Can Someone Tell Me the Good Stuff?

[fifs2]

But,and it is a big but, people are friendly and they will help you. If you are getting robbed in a bus and you scream thief, poor guy. Some people will be worried that the guy in question has a weapon,but some of them will beat the shit out of him regardless of the consequences. The only time I was robbed at gunpoint in my life, in La Boca, a local neighbour did go out with a gun and told the robber that if he stayed there for one second more he would die, "and never try this again in this neighbourhood!". I lost 20 pesos, but I was proud that people would risk their life for me only because they don´t like this sort of stuff happening in their street.

I want to believe this as Bsasers are really community people but Im a little cycnical after seeing a channel 5 expose of muggings in Plaza Misere in broad daylight where gangs of 4 or more attacked individuals whilst others were sitting calmly looking on...ok Plaza Misere isnt a usual haunt of mine....and no Im NOT an idiot who believes everything the media print or show, just commenting on the reality of whether the locals will come to the rescue of all victims..

 

[fifs2]

There's a lot to love in BsAs...some of my own quick thoughts

- great genuine and hopefully eternal friendships with people who value you for who you are not for what job you have or money you make
- excellent private schools if you can afford to pay where your precious child will be loved as well as educated (teachers cry at parent teacher meetings as they grow attached to the kids..,maybe its just mine are so fabulous of course)
- excellent heath care if you can afford to pay
- boutique local ice cream shops on every block..you will never buy store ice cream again
- eating out from 8 - 3am with the kids in any type of restaurant and kids are welcome..particularly good are restaurants with play areas for the kids with carers...blissful peaceful dining for the parents
- handbags to die for
- autumn in any of the parks..the seasons are well defined and Autumn is my favorite
- jacaranda trees in spring..a stunning vision of deep purple blossoms on libertador or any avenue
- English book stores with reasonable prices and up to date releases
- birthday parties for the kids in a variety of interesting places you may have never thought of trying (zoo, kids museum etc)
- empanadas - find the best place in your neighbourhood and you will be addicted
- affordable and high quality red wine
- amazing fruit selection at v reasonaable prices..imagine your fridge packed with strawberries, water melon, grapes, peaches etc..that is what its like here starting Octoberish
- a boat trip in tigre..invigorating every single time
-tango classes,shows and music..still gives me the chills and reminds me im really here
- 24 hr chemists..theres a certain security in knowing that as a parent!
- politics soap operas...there is never a day where when I dont say no puede ser at the sheer bold faced acts of some politician...you will build up a catalog of stories that will later amaze your friends at dinner parties

There's lots more that makes being here easy..its not like we (crime victims included) are lving in fear every day but it is wise to be conscious it can happy to anyone no matter how fashly dressed you are..forget the stats on economy, crime, growth..as you will soon learn the data is meaningless..

Come and enjoy..you will gain more than you lose in the experience god willing...

 

[BAwithkids]

There's a lot to love in BsAs...some of my own quick thoughts

- great genuine and hopefully eternal friendships with people who value you for who you are not for what job you have or money you make
- excellent private schools if you can afford to pay where your precious child will be loved as well as educated (teachers cry at parent teacher meetings as they grow attached to the kids..,maybe its just mine are so fabulous of course)
- excellent heath care if you can afford to pay
- boutique local ice cream shops on every block..you will never buy store ice cream again
- eating out from 8 - 3am with the kids in any type of restaurant and kids are welcome..particularly good are restaurants with play areas for the kids with carers...blissful peaceful dining for the parents
- handbags to die for
- autumn in any of the parks..the seasons are well defined and Autumn is my favorite
- jacaranda trees in spring..a stunning vision of deep purple blossoms on libertador or any avenue
- English book stores with reasonable prices and up to date releases
- birthday parties for the kids in a variety of interesting places you may have never thought of trying (zoo, kids museum etc)
- empanadas - find the best place in your neighbourhood and you will be addicted
- affordable and high quality red wine
- amazing fruit selection at v reasonaable prices..imagine your fridge packed with strawberries, water melon, grapes, peaches etc..that is what its like here starting Octoberish
- a boat trip in tigre..invigorating every single time
-tango classes,shows and music..still gives me the chills and reminds me im really here
- 24 hr chemists..theres a certain security in knowing that as a parent!
- politics soap operas...there is never a day where when I dont say no puede ser at the sheer bold faced acts of some politician...you will build up a catalog of stories that will later amaze your friends at dinner parties

