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| Hi Michele , Must say you seem very positive! That and the fact you are adaptable is the key to your survival i would say.Good on you . Unfortunately I tend to be more cautious and apprehensive. Nevertheless i have great affection for the land of my birth as does my wife who often yearns to make another visit. Last time we took two friends with us on of whom was very apprehensive mainly due to the Falklands issue.She took to Argentina like a duck to water and the Argies loved her because she is very vocal and not at all reserved.My wife was often amused when in the ladies toilets because invariably an Argentine woman would start talking to her in Spanish thinking she'd understand. Her replies were si si si soy inglesa, no comprendo
Dont have to tell me about Argentine patriotism as i know it well They are very much like Americans in that regard.We were brought to pay allegiance to the flag every morning at school. Ironically whilst growing i was imbued with the same patriotism except not for Argentina but the UK .I use to look at an Atlas and find the countries coloured pink for they were once part of the Empire. I only ever wanted to buy British made products as well. I am not so daft today, nor am I nationalist any longer, except when it comes to footy or rugby and then its England all the way.
Are you sending your kids to a local state school?From memory they tend to be quite good.I myself went to what is now refered to as a colegio bilinguo namely St Johns school,. There are several "British"schools there- st Georges and St Andrews are the best known.You might of become aware that there are various institutions with English sounding names like "The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis club" or "Tigre Rowing club".My mother was raised in a house adjoining the Belgrano Athletic club where tennis rugby and cricket are played. My uncle use to belong to the Hurlingham club where he played bowls. The British influence in Argentina as a whole has been considerable what with the railroads and ports.People here in the Uk dont know the half of it not they much care when I tell them.There is a book by Andrew Graham Yool called the Forgotten colny detailing the history of British immigration to Argentina:
http://www.nhbs.com/the_forgotten_colony_tefno_97976.html
also a website
http://www.argbrit.org/
I dont think Argentina is a hate-able country any more than any other but there are some aspects that I personally find either distressing ( poverty/ beggars) worrying ( economy /crime) or rather scary( the police). Argentines can also be incredibly volatile if you upset them(I well remember watching people jumping out of cars and having furious rows over fairly minor driving offences).One of my biggest concerns are the crooks and dishonest business people although they can be found in almost any country. Trick is to spot them.Anyway these are all negatives and if we allowed them to hinder us we would stagnate.
You seem to be full of good ideas what with boot sales etc. There is a thriving flea market in San Telmo BA so maybe they are opportunities. Sound the locals out and see what people would feel about buying second hand goods or setting up stalls.Nail bars or one of those Lush shops selling weird soaps or a Body shop would go down well ,even an english style brewery making bitter ( joking btw )Anyway as they say the world's your oyster
bye for now
Michael
http://www.hurlinghamclub.org.ar/
http://www.belgrano-athletic.com.ar/
http://www.stjohnsschool.edu.ar/
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| Hi Michael,
My children go to the only international school in Mar del Plata called Holy Trinity College. They provide the children with International GCSE's, which means the children can study anywhere in the world after they graduate. The exams are based on the old style O'levels and A'levels and are exam based. No such thing as course work.
Talking about British owned companies, the electric company in Mar del Plata is 50% British. With regard to names, what about River Plate, Boca Juniors, Newell Old Boys, Arsenal de Sarandi and Racing Club are just a few of the teams who chose English sounding names. Even the beaches such as Bristol beach, Popular beach and Arena Beach.
Have a good day - wonderful beach weather here at the moment, so will go and have a coffee on the beach.
Chau
Michelle
The best place to live |
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| Hi Michelle you enjoy yourself on the beach I have just wasted 7 hours waiting in an accident and emergency ward. I am flipping tired and angry. I now see why people get frustrated with the NHS
me voy a la cama
chau
michael |
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| Hi Michael,
I hope you are well and it's nothing serious. Most people reading your post would automatically think that after a seven hour wait in the A&E, it is something minor, but you and I know that is not the case in the UK. People have died waiting to see a doctor.......
Catch-up soon.
Michelle
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| Hi Michelle
Thankfully nothing serious but I'll tell you more about it another time as i am tired now.By the way its been really nice to "chat" to to you. My wifes been reading our exchanges too as she also has great affection for Argentina.
best regards
Michael |
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| just learnt my cousin from BA is looking to buy some property in Mar del Plata. She seems quite upbeat about is as well. Apparently there is an area south of the city about 22 kms which is upmarket and gaining attraction.Its called Marayui. She wont be buying for another 6 months as prices are set to drop due to growing inflation( ie interest rates going up i guess).i am becoming more and more interested.
