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Relocating and Living
in Argentina - E Topics
argentinamapandflag1

Information I have compiled and saved
on vacationing, living and
relocating to Argentina.

E Topics

 

  • Electrician
  • From: Carol Edlin, March 8, 2010

Re: Can anyone recommend a good electrician- honest, who wont charge a kidney for installing a new timbre and fixing a few other little things? Im in Belgrano-

I have a great guy.  His name is Juan and he works with his son.   He is so honest and reasonable!  I use him for work in my home and my businesses.  His numbers are 15-5305-7994 or 6368-2569.  Give him my name or my business name or my husband's name, Bruno, for reference.  Good luck!

Carol Edlin
Curves Lacroze and Curves Belgrano
4777-6824
4896-2558
edlin_carol@yahoo.com

    From: Nellybaires, March 10, 2010

call to Sergio 15-5609-5391

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  • Electronics / Should I bring or purchase in BA...?
  • From: pdeyba, January 10, 2008

Electronics are more expensive in BA than in the States, but none of these items are costly. The selection is more limited in BA as well, but all of these items are "basic," i.e., you just need something that works, and the quality of what's sold in BA is fine. If you buy in the States you have to be sure the item will work on the 220-volt electricity in BA (States is 110 volts), to avoid having to buy a transformer. Some items sold in the states are dual voltage, some aren't. If you buy in the States you have to carry it on the plane with you (in checked luggage there's a real possibility of theft). On balance, for these smaller electronic items, I would buy in BA.

    From: jetfinder1, January 10, 2008

Many electronics are much cheaper in the US, but not all work here or are supportable here or have replacements or add-ons available at reasonable prices. My Mac G-4 works fine but software updates are sold here at roughly 2.5 times the US price. If you order the same from a Mac source in the US at lower prices you´ll learn upon their arrival that after the hassle of going to Customs (aduana) to get them, paying the arancel and counting your wasted time, the local Mac store's high prices are reasonable. Copier printer vpltage difference can be dealt with with a cheap transformer, beware... 2 years ago we received an Epson CX-4200 multifunction, which worked fine until the ink ran out. No locally available ink cartridges work in it - Epson Argentina does not list the printer among its products. There is a near identical cartridge for another epson but it is somehow coded to prevent its use in the CX-4200. I had to give up and buy another printer. So, lesson: whatever you want to buy will probably have a local distributor or service center with a website. Log on to make sure the make/model you want is listed among that company's products on the local list. Otherwise... Phones are phones, except rechargeables. Local power is 220 volt, 60 cycle. Not all US rechargeables will necessarily accept 50 cycles, even if transformed upward to 220 volts.Digicams: the Canon and Olympus work fine, accepting a wide range on volatages and cycles. Just got a Kodak pocket model that needs 5 volt input to recharge. Sold here is a recharger from 220 volts. I noted the price was double that quoted by Consumers' Union for the US. Small things, like cameras , you can easily bring as personal goods. but I have no intention of going far north for a few years. So I bit the wallet.Welcome y buena suerte.

    From: noimmediateplans, January 10, 2008

If you decide to buy in the States, I recommend http://www.220-electronics.com/

They sell multi-zone, dual-voltage DVD players that work with both NTSC and PAL.

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  • Electronics / Taxes on Imported Goods
  • From: Jvanka, December 18, 2004

If you are entering gifts for amount less than Us$ 300 per person you should not pay taxes because that is the minimum allow to enter, anything over you may have to pay taxes.  For more info see web site http://airportnewsezeiza.com/informacion/sinpago.htm  Administracion General de Ingresos Publicos   Anything above US$300 you pay only taxes for the 50% of the value of what you purchased, i.e. something worth $1000, you pay only taxes on $500. (don't know what the tax rate is )  Also if you buy things on the free shop your quota gets higher for another US$300, so combined you could possible ingress with $600 worth of purchases.  If you are age 16 or younger your quota is only US$150.

In other words, if you are bringing small electronics and because they are really affordable today you probably shouldn't worry much.  You may have a situation where they are trying to get some money out of you, but knowledge is power, know your rights and none can BS you. keep your receips with you to proof correct value of your gifts.

