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What Mark Sanford spent in Buenos Aires
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Hotel Home Buenos Aires, where U2 (but not Mark Sanford) stayed
South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has been taken to task for many things lately—infidelity, dove hunting, and spending taxpayer money on private trips, for a start. But what gets me when I read about his illicit rendevous in Argentina is how much more he spends for travel than he needs to. If you’re going to spend taxpayer money, the least you can do is try to economize.
Instead of spending $1,100 for two rooms for two days at the bland but expensive Hilton Buenos Aires, why not try the stylish (and a little cheaper) Hotel Home Buenos Aires, where U2 stayed when they played Buenos Aires. Better yet, seek out a neighborhood hospedaje or pension.
And sure, a steak dinner at a traditional steak house like Cabanas Las Lilas in the Puerto Madero neighborhood is nice, but the prices are through the roof. Why not try something cheaper and more innovative? Head for the Palermo neighborhood, "without question, the center for innovation in Argentine dining," according to Moon Handbooks: Argentina. Try the three-course dinner for about $16 at Lucky Luciana.
As for airfare, come on! One-way, Buenos Aires to South Carolina, for $4,000? A quick check of Kayak shows me a round trip fare for about $1200. Travel cheaper, and you can travel more, stay longer, and not have to pay so much back when the taxpayers find out you've raided their cookie jar.
Postscript: Thanks to my Argentina-based commenters for pointing out that Lucky Luciana no longer exists (Are you sure? The web site's still up.) Here's another suggestion for a good meal in Palermo from Moon Handbooks: Buenos Aires:
Bella Italia Café Bar (Repúblic Arabe Siria 3330, tel. 011/4807-5120) is the moderately priced café version of the nearby restaurant of the same name. For around US$4, it has outstanding squash gnocchi with a subtle cream sauce, along with fine canelloni and salads.
And yes, Sanford's one-way airfare was business class, not coach. Everyone knows you meet more intersting people in coach.
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