Back in Buenos Aires – three years later

Javier Milei has become president, cut large parts of the public administration and removed the “Blue Dollar”.

Before departure, I noticed that I was worried that this would have left its mark on the culture I had grown so fond of two and a half years ago.

When I landed at EZE Airport and took an Uber into the capital, I quickly realized that there was nothing to worry about.

The conversation in the taxi flowed, and the driver was engaged and interested in the way Argentinians often are. I arrived in the Palermo district around two in the morning, but the streets were far from empty.

The day after, the sun was shining, and I decided to go for a run in the parks to the north of the city. Even though I had lived there for almost half a year before, I was amazed at how much new I noticed on the run.

Buenos Aires is often called the 'Paris of South America', and for good reason. While Palermo offers old villas, museums, and a magnificent university, one can experience cozy cobblestone streets, tango bars, and colonial architecture in San Telmo.

La Boca, Puerto Madero, and Recoleta are central districts that are in stark contrast to each other. I'm back in Buenos Aires on vacation from Rio de Janeiro, where I'm currently on exchange. I undoubtedly find Buenos Aires to be a more interesting and varied city.

The cultural offerings in Buenos Aires are truly unique. The city has over 300 bookstores and 280 theaters, and is thus recognized by many as the city with the most theaters in the world.

Argentinians appear to be engaged and interested in culture, and even though public cultural support has been reduced, the streets are still filled with culture-loving Argentinians in the evenings.

The nightlife in the city is so varied that I don't think I've been to the same place more than once. This trip I was introduced to a techno/drum set in Almagro and a place for Brazilian funk in Palermo – two great successes.

I'm left with the feeling of having 'completed' the city, but that feeling will probably disappear the next time I come back here.