DVD Players:
The only thing you need to know if you are bringing electronics like DVD players, make sure they are MULTIREGION, most likely if you buy those electronics in North America they are probably region 1 and will not work with DVD Discs rented or purchased in Argentina. 

    From: Peter J. Macay, June 5, 2006

I just brought a new Dell PC back from the USA in my luggage.  I packed the PC case in a hard shelled suitcase with my clothes stuffed around it for protection.  I carried the 19" flat panel on my back in a back pack with some magazines.  I have found the custom's agents are pretty relaxed, they are usually more involved in their personal conversations then looking at the monitors.  When they ask me questions in Spanish, just give them your best "doe in the headlights" look and say, "I'm sorry, but I don't speak any Spanish, do you speak English?"  They usually just sigh and wave me on.

When I do something like this, I take everything out of the original shrink wrapped packaging, so it doesn't look "new" or like I might resell it, I even unwrap music CDs I buy from Amazon.  If they had asked me about the PC I was going to say it's for my "work" and I need it to do my work.  I also saved the PC for the last piece of luggage to put on the XRay machine as they usually wave you on after you struggle and put a few pieces through.

Now, if you plan on leaving in 3 months and taking things back "home", this may not be a good approach.  I plan on staying here so I was just concerned on getting it into Argentina.

P.S. If you do bring a PC in your luggage, I suggest removing all the cards that are installed and wrapping them seperately.  I did have some damage to the PC case while it was in my luggage, but luckily the cards where not damaged (although I almost had a heart attack when I saw it).

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  • Embassy - Register your whereabouts at the U.S. Embassy in case of an Emergency
  • From: Maria, August 23, 2009

Actually it might also be a good idea to inform the State department of my whereabouts anyway, I just found out you can easily do that online. Here's the link if anyone's interested: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html

usdeptofstate

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  • Emergency Phone Number / 911
  • From: The Komposer Team, August 10, 2006

Starting tomorrow, 911 is now the new # for call if any emergency in BA

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  • Entry Fee Announcement to Enter Argentina

ALERT

ARGENTINA ENTRY FEE ANNOUNCEMENT

 Effective December 28, 2009 Citizens of the U.S., Canada and Australia will be required to pay a fee when entering Argentina. 

 The government of Argentina will collect an entry fee as the following:

$131 USD for U.S. Citizens – Valid for multiple entries over 10 years

$70 USD for Canadian Citizens – paid for each entry

$100 USD for Australian Citizens – paid for each entry

The entry fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE).

The payment of this fee is not a Visa since Argentina does not require a Visa to citizens of these countries when traveling for leisure or business travel.

Once paid by U.S. citizens, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with U.S. Visa reciprocity.

Americans may pay in U.S.dollars, Agentina pesos, by credit card, or with traveler’s checks.

NOTE: (Canadians and Australians must pay a per-entry fee.)

If you have any questions or for complete details about this entry fee, visit the U.S. Department of State website at: http://argentina.usembassy.gov

usembassy1

    From: Antoinettecford, January 7, 2010

I paid the fee at the airport this time when I returned home on the 31 of December. The process is simple incase your worried about it. 

1) You que up in immigrations just as if you are getting your passport stamped.
2) They have four "booths"  where they are delighted to review your passport and take your $131.00 entrance fee.
3) You'll be given a visa, mine was attached to my pass port with a staple, although I believe I can peal the back covering of and actually still it on a blank page.
4)  You'll continue on to immigrations which is right in front of the visa booths.
5)  The stamp your passport good for the usual 90 day entrance.
6)  If you are not a permanent resident of Argentina you will still have to leave the country every 90 days, just as before.

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  • Environmental Career Opportunities / Resource for International Postings
  • From: Zurrolaur, January 23, 2007

Have you tried "environmental career opportunities" http://www.ecojobs.com/index.php  they list international postings of all types (not just for Argentina). It was one of the main internship/career resources when I was doing my environmental degree. Also, you might be able to make some contacts through Woods Hole.

