Subscribe to our RSS FeedI’ve been here for about one week now, and I thought I would start a series about some of my random observations as a new expat. Some of these will be expanded on in further posts, some are just random one liners. So, without further adieu:
Random Observations: Week 1
- Learning Spanish is going to be more challenging than I thought.
- Everything they sell seems to be much smaller than the U.S. equivalent.
- They love to package food in bags and boxes (yogurt, mayonaisse, etc in plastic bags – milk, oj, etc in boxes). There are not as many plastic and glass jars. The question is, what do you do once you open these up? You must have to store them in another container.
- The paper products are smaller and are not of the same quality as in the U.S.
- Finding plush towels is almost impossible, as is finding high thread-count sheets.
- No one picks up after their dog and I mean no one. I picked up after Delilah and felt weird doing it. They also have orange garbage bins everywhere, so it is very easy to dispose of. I have a new policy of taking my shoes off at the door and am wondering when I’ll first step in a big, fresh pile.
- Not everything is as cheap as I was expecting. Electronics are much more expensive due to state tax as well as import tax. I found this out when having to replace my LCD. Beer however is incredibly cheap – a liter of Brahma or Quilmes is about U.S. $1.50. Dinner at a nice restaurant is pretty cheap too, especially when compared to NYC. You can have appetizers, entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert for two for around U.S. $50.
- There is no garbage room in my apartment. Everyone just puts their trash out on the street before 8pm. You do not sort cardboard or recyclables – cartoneros (waste pickers) come through the city each evening and open all trash bags to remove cardboard, paper, and metals. After that, city trash collectors haul away the rest.
- Pedestrians do not have the right of way. Taxi drivers drive much worse than they do in NYC. I’m really surprised there are not more accidents.
I’m sure I’ll have plenty more of these each week as I explore and learn more about the country and culture.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Jackson Bliss // Aug 6, 2008 at 12:08 am
I’m glad to see you guys are slowly settling in. Welcome to BsAs. One little thing: actually there ARE recycling bins all over the city, I’m just not sure people actually use them for anything except place holders. Not only that, but they kinda look like gigantic jello shots that noone wants. Sad times.
2 DaVe // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:10 am
Hmmm… I have yet to see those. The Zero Waste Law that is mentioned in that link aims for no recyclables in landfills by 2020, which seems like quite a bit in the future. It is definitely weird to be told not to separate your trash and then just to put it out on the street at night.
We’re slowly settling in and learning more and more every day.
3 Rob Evans // Aug 6, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Welcome to BA. I look forward to reading more about your experience discovering the city.
4 DaVe // Aug 6, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Rob – thanks. I’m sure there will be some interesting “discoveries.” (at least in our eyes)
5 Marie R. // Aug 6, 2008 at 3:09 pm
So funny – the poop on the streets EVERYWHERE is exactly what I remember about BA as well. You couldn’t walk down the street without looking down at ALL times!!! Glad you made it safe and sound and with all of your luggage. I’m loving the blog…it makes me miss living abroad. Don’t forget I have US Embassy contacts for emergencies
.
xo
Marie
6 Kiki // Aug 6, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Welcome to Argentina – Buenos Aires. I agree with you about all of the above. Welcome to you new big adventure. You’ll see that learning Spanish is not as difficult as you think it is
The one thing that made me laugh is: The question is, what do you do once you open these up? You must have to store them in another container :=D!!
Wishing you all the best in BA!
7 DaVe // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Marie – Yeah, we noticed that when we were here in November, but forgot about it until now. It’s just much different than NYC where someone on the street might actually yell at you to pick up after your dog. Talk soon!
8 DaVe // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Kiki – thanks for stopping by. We’ve been reading your blog too, and it’s been useful and interesting. Thanks!
9 Rick // Aug 13, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I enjoyed reading through your blog – I hope you enjoy your stay. This is my 2nd extended stay and I miss the excitement of the first time – your blog is helping me relive a little of that. Also wondered about the bags of milk and yogurt. As for the cartoneros, you can help them out by separating your paper and cartons into separate bags – just a thought.
10 DaVe // Aug 14, 2008 at 6:46 am
Rick – glad you like the blog. I’ve imagined some of this is naivety on our part, but I’ve been trying to cover things as we have been seeing them for the first time. And, yes, we have been separating our garbage – it’s just too hard to erase so many years of doing that!
11 Beatrice M // Sep 20, 2008 at 1:12 am
Hi there,
Saw your comment over on Frank’s blog and just read through a bunch of your posts. Welcome to BsAs. I hope you are enjoying your stay here. If you are still in need of plush towels and high ttreadcount sheets, you can go to Ramos Generales in Palermo – Cabello 3650, Planta Baja – http://www.rgramosgenerales.com.ar – it’s a bit difficult to find as it is at the end of a long hallway and the sign outside is small, but it’s a fantastic store. Maybe we’ll run into each other at the vice-presidential debates.
12 DaVe // Sep 20, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Beatrice – thanks for the advice. We managed to find some, but will have to check that place out. Hopefully we will see each other there…
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