🥟 happy world empanada day! 🥟

📰 News

• 💵 The blue dollar falls below ARS 1,000 again: due to various factors, the difference between the official and the unofficial dollar rates is shrinking rapidly. The trend doesn’t seem to be reversing either - by some calculations, the official and unofficial rates should be merged around July.

• 🦟 The government removes importation taxes on mosquito repellents: for the next 30 days, there will be no import taxes on the much-needed product. This should lead to an increase in supply - so you better stock up!

📷 Photograph of the day

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📅 Events

Monday, April 8th

• San Telmo expats + locals meet | Cervelar | 18:30h | Free | Free biweekly meetup.

• Speak up meeting | Vini bar | 19:30h | Donation | Word games, cooperative stories, and more to level up your Spanish.

• Feria mapa del vino | Tintos loves | 19h | $20 | Wine tasting in Palermo Soho (tickets limited).

Tuesday, April 9th

• Yoga class in Palermo | Valletiera | 17h | Donation | evening yoga class in Palermo Soho.

• Speedfriending BA | India bar | 20h | Free | Weekly speedfriending event in Palermo Soho.

• Drawing in a museum | Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes | 11:30 | $22 | Get in touch with your creativity and come and draw in the national museum.

Wednesday, April 10th

• AI Whisperers Club | Casa Eolia | 18h | Free | A social event to meet and talk about using AI for entrepreneurship, marketing, and creativity.

• StandupBA | AKA Bar | 20h | Free | weekly standup show + open mic in English.

• PubQuiz BA | Honduras 5560 | 20:30h | ARS 2,500 | Weekly games night with trivia, beer, and friends.

• Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional | CCK | 20h | Free | One-hour classical music concert by the national symphony orchestra.

🎤 Expat Interview

Welcome to our expat spotlight section.

This is where we interview both new and long-term expats in Buenos Aires and ask them to share their tips and recommendations.

Here’s the today’s interview:

What’s your name, country of origin, and how long have you been in Buenos Aires?

Dierdre (Lola) Black; US; 18 yrs.

What brought you to Buenos Aires, and how was the initial adjustment process?

Divorce and tango. Not to mention, misogyny, the Iraq war, and GWBush.

What's been the most challenging aspect of living in Buenos Aires?

Adjusting to the slower pace of everything.

And what has been the most rewarding aspect of living here?

The universal empathy, solidarity principles, education/ literacy, and easy access to art, culture, medical attention, public transit, and tango.

What's your favorite local restaurant, bar, or cafe, and why?

Hmmm. So many! La Catedra. Casa Cavia. Selena. Cafe Rivas. La Gran Carniceria.

What hidden gem in Buenos Aires deserves more recognition?

Museo Sivori.

What advice would you give to new expats in Buenos Aires?

Patience. Listen. Learn Castellano.

Thanks Dierdre for agreeing to this interview!

P.S. Want a chance to be included in this section? Fill out this form - we are constantly picking our favorite expat stories from this list!

🏠 Property Listings

• A studio in Palermo: Full kitchen, very spacious, big table, sofa bed, TV, WiFi, full bathroom very spacious with 🛀. Rooftop pool and SUM(common area for private meetings). 50 sqm, $550/month.

💡 Did You Know?

In Buenos Aires, empanada etiquette is a serious matter! Locals will judge you if you use a fork (blasphemy!). The proper way to devour an empanada is to hold it with a napkin and take delicate bites from the punted end, allowing the juices to drip back into it. It's a delicious dance of flavor and skill!

💳 Classifieds

• Empanadas & alfajores cooking class: Want to feel like a proper porteño? Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to make empanadas & alfajores in this guided cooking class.

• Moving sale: various items at different prices.

🔍 Interesting Finds

• 🥟 Happy World Empanada Day! While the traditional way to celebrate is to make empanadas at home, going out is also a perfectly viable (and more convenient) option. What is your favorite empanada place?

• 🌑 Solar eclipse 2024: unfortunately, we here in Argentina won’t be able to see it. However, if you’re in Mexico, USA, or Canada, you’ll be lucky to see the solar eclipse in full glory.

• 🏠 New rules for renting (Spanish): here’s everything you should know before signing a contract.

• 🍽️ Restaurant recommendation: Anchoita. This is a detailed review of what the writer claims to be “the best all-around restaurant in Buenos Aires.” That’s a bold claim - and deserves to be checked out.

• 🥟 Funny reel of the day: Since we’re having a general theme of empanadas today, here’s what I do when introducing empanadas to friends who visit me here.

• 🏦 Best banks for receiving wires in USD: an interesting forum thread with recommendations and useful tips to follow.