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  • Epsom Salts / Unscented Bath Salts
  • From: dana depp, September 03, 2006

Re: Anyone know where to get some good unscented bath salts?

Do they sell epsom salts in the markets down there? That's all bath salts are often based on. It might be more economical than buying "boutique" "non-alergenic" unscented bath salts.

    From: Deby Novitz, September 04, 2006

Exists in tiny little packets for about 1 peso.  You have to ask the pharmacist for it. Forget those big boxes you used to pay 99 cents for at Walgreens.  They do not exist here.  Same with baking soda.  You get this small plastic jar for about 4 pesos.

    From: diana glass, September 04, 2006

try asking someone in the farmacia for "Sal de Ingleterra" which is the term for Epsom Salts in Central America.  Good luck!  

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  • Equestrian / Horsey Shops / Riding Gear
  • From: Laura Zurro, September 07, 2006

There are tack shops which are called "talabarteria" here. There is one on the border of Belgrano and Palermo called  TALABARTERIA EL JOCKEY, B. Matienzo 1559 (between Libertador and Migueletes) www.talabarteriajockey.com.ar Another is CABALLOS ARGENTINA Av. del Libertador 6008, http://www.caballosargentina.com.ar/ CASA WALTON Talabarteria, Montaneses 2705 (near Libertador 6600)  TALABARTERIA AYNIE SA Ortega y Gasset 1539  Also, I believe there is also a tack shop inside the Club Hipoteca in Belgrano on Avenida Figoroa Alcorta.

    From: Gaucho Gringo, September 07, 2006

I think I saw a place near Cordoba and Pueyrredon avenues, but I was passing by in a cab, so it may have been somewhere else.

I actually have a local friend of a German family who own a factory making the metal parts for this so-called "talabartería" (equestrian accesories) also found at some "marroquineria" shops (leather and hand-crafted items)

You should just open a phone-book yellow pages, and check for any area or street where they have several stores dealing with the same products. That guarranties a better competition and lower prices.

Also try out the areas near the "hipodromos" de Palermo and San Isidro.

They have hundreds of horses there all the time, so they need providers nearby.

------

Checking my phone book... just found a place around the corner from my place! I guess it´s in a "galeria" so I never walked in to see it.

This is Martinez station, northern suburbs.

Also I checked and they do have some shops next to the Hipodromo de San Isidro. They are located on the same "restaurant strip" known as Dardo Rocha Avenue. You might take advantage and come out for a top class lunch, as you check out the shops. Be aware that hours here are highly irregular. Stores often close at 12noon till 3 or 4 or 5 pm.

This being dependant on the race-track, and early hours for horses traning, etc they may even close for the day around noonish. Your best bet is to call at least one shop and ask for general info on store hours.

The restaurant strip is very fancy, some of the best places are here, of have a franchise here. We´re talking La Caballeriza, Siga la Vaca, Orient Express, Rosa Negra, la Bistecca, etc. as seen here:

http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/list.php?strsrch=calle%3A+dardo+rocha&srch=TRUE

...yet on the adjascent streets where you would find what you are looking for, there are still many studs, where they keep and care for the racers. So streets would be muddy and hard to walk through on a rainy day.

I´ll pass on to you the 2 places I found in my Northern Phone book, but Capital book may actually have more.

Mind you the ads are paid for, so most shops are not placing ads.

Martinez Station:
Talabarteria del Cazador (Hunter)
Alvear 231
4792-1538
www.del-cazador.com.ar

same guys also in town somewhere:
Mendoza 2352,
4781-3711

In Acassuso (one stop passing Martinez)

La Fusta
Dardo Rocha 1460
Acassuso
4733-3852

another one in town..
Polo House
4801-9631

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  • Escribano/a / Lawyer needed to purchase and apartment
  • From: Daniela Melton, April 30, 2007

hire a good escribano/a!- I have one to recommend to you: Marcela Otermin 4322-9681/9621

www.escribaniaotermin.com 

Good luck with your search:)

    From: alexandratsalas, August 31, 2006

We worked with a really special Escribana who was referred to us by another expat who had a great experience with her.  Her name is BEATRIZ BRAILOVSKY. Her address is Viamonte 1453 5th Floor. Her phone number is 4372-0066/or 5128. She speaks very basic English, but from our first hand experience is thorough and will guide you through the buying process. She also has close contacts with reputable money exchange houses. In a word, she is completely trustworthy and we recommend her without any hesitations.

