While there's no doubt that things have declined these past months, Buenos Aires and the people here still hold joy, it's cultural.
No government can take it away, no matter how hard they try.
Since living here (about 12 years now) I've seen the political and economic climate ebb and flow. What's never changed? The people I was surrounded by, their spirit and grace. Look at them marching for their rights...they're involved, they care. Given the lackluster choices they have by way of politicians...they do what they think is best, then cross their fingers and get through it.
Everyday...whether I'm walking in San Telmo, Palermo, Belgrano, Almagro, Caballito, Centro, Congreso...I still see the care that's enshrined in the culture. People walking arm in arm (couples, family members, friends)...I still see people stopping, bending down and talking to those living in precarious situations on the street, even though others might walk on by. I see people that have means pitching in to help those who don't...at a higher rate than I've seen anywhere I've lived/traveled.
In the twisted world we live in, Governments can't be trusted to do what's right for those that elect them, but here...I see solidarity.
I plan on staying unless it becomes something I can no longer afford (as I come from thin means, unlike some other expatriates that might be able to afford a bit more time in the economic trenches).
My heart is here, I love it here and even if I have to trade meals out to cook polenta with veg at a friends home...that's something I can muster if it means being surrounded by the people in this city I've come to adore. The value was never in how far my earnings could stretch here compared to my home country...it was about something larger. Something I don't see fading as many others here do.
I see joy, even in the midst of the economic decline and not just in circles that have the money to float them through...even in my circle, around friends with lower incomes. They've been through the wringer, they know how to survive. Infact, I'd rather be here during instability, around people who're familiar with its trappings than in the U.S where any minor inconvenience is increasingly met with violence, gunfire.
I often see on the news that people in the US are getting shot near daily now in 'road rage' incidents and on a recent visit back I saw many adult temper tantrums toward service workers...complete melt downs over things like a coffee shop running out of their housemade flavored syrup...or having to wait five minutes for a fast food order. So...I'll hedge my bets with people here...who can stand in a two hour line like it's baked into their psyche. For the most part...worst you'll get is a feigned sigh and a few choice bits of lunfardo.
Equally, there's still vibrant culture to be had on the cheap. Live music, film, museums, nature preserves, parks and some great cheap meal deals if you don't want to take part in the latest gastronomy trends that cost far more. And, to everyone that mentions the cost of Bimbo bread soaring (near 5000 peso was quoted). I got a freshly baked loaf of 'pan de nuez' for $2500 pesos from an independent panadería and it tastes far better than that processed stuff ever could.
Little by little...Argentina will survive this...least that's what I'm hoping.
Too long, didn't read: The country-even in collapse-has high value...it's held in the care and grace of its citizens and culture. I plan to stay and see it through...to the other side of this administration and beyond. Home is home.
