tradition of a "courtesan", in that she's like the women in the eighteenth century French court that expertly serviced the nobility sexually but also provided spiritual and intellectual services.

Coutesans had semi accepted role to play in the society, offering relief from the conventionality of their aristocratic wives and were not shunned and cosidered outcasts, as are women who one would apply the term "hooker" and solely rent out their bodies to any stranger by the clock.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nibu Raphael
[i]HB When you say Delores is active Politicallly in BA I hope the right way. I see way too many Socialist Communist Demonstrations in SA.,,,,,,,,,, NIBU R.................... [/i][/QUOTE]

I didn't have time to discuss in detail her politics, so can't say if she is a communist or not, although in Latin American and other places it's unclear what a communist is anymore. I wouldn't classify Lulu as a communist or even Chavez. There politics are not as clear as Castro. I know that she participated in the demonstration last year against the devaluation and will be participating on Dec. 19 & 20th but then so will millions of others, most of whom are from the now poor middle class. and just feel they must protest the situation somehow but not really have any solutions, as who does.

I can say that she's very familiar with the ideas of the American economist Stiglitz and like him opposes many of the demands the IFM is now trying to impose on Argentina. She feels the IMF is just making the matter worse. Also like almost all Argentines she blames most of the problems on the corruption of Argentine leaders, with the root of the problems starting with the Peron era.

And she is very opposed to Menen and some of this positions, such as dollarization and the militarization of the police to combat crime. That's about all I know.

Well, last night, another round.

Hooked up with Fat bastard and did a tour.

Started light. Went to Kilkenneys (Irish pub), not a monger place, just a regular place for drinks and to see the crowd. Lots of good looking girls.

Stopped at Cafe Orleans afterwards. Was dead, like three dogs were there. I understand it is a day place.

Went to Newport around 1 am. Few people. A couple of nice looking girls though.

Then went to Black, just for the sake of it. Since we had read that Saturday it was the place to check out. The place was definitely full of girls, and many were really hot.
Our curiosity being satisfied, and temptation sorely tested, we headed for Shampoo, curious to meet Dolores who has received such reviews, the modern day courtisane according to James Bond.
Place was rather tranquil. There were a few good looking girls. The dancers were impressive.
Found Dolores. Talked to her quite a bit (she is a windmill of words, a chatterbox). Undeniably very smart and friendly.
I was however feeling pretty tired. Did I hit the monger wall as John Guapo mentioned? And so Fat Bastard was doing most of the talking.
I did try to overcome my tiredness, thinking of heading to Estilo Nuevo, to repear Leila or try Antonella (a John Guapo recommendation) but was simply too tired. And headed back to the Apart hotel alone (which surprised the guy at the entrance; it surprised me too).

And now only a few hours left before the planes takes me away. Maybe I can end with a bang. Will report if anything new comes up.

More to follow in the next few hours hopefully.

Hi Andres,

I went to one bank on my next-to-last day. I waited 5-10 minutes and no teller even showed up to help the people in front of me. I left and went to the Paris Cambio. If you could list some banks with good service, it would help people.

EZE amante - It depends on the restaurant. I think the restaurants near the Etoile do a lot of business and have a lot more cash. We ate at Celettos a lot and and sat near the cash register. I don't think they ever kept more than 300 pesos in the register at one time. Most of their patrons paid with credit card.

Hi Guys;

New to this board. I've been traveling mostly to Thailand, PI, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Interested in getting a quick overview of BA. Sounds intrigueing, but very complicated. Is everything spread out? (No pun intended) I'm gathering that most of the action is in clubs. Anyone familiar with the Asian scene, that can compare that action vs. what you can find in BA?

