I left my heart in Buenos Aires

By Ricardo Saldívar

I First Visited Argentina and its capital, Buenos Aires, in 1994 and felt a deep love for the country and its people. During the current economic and political crises, I've found it important to remember that what is going on today didn't happen overnight. This beautiful country has been in a state of instability for many decades, and needs our prayer as it grapples with the past and moves into the future.

At the beginning of the 20th century, people in Paris would use the expression "As wealthy as an Argentine" when talking about a person with money. Argentines, who made their money raising beef and utilizing the country's natural resources, traveled all over the world, especially to Europe. They moved in the highest social circles. When they returned, they created what became known as "the Paris of South America." Today, you can still see this South American City of Lights—sometimes hidden under billboards and suffering from neglect. Yet, right there you meet its elegant, educated, cultured citizens.

Since beef prices started to decline after World War II, through the Peron era, and later during the "Dirty War" years of the military regime, the country has endured times of great social and economic turmoil. Like many tango lyrics, it seems the Argentines are constantly lamenting their life and waiting for a future that never comes.

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