Why Argentina?

“You live here? Why?” is the most frequent salutation from any Argentines I meet. With shock and disbelief, locals wonder why any European would leave the greener grass the other side of the Atlantics and actually choose to reside in a country with villas (slums), cowboy politicians and out-of-this-world inflation.

The simple fact is that Argentina is a great country, and their second question demonstrates why: “But don’t you miss or love your family?”

Always instantly feeling like an inhumane, cold and uptight Brit at this question I respond with red cheeks burning, explaining that yes, I do miss and love my family but I want to travel and experience different countries and cultures while I am still young and can (and probably when I am much older too – but their big surprised eyes always steer me away from furthering their disappointment in my life choices.)

The concept of travelling is understood but not widely admired here in Argentina. Whereas everyone at home was rather more of the “good for you” mentality, here the sentiment is that I am rather queer and I guess they assume I did something bad in England.

People here are very tied to their land, which is ironic as they are mostly all second or third generation European immigrants. But it isn’t hard to see why none of them want to leave this colossal country:

Argentina has some of the most exciting and beautiful landscapes ranging from hot and sweaty tropical jungles in the north east with colourful birds and monkeys, and terrific heart wavering waterfalls; to the winter wonderland in the far South with its creaking glaciers, crystal blue waters and snow-capped mountains hovering over deep green pine forests. And in between you can visit penguins and whales on the coast, llamas and salt flats in the northern desert territories, alligators and massive guinea pigs in the wetlands, and of course cowboy country and breath-taking Andes landscapes in the West.

The diversity is quite outstanding and the views even more so. This is a huge advantage to Argentina for me - there is so much to explore within one country and infinite space and clean air in-between.

The other thing that’s great about Argentine landscapes is that you can actually enjoy them because it is usually sunny! In fact, much more than just usually – but normally! Mendoza’s 350 days of sunshine a year is normal here!!! As my excessive exclamation marks demonstrate, this is obviously a big draw for someone weather weary (like my poor Wimbledon-soaked self), and a big enough reason to want to live here. Don’t underestimate the importance of the sun – not just for your mental health, Vitamin D and happy hormones, but more importantly you can make plans and actually keep them! It almost never rains on BBQ day.

This sun factor could lead to the third great thing about Argentina – the people. Maybe it’s a bit of a longshot to say the sun is the reason for Argentinean’s warmth – it’s more likely that you can attribute it to their festive Latin roots and laissez faire attitude - but for whatever reason, within 10 minutes of meeting your first Argentine you are most likely to be invited to meet all the family and come over for a BBQ. And unlike in Brazil, they will actually follow through.

Sharing is a key element in the culture here – it’s all for one, one for all. Expect to have every drink, food and clothes item passed your way, and expect to do the same in return. Although the first time you have your glass of wine taken from your lips to pass around the room comes as a bit of a surprise, you soon get used to it and not having enough glassware is never an awkward problem at a dinner party. It’s the Argentinean way, and it’s rather charming.

Perhaps it takes a pair of foreign eyes to recognise all these qualities – but Argentina is really something special.

That all said, politically Argentina is still a complete shambles, to do anything legitimately appears to be a crime here and financially it’s a nightmare to try and live in (with the price of most items practically a different price between the time you enter and exit the shop). But every nation needs something to complain about, and with almost perfect weather, what else would they moan about?