    From: Dan Perlman March 28, 2006

Escribano - fluent in English and works with a lot of expats for real estate and other transactions:
 
Emilio Merovich
Maipu 535
Piso 5
4322-3575
emilio@merovich.com.ar

    From: BANewComers, diana glass July 7, 2005

My husband and I are in the process of purchasing an apartment and highly recommend our attorney and escribano.   Both individuals are fluent in English.  The name of the attorney is Nicolás Malumian, phone number 4313-2001 and the escribano is Mariana Massone, phone number 4312-3185 or 4313-0193.  Nicolás is a friend and so we can state without hesitation that he is of high moral character.  My husband, Steve,  practiced law in the US for 25 years and so can also recommend Nicolás and Mariana with complete trust in their professional competency.   Steve is an extremely precise attorney and so if he says they are great....well, then they are!  Please feel free to tell both of them that Steve Glass recommended them.

We were not completely comfortable with the procedures of real estate transactions and closings in Buenos Aires.  So, Steve suggested some alternatives and our real estate agent is now advising all of his new and somewhat wary foreign clients on the "new and safer way" to buy property.  Send us an email if you need any help.

    From: Russell Ferrier July 7, 2005

Yep we use and will recommend HIGHLY Daniel and would kindly put my name as reference on the ba newcomers list for people wanting more info.  Daniel speaks English.

DANIEL MUGABURU
URUGUAY 572  6 B
TELEFONO IS 43731422
EMAIL ADDRESS IS   escmugaburu@fibertel.com.ar

    From: Paul, April 4, 2006

I am very very happy with my escribano. There is not much English spoken at all, but I feel their good service makes it worth hiring some one to help interpret:

Dr. Raúl Jorge Sancho    

4543-1118  (Nuñez area)

You are wise for asking about this, for a dishonest escribano could steal your property. It is perhaps best to hire an escribano who is not familiar with your realtor.  Some people might use a title company, though I have not used one in Argentina.

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  • Exchange Rate
  • From BANewcomers June 6, 2005

I use http://www.dolarsi.com/  as my primary ref.

www.dolarhoy.com.ar

http://fx.sauder.ubc.ca/

http://www.x-rates.com/ 

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By the way, there are many groups of expats only and expats and locals where you can meet people... check this link out.

http://www.indextar.com/ba/buenos-aires-meeting-locals-c396

there is also a dinner meeting of expats every 3 weeks or so...

    From: Karin Hosenfeld, August 29, 2006

I was just looking at www.meetup.com  and they have a few meetups listed for Buenos Aires. You can form your own kind of meetup, too. And, you can do whatever you want, invite who you want (post it here if you want)....you get the idea.  Here's what I pulled off meetup.com

New Event: The Buenos Aires Expat American September Meetup
What: We are going BOWLING.

To get the info, go to meetup.com , search for "The Buenos Aires Expat American" and you should be sent there. There's other groups that meet in BA, too.

    From the BANewComers list: Jim Black / July 13, 2005

I'm writing to give everyone a heads up on a weekly party for the purpose of providing a place for visitors, students abroad, and expats to connect together. It's in the Barrio Norte area, at 'The Spot' Ayacucho 1261, every Wednesday beginning at 10pm.

I'm Buenos Aires transplant originally from Philadelphia. I had been a client of the Spot Lounge in Barrio Norte for a few weeks when I noticed other than the usual suspects, the small wednesday crowd was mostly comprised of UBA students from abroad and a few local
expatriates.