Last friday i went to see my doc because i had chest pains . I had only just recovered from pneumonia so I felt somewhat anxious .My doc suspected angina and sent me to A@E for tests. Anyway to cut a long story short I had to wait a total of 7 hours before I finally walked out fed up to the teeth. Frankly it was a joke and now I can well see why people moan about the NHS.Worse thing about the whole experience is no one tells you anything . They just took my blood pressure and left me ,then returned after an hour, strapped some electrodes on and then left me another hour. Then a doctor arrived who asked a few questions took blood sample and disappeared . Two hour later he came back and told he thinks its indigestion and gave me some Gaviscon and then sent me home . An hour later he rang me to ask me to come back as the Registrar was supposed to see me first before being released.So i go back and he then tells me i would have to wait for the next shift's registrar as the current one was about to finish for the day. He took another blood sample and disappeared. I waited two hours being ignored and then my patience snapped and i walked out. Guess if I was an out and out Argentine I would have screaming and shouting and demanding my rights asa they are inclined to do. Seen it with mine own eyes the last time we flew to BA in Aerolineas Argentinas and the flight was held up for four hours in Madrid. The Argentine passengers circled whichever uniformed staff they could find and gave them what for. Brought back memories to me
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| Hi Michael,
I hope you are feeling well. There are some new privated gated developments in the south of the city. The first one being Rumenco, which you can read about on my website. This being the first development of its kind and only a 12 minute drive to the Sheraton, is expensive for Argentines. They are selling plots of land of 600 2m for US$ 30,000. The latest two developments which are a bit further south, apparently are selling for half the above figure for the same measurements.
I have been keeping my eyes open on these places and I will send you some information if you want. As your cousin rightly states, they are very upmarket and exclusive. Some of the houses that have been built in Rumenco could come out of Dynastry - remember the Carringtons - I used to love that American soap.
Mar del Plata is seeing more and more foreign tourists - at the moment I have one flat rented to Americans and have some Australians and Canadians booked in also. Maybe I should show them the developments.
Saludos tu familia
Michelle
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| Hi Michelle
yeah i am fine now, thanks.The development you mention ,Rumenco, my cousin mentioned as well. Ditto Eidico,. Both aiming upmarket.Dont think i'd want a palatial mansion somehow Just place I can let out and maybe move into one day.Its a question. I guess, of knowing where the best areas to let are and what type of property. T.here is also the matter of management etc
have to pick my goddaughter up npow
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| Hi Michael,
Good afternoon from rainy Mar del Plata - it reminds me of your weather, except that it's much warmer.
We actually thought about buying land in Rumencó. but having 3 teenagers, we decided it would be too difficult for them and their social lives. I didn't want to be a chauffeur again - did all that in London. Rumencó is set in a very beautiful area and only a five minute drive from the best private beaches in Mar del Plata. It has some wonderful features and maybe in the future we will re-consider. At the moment they are only selling plots of land in three areas, but there are three more areas lined up for the development.
Mar del Plata is still busy and it is more noticeable when it is raining as everybody invades the cafeterias. We even had to wait for a table this morning - there are still many people here on holiday as most schools don't start until next week.
Yesterday I met a young British guy who has been in Mar del Plata for six months and loves it here. He has to return to the UK to work hard and then will be back as quickly as possible. It's great to see more people coming. My properties here have attracted people from all over such as Australia, America, Canada and England - so slowly slowly people are coming to visit. I hope to be able to encourage more and more.
Anyway, must go now, but hope your feeling better.
Regards to your family
Michelle 
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| Hi Michelle
Rumenco sounds pretty much like a exclusive residential area only , not ideally suited for letting purposes.We ave a couple of gated communities near where i live. Not my cup poof tea must admit . They are so pristine and with a"keep the riff raff out " kind of snobbery.You are not allowed to park your car within and even if you so happen to walk past the houses you sense a kind" I am tresspasser" feeling.Blow that! Ideally, I would guess, a let should be near amenities like beaches, nightlife, shopping . The kind of area that would attract most tourists.Maybe I am wrong , dunno!Where do you have your situated?
Just off to work wth my dodgy knee ( groan!)If its not one thing its another Not had much rain of late mind and its pretty mild. The daffs are out and spring is in the air.What are your winters like and what kind of telly can you get. What I saw was fairly poor it has to be said but I gues a decent satelite system would sort that out
Best regards
Michael |
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