Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buenos Aires Today
Buenos Aires has two faces: it's a city that harbors both decline and prosperity. You'll
see dirty, neglected buildings everywhere - yet the rebirth following the economic
crash of 2001 keeps on going. Puerto Madero continues to grow, Palermo's best res-
taurants still attract queues, and malls are full of shoppers. Public transportation is
improving and the city's restaurants keep evolving - and though president Cristina
Kirchner's popularity goes up and down, you should never count her out.
Best in Print
Kiss of the Spider Woman
(Manuel Puig; 1976) Two prisoners and their developing relationship in a
Buenos Aires prison; made into the Oscar-winning 1985 film.
And the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out)
(Paul Blustein; 2005) How the IMF helped bankrupt Ar-
gentina.
On Heroes and Tombs
(Ernesto Sábato; 1961) A complex plunge into Buenos Aires' society, aristo-
cracy and family dynamics in the 1950s.
The Tango Singer
(Tomás Eloy Martínez; 2006) An American graduate student travels to Buenos
Aires and tracks down a legendary tango singer.
Best on Film
La historia oficial
(The Official Story; 1985) Oscar-winning film on the Dirty War.
Nueve reinas
(Nine Queens; 2000) Two con men chasing the big score.
El secreto de sus ojos
(The Secret in Their Eyes; 2009) Thriller that won the 2010 Oscar for best
foreign-language film.
Pizza, birra, faso
(Pizza, Beer, Cigarettes; 1998) Four BA gangster youths try to survive on the city
streets.
Economic Roller Coaster
Argentina's currency devaluation in 2002 caused surging demand for its suddenly-cheap
agricultural products. Helped along by skyrocketing government spending and strong
growth in Brazil and China, this economic boom lasted through 2007 and revved up again
in 2010. But high inflation (unofficially hovering at around 25%), a stronger peso and
lower commodity prices have reined in the economy.