While I love talking with locals, it was always a great experience for talk to different visitors from other areas and get their impressions and insights of being in another country. Upon the prompting an expat friend I asked the owner, an Argentine who lived had lived a good part of his life in the United States, if it would be okay to throw a weekly party to connect visitors, students abroad and expats. He was all for it and this is how the event came about.

I'll be DJing all night so feel free to introduce yourself and I'll try to connect you with who's who on the scene.

Hope to see you one of these weeks.

    From the BANewComers list: Ian / May 31, 2005

There is a social group for resident and visiting gay expatriates and friends in Buenos Aires.

Gays Away in Buenos Aires http://groups.msn.com/GaysAwayinBuenosAires/  is a bulletin board and social meeting group for gay expatriates in Buenos Aires.

Ian Wilcock

    From: Jvankausa August 13, 2005

"The English Group"

We are a group of people who practice English every Friday at a coffee shop in Buenos Aires. It's an easy going and informal meeting, free, just for pleasure.

http://www.geocities.com/grupo_de_ingles/

    From BANewcomers: Jvanka September 08, 2005

Check on Buenos Aires Expatriates Group

http://baexpats.com/

and check on "dinner meetings"

    From BANewcomers: Eli Zarfati September 8, 2005

Our meeting: FAME- Cabildo 2921. Fridays from 19.30 PM  to ... PM (The coffeeshop is located close to the subway station of Line D "Congreso de Tucumán" that is the last one in the opposite site to Catedral.)  It is 20 minutes from Downtown. You can ask for the "Grupo de Inglés" at the coffee bar.

Let me know if you need more help...Jim

www.buenosaires-petboutique.com

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  • Expressions for starting and finishing letters
esldeluxeletwritericon2

General Set Expressions for Spanish Letters and emails.

(For business Spanish too, download the free trial version of Spanish Assistant Business 2...)

These expressions may have an equivalent translation that is also usable in English - shown in blue. However, many are found only in Spanish and any translation is literal and for guidance only - shown in red.

(ERROR SWATTER: Ensure you that the expression you choose coincides with the correct number. ie. singular or plural. eg.: "Muy señores míos: .... Nos complace anunciarles", "Estimado Sr. Gómez: .... Nos complace anunciarle". Ensure the entire letter maintains the same number throughout. In the same way, always check that you use the same formal or informal form in the same letter and that all the verbs agree accordingly. eg.:  "Estimado Sr. Gómez: .... Nos complace anunciarle.... Te envío la lista de precios que me pediste...". It should read: "Estimado Sr. Gómez: .... Nos complace anunciarle.... Le envío la lista de precios que me pidió...".)

This link will take you to a general list of expressions for debating; giving opinions; arguing; presenting facts, etc.
See below this box for expressions for letter formalities...

Spanish Expressions to begin a letter... (These translations are by no means rigid and unalterable.)

