Argentina, June/July 2023

[Latbear4blk]

If you have read any of my previous reporta on Argentina, you know how fond I am of local bakeries and patisseries. I am for a few hours in Buenos Aires (will return this Friday), and just had a quick walk in my former hood, Recoleta. These are some of the prices in one of my best bakeries, Dos Escudos (you will need to zoom in):

And for the meat lovers, this is from Res, perhaps the biggest local butcheries chain:

Today the exchange rate is U$S 1 = $AR 262 (OFFICIAL) = $AR 492 (BLUE).

[davet]

How do you feel about bringing and carrying all that American cash to take advantage of the blue rate?

[Latbear4blk]

 

How do you feel about bringing and carrying all that American cash to take advantage of the blue rate?

I am not wealthy; I do not carry lots of money. The cash I do have is not a big deal. I would prefer not to do it, but no drama.

[Latbear4blk]

As I missed my flight from Miami, I also missed the one I booked from Buenos Aires to Corrientes, where I am. My best option to be in Corrientes this morning was to get on a bus. I remember that we discussed this option for traveling in Brazil and Colombia. I also recommend it here in Argentina.

The best bus category is called "Ejecutivo." You travel on a seat that you can recline perfectly horizontally to sleep, including a curtain that provides privacy. Unfortunately, these buses were not available last night. I got a ticket for the following category, "Coche Cama":

The seats do not get fully horizontal, but they are more comfortable than in the second category for plains (Economy Plus in American Airlines). Before the pandemic, these services included an attendant, dinner, breakfast, drinks, a pillow, and a blanket. These extras are all gone now, but the service is still convenient and affordable. I paid 40 bucks for an 11 hours trip.

In the picture, you do not notice that the seats on the left (where I was) are single so that you can avoid any potentially unwanted contact with other human been.

 

[macdaddi]

Ya vengo yo con estos precios 🙃

Sea que pasaré mi cumple en Argentina y no en Puerto Rico

[Latbear4blk]

 

Ya vengo yo con estos precios 🙃

Sea que pasaré mi cumple en Argentina y no en Puerto Rico

When is your birthday? I will be in Buenos Aires from June 23 to July 7th. 

[Latbear4blk]

Spoiler Alert: I do not think I will have anything to report on escorts. Since my last escapade to Brazil, my libido has been down, and hiring from ads does not look appealing right now. I can share some generalities about not paid sex. The apps are not working for me on this trip. After a few disappointing experiences in DC, I feel pictures do not guarantee chemistry, and I am not interested in sex without chemistry. I am very nostalgic for the times before the Internet.

I do have good news. Street cruising is very much alive in Buenos Aires. I have been doing stuff, hanging out with my people, and hooked up twice in less than one week. When you are not hunting, you get your best prey. Once, I hooked up with a Morocho on the local underground train (el Subte). Then, I was strolling in Recoleta and hooked up with a Paulista who took me to his hotel. Both were great meetings; we may meet again if our schedules match. The Morocho and I are working, and our free times do not match, and the Brazilian is leaving this weekend. Let's see.

In the local forums, there is plenty of information about sex parties, saunas, outdoor sex, and porn theaters, but I think I will pass this year. There is also a lot of info about bars and strip clubs, but the fun in Buenos Aires starts after 2 AM, and Grampa is not up to the challenge. Anymore. I will be here until next Friday, let's see.

I have used taxi cabs for transportation for the last few years. It is very affordable if you are a visitor. However, my Airbnb is just a few steps from a Subte station this year. I cannot recommend this option enough. The city has expanded its network significantly since I moved out +21 years ago. Check the fees. (today's exchange rate: U$S 1 = $AR 260 official/$AR 490 Blue) For Subte's fees, scroll down to Subte/Premetro. The network is safe and with good signage. I am not 100% sure of the latter, as I swim in my water. I have the impression visitors would have no problems getting oriented.

