Day 27 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

The tour began with a drive from Argentina's largest city, Buenos Aires to the Tigre Delta region. The area is unique with it's many lowland islands and a community of homes on stilts. With only rivers and no roads, one of the unique challenges for the community is receiving common goods and services from the mainland. This is primarily accomplished by specialty vessels include but are not limited to supermarket boats, bottled water boats, taxi boats, police boats, ambulance boats, garbage boats, school bus boats, etc. Basically everything required for daily life is delivered by a flotilla of shallow draft specialty boats or your own private boat.

Not many years ago the Delta's livelihood was agrarian based. This changed when city folks, seeking a simpler life, rediscovered the Delta region. The area soon transformed into a weekend getaway featuring short-term rentals offering peace, quiet and an assortment of water activities. The area adapted and has been transformed into a unique resort destination.

Our guide, Maxi was very entertaining and provided a wealth of information about Argentine culture. We were introduce to Mate, the national drink and how it socially signifies reaching adulthood. We learned how all nationalities are welcome creating a unique cultural mix. Examples were noted including architecturally with the early French influences as well as socially with the lively self expression adopted by all from the Italian culture. Argentina does appear to be a true melting pot.

Buenos Aires showed signs of a once strong economy. We learned that things changed quickly. In the 1980's inflation reached 1000% and the public lost confidence in government. A failed attempt to address the situation resulted in private individuals loosing their savings. With confidence in banks lost, daily transactions reverted to a cash only basis. In 2001 the economy tanked with 24% unemployment. Lending interest rates are currently around 53% making home mortgages unattainable. Prices of starter homes are about $500,000 USD and must be paid in full with only US Dollars.

With the economic situation constantly getting worse, the public wanted something different. This was obvious when an extreme far right conservative won the last election. If you follow international news, he is the 'chainsaw' guy. Maxi understands the need for change but is fearful the new extreme approach may result in undesirable consequences. Time will tell.

This is not a new story. Countries go through cycles of growth with robust economies followed by declines and economic devastation. As expected, public opinion follows the economy. The robust economies typically invite corruption, create social divide and leave many individuals behind. As a result public opinion declines often leading to mistrust in government and its officials. If the current government is unable to improve the situation and unify the people, change is eminent. At this point people want change and will accept almost anything even possibly a poor choice. Decline is often quick while recovery is at best slow and sometimes impossible.

I find it interesting how many of the counties we visited fit the above scenario. Each country definitely has a different a background and culture, but seem to be following a similar trajectory. Each are at different stages and progressing at different rates. Some are building robust economies while other are in various stages of decline. The way their governments solved social issues differs, but the outcomes were definitely predictable. When change became eminent, those seeking power seemed to use the same playbook. I find it amazing people keep falling for the same tricks. I guess history does repeat itself.