Beyond Rose

As I am writing this post, I am still in Argentina and loving it. This country is so big. There’s so much to see— which equals so much more to love.

Side note* Argentina is in an economic crisis. The inflation rate has been increasing month after month. In August, the inflation reached a 78.5% and is expected to increase to a close 100% at the end of the year. With all that being said..

The US dollar is very strong

The government locked in an official rate of $1 USD = 149.20 Argentine Peso. This means paying with credit card is the worst thing you can do (everything would charge double the price).

“Cash is king in Argentina”

-Tim

There is a blue dollar rate which can be exchanged at hotels, hostels, retailers and other businesses (although, the rate varies greatly— all these options are a better than the locked rate by the government). The blue dollar rate exists because local Argentinians want to trade their highly inflated pesos with a stable currency to protect their wealth.

At our first hostel in Mendoza, $1 USD = $250 Argentine Peso. On the streets, it was interesting. For a better rate, they would accept 50s and 100s bills only— the rate varying from $1 USD = $265 – $275 Argentine Pesos. If you attempted to exchange a 20 bill, the rate can drop to around $220 Argentine Pesos. The best rate available that we found so far is with Western Union $1 USD = $306 Argentine Pesos. In this country, it has been beneficial to the ideal budgeting + daily spending.

The central market was visited the most. It was so cheap! There was all different kinds of meat, yummy desserts, seasonings, sauces, and more. It was a perfect selection with our wood fire cooking method back at the hostel. Oh and I couldn’t forget to mention— cheese & olives.. To make a perfect dinner to pair with red wine!

• Tomahawk – $5 ~ USD cash (ex. if paid with card, the cost would be $10 USD) Still a great deal for a mouthwatering tomahawk steak, but you get the idea.
• Lomo tenderloin for $3 USD
• Asado (2.5 pounds) for $3 – $4 USD
• Cheeses: Queso Caserito, Port Salut, Fiambreria
• Black & green olives

Activities/Wineries

• Biking tour – reminded me of when Tim & I biked with our neighbor, Chris, in Puerto Rico!
• Susana Balbo Wines – 1981* first female winemaker in Argentina
• Bodegas Lopez Winery
• Pasrai Olivicola Boutique – tried different olive oil, variety of olive oil paste for bread, + even purchased a natural olive oil cream/moisturizer for the face
• Bodegas y Viñedos Cecchin Organic Winery