Middle-Class visitors from Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile invaded the city. Everything is cheaper for them. I am unsure whether or not to recommend Buenos Aires to sex tourists, but I strongly recommend it to everyone else. The arts scene is booming with high-quality productions "in and off-Broadway." If you are an American fond of musical comedies, be aware that they are nonexistent in the local culture, which follows European standards. 

I was expecting to see fewer Venezuelans, as the crisis here is only getting worse as opposed to their country of origin. I was wrong. The city is still full of well-educated Venezuelans and Colombians, primarily working in gastronomy and delivery and attending the prestigious and free Universidad de Buenos Aires. 

As I reported in previous visits, gastronomy keeps diversifying and expanding. I am in a neighborhood called Chacarita, and Palermo's gentrification has reached this area. The options for bars, restos, wineries, and breweries are countless.

Strangely, despite the economic crisis, Porteños seem to be in a better mood than ever. People are kind, smiling, and asking how you are. This is new. The only thing that may explain this change is the World Cup. Remarkable. It may not last, as we are close to national elections, and the political forecasting is not good.

[Axiom2020]

On 6/29/2023 at 9:42 AM, Latbear4blk said:

Spoiler Alert: I do not think I will have anything to report on escorts. Since my last escapade to Brazil, my libido has been down, and hiring from ads does not look appealing right now. I can share some generalities about not paid sex. The apps are not working for me on this trip. After a few disappointing experiences in DC, I feel pictures do not guarantee chemistry, and I am not interested in sex without chemistry. I am very nostalgic for the times before the Internet.

I do have good news. Street cruising is very much alive in Buenos Aires. I have been doing stuff, hanging out with my people, and hooked up twice in less than one week. When you are not hunting, you get your best prey. Once, I hooked up with a Morocho on the local underground train (el Subte). Then, I was strolling in Recoleta and hooked up with a Paulista who took me to his hotel. Both were great meetings; we may meet again if our schedules match. The Morocho and I are working, and our free times do not match, and the Brazilian is leaving this weekend. Let's see.

In the local forums, there is plenty of information about sex parties, saunas, outdoor sex, and porn theaters, but I think I will pass this year. There is also a lot of info about bars and strip clubs, but the fun in Buenos Aires starts after 2 AM, and Grampa is not up to the challenge. Anymore. I will be here until next Friday, let's see.

I have used taxi cabs for transportation for the last few years. It is very affordable if you are a visitor. However, my Airbnb is just a few steps from a Subte station this year. I cannot recommend this option enough. The city has expanded its network significantly since I moved out +21 years ago. Check the fees. (today's exchange rate: U$S 1 = $AR 260 official/$AR 490 Blue) For Subte's fees, scroll down to Subte/Premetro. The network is safe and with good signage. I am not 100% sure of the latter, as I swim in my water. I have the impression visitors would have no problems getting oriented.

Middle-Class visitors from Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile invaded the city. Everything is cheaper for them. I am unsure whether or not to recommend Buenos Aires to sex tourists, but I strongly recommend it to everyone else. The arts scene is booming with high-quality productions "in and off-Broadway." If you are an American fond of musical comedies, be aware that they are nonexistent in the local culture, which follows European standards. 

I was expecting to see fewer Venezuelans, as the crisis here is only getting worse as opposed to their country of origin. I was wrong. The city is still full of well-educated Venezuelans and Colombians, primarily working in gastronomy and delivery and attending the prestigious and free Universidad de Buenos Aires. 

As I reported in previous visits, gastronomy keeps diversifying and expanding. I am in a neighborhood called Chacarita, and Palermo's gentrification has reached this area. The options for bars, restos, wineries, and breweries are countless.

Strangely, despite the economic crisis, Porteños seem to be in a better mood than ever. People are kind, smiling, and asking how you are. This is new. The only thing that may explain this change is the World Cup. Remarkable. It may not last, as we are close to national elections, and the political forecasting is not good.

