It seemed like a good idea to go to the bank to have money for Christmas albeit our Christmas day meal is booked and paid for. Arrived at HSBC branch about 13.00 something, with Euros to change and passport at the ready. Fairly quickly got the latest exchange rate and conversion done; great! 'Just go and join that line of people over there and wait for a cashier'. Twenty or so people ahead in an orderly line stoically waiting; then HSBC's Argentinian network gives a hick-up; cashiers seem to go into 'underdrive' the line ahead decreases slowly, very, very slowly. No moaning and groaning from anyone, just standing in a quiet line waiting; probably by about 2 o'clock I arrive at a till, I hand over passport, Euros and exchange rate info. HSBC's computer system gives a final cough and dies, the cashier shrugs, turns the screen to show the blank panel, the system is down for 20 minutes I am told would I like to go and wait while 'efectivo' cash transactions are slowly progressed. Others needing electronic arrangements show the first hardly noticeable signs of emotion. I'm stuck with passport and Euros the other side of the security screen. Two hours later with bank locked up around me and 30 other trapped customers, the cashiers/system seemingly decide that if they are going home themselves perhaps the transactions can be done manually. I escape at 16.00, stunned at every one's and my own patience and good humour! Welcome to Argentina.
Rest of the afternoon and early evening with Irene discovering row after row of fabric emporia, Argentinian, Jewish, Chinese, Hindu, native south American Indian, etc. etc. shop after, shop after shop. En route home Irene to a supermarket and me to bookshop where delightful young Argentinian man takes so much trouble to find and Christmas wrap a book that all the fiasco at the bank experience has lost importance.
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