Yet another reminder of why it sucks to be a gadgetphile in Argentina…
This was a “great deal” on a 42″ flat screen in Argentina last week:
This was a “great deal” on a 42″ flat screen in the United States last week:
And to rub salt in the wound, The Atlantic Cities also points out that Buenos Aires is the most expensive city in the world to buy an iPad:
Starting on Monday, December 12, 2011, a new $2 peso coin will begin circulation in Argentina. The current $2 peso notes will still be used as well.
Looks like the government is getting ready for more inflation though there is still no word on when $200 and $500 peso bills will be introduced.
- Las nuevas monedas de 2 pesos circularán desde el lunes [La Nacion]
In Argentina, the Big Mac is an “off menu” item. Rumors have it that the government has asked McDonalds to keep the price of the Big Mac artificially low in order to hide the true inflation here, which is reported in the Economist’s Big Mac Index.
Sorry for the delay in posting, but we’ve been travelling a lot recently. We’ll be trying to get back to some more regular postings soon! For now, here’s some news…
Tourism Declines Again In November [The Argentine Post]
The Argentine Post is reporting that the number of people visiting Argentina declined for the second consecutive month in November, falling 8% to 188,705 people from a year earlier. The decline comes after a 6% drop the previous month and seems to be yet another indication that Argentina will find it hard to escape negative fallout from the global economic meltdown this year.
How Palermo’s Streets Got Their Names [Trendy Palermo Viejo]
An interesting article about how the streets of the Palermo neighborhoods in Buenos Aires got their names – names of countries, legislators and scientists.
Argentine Peso Worst Latin Currency on Devaluation [Bloomberg]
Another article about the falling Argentine peso and the government’s willingness to let it gradually fall. They report that it may drop to 3.9 or 3.95 by the end of 2009.
They’re Here: New Transit Fares Take Effect [Yanqui Mike]
25% price increases have taken effect in the subways, buses and trains of Buenos Aires. La Nacion reports that the new fares are causing some confusion too.
Argentine Inflation at 7.2% for 2008 – Yeah, Right [D for Disorientation]
The official governemtn numbers put inflation in Argentina at a low 7.2% for 2008, the smallest rate in 4 years. However, independent sources put it at about three times higher than that.
Buenos Aires Playa [BA Travel Guide]
Stuck in Buenos Aires for the hot summer? Head to the beach in the city. From January 16 to February 28, 2009, the Buenos Aires city government presents “Buenos Aires Playa” (Buenos Aires Beach), an oasis for those residents and visitors who have to spend the summer in the city. The two man-made “beaches” feature sand, beach chairs, sun shades, water fountains, food, activities and more.
Argentina: American climber dead on Aconcagua [AP]
A U.S. man died Friday while scaling Argentina’s Aconcagua mountain, becoming the fifth climber to perish this month on the highest peak in the Americas.