*Nos complace anunciarles... We are pleased to announce...
*Tenemos el gusto de comunicarles... We are pleased to inform you... (plural)
(Tenemos el gusto de comunicarle... We are pleased to inform you... (singular))
Sentimos tener que comunicarles... We regret to have to inform you...
Lamentamos mucho tener que anunciarles... It is with considerable regret that we inform you...
Lamentamos comunicarles... We regret to inform you...
Nos complace enviarles... We are pleased to send you...
*Acusamos recibo de su escrito... We acknowledge receipt of you letter...
*Con mucho gusto les remitimos... We are very pleased to send you...
Con mucho gusto atendemos su... We are very happy to attend to your...
*En respuesta a su demanda de... In reply to your request for...
En respuesta a su atta. carta de fecha... In answer to your gracious letter of (date)
Atendemos su petición de... We write in connection with your request for...
Según lo convenido... In connection with our agreement...
Contrariamente a lo convenido... Contrary to our agreement...
*Contrariamente a lo acordado... Contrary to our agreement...
Tenemos el deber de comunicarle... We are obliged to inform you...
Tenemos el deber de avisarle... We are obliged to inform you...
Nos permitimos adjuntarle... We enclose...
Nos es grato comunicarle... We are happy to inform you...
Nos es grato adjuntarle... We are pleased to enclose...
Consideramos oportuno comunicarle... We feel it necessary to inform you...
Nos permitimos enviarle... We are sending you...
En respuesta a su carta de... In reply to your letter of... (date)
En respuesta a su atta. carta de... In reply to your gracious letter of... (date)
Confirmando nuestra carta de... We write to confirm our letter of... (date)
En relación a su... (carta, circular, pedido, etc.) In connection with your ...(letter, circular (newsletter), order, etc.)
Confirmando nuestra conversación telefónica de... With reference to our telephone conversation of ...(date)
Confirmando nuestro acuerdo verbal del... With reference to our verbal agreement of...
Referente a su escrito de... I refer to your letter...
Conforme a su pedido de... In accordance with your order of ...
Agradeceríamos recibir información sobre... We should be grateful to receive information about...
Les agradeceríamos nos informaran acerca de... We should be grateful for information about...
Nos complace comunicarles... We are pleased to inform you...
Tenemos el gusto de ofrecerle... We are pleased to offer you...
Con sumo gusto atendemos su... It is with considerable pleasure that we reply to your...
EI objeto de nuestra carta es... The aim of our letter is to...
De acuerdo con las instrucciones... In accordance with the instructions...
Hemos recibido su carta de... We received your letter...
Agradecemos su atta. carta de... We thank you for your gracious letter of (date)
Agradecemos su informe sobre... We appreciate your report about...
Estamos muy agradecidos por su... We greatly appreciate...
Oportunamente lIegó su carta... Your letter arrived just at the right moment...

Spanish Expressions to close a formal, routine business letter...

Atentamente - Respectfully
Atentamente le saluda, - Respectfully you are saluted by,
Un atento saludo - A respectful salutation
Le saludamos muy atentamente - Respectfully, we salute you
Reciba nuestro atento saludo - Please receive our hearty respects
Un cordial saludo - Salutations
Cordialmente le saluda. - Salutations

Formal business letter closes but with more attention to producing a good impression...

En espera de sus noticias, le saludamos... - Awaiting your reply, we salute you..
Agradecidos por su atención, le enviamos un cordial saludo... Thanking you for attending to this request, we send you a cordial salute...
En espera de su respuesta... Awaiting your reply...
En la confianza de vernos favorecidos con... Confident that we shall be answered favourably...
Con el sentimiento de no poderle resultar de mayor utilidad, le saludamos atentamente... With regrets that we cannot help you more, we salute you...
No dudando que será de interés para ustedes... Confident that this will be of interest to you...
Muy agradecidos por la atención que... Thanking you in advance for the attention...
Rogamos de inmediata conformidad... We ask you to confirm without delay...
En la seguridad de vernos favorecidos... Confident that we shall be answered favourably...
Rogamos nos disculpen por las molestias que les hemos ocasionado... We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused you...
Agradecidos por su amabilidad... Thanking you for your kindness...
Quedamos a su disposición por cuanto puedan necesitar... We remain at your disposal for any queries you may have...
Les quedamos muy agradecidos por su colaboración... We are grateful for your collaboration...
Esperamos su conformidad... We await your approval / confirmation... (or, we hope for your approval...)
Esperando contar nuevamente con ustedes en futuras transacciones, reciban un cordial saludo... Hoping we can count on you again for further transactions, etc....

Spanish closes for friendly, personal or amicable business letters... (These translations are by no means rigid and unalterable and in some cases are just a suggestion.)

Personal...

Un abrazo - love, warm regards
Un fuerte abrazo - love
Besos y abrazos - love and kisses
Con todo mi cariño - With all my love
Con todo mi afecto - With all my affection
Cariñosos saludos - Yours
Afectuosos saludos - Yours
Un atento saludo - Regards
Un cordial saluda - Kind regards
Le saluda muy cordialmente - Regards

Other general expressions for starting and finishing letters..

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  • Eye Exams
  • From: Deby Novitz, January 25, 2007

You can get an eye exam at Swiss Medical on Puerrydon and Santa Fe for about 50 pesos.

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