There's lots more that makes being here easy..its not like we (crime victims included) are lving in fear every day but it is wise to be conscious it can happy to anyone no matter how fashly dressed you are..forget the stats on economy, crime, growth..as you will soon learn the data is meaningless..

Come and enjoy..you will gain more than you lose in the experience god willing...

Thanks for a lovely post! And I'll definitely want to find the restaurants with play areas and carers there .

 

[AngelinBA]

My kids are not the ones you´re thinking of, mine are the 3 quiet ones drawing pictures with crayons and paper brought from home and presenting said drawings to the waiters, etc. I get congratulated on their good behaviour everywhere I go, from restaurants to taxis to long distance bus services. Argentine kids do tend to misbehave a LOT and run all over the place but people seem to take it in their stride here. (PS I don´t know what NZ kids would do in a restaurant setting because unless it´s McDs you just don´t see them).

Forgot to add "nyer nyer nyer!"

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Well, I am a local and I have never been victic of a violent crime. I can tell you one or two things about this city: 1. With all my respect, only poor people and expat want to live in San Telmo. Argentinian don´t. 2. The best is to have low profile.
If you live in Barrio Norte or Recoleta or Belgrano, it is very difficult that this happend. According to any other south american city, this is a very secure city.

Regarding your question, pros about bringing your family here. This is a place where they will find a friendly social enviroment where people have relations with people instead of money, things and work. We usually say that we work for living, we don´t live for working. Regards

 

[pauper]

and its full of Vitamin B and damn useful so making your blood taste so vile that no mosquito will go near you...also because it tastes bloody awful..its beef extract for goodness sakes.

Thinking of Bovril perhaps?

 

[Amargo]

Somehow I don't find it a pleasure to go out and have to put up with whining, crying kids. Those irritated New Zealanders have a good reason for giving the evil eye.

Sergio, I have never read a positive comment by you. Not only you dislike Argentina, but also children. In one of your posts you complained about music played in Cafés. Cheer up, life is not so bad!

 

[Lamb]

Am i the only one who really doesnt feel unsafe or targetted here? I get on and off busses and subways all the time, but no one has ever bothered me a bit.

 

[Liam3494]

Lamb = No you're not, BUT, it's always sensible to be aware of what is going on around you, whatever city, town, or village you are in, no matter what country you live in. I use the collectivoi's and the subte's, and even the main railway trains, on a regular basis, and don't "feel" threatened at all, but I always keep my eyes, and ears open, as I do wherever I live/work.

Bajo- OK, I know I am an ex-pat, but I know quite a few, non-poor, Argentines, who love and live in San Telmo, it's NOT all bad, and whilst I respect your views, being local, I do dispair (how do you spell that?), when blow-ins who live in The Island, knock San Telmo, having only ever passed through it once or twice (probably in a taxi!), probably on a Sunday!

 

[starlucia]

Am i the only one who really doesnt feel unsafe or targetted here? I get on and off busses and subways all the time, but no one has ever bothered me a bit.

Lamb, I hope this doesn't come off in the wrong way, but how long have you been here? Like they say, "everyone feels safe until something happens." When I first arrived, I was blissfully unaware of the crime problem, and kind of wrote off the warnings of my Argentine friends who told me how clever the thieves are here (thinking, "whatever, I'm from NYC, same thing.") Thanks to decent street smarts and a little luck, nothing ever happened to me, but the more I became immersed in the local culture (listening to the stories of long-time BA residents, witnessing street muggings and pickpockets, catching waiters who tried to shortchange me), the more I realized that the crime situation is real. So basically, while I don't feel targeted, I'm aware that this city is home to many, many thieves who always are looking for a target.