One of the things I love about Argentina
Is the fact that it keeps me on my toes. Around every corner is some Portenyo out to get as much of my money as they can. It's not worse than the oil companies here in the states it's just more personal.
Please allow a story:
Back in the days of antiquity when I still worked for an airline, I traveled to far Argentina. My seat mate on my journey was a young man that also worked for the same airline. He was an innocent boy on his first trip down south, the stains of Brigham Young University still unwashed from his mien. As far as seat mates go he was pretty good, interesting conversation and skinny enough to not intrude into my personal space. He had broken away from the faith associated with the afore mentioned university so I sensed the opportunity to introduce somebody into the world our debauchery. We exchanged email addresses to get in touch with one and other once we had established ourselves.
Our own fair Anna Luna was meeting me at the airport and I offered the lad a ride. He declined stating that because he had been invited to participate in an adventure race his airport transfer was being provided. I on the other hand was being picked up by our own fair Anna Luna, pre boob job sadly but a joy none the less. After clearing customs I saw my fair maid and also got a look at the shifty eyed scoundrel my friend would be riding with. I again offered him a ride with me and again he declined. The last thing I told him before we parted company was to ask how much his ride would cost BEFORE getting in the car. I had impressed upon this fair haired lad the general importance of this on our trip down. I explained that while BsAs was a beautiful city and it's inhabitants while oft time truly wonderful people and at least 50% of them delicious to fuck they could be at times a bit slippery when doing business with Los Norte Americanos. I had explained several times that if prices are not agreed upon before service was provided or products consumed that the resulting surprises where never pleasant. With these wise words yet ringing in his ear my new friend jumped in his remis without a word to his driver and off he went.
I myself enjoyed a pleasant trip into town with the preboob job Anna, being whisked to my hotel safely and in a most expeditious manner. Later that same evening I made arraingments to have dinner with my new friend. It was my plan to have a nice repast then walk to Cafe Excedra where I would introduce him to if not the cream of the Buenos Aires mongering community at least the degenerates I call my friends and closest companions while I am there, brother Dickhead being among them. Over dinner I inquired, with a knowing eye of course, as to his ride into town. At this point my friend had a fit akin to a new convert at a tent show revival. Seems the miscreant driving his remis had charged him, wait for it, 75 fucking dollars for the honor of sitting in his broken down Renoult. I had paid of course Anna's standard fee of 45 pesos to be dropped off at a hotel 45 blocks from his.
There is a silver lining to this dark cloud of a story though. Having experienced what passes for "let the buyer beware" in Argentina I'm proud to say that over 3 days, while fucking a truly amazing amount of trim even by brother Dickheads standards my friend never once asked "how much" rather he informed his delightful companions what he would be giving them, and he never ever once paid in advance. Except at apartments where there is no post coital payment option.
The moral of this long winded story? Ask how much something costs if you can't give it back when they charge you. It's not that Argentines have questionable ethics but rather they have ethics that are appropriate for their country and it is their fucking country. It's how it works and if after reading this you're still stupid enough to do the same thing then you are no longer a victim but rather a willing participant, or perhaps a wanky dag with a chip on your shoulder.
Submitted for your approval.
DR
My meal at Plaza Asturias will not be my last
This may be the best foos that I've had in Argentina. I ate dishes that I have never had before. Each dish was better than the last, The prices are very reasonable.
I can usually handle a restaurant menue without any problems. This menue had so many things that I had never heard of before that I must have spent 30 minutes with the waitress getting explanations before I orderred with my argentine friend's help.
Some one at the table must speak fair spanish or you will be restricted to the most comon dishes that you know from past experience---which is still great!
