Oops - Just realized that I never finished this. The main omission was the final evening's dinner at CALDEN DEL SOHO, a cozy, yummy Palermo neighborhood spot, quieter and with slightly better steaks than Don Julio's (Three of us shared one steak, can't remember the cut). I went with a British couple, both physicians. They were on their way to meet a tour group in Machu Picchu, and were peeved that they didn't find out in advance about the blue dollar/euro because UK sterling was not in the loop.

HASTA PRONTO, BA
The next day I arrived in Santiago for a stellar 9-day work trip. My hotel was adjacent to a huge mall where the prices were the same as in the US and I instantly regretted not doing more shopping in BA. The access to bargains there for those in the know (thanks, AV!) could have been a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially because rumor has it that the blue dollar is on its way to becoming a distant memory.

But, blue market or no blue market, Buenos Aires is one of the world's great destinations and I can't wait to return and spend a proper amount of time.

Well, thank you crosscheck, for your "EL FIN" and even more so for your "HASTA PRONTO"!

Our central bank is tightening, which is totally out of character for a "serial money printer".

Such an unusual action has narrowed the savings you can get by paying in pesos obtained by selling your cash dollars in the "blue" (black) exchange market on anything you can pay with a credit card to around 27% as of Friday's close, but the bargains are still there.

Get back here soon with your DH and hopefully the rest of your family. Wonderful Argentina beckons!

Corrected final sentence:

But, blue market or no blue market, Buenos Aires is one of the world's great destinations and I can't wait to return and spend a proper amount of time (and money!)

Now...can I submit this a contender for the longest trip report ever for the shortest trip?

Well, what if you submit it as a contender for the longest time ever spent in getting around to ending a TR?? LOL!!!

Just discovered this TR and enjoying reading it.

Crosscheck what a marvelous, witty, informative trip report. Many thanks. I marvel at your adventurous spirt…you can pack a lot of liven' into 60 hours.

hope this bumps to the top for others planning BA trip. I am going to check out your hotel--we are traveling with our college-aged son so need two rooms, very interested in the possibility of paying for a lovely hotel with the blue tinged currency option.

JIC anyone wants to read "a few" Argentina trip reports:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm

Have a great time in my country.

nan, Thanks so much for the kind words. I have two twenty-something sons and they would have loved the Mine and the neighborhood. My older son was very fortunate to visit BA recently for work and he said it's one of his favorite cities on the planet. The good deals are just the icing on the cake - enjoy!

Woohoo, we were able to get into mine for at least part of our time in BA. Working on an apartment option for the longer period. So grateful for the good steer on the hotel.

I will update my other post for anyone interested on itinerary as it has developed. Thanks to avrooster for encouragement to come! I read the trip reports you posted earlier today, lots of good information there, many thanks.

crosscheck it will be fun to see what our son thinks of Argentina. We had a marvelous trip to Spain and Portugal last year over Christmas/early Jan which he found revelatory. Seeing his eyes light up at the Seville Cathedral, prehistoric caves, Alhambra, fireworks on NYEve in Lisbon, roman remains in Portugal and Spain and the incredible Cordoba--all a treat. I think the tango will be interesting to compare to flamingo, yes?

Thank you nantravel for bumping this thread up. I have made arrangements for a home exchange to BA (san telmo) and starting reading the forums. Unfortunately the trip won't be until 2016.

Since I mostly go to Europe, I am already 'lost' going to BA. I need to find out about this blue/black market thing! Sounds interesting and somewhat illicit (meaning fun!).

I am also hoping to learn a few tango moves before 2016 :-)

Thanks crosscheck for all the tips and suggestions.

I'm sure I will be back asking more questions...thanks much!

You might want to reconsider that home exchange. From my TR:

"I had originally wanted to stay in an interesting-looking B&B in San Telmo, but posters at Fodors and Tripadvisor had talked me out of it on the grounds that much of the area was unsafe at night. After seeing it, I was happy to be staying in Palermo."

Crosscheck, I just stumbled across this report. I'm occasionally hanging out here on South America forum as we leave for Peru in 10 days. We were just talking about BA as possible next trip to South America. I always enjoy your reports!

Thanks, atennislover. I hope to return before your trip and will have more info.

Hi Kathie, a pleasure to find you here. I actually thought of you when I wrote this TR because I violated your slow travel rule...but did manage to pack a lot in.

You will LOVE Peru - it's a true cultural/ancient civilization/photography nirvana. I spent a month there in the 80s and, other than screwing up my knees for life on the Salcantay trail, I would say it was one of the top three trips of my life.

We were supposed to return with the family last year and I got a lot of help on this board. But my son broke his finger the night before we our scheduled departure and we were advised at the ER to cancel (the hand surgeon later said it would have been fine). I'm still longing to go back to Peru, but I'm thinking first seeing more of Chile - the Atacama, Patagonia and Easter Island.

And BA - don't get me started! I would seriously consider retiring there if they got their economic act together. Delivers big time on many levels.

Safe travels - can't wait to see Cheryl's photos.

Thank you thursdaysd - I appreciate the concern. I will definitely read up on San Telmo.

I am from Chicago, so I how to keep vigilant in big cities. Just wondering, is it pick pocketing/mugging that is a concern? Or also gun violence? Rape?

Thanks again.

Gun violence? I thought that was mostly a US habit. For San Telmo see:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...e-at-night.cfm

I wouldn't stay in San Telmo, but since atennislover seems to know what she is doing....

Pickpocketing/mugging is the main risk. If you keep a low profile, this risk is very low.

Two basic rules:

1) Do not carry a valuable watch or that kind of thing.

2) If ANYTHING strange happens near you, assume it is a trick intended to put you off guard.

By 2016, the "blue" exchange rate may or may not still exist.

Have a great time in my town.

Hopefully AV is correct and the blue rate won't exist by then. It would be wonderful for the Portenos if their economy was stable enough by then to negate the need for a shadow currency.

BsAs is a great city! We didn't feel uncomfortable from a sexual assault standpoint, but we did heed the warnings that AV mentioned above and we didn't have any problems.