If you had only 2 days in BA (planning on a stop over), what would you suggest for a newbie (hotel and action spots). Just want to get a taste of what BA is about, and make good use of the 2 days. I'll try to get hooked up with the girl Jackson recommended as well. I think her input would be worth it, due to my time constraints. Thanks in advance, for any light you can shed on this.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jamesbond69
[i]
WARNING:
All mongers should exercise caution on Dec. 19 & 20th, as the situation could get nasty. I suggest you stay in Recoleta during those dates. Last Dec. 19th 28 people were killed in the protest, mostly in downtown and the poorer suburbs. [/i][/QUOTE]

Hmm..I'll be in Bs As during this time frame. Should be interesting. The economy and money problems really weigh on the Argentinian's minds. Concerning the demonstrations....I have heard that the government opposition busses poor folks in and pays them $10 pesos a day, just to provide shear numbers, but I know normal everyday people in Bs As that protested a year ago and plan to do so again this year. Lots of retirees/senior citizens lost their savings last year and they will be out there as well. All in all; non-violent people who are just pissed off and worried.

As previously posted, met up with b69 and did a nice whirlwind tour...brought two workplace friends along who wanted to know the scene. b69 is one smooth guy...much more cosmopolitan and well spoken than I ever hope to be. Speaks four languages fluently...I have problems with English.

Missed out on meeting Nibu...we kept missing each other, but I had to laugh as I talked to him on the phone and he talks like he writes. When I called looking for him, I only had to ask for the "loco gringo" and the front desk chica knew exactly who I was talking about.

Fat Bastard,

I'll be there too during that time frame and I am NOT worried. Don't get all caught up in what people write here about demonstrations, rioting and protesting. I've been down there several times this year and have yet to have any problems. I was there during the heat of things when they shut down the banks. Still no problems.

More importantly, I also email with at least 50 guys from around the world that have been down to BA based on reports on this board. NONE of them experienced violance or crime.

People have to remember that the locals are not pissed at Americans. For the most part they are pissed at their own politicians. The people of their own country that robbed and cheated them and that have been for years.

Use common sense and you'll be fine.

P.S. Go back to the archives around April 2002. There were the same type of posts where people were warning about protests, riots, etc.. Everything was cool. Also, I don't see the peso getting too much weaker than it is. I think the trading range will be between 3 and 4 for a while.

Hey FB Yeh Bro I left you like 3 messages sucked we never hooked up the same with Havanaman. I hope to make it back in Argentina Maybe in april in BA For a few days or Man Late 2003 for a good 6 week tour. To B69 Who Are you? I wish I could of met you too. Who Are you B69??? Tell me more about yourself. Again to Jackson thanks for giving me a page but damn I can Not POst on it. Ha Confuses Me but anways Thanks.... Ok You Dudes I might make a post in the Valparaiso Chile section as I am here now and will be for a full 24 hours,,,,,,,, NIBU R.......

[QUOTE]Originally posted by saint
[i]More importantly, I also email with at least 50 guys from around the world that have been down to BA based on reports on this board. NONE of them experienced violance or crime.
[/i][/QUOTE]

Agreed.

I was in BA for a month last week and walked around at night in different neighborhoods, some certainly not upscale like recoleta and had absolutely no problems. And I'm physically no Claude van Damme.

Despite what you read in the press BA is safer in my opinion then NYC during the crack epidemic in the 80's, when it was very dangerous here. The are problems with the taxi's and express kidnappping but if you are just a bit street wise you shouldn't have a problem. For example I always call taxi cabs, which are 100% safe, rather than hail the taxis cruising in the street. So do many Argentines.

And there is NO open hostility to Americans or foreigners, as you might encounter in say Arabic or Muslim countries, even if 37% of Argentines in a recent poll stated that they are against the American government\, which they consider in control the IMF.

I am not posting about street crime. I am not posting about violence against foreigners or Americans.

I only post an annoucement about the dates Dec. 19 & 20th, since email from my Argentine friends, is that there will probably be some violence on these dates during and after the massive demonstrations downtown and no one who doesn't want wants to get in the middle of it, particularly if you don't speak Spanish.

It is not wise for example to go to the downtown boliches ie Hooks or Cattos during those dates. Even many Argentines will not be downtown and caught in the demonstrations. It would be very naive to do so, unless you are specifically interested in the event, which is something else aside from mongering.

Best to stay in Recoleta, far enough away from the massive demonstrations downtown and you should be fine.