Things I will miss. And not miss.

Realizing that I am embarking on my last week here, I have started to take note of the things I have most enjoyed here in Buenos Aires and will therefore miss. Here’s my list:

1. Verdulerias every other block that sell all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as packets of freshly shredded carrots, beats, lettuce and cabbage--a HUGE salad for 2 pesos. Or a big bunch of arugula for the same price. And a couple of mandarinas for dessert.
2. Colectivos, the local buses that go everywhere in the city for 1 peso (~$0.33). My pocket Guia T maps out all the routes and has by far been the most useful 8 pesos I’ve spent.
3. Dividing all prices by 3 (the approximate exchange rate)
4. living within 3 blocks of tons of bus stops, a subway stop, 4 grocery stores, a handful of pastry shops, video rental stores and lavaderos (where they wash a load for $3), and more than a dozen restaurants
   
5. Dulce de Leche
6. San Jose – the local bakery near work where they sell fresh pasta, empanadas, and shelves and shelves of pastries
7. dog walkers—BA is the only place I’ve been where I see well-fed and groomed dogs on leashes and cats living on the streets. These photos were taken here, although clearly during a different season—a few of the dogs usually have jackets!

That all being said, there are certainly things I’ll be happy to leave behind, namely:

1. the short days and dreary weather (although there have been exceptions, this has been the rule)
2. the constant struggle to wrestle enough change out of vendors so that I can ride the bus
3. all the shit on the sidewalks – it’s a rare sight to see someone carrying a plastic bag as they walk their dog
4. indoor smoking, even though it has been banned