Daily Archive

“Everyday in Buenos Aires is a relentless battle for cambio.” That was what an acquaintance told us when we were newly arrived in the city… It struck us as silly then.

 But, oh how true it is… The conspicuous $100 peso note ($30USD) inspires fear and loathing in the hearts of cab-drivers and cashiers across the city… The reason for this is partially because of all the counterfeit currency in circulation. But it boarders on the ridiculous as you’re driven to desperate lengths in search of small bills…

 Yet again, upon arriving at our destination with nothing but one of these dreaded hundreds we had to run around in the night, like a chicken with our head cut-off, in search of the coveted cambio.

Yes, we were prepared earlier in the night. We had cambio. But cambio has a way of disappearing like you wouldn’t believe…

We’re getting ahead of ourselves. Last night’s taxi ride brought us from our first tango show, the ultimate Buenos Aires tourist event… With a visitor in town we figured we might as well take the plunge. So we signed ourselves up for a dinner and show at Esquina Homero Manzi in Boedo. Manzi apparently was a famous tango lyrics writer in the 40’s. He wrote his first show when he was 14 years-old…

The ambiance seemed authentic. The music and the dancing were very nice. We weren’t bowled-over by it. But it was memorable. The food, however, not so much…

It’s inspired us to check out some more tango shows in San Telmo. We bought the musicians’ CD at the show. And we’ll probably listening to more tango music… All and all a good experience, just next time, we’re bringing more cambio…