 

-------------------------

I had the very best fuck of my life while visiting Buenos Aires during my third trip (...have been there 4 or 5Xs with the intention of perhaps going back in 2024 for only a few days.  

The man was a friend of a friend.  He came to my apartment and really, really, really "laid the pipe" to me.  The next year he and his very good friend plowed out my brain in a very torrid 3way.  My other sexual experiences during those times were had by escorts I'd hired from www.soytuyo.com and another site (name I've forgotten but it still exists.  ALL were great except for two or perhaps three, but that was all right, for my others were oh so wonderful and are still memorable.

I DON'T KNOW what the sex scene is like post COVID.  I do know overall that I liked the culture, the food, the history to which I was introduced, and the people in general.  I liked the differences between Brazilians and the Argentines as well.  In terms of men- one DOES NOT have to worry about endowments.  For the most part, they are on par with each other.  My trips include culture and sex but NOT necessarily SEX exclusively.

...still remember that now defunct restaurant/bar nightclub INSIDE.  ...oh so many hung men stripping.  I HAVE VERY FOND and indeed pleasant memories of BUENOS AIRES.  BsAs is a beautiful city.  

One of my tour guides relayed to me that I'd taken in almost all of the cultural attributes prior to my engaging his services.  I smiled.

I say, men, give this county and its prime capital some of your time.

[davet]

On 6/20/2023 at 12:49 PM, Latbear4blk said:

I am not wealthy; I do not carry lots of money. The cash I do have is not a big deal. I would prefer not to do it, but no drama.

Still, I'd have to bring $2000-$5000 cash if I'm going for a couple weeks or if with someone else. Just taking that much money through airports (still below declaration amount at least), on planes, in taxis to my hotel or apartment. And then if I'm moving around to other cities. Criminals must know there are a lot of people carrying or holding USD cash. That's what's most worrisome for me, but paying double the price for everything to pay by credit card is not appealing either.

[Latbear4blk]

7 hours ago, davet said:

Still, I'd have to bring $2000-$5000 cash if I'm going for a couple weeks or if with someone else. Just taking that much money through airports (still below declaration amount at least), on planes, in taxis to my hotel or apartment. And then if I'm moving around to other cities. Criminals must know there are a lot of people carrying or holding USD cash. That's what's most worrisome for me, but paying double the price for everything to pay by credit card is not appealing either.

That is why I am hesitant to recommend Argentina for traveling right now.

That said, I took only 1K with me and spent less than half of that. I am very low maintenance, plus on this trip, I did not buy sex or weed, which are the two heaviest items in my traveling budget (I am not including tickets and lodging).

[msclelovr]

It’s interesting to see your pics and to learn of the current FX rates to the $ @Latbear4blk

But I’d like to know the current prices locally for meals in Palermo and Recoleta. As a frequent middle-class visitor, I’ve rarely done self-catering. What interests me is having a decent lunch in a good cafe, and a steak dinner with a bottle of Malbec in a good restaurant. Please would you indicate the likely costs of say lunch for 1 and dinner for 2 people. 
 

Incidentally, locals always warned me against taking the Subte. They said pickpocketing was rife on crowded trains. 

[Latbear4blk]

1 hour ago, msclelovr said:

It’s interesting to see your pics and to learn of the current FX rates to the $ @Latbear4blk

But I’d like to know the current prices locally for meals in Palermo and Recoleta. As a frequent middle-class visitor, I’ve rarely done self-catering. What interests me is having a decent lunch in a good cafe, and a steak dinner with a bottle of Malbec in a good restaurant. Please would you indicate the likely costs of say lunch for 1 and dinner for 2 people. 
 

Incidentally, locals always warned me against taking the Subte. They said pickpocketing was rife on crowded trains. 

You can research menus on line and see the prices. I did not go to any restaurants in Palermo or Recoleta.

I did not have any problems traveling in Subte, and